Can You Tell Me The Reason Why?
Canadian Traditional/Folk Song
Lyrics
A song about life at the Royal Military
College of Canada written in 1894
Words by R.H.O. Armstrong
Lyrics by A.H.N. Kennedy
Most people have heard of this College of ours
Can you tell me the reason why?
And believe a cadet's life's a soft bed of flow'rs
Can you tell me the reason why?
They meet us in town and at afternoon tea
And think we're contented but then don't you see
There are others at home on R.L.* or C.B.*
Can you tell me the reason why?
We all march to Church thro' the slush or the mud
Can you tell me the reason why?
While the officer walks by the side of the road
Can you tell me the reason why?
When after the service we form up in line
To march back to barracks on salt-horse to dine
From the sidewalk they smile, to reply we decline
Can you tell me the reason why?
I'm told that our Messman is making his pile
Can you tell me the reason why?
And it's rumoured his butter can walk half a mile
Can you tell me the reason why?
Friday morning's repast takes a long time to make
And hot porridge supplants the cast-iron beef-steak
But Thursday's roast mutton walks off with the cake
Can you tell me the reason why?
Early to bed is a maxim of ours
Can you tell me the reason why?
We don't burn midnight oil in the small waning hours
Can you tell me the reason why?
When out of an evening to dance or to dine
We always leave early, about half-past nine
And double home quickly to get there in time
Can you tell me the reason why?
The gentle recruit always does as he's told
Can you tell me the reason why?
And somehow or other our tennis court's rolled
Can you tell me the reason why?
At the call of 'Recruit!' they all manage to hide
They're useful in football to make up a side
In winter they're wanted for 'rink' or for 'slide'
Can you tell me the reason why?
We're all very fond of the pick and the spade
Can you tell me the reason why?
And in white canvas clothing we often parade
Can you tell me the reason why?
Then off to the trenches the poor cadet hies
With point of pick downwards and shovel edgewise
And thinks he'll be happy as soon as he dies
Can you tell me the reason why?
Some think it a virtue to rise with the lark
Can you tell me the reason why?
But in winter this means getting up in the dark
Can you tell me the reason why?
We do this quite often, we're models of grace
And in full marching order our shoulders do brace
We walk the parade at a regular pace
Can you tell me the reason why?
* R.L. - Restricted Leave?
* C.B. - Confined to Barracks
Can You Tell Me The Reason Why? - Canadian Traditional/Folk Song Free Midi Download
Midi sequence from The Great Canadian Tunebook
Canadian Traditional/Folk Song
Lyrics
A song about life at the Royal Military
College of Canada written in 1894
Words by R.H.O. Armstrong
Lyrics by A.H.N. Kennedy
Most people have heard of this College of ours
Can you tell me the reason why?
And believe a cadet's life's a soft bed of flow'rs
Can you tell me the reason why?
They meet us in town and at afternoon tea
And think we're contented but then don't you see
There are others at home on R.L.* or C.B.*
Can you tell me the reason why?
We all march to Church thro' the slush or the mud
Can you tell me the reason why?
While the officer walks by the side of the road
Can you tell me the reason why?
When after the service we form up in line
To march back to barracks on salt-horse to dine
From the sidewalk they smile, to reply we decline
Can you tell me the reason why?
I'm told that our Messman is making his pile
Can you tell me the reason why?
And it's rumoured his butter can walk half a mile
Can you tell me the reason why?
Friday morning's repast takes a long time to make
And hot porridge supplants the cast-iron beef-steak
But Thursday's roast mutton walks off with the cake
Can you tell me the reason why?
Early to bed is a maxim of ours
Can you tell me the reason why?
We don't burn midnight oil in the small waning hours
Can you tell me the reason why?
When out of an evening to dance or to dine
We always leave early, about half-past nine
And double home quickly to get there in time
Can you tell me the reason why?
The gentle recruit always does as he's told
Can you tell me the reason why?
And somehow or other our tennis court's rolled
Can you tell me the reason why?
At the call of 'Recruit!' they all manage to hide
They're useful in football to make up a side
In winter they're wanted for 'rink' or for 'slide'
Can you tell me the reason why?
We're all very fond of the pick and the spade
Can you tell me the reason why?
And in white canvas clothing we often parade
Can you tell me the reason why?
Then off to the trenches the poor cadet hies
With point of pick downwards and shovel edgewise
And thinks he'll be happy as soon as he dies
Can you tell me the reason why?
Some think it a virtue to rise with the lark
Can you tell me the reason why?
But in winter this means getting up in the dark
Can you tell me the reason why?
We do this quite often, we're models of grace
And in full marching order our shoulders do brace
We walk the parade at a regular pace
Can you tell me the reason why?
* R.L. - Restricted Leave?
* C.B. - Confined to Barracks
Can You Tell Me The Reason Why? - Canadian Traditional/Folk Song Free Midi Download
Midi sequence from The Great Canadian Tunebook
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