Kabul town's by Kabul river - 
Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
There I lef' my mate for ever, 
Wet an' drippin' by the ford. 
Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,
Ford o' Kabul river in the dark !
There's the river up and brimmin',
An' there's 'arf a squadron swimmin'
'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.

Kabul town's a blasted place - 
Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
'Strewth I sha'n't forget 'is face 
Wet an' drippin' by the ford !
Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,
Ford o' Kabul river in the dark ! 
Keep the crossing-stakes beside you, 
An' they will surely guide you 
'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.

Kabul town is sun and dust - 
Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
I'd ha' sooner drownded fust 
'Stead of 'im beside the ford.
Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river, 
Ford o' Kabul river in the dark !
You can 'ear the 'orses threshin', 
You can 'ear the men a-splashin',
'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.

Kabul town was ours to take - 
Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
I'd ha' left it for 'is sake - 
'Im that left me by the ford.
Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,
Ford o' Kabul river in the dark !
It's none so bloomin' dry there; 
Ain't you [bad word]  nigh there,
'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark ? 

Kabul town'll go to [bad word] - 
Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
'Fore I see him 'live an' well - 
'Im the best beside the ford.
Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,
Ford o' Kabul river in the dark !
Gawd 'elp 'em if they blunder, 
For their boots'll pull 'em under,
By the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.

Turn your 'orse from Kabul town - 
Blow the bugle, draw the sword - 
'Im an' 'arf my troop is down, 
Down an' drownded by the ford. 
Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,
Ford o' Kabul river in the dark ! 
There's the river low an' fallin', 
But it ain't no use o' callin'
'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.