David and the Army

David, dressed in his overall,
     Daddy's cap with his horn and all,
Wants to go to the Army hall
     To play in the Army band.
First he must practice and learn to play,
All of the musical terms obey,
That is the only proper way,
David must understand.

So he plays in his yard at home.
Loudly beating his little drum.
Calling the children all to come.
All in the neighborhood.
David's the captain of all the crew,
Telling the rest of them what to do,
Singing and playing and preaching too,
     Just as the Captain should.

On Sunday he wears his Sunday clothes,
Off to the Company Meeting he goes,
Often the Golden Text he knows,
     Saying it all alone.
David will treasure his childhood days,
When he was led into Christian ways,
Giving his parents grateful praise,
     When he is fully grown.

Irena Arnold. Youth on the Platform. Atlanta, GA: The Salvation Army, 1947.

Youth on the Platform