I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war
I wanna good steed under me like my forefathers before
I wanna good mount when the bugle sounds and I hear the cannons roar
I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war
well,I wanna horse in the volunteer force that s riding forth at dawn
Please save for me some gallantry that will echo when I m gone
I beg of you sarge let me lead the charge when the battle lines are drawn
Lemme at least leave a good hoof beat they ll remember loud and long
I d not a good foot soldier make, I d be sour and slow at march
And I d be sick on a navy ship, and the sea would leave me parched
But I ll be first in line if they ll let me ride, by god, you ll see my starch
Lope back o er the heath with the laurel wreath underneath that victâry arch
Chorus
Let me earn my spurs in the battle s blur where the day is lost or won
I ll wield my lance as the ponies dance and the blackguards fire their guns
A sabre keen, and a saddle carbine and an army Remington
Where the hot lead screams with the cold, cold steel let me be a cavâlryman
Chorus
Let em play their flutes and stirrup my boots and place them back to front
Cause I wonât be back on the rider-less black and I m finished in my hunt
I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war
I wanna be in the cavalry, but I won t ride home no more