How Stands the Glass Around

[1] The lyrics express the suffering of soldiers, wherefore the song was primarily popular among people serving in the military.

[2] It deals with the helplessness experienced during war and the boldness demanded in the military, but also about reducing fear and pain by consuming alcohol.

[3] The oldest known reference to the song is an alternative text written for a ballad opera in the year 1729.

[1][2][5] How stands the glass around For shame, ye take no care, me boys How stands the glass around Let mirth and wine abound The trumpets sound The colours, they are flying, boys To fight, kill or wound May we still be found Content with our hard fare, me boys On the cold ground

’Tis but in vain I mean not to upbraid you, boys ’Tis but in vain For soldiers to complain Should next campaign Send us to Him that made us, boys We’re free from pain But should we remain A bottle and kind landlady Cures all again