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Fiddler's Green


 

 

 

Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead Troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler's Green.

Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen. Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddler's Green.

Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddler's Green.

And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddler's Green.

Fiddler's Green was first published in the Cavalry Journal in 1923 and its
author is unknown.  It is believed to have originated in the 1800's.

It should be noted that all Troopers assigned or attached to the 1st
Cavalry Division are "Cavalry" regardless of their branch of service.  
The Infantry, Engineers, Artillery and Marines mentioned in the poem
that are on their way to Hell were never a part of the First Team!