In the spring of ninety-two The Austrians and the Prussians too Crossed the line The war had come The people went to see the King Reluctantly he let them in And over tea they said that He must choose one hat A crown in Koblenz with his friends Or if he chose to make amends He might adopt He might adopt Their scarlet bonnet Surprise, surprise, when left to choose Too late he chose "The Bonnet Rouge"