Marching Song

Robert Louis Stevenson · 1885

Catalog grade guidance: K–5 — Short children’s lyric; good for early memorization and reading aloud.

18 content lines · 80 words · Est. recitation about 51 sec (approx.)

Public-domain text for reading and recitation practice. Source: Project Gutenberg #136.Estimated time uses ~120 words/minute plus short pauses—not a contest rule.

Marching Song

  Bring the comb and play upon it!
       Marching, here we come!
  Willie cocks his highland bonnet,
       Johnnie beats the drum.

  Mary Jane commands the party,
       Peter leads the rear;
  Feet in time, alert and hearty,
       Each a Grenadier!

  All in the most martial manner
       Marching double-quick;
  While the napkin, like a banner,
       Waves upon the stick!

  Here's enough of fame and pillage,
       Great commander Jane!
  Now that we've been round the village,
       Let's go home again.


                                           XXIII