Verse
B E G#m
I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war
E B F#
I wanna good steed under me like my forefathers before
B E G#m
I wanna good mount when the bugle sounds and I hear the cannons' roar
E B F# B
I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war
[Verse 2]
B E G#m
well,I wanna horse in the volunteer force that's riding forth at dawn
E B F#
Please save for me some gallantry that will echo when I'm gone
B E G#m
I beg of you sarge let me lead the charge when the battle lines are drawn
E B F# B
Lemme at least leave a good hoof beat they'll remember loud and long
[Verse 3]
B E G#m
I'd not a good foot soldier make, I'd be sour and slow at march
E B F#
And I'd be sick on a navy ship, and the sea would leave me parched
B E G#m
But I'll be first in line if they'll let me ride, by god, you'll see my starch
E B F# B
Lope back o'er the heath with the laurel wreath underneath that vict’ry arch
[Chorus]
B E G#m
Let me earn my spurs in the battle's blur where the day is lost or won
E B F#
I'll wield my lance as the ponies dance and the blackguards fire their guns
B E G#m
C# sabre keen, and a saddle carbine and an army Remington
E B F# B
Where the hot lead screams with the cold, cold steel let me be a cavalryman
[Chorus]
B E G#m
Let 'em play their flutes and stirrup my boots and place them back to front
E B F#
Cause I won’t be back on the rider-less black and I'm finished in my hunt
B E G#m
I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war
E B F# B
I wanna be in the cavalry, but I won't ride home no more