Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1918 — “WE’RE OFF.” [ARTICLE]

“WE’RE OFF.”

A tear, a sigh, and a fond - good-by, And the tramp of marching men, A column straight, and a steady gait, Along the street and then, With heads erect and our baggage checked.We are off on a tour of Juty, To bring redress, to a land oppressed Less thought of self or booty. We are a likely lot and the best we’ve got. They’re sons and dads and brothers And our only aim, is to win the game For our sweethearts, wives and mothers. We sing a song, as we march along, A smashing song with a ring, And it grips us fair, as we catch the air. A victory song we sing. The colors gay, as we march away, Caress and bless and love them, With swelling pride, we mark our stride, A laurel wreath above us, We are off for France, no circumstance Can alter our firm intention To free the race from its black disgrace. And banish a world’s dissension As we go forth well we know That ours is a task gigantic, So we’ll pledge our all till the heavens fall, As we cross the broad Atlantic. CORP. OPAL CALDWELL, Camp Dearborn, Mass.