When I was young I used to be as fine a man as ever you'd see
The Prince of Wales, he said to me, "Come and join the British army."
When I was young I had a twist of punching babies with me fist
And I thought I would enlist and join the british army.

Too ra loo ra loo ra loo, they're looking for monkeys up in the zoo
If I had a face like you, I would join the British army.
Sarah Camdon baked a cake; it was all for poor old Slattery's sake.
I threw meself into the lake, pretending I was balmy.

Corporal Lennegan got such a drought, just give him a couple of jars of stout
He'll kill the enemy with his mouth and save the British army.
Too ra loo ra loo ra loo, me curse is on the labour crew
They took your darling boy from you to join the British army.

Kilted soldier's wear no drawers, ladies, will you lend them yours?
The poor should always help the poor, god save the British army!
Toora loora loora loo, they're looking for monkeys up at the zoo
"if I had a face like you, I'd join the British army"

Corporal Duff's got such a drought, just give him a couple of jars of stout
He'll kill the enemy with his mouth and save the British Army.
Too ra loo ra loo ra loo, Me curse is on the Labour crew
They took your darling boy from you to join the British army.

Captain Heeley went away and his wife got in the family way
And all the words that she would say was "Blame the British Army."
Too ra loo ra loo ra loo, I've made me mind up what to do
I'll work my ticket home to you and leave the British army.