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Poem
January 23, 1919
The Press
Stafford Springs, Tolland County, Connecticut
What is this article about?
Patriotic poem celebrating the bravery of 'Boys in Brown' (American soldiers, likely from Brown University) in World War I, mocking Prussian underestimation, describing their charge into France, heritage from revolutionary sires like Phil, Put, and Hale, and victory at Chateau-Thierry, repaying Washington's debt to Lafayette.
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Full Text
THE BOYS IN BROWN
Copyright 1919 By Felix J. O'Neill.
"They're green as grass!"
The Prussian sneered.
"In arts of war
They were not reared."
But Fritz woke up
One awful night
To find that Boys
In Brown could fight.
"The Boys In Brown
We do not fear.
We'll whip the world
Ere they get here."
Next day Brown Boys
Were deep in France
With Yankee steel
At Fritz's pants.
The Boys In Brown
Had fighting sires.
They keep alive
Their fathers' fires.
True sons of "Phil"
And "Put" and Hale
They will not see
Old Glory trail.
The Boys In Brown
Have hearts of oak
They laugh and jest
At battle smoke.
In teeth of guns
That belch red hail
They win or die,
But never quail
With Chateau Thier-
ry's gory guns
The Boys In Brown
Hurled back the Huns.
The Boys In Brown
Thus paid the debt
Of Washington
To Lafayette.
The Boys In Brown
Had fighting sires.
They keep alive
Their fathers' fires.
True sons of "Phil"
And "Put" and Hale
They will not see
Old Glory trail.
Copyright 1919 By Felix J. O'Neill.
"They're green as grass!"
The Prussian sneered.
"In arts of war
They were not reared."
But Fritz woke up
One awful night
To find that Boys
In Brown could fight.
"The Boys In Brown
We do not fear.
We'll whip the world
Ere they get here."
Next day Brown Boys
Were deep in France
With Yankee steel
At Fritz's pants.
The Boys In Brown
Had fighting sires.
They keep alive
Their fathers' fires.
True sons of "Phil"
And "Put" and Hale
They will not see
Old Glory trail.
The Boys In Brown
Have hearts of oak
They laugh and jest
At battle smoke.
In teeth of guns
That belch red hail
They win or die,
But never quail
With Chateau Thier-
ry's gory guns
The Boys In Brown
Hurled back the Huns.
The Boys In Brown
Thus paid the debt
Of Washington
To Lafayette.
The Boys In Brown
Had fighting sires.
They keep alive
Their fathers' fires.
True sons of "Phil"
And "Put" and Hale
They will not see
Old Glory trail.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Song
What themes does it cover?
Patriotism
War Military
What keywords are associated?
Boys In Brown
World War I
American Soldiers
Prussian Sneer
Chateau Thierry
Fritz
Huns
Old Glory
What entities or persons were involved?
Felix J. O'neill
Poem Details
Title
The Boys In Brown
Author
Felix J. O'neill
Subject
Praise Of American Soldiers In World War I At Chateau Thierry
Key Lines
"They're Green As Grass!" The Prussian Sneered. "In Arts Of War They Were Not Reared."
The Boys In Brown Had Fighting Sires. They Keep Alive Their Fathers' Fires. True Sons Of "Phil" And "Put" And Hale They Will Not See Old Glory Trail.
With Chateau Thier Ry's Gory Guns The Boys In Brown Hurled Back The Huns.
The Boys In Brown Thus Paid The Debt Of Washington To Lafayette.