“Johnny Drummer”
-- by Joseph C. Dorffner, Sr. - Copyright 2000 --
The regiment had a youthful drummer,
his name was “Johnny Unknown”.
He joined them from an orphanage,
the parents on record unshown.
He marched with them in battle,
tapped out all the calls.
Wore his uniform proudly,
unsoiled from battle falls.
One day prepared to do battle,
Johnny was at his post.
Up along side the flag bearer,
a position many feared most.
Suddenly a ricocheted bullet,
caught them by surprise.
It struck the youthful Johnny,
he dropped, then failed to rise.
Taken to a field hospital,
his mending came in time.
His name in the records,
“Johnny Drummer”, ends this rhyme.