Once I was a soldier L rode on a big white horse Silver pistols at my side Carryin' the flags of war And I Iost track of the men who fell In the canon's roar L never got over bein' a soldier Once I was a tax man Collectin' dollars and dimes L heard the rich man grumble I heard the poor man cry Some few couldn't afford to pay Were put to a shackle and key L never got over bein' a tax man Once I was a ruler About twelve inches long Three times me made a yardstick 36 inches high 36 inches high was l 36 inches high I never got over 36 inches high