A descriptive song dedicated to the Army, 1890.
words by Robert J. Burdette
music by John Philip Sousa
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
- The daystar shines upon the hill
The valleys in the shadows sleep
In wood and thicket, dark and still
My comrades lie in slumber deep
Far in the east a phantom gray
Steals slowly up the night’s black pall
And herald of the coming day
The distant bugle’s soft notes call
“I can’t get ’em up, I can’t get ’em up
I can’t get ’em up in the morning
I can’t get ’em up, I can’t get ’em up
I can’t get ’em up at all” - A thought of motion at the sound
As though the forest caught its breath
And belted sleepers on the ground
Move restlessly like life in death
And slumb’ring echoes, here and there
Awaken as the challenge floats
And louder on the morning air
Ring out the cheery bugle notes
“I can’t get ’em up in the morning
I can’t get ’em up in the morning
I can’t get ’em up in the morning
I can’t get ’em up at all” - And as the thrilling strains prolong
Flames into rose and gold the day
And springing up with shout and song
Each soldier welcomes march or fray
“I can’t get ’em up, I can’t get ’em up”
Ring out the cheery bugle call
“I can’t get ’em up, I can’t get ’em up
I can’t get ’em up, I can’t get ’em up”
Ring out the cheery bugle call - Through wooded vale, o’er windswept hill
Where campfires gleam and shadows fall
And louder, clearer, cheerily still
Ring out the merry bugle call
“I can’t get ’em up, I can’t get ’em up
I can’t get ’em up in the morning
I can’t get ’em up, I can’t get ’em up
I can’t get ’em up at all”
Sung here by Fred Feild: