Ford o’ Kabul River

Kabul town's by Kabul river - 
   Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
There I lef' my mate for ever, 
  Wet an' drippin' by the ford. 
       Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,
           Ford o' Kabul river in the dark !
      There's the river up and brimmin',
          An' there's 'arf a squadron swimmin'
            'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark. 

Kabul town's a blasted place - 
   Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
'Strewth I sha'n't forget 'is face 
   Wet an' drippin' by the ford !
      Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,
            Ford o' Kabul river in the dark ! 
      Keep the crossing-stakes beside you, 
           An' they will surely guide you 
            'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark. 

Kabul town is sun and dust - 
  Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
I'd ha' sooner drownded fust 
   'Stead of 'im beside the ford.
       Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river, 
           Ford o' Kabul river in the dark !
      You can 'ear the 'orses threshin', 
           You can 'ear the men a-splashin',
            'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark. 

Kabul town was ours to take - 
  Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
I'd ha' left it for 'is sake - 
   'Im that left me by the ford.
      Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,
            Ford o' Kabul river in the dark !
       It's none so bloomin' dry there; 
           Ain't you never comin' nigh there,
             'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark ?  

Kabul town'll go to hell - 
  Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
'Fore I see him 'live an' well - 
  'Im the best beside the ford.
       Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,
            Ford o' Kabul river in the dark !
       Gawd 'elp 'em if they blunder, 
           For their boots'll pull 'em under,
           By the ford o' Kabul river in the dark. 

Turn your 'orse from Kabul town - 
   Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
'Im an' 'arf my troop is down, 
  Down an' drownded by the ford. 
       Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,
             Ford o' Kabul river in the dark ! 
      There's the river low an' fallin', 
           But it ain't no use o' callin'
     '                Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.

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