I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war
I wanna good steed under me like my forefathers before
I wanna good mount when the bugle sounds and I hear the cannons' roar

Well I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war
Well I wanna good horse in the volunteer force that's riding forth at dawn
Please save for me some gallantry that will echo when I'm gone
I beg of you sarge let me lead the charge when the battle lines are drawn
Lemme at least leave a good hoof beat they'll remember loud and long

I'd not a good foot soldier mate, I'd be sour and slow at March
And I'd be sick on a navy ship, and the sea would leave me parched
But I'll be first in line if they'll let me ride, by God, you'll see my starch
Lope back o'er the heath with the laurel wreath underneath that vict'ry arch

Well I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war
I wanna good steed under me like my forefathers before
I wanna good mount when the bugle sounds and I hear the cannons' roar
I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war

Let me earn my spurs in the battle's blur where the day is lost or won
I'll wield my lance as the ponies dance and the blackguards fire their guns
With a sabre keen, and a saddle carbine and an army Remington
Where the hot lead screams with the cold, cold steel let me be a cavalryman

Well I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war
An' I wanna good steed under me like my forefathers before
I wanna good mount when the bugle sounds and I hear the cannons' roar
Well I wanna be in the cavalry if I must go off to war

Let 'em play their flutes and stirrup my boots and lace them back to front
'Cause I won't be back on the rider-less black when I'm finished cross my heart
Well I wanna be in the cavalry if they send me off to war
I wanna be in the cavalry, but I won't ride home no more