"It occurred on the evening before Waterloo, And troops were lined up on parade, The Sergeant inspecting 'em he was a …"

"All excepting one man who was in the front rank, A man by the name of Sam Small, And 'im and the Sergeant were both '…"

"As Sergeant walks past he was swinging his arms, And he happened to brush against Sam, And knocking his musket clean …"

"'Sam, Sam, pick oop tha' musket,' The Sergeant exclaimed with a roar, Sam said 'Tha' knocked it doon, reason tha'll p…"

"The sound of 'igh words very soon reached the ears of an officer, Lieutenant Bird, Who said to the Sergeant, 'Now wha…"

"'Sam, Sam, pick oop tha' musket,' Lieutenant exclaimed with some 'eat, Sam said, 'he knocked it down, reason he picks…"

"It caused quite a stir when the Captain arrived To ‘find out the cause of the trouble’ And every man there, all excep…"

"'Sam, Sam, pick oop the musket,' Said Captain, for strictness renowned. Sam said 'He knocked it doon, reason he picks…"

"The same thing occurred when the Major and Colonel Both tried to get Sam to see sense, But when Old Duke o' Wellingto…"

"Up rode the Duke on a loverly white 'orse, To find out the cause of the bother, He looked at the musket and then at O…"