In the history of the British Army, one character stands out ....infamous in the ways of cajoling would-be recruits to sign up.......
The Recruiting Sergeant...
Many wiles he used....but none so effective as...free rum...and the Kynge's Shilling...

The Kynge’s Shilling...
................


Young and daft I was
and easy to waylay
and o’ ...the sergeant
saw me coming
on that fateful day..

‘Young sir’ he cryed
‘are you for adventure’s whim’ ?
he must have seen
the awe in my gaze
when I looked at him.

Tall an’ craggy red
coat smart as paint
was that sergeant who
saw me coming..
cunning wise..I ain’t..

‘Och ye are a handsome
young an’ healthie lad,
sign up for Kynge and Counterie
there’s a silver shilling
to be had’..

Never had I saw sae bright
a bonny silver shilling
an’ a nog o’ rum for free
if I’d join the Colours
an’ dae the killing..

Strong drink was no’ my mettle
and that rum was strong,
singing lyke a lintie
I signed wi’ my mark
my freedome for a song..

Och.well dae I regret that day
when I sae daft an’ willing
tricked by a red
coated sergeant’s lies...
I took the Kynge’s Shilling...

Graham...March..2004