FAMOUS REGIMENTAL MARCHES

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 318, 23 July 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

FAMOUS REGIMENTAL MARCHES

The regimental marches of our army aro mostly quaint old tunes which were specially composed for their respective regiments, and their music is' of a distinctly local character. On all parade days or reviews the regimental march is stuck up on passing the saluting point, and on entering and leaving the barracks tho same tune is playad. At every military concert the programo is concluded with the regimental-march and the National Anthem. The wild skirl, " Cock o' tho -North," has just now a great fascination for the patrioticßritisher for it was to the strains of this weird tune that tho Gordon Highlanders advanced to their brilliant attack at Dargai. The Royal Artillery,' Roya! Engineers, Grenadier Guards, and all Fusilier regiments of tho line have as the regimentil march the well-known " British Grenadiers." This lively air dates back at least as far as the time of Marlborough. The Scot Guards, with several Highland regiments, display u. partiality for " Highland Laddie," while that historic corps the Scotch Greys march to the tune of " Garb of Old Gaul." The sth Royal Irish Lancers have as their regimental march the plaintive " Harp that once through Tara's Halls," while the Bth Hussars and other Irish regiments parade to the lively notus of "Garry Owen " and "St Patrick's Day," The latter tune is also tho regimental march of the old 88th Foet, or Connaught Rangers. " Men of Harlech "is played at every parade of the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers and thu South Wales Borderers. To tho inspiriting strains of " A life on the Ocean Wave" tho Royal Marine Artillery march past the saluting post. Th J .t corps (V elite tho Prince of Wales's Own Royal Hussars (10th) honour their chief by playing " God bless tho Prince of Wales." When Colonel Valentine Baker commanded the 10th Hussars, his wife induced him to place on the daily programo of the band tho pathetic tune " As Pants the Hart," and even to-dar at gunfire this tune is never omitted The Royal Scots Regiment, who has done such splendid service in our recent frontier troubles, is represented by the "Blueßonnets Over the Border," while the Scottish Rifles are fond of " Within a Mileo'Edinboro' Toon." " The boys in black," as the famous Rifle Brigade is termed, have that jolly old English tuue, " Huntsman's Chorus," while the Lincolnshire Regiment enjoys the luxury of having two regimental marches viz., " The Lincolnshire Poacher," and a newer air, "A Starry Night for a Ramble," "Do you know Ken John Peel ?''is the war note of the gallant Borderers, while tho Derbyshire pin their faith on the soft " Young May Moon." The Bedfordshire has a regimental march with a foreign title, the wellknown " Mandolinata." This regiment, by the way, until the recent Chitral campaign, had never seen a shot fired in anger for a hundred years, although on its colours are inscribed the glorious names of Blenheim, Ramilies, Malplaquet and Oudenarde. The Liverpool Regiment arenothing if not gallant, forthoirfavourito strain is ""Here's rothoMaidenofß lsbfull Fifteen," while the Suffolk, mindful of tho broad acres wheuco they sprang, march to the appropriate tune of " God Speed thoPlough." The West Yorkshire Regiment, formerly known as tho old 11th Foot, acquired its regimental march iu a very peculiar manner. This regiment formed part of the attacking force which was besieging Tournai. The bands of the besieged could bo heard playing an air called" "Ca Ira," and by degrees the English learnt the tuue. At the final assult of the town, which was successfully carried by storm, tho French had the mortification of seeing the gallant 14th sweep everything before them as they charged to tho tuno of "Ca Ira." Since that time this air has been the regimental inarch of the West Yorkshire. —Cassell's Saturdav Journal,