Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

I Wonder Why I Work and Sigh the Way I Do

Traditional

“I Wonder Why I Work and Sigh the Way I Do” as printed in The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book (1918).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 285 1918 · historical text
Public domainSoldier songHistorical song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

I wonder why I work and sigh the way I do.

Is it because I'm in this blinkin' army too?

I used to think a soldier's life was simply grand;

But now I've changed my mind because I understand.

Verse 2

In London Town a soldier's life is grand,

He winks at all the girlies in the Strand,

But not so in Flanders, it's not the same,

You work around from morn till night

And then start in again.

If ever I get through this war alive,

You bet your little life I'll happy be;

If a new war starts some day,

I'll be going the other way,

Or else I'll join the A.S.C.

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. Historical text published in The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book (1918); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Canadian Soldiers' Song Book (1918), “I Wonder Why I Work and Sigh the Way I Do”

The 1918 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author died more than 70 years ago are also in the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions; other entries are held.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-12. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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