Sometimes 'tis far off, and sometimes 'tis nigh, br Such drummerdery noises too they be ! br 'Tis odd — oh, I do hope I baint to die br Just as the summer months be coming on, br And buffly chicken out, and bumble-bee : br Though, to be sure, I cannot hear 'em plain br For this drat row as goes a-drumming on. br Just like a little soldier in my brain. br br And oh, I've heard we got to go through flame br And water-floods — but maybe 'tisn't true ! br I alius were a-frightened o' the sea. br And burning fires — oh, it would be a shame br And all the garden ripe, and sky so blue. br Such drummerdery noises, too, they be.