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Seamus
Guardian of Heaven's Gate
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 19 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - December 22 2008 : 6:52:31 PM
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I received the following last year from a friend and fellow reenactor
and thought you all might enjoy it as I did. (I took the liberty of censoring it some, as this IS a family channel!)I am sure, too, that some of you will find some familiar things as you read it.......and say:
"Yeah...I've been there..."
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Christmas 1756
Fort William Henry
The night before Christmas, and all through the camp
The fires are burning, our blankets are damp
The Froggies are staying away on this night
To share Peace on Earth, away from the fight
A night when we're safe, our Besses are racked
Into our barracks the soldiers are packed
We huddle together, by God it is cold!
Dice that are pounded from bullets are rolled
Wet stockings hung by the fire with care
Steaming and dirty and smell of burnt hair
The night, it is snowy, the lanterns are lit
I think there's a bottle of rum in my kit
A toast to King George, we fathom the bowl
A private produces a chicken he stole
We sing of Old England, from taverns we knew
A toast to our comrades the Frenchies have slew
We tell bawdy stories of doxies at home
Plying their trade in the alleys they roam
Trimming our sails, while kicking a dog
I saw she was ugly while heaving the log
The door in the barracks flies open to show
The Sergeant is shivering, covered in snow
The wind lashes inward, to chill the men more
To him a drunken soldier yells to" shut the (*expletive*) door!"
Who said that?, Sergeant snarls, Corporal, take his name!
I'll have you flogged,on Christmas, the day is just the same!
Pushing to the fire, to thaw his frozen skin
Announces that the dreaded midnight watch will soon begin
The guardhouses are empty, the pickets are a' missing
A sentry fell into the covert way while he was p*****g
A drunken Grenadier, with dignity so rare
Stuck his tongue onto a frozen cannon on a dare
A Ranger, bold, has fallen in the trench where we all s**t
It's frozen to him now, but he will thaw in just a bit
I need a man to walk the wall, so one will come with me
Get your kit and musket and a mug of English tea
No one volunteered, so he produced some playing cards,
Low man gets his gear on, to replace those missing guards
I drew the two of diamonds, my lot cast for the night
The sergeant grabbed my Bess and saw that everything was tight
I pulled a scarf around my face and jammed my tricorn on
A watchcoat draped about me, to warm me `til the dawn
I grabbed my musket, lantern and went out into the cold
To walk my post like every other soldier that's been told
I watch the night sky parting; the moon and stars shine through
I think of home and family and loves that I once knew
I count my steps and do my duty, pacing up and down
A soldier's lot I've chosen, to fight for King and Crown
On guard against homesickness, tonight my mortal foe
As only brave young soldiers, so far from home would know.
Merry Christmas to all my dear friends................
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Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy sh*t ...what a ride!'
~~Mavis Leyrer, Seattle
Seamus
~~Aim small, hit the b*****d right between the eyes!~~ |
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SgtMunro
Soldier of the King
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
September 23 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - December 23 2008 : 11:47:24 AM
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Seamus, you have managed to tug at the heart-strings of this old soldier with your timely prose; as I am in winter quarters at Fort Pitt, and such things occur here with great regularity. God Bless You Sir. And a Merry Christmas to You, Your Kin, and the Brae Lads of the Pennsylvania Regiment. And may your winter at Fort Augusta pass peacefully...
Your Most Humble & Obedient Servant,
Serjeant Duncan Alisdair Munro
Capt. Graham's Coy. of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foote
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Serjeant-Major Duncan Munro
Capt. Thos. Graham's Coy.
42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foote
(The Black Sheep of the Black Watch)
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit"
-Or-
"Recruit locally, fight globally." |
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Seamus
Guardian of Heaven's Gate
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 19 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 23 2008 : 3:53:18 PM
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Thank you, Duncan, me Lad....and may the blessings of Christmas pour down upon you, your dear Lassies! and the gallant men of the 42nd! Stay warm..........
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Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy sh*t ...what a ride!'
~~Mavis Leyrer, Seattle
Seamus
~~Aim small, hit the b*****d right between the eyes!~~ |
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Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005
Status: offline
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Posted - December 24 2008 : 3:03:22 PM
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That poem almost makes you feel sorry for the Brits. Almost. The French are such a happier race of people.
Joyeux Noel |
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
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Seamus
Guardian of Heaven's Gate
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 19 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 24 2008 : 3:16:41 PM
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Yes, dear Fitz...ignorance IS bliss...and the French display it well.....
Seriously, Joyeux Noel to you and yours, too, and have a Happy and Healthy New Year. We shall see you on the field at some point and exchange happy greetings, eh!? (and, perhaps, some port or cherry bounce? Mmmmmmmm.....? Pairhaps both, mon ami!)
And the same expression of the Holidays' wishes go to all of Mohicanland!
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Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy sh*t ...what a ride!'
~~Mavis Leyrer, Seattle
Seamus
~~Aim small, hit the b*****d right between the eyes!~~ |
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Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005
Status: offline
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Posted - December 24 2008 : 4:09:50 PM
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Yes, perhaps at Niagara next summer, or maybe Quebec. Unfortunately, Niagara coincides with my wedding anniversary, a point which I haven't brought up yet. But what could be more appropriate for a wedding anniversary than Niagara?
Merry Christmas |
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
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Seamus
Guardian of Heaven's Gate
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 19 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 24 2008 : 4:30:55 PM
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| Probably Quebec....I will likely not be going to Niagara. Take her there for your anniversary! |
Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy sh*t ...what a ride!'
~~Mavis Leyrer, Seattle
Seamus
~~Aim small, hit the b*****d right between the eyes!~~ |
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Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005
Status: offline
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Posted - December 24 2008 : 7:00:07 PM
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| Alas, I am afraid that she does not like the sort of thing that we do, and at times has trouble understanding why I do. She is very tolerant and does allow me to participate as much as I like. But she will never do more. |
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
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Seamus
Guardian of Heaven's Gate
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 19 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 25 2008 : 11:48:23 AM
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| I certainly understand........took mine awhile (like.......35 years or so), but now she will go to some events...if there is a good motel, shopping, and/or a decent craft show within striking distance! |
Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy sh*t ...what a ride!'
~~Mavis Leyrer, Seattle
Seamus
~~Aim small, hit the b*****d right between the eyes!~~ |
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Christmas 1756-----
