I'll sing you a song of a soldier
I'll tell you a tale of a man
A song I'll sing of Old Ned King...
Ned King of doomed Bataan!

So prepare for thrills and heart-aches
And prepare to shed some tears;
I'll tell you a tale that cannot fail
To jar your jaded ears.

You plain John Does and G I Joes,
You wailing Sal and Sue,
Ned King turned up the bitter cup
And drained the dregs for you.

You post-war boys with all your noise,
You homesick amateurs,
Ned King's the chap who took the rap
And did his time and yours.

You chronic haters and "brass hat" baiters,
Now listen here to me,
Ned King was tried and crucified
That you might still be free.

Ned King was a gentleman born
With riches of heart and head,
A soldier and scholar, he scorned the dollar
And chose the Service instead.

He ranked with the best of his time,
He met the Army's needs,
In courage and brains and all that pertains
To the best the Service breeds.

Distinction had marked him soon
And merit had gained his star,
In school and camp he bore the stamp
Of one who must go far.

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