36 Inches

Once I was a soldier

I rode on a big white horse

Silver pistols at my side

Carryin' the flags of war



And I lost track of the men who fell

In the canon's roar

I never got over bein' a soldier



Once I was a tax man

Collectin' dollars and dimes

I 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

I 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 I

36 inches high

I never got over 36 inches high