Life, 1918-07-18 · page 7 of 36
Life — July 18, 1918 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a patriotic poem celebrating American soldiers, comparing Civil War veterans ("boys of '76 and lads of '61") with contemporary khaki-uniformed soldiers (presumably from WWI). The top illustration shows a humorous chain of soldiers in various poses of exhaustion or exaggerated obedience—a visual joke about military discipline and the physical demands of soldiering. The poem praises soldiers' readiness, bravery, and willingness to endure hardship. The accompanying sketch depicts a sleeping soldier, captioned "Fritz: corr! how I'd like to haf a goot, long sleep!"—likely referencing a German soldier (Fritz being a stereotypical German name), suggesting even the enemy recognizes the grueling nature of war. The overall message frames American soldiers as worthy successors to honored military traditions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
wannegen Cape Soldiers HE boys of '76 and the lads of "61 Were handy with the bayonet, the sabre and the gun; They hurried to the muster, And they didn’t brag or bluster When they rode with Lee or Custer Or they marched with Washington. They were made of proper stuff When they wore the blue and buff, And were ready, ever ready for the game; They were brisk and ready, too, When they wore the gray or blue, And our soldier boys in khaki are the same. The boys of '76 and the lads of ‘61 Were cheerful in the blizzard and were happy in the sun; All soldierly and willing In their marching and their drilling, If their rations weren't filling They could still be full of fun. They were straight as mountain pine In the Continental Line, And they took the luck of battle as it came. “They were hardy as could be In the ranks of Grant and Lee, And our soldier boys in khaki are the same. The boys of ‘76 and the lads of ‘61 Were always keen for fighting and were bound to yield to none. Their cannon might be mired, But they dragged them out, untired, And they loaded, aimed and fired Till the work to do was done. They were made of proper stuff When they wore the blue and buf, And were ready, ever ready for the game; They were brisk and ready, too, When they wore the army blue, And our soldier boys in khaki are the same. Arthur Guiterman, comicbooks.com