For Bales
La chanson For Bales est une chanson populaire de la Guerre de Sécession. Elle apparaît un an après When Johnny Comes Marching Home, elle reprend le même thème musical. Elle est utilisée par les sudistes pour parodier la tendance présumée au pillage de certains soldats nordistes.
Paroles
1.
We all went down to New Or-leans,
For Bales, for Bales;
We all went down to New Orleans,
For Bales, says I;
We all went down to New Orleans
To get a peep behind the scenes,
[Refrain après chaque couplet]
And we'll all drink stone blind,
John-ny fill up the bowl."
2.
We thought when we got in the "Ring,"
For Bales, for Bales;
We thought when we got in the "Ring,"
For Bales, says I;
We thought when we got in the "Ring,"
Green-backs would be a dead sure thing,
3.
The "ring" went up with bagging and rope,
For Bales, for Bales;
Upon the "Black Hawk" with bagging and rope,
For Bales, says I;
Went up "Red River" with bagging and rope,
Expecting to make a pile of "soap,"
4.
But Taylor and Smith, with ragged rank,
For Bales, for Bales;
But Taylor and Smith, with ragged ranks,
For Bales, says I;
But Taylor and Smith, with ragged ranks,
Burned up the cotton and shipped old Banks,
5.
Our "ring" came back and cursed and swore,
For Bales, for Bales;
Our "ring" came back and cursed and swore,
For Bales, says I;
Our "ring" came back and cursed and swore,
For we got not cotton at Grand Encore,
6.
Now let us all give praise and thanks,
For Bales, for Bales;
Now let us all give praise and thanks,
For Bales, says I;
Now let us all give praise and thanks
For the victory gained by General Banks,
And we all drink stone blind
Johnny fill up the bowl.