Joseph H Burns was one of the most prolific poets in Haliburton County. His poems often resemble the lyrical style of Robbie Burns.

In early childhood Joesph was blinded from an unfortunate accident.

Although he never let his disability prevent him from living independently, he owned and ran a small farm. His disability did keep him from enlisting in the First World War. However, Joseph Burns contributed in a far more important and valuable way. With his pen Mr Burns wrote an enlistment poem which was published and widely distributed throughout the county.

A Call to Arms

Men of Haliburton County do you hear the bugle call?

Do you know that men are gathering both from hamlet and from hall?

Tis the mighty voice of duty bids you, all objection pin

To the coat tails of coward and prepare to take Berlin.

This the Call of Mother Britain to her sons across the seas

Tis the call of trampled Serbia who has lost her liberty.

Tis the call of broken Belgium in her sorrow and her pain.

To the men of Haliburton - is the call to be in vain?

Hear the mutilated children as the toss on beds of pain,

Weeping for the slaughtered parents, they shall never see again.

Tis the call of wives and mothers by teutonic culture slain.

To the men of Haliburton - is the call to be in vain?

This the Call of Mother Britain to her sons across the seas

Tis the call of trampled Serbia who has lost her liberty.

Tis the call of broken Belgium in her sorrow and her pain.

To the men of Haliburton - is the call to be in vain?

Veterans of the great rebellion. Those who broke the half-breed's will,

Heroes of Batcher's battle and the fight at Cut Knife Hill,

Hear them shout for Britain's glory, Britain's honour, Britain's name.

O' ye men of Haliburton - is the call to be in vain?

This the Call of Mother Britain to her sons across the seas

Tis the call of trampled Serbia who has lost her liberty.

Tis the call of broken Belgium in her sorrow and her pain.

To the men of Haliburton - is the call to be in vain?

Tis the Spirit of our fathers from the ages that have gone,

Men who fought at Talamera, Lundy's Lane and Inkerman.

Hear them calling from a distance, from their pedestals of fame.

To the men of Haliburton - is the call to be in vain?

This the Call of Mother Britain to her sons across the seas

Tis the call of trampled Serbia who has lost her liberty.

Tis the call of broken Belgium in her sorrow and her pain.

To the men of Haliburton - is the call to be in vain?

Don the khaki men of Minden, Stanhope, too, must join the fray,

Stalwart men from Haliburton are recruiting every day.

Snowden must be represented, Monmouth and Glamorgan, too.

Shoulder arms and face the foeman, as our fathers used to do.

This the Call of Mother Britain to her sons across the seas

Tis the call of trampled Serbia who has lost her liberty.

Tis the call of broken Belgium in her sorrow and her pain.

To the men of Haliburton - is the call to be in vain?

High above the din of battle, let the old flag proudly fly,

Let the deep voice of the Nation swell the mighty battle cry,

Drive the Bulgar from his stronghold and the German from the plain,

Men of Haliburton County - is the call to be in vain?

This the Call of Mother Britain to her sons across the seas

Tis the call of trampled Serbia who has lost her liberty.

Tis the call of broken Belgium in her sorrow and her pain.

To the men of Haliburton - is the call to be in vain?