There are many, many versions of this classic schoolchild's
ditty. Sung to the tune of "
Battle Hymn of the Republic," this song has a really dark undertone in the post-
Columbine era. Also, it is reminiscent of the scene in
Pink Floyd The Wall, where in
Pink's imagination, the school is smashed, burned, and the evil headmaster cast into the flames. Here are some different versions.
Version 1:
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school,
We have tortured all the teachers, we have broken every rule
We are heading for the Principal with fire and torture too
As we go marching on!
Version 2:
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school
We have tortured all the the teachers
We have broken every rule
We have barbecued the principal
We have killed the PTA
As the kids go marching on...
The chorus has many, many versions as well. Here are some variants.
CHORUS:
Glory, glory Halleluja!
Line 2: I bopped her on the bean with a rotten tangerine
Hid behind the door with a loaded .44
Met her at the bank with a German army tank
Met her in the tub with a German navy sub
Met her in the attic with a loaded automatic
Hit her in the seater with a .50 millimeter
I shot her in the butt with a rotten coconut
I shot her in the hand with a loaded rubber band
I met her at the door with a hungry dinosaur
Teacher came in late so we sent her to Kuwait
Line 3: And my teacher don't teach any more!
And my teacher ain't a teacher any more!
And we ain't seen the ol' bitch since!
The school is burning down!
Our troops are marching on!
As we go marching on!
Now that I'm a high school graduate, I see this kid's
ditty in an entirely different light. In my experience, my teachers have been great, wonderful people who helped me grow as a person. On the other hand, I've never been whapped with a ruler like they used to do
back in the day. God bless immature, violent American schoolyard
folk culture, though.
Source: http://home.earthlink.net/~kayshapero/childish.htm