Judge — December 19, 1896 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page presents an antiwar song titled "Rest" (music by J.F. Peterson, words by W.E. Cash), set to sheet music with grotesque illustrated figures representing soldiers or war victims. The lyrics mock recruitment and military service: "Kind folks hear us / Sing our song / Don't try to get gay / We don't want work / Were out for luck / The live long day dry." The imagery—skeletal figures, death, destruction—contrasts darkly with the melody marked "Andante" (slow, peaceful). The surrounding illustrations of dead/dying soldiers and the grotesque face at bottom suggest this is **antimilitarism satire**, likely from WWI era, criticizing the disconnect between patriotic song and war's brutal reality. The cartoon mocks how cheerful music was used to encourage enlistment while concealing combat's horrors.