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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Keith Date: 16 Dec 18 - 03:52 PM My grandmother used to sing 'Marching through Pretoria" I don't remember all of the words except for the line Marching through Pretoria,"Lord Roberts and Kitchener, Baden Powell and me" which seems quite different to the song quoted before. This thread has been plagued by spam. If you wish to post here, ask a moderator to reopen it. ---mudelf |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Molly Lynn Watt Date: 18 Oct 17 - 11:08 AM I sang "marching to Pretoria" over and over marching round and round a room triumphantly stamping the beat at Saturday School at The Hartford Theological Seminary in the early 1940s. I had no idea why we were marching or where Pretoria was, but it was a favorite of ours along with "picking up paw paws put them in a basket " and "skip skip skip to ma Lou" - I did not know who Ma-lou was but I thought she must be very nice and maybe would give us a treat. mostly I just loved marching or skipping and singing with my neighbors on Saturday mornings. The missionaries who were sent home to Hartford from postings abroad during the war were our teachers and the school was a gift to all of us kids who grew up in the Seminary. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Russell Date: 17 Feb 13 - 01:39 PM We sang this in elementary school in New Jersey in the late 70s… along with Feeling Groovy, Yellow Submarine and Michael Row The Boat Ashore |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Lighter Date: 16 Feb 13 - 02:48 PM If your school was like mine, in NYC, you were being taught to sing along to a catchy, upbeat tune popularized in the '50s through the international stylings of Marais & Miranda. You were also being taught there was a foreign land called the Union of South Africa and that Pretoria was a city inside it. Many of us found that incredibly interesting. You could also march around the classroom, which was quite relief after sitting since lunchtime. Another song was "I Got a Mule and her Name is Sal." Raising our consciousness about animal rights? I don't think so. It was just fun to sing and taught us that canal boats, the Erie Canal, and mules used to be very important. There was actually something interesting called "history"! |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Aileen Date: 16 Feb 13 - 02:39 PM My Brooklyn, NY, elementary school sang "We are marching to Pretoria" on such a regular basis that the lyrics are emblazoned in my brain, many years later. Question: why were we singing this song? Were we being taught (unconsciously) to glorify colonial powers or ...? |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST Date: 17 Oct 12 - 01:58 PM Do you have the music for "Onions and Potatoes"? |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,flatint Date: 06 Mar 12 - 04:44 PM "Marching ON Pretoria", the Zonophone 78 rpm, mentioned above is actually an update of an 1865 American Civil War marching song "Marching Through Georgia" by Henry Clay Work. You can listen to the original American version at the Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project of the University of California. (Thanks to Bruce Kearnan for leading me here.) Linking there from this message though results in my comment not being posted so check out the links at the flatinternational website with a search for "Marching On Pretoria" or "Zonophone". |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Banjopicker Date: 30 Nov 11 - 05:06 PM The weavers doing this song a carnegie hall with Erik Darling is EPIC |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Norman Mills Date: 13 Nov 11 - 06:06 PM I was born in Pretoria in 1939. I am sorry to say that I have only today seen this correspondence, but I do have something to add to it. My mother was Afrikaans-speaking until 19 years of age, and my grandfather, though having the surname Mills, fought for the Boers in the Boer War, and spent two years in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) as a POW, and, I am told, narrowly escaped being executed as a supposed traitor. The version of the song I learned as a child had three languages in a single verse. (There may have been more, but I do not recall them.) Totsiens, Sarie, totsiens: (Farewell, Sarie, farewell Alles sal reg kom, en dan, (Everything will come right, and then) We´ll be marching to Pretoria, Aikona, sakabona, (? language, ? meaning?) We´ll be marching to Pretoria, Back into your arms again. As I learned it from predominantly Afrikaans speakers, and the suggestion is that Sarie is living in, or near , Pretoria, it does sound as though THIS version was being sung by Boers, albeit, like my own family, with perhaps some British links. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST Date: 07 Apr 11 - 12:14 PM May 3, 1900 - 3 May 1900 - Anglo-Boer War 2: General Lord Roberts departs from Bloemfontein and begins the 'March to Pretoria' with almost 44000 men, 18000 horses, and 1200 field-guns. He leaves to the strains of " We are marching to Pretoria" which is heard for ...3 May 1900 - Anglo-Boer War 2: General Lord Roberts departs from Bloemfontein and begins the 'March to Pretoria' with almost 44000 men, 18000 horses, and 1200 field-guns. He leaves to the strains of " We are marching to Pretoria" which is heard for the first time. (Cloete: The Anglo-Boer War: a Chronology) http:// africanhistory.about.com/library/thisweek/bl- |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Mark Mandel Date: 30 Mar 11 - 09:00 PM @GUEST,catherine, Date: 04 Jan 11 - 03:04 PM: I remember the song you cite ("Loudly the baron blows his horn!") with slightly different lyrics: Streamlets down mountains flow, Pure from the winter's snow. Joining, they swiftly flow, Singing of life so free. Streamlets down mountains flow, Pure from the winter's snow. Joining, they swiftly flow, Calling to me. I don't remember where I heard it either (grew up NYC & vicinity in 50s and 60s), and I have an unclear auditory memory of parts of lines with what could well be Slavic lyrics. (I.e., in a Slavic language, such as any of the ones you mention.) Hey, this is funny: Looking at your post recalled the chorus and tune to my mind, and after a little thought I remembered the lyrics as above. But only when I went back to your post, to get your name and the date, did I think of the verse. The only verse I remember is Sweet is the air with new-mown hay, Cooling in the twilight, cooling in the twilight. Sweet is the air with new-mown hay As we homeward go at close of day. (HEY! Streamlets etc.) -- which makes good sense as a second or a final verse. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,GUEST - JAM Date: 18 Feb 11 - 04:43 PM Turk Murphy with his band performed a number called PEORIA, and after having listened to the melody of Pretoria, I believe there is a connection. Part of the chorus of PEORIA went something like this: I wish I was in Peoria, Peoria today. How I miss the girls in Peoria, Peoria today. I'd like to say "Good morning Gloria" On the sidewalks of Peoria. Oh I wish I was in Peoria, Peoria today. The verse preceding the above chorus described a terrifying day at sea with the wind blowing and the waves tossing the ship - and the captain finally breaking down and wishing to be safe in Peoria. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Clara Mare Pienaar Date: 18 Feb 11 - 10:19 AM As far as I know my great great uncle Steven Mare wrote the song.Can any body reply please |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,catherine Date: 04 Jan 11 - 03:04 PM Like Cort, who grew up in New Jersey in the 1950s-60s singing "We Are Marching to Pretoria" in school, i grew up in California during the same time, and we were also taught this song. I believe that it was in a song book alsong with "I've Got Six-Pence," "Kukkabura Sits in the Old Oak Tree," "The Ash Grove" (a dang depressing song for a third or fourth grader!), and a great, rousing, supposedly Russian or Czech or Polish pre-Communist song (in English) with the lines: Loudly the baron blows his horn! Wake up, my steward! Wake up, my steward! Reaping begins at early morn, Wake up, my steward, Day is born! HEY! Water from mountain flows Melted from Winter snows Turning it gaily goes Circlling the maple tree Water from mountain flows Melted from Winter snows Turning it gaily goes, Calling to me! HEY! or something to that effect. And i also wonder, why? why? why? Why were we singing these very strange songs about the Boer War and the colonization of Australia, and Tsarist Russia (or wherever it was)? They came from a book, that i know, not from a record. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 04 Jan 11 - 02:25 PM Thanks for a great old recording. Posting of the lyrics here in mudcat would be appreciated- by me, at any rate. It does seem to be the ancestor of the several versions. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,flatint Date: 04 Jan 11 - 03:32 AM Hi all, I have finally added an audio clip of the original c1901-03 British version of "Marching ON Pretoria" to my website here or go to: www.flatinternational.org/template_volume.php?volume_id=150 This is the Boer War Zonophone release mentioned above. Enjoy! |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Org Potgieter Date: 12 Nov 10 - 05:45 PM The Blue Bulls rugby union team (HQ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria) plays 'Marching to Pretoria' at their venue from time to time. BTW Josef Marais was the nom de plume of Josef Pezach. I never realised that he translated so many Afrikaans songs into English. Check the right hand side of this link for more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgyus4J67_g&feature=related It seems the recordings were just about all made in 1939. You will also find SARIE MARAIS the "Afrikaner anthem" (like Waltzing Mathilda for the Aussies)there in English. This song originated in the Anglo Boer War (1899-1902). |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,ront2 Date: 29 Jun 10 - 12:24 AM We sang this song, training(marching) at Ft. Dix, NJ 1967... seems like we did also at Ft.Belvoir, VA. Army OCS. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST Date: 28 Mar 10 - 10:23 AM I learned this song in 3rd grade music class in the early 70s in Iowa. I remember all we were told about it was that Pretoria was in Africa. The history of the song is interesting but I still have no clue why so many people around my age were taught/sang it in early elementary school. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Gibb Sahib Date: 08 Mar 10 - 03:46 PM BTW, here's a stab at the chantey version: Pretoria (chantey) |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 08 Mar 10 - 02:53 PM We still have not found this song in use at the time of the Boer War, although it seems likely. On the other hand, it may have originated with Lord Baden-Powell and the Scout movement. The tune could be older. Other songs, same tune? Gibb Sahib's contribution rang a bell concerning the parody I heard on Vancouver Island but couldn't remember, "Swimming to Victoria." It had the 'Oh, gloria' line. The whole verse- We are swimming to Victoria, Oh gloria! Victoria! We are swimming to Victoria Victoria rules the waves! The verse- Jou kombers en My matras en Dar le die ding In the Pretoria version, this verse may have been added from a different song. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Gibb Sahib Date: 07 Mar 10 - 07:25 PM Though not the ideal Boer War era version that some are seeking, the chantey version of this, in Stan Hugill's SHANTIES FROM THE SEVEN SEAS (1961) may also have some age on it. He does not say where he learned it from, unfortunately. For what it's worth, here are the lyrics to his version: Oh, kiss yer gal, say goodbye CH: An' make fast the dinghy, an' make fast the dinghy, an' make fast the dinghy Kiss yer gal, say goodbye CH: An' make fast the dinghy, make fast the dinghy, make fast the dinghy GRAND CH: We are marchin' to Pretoria, oh gloria, Victoria! We are marching to Pretoria, Victoria rules the waves! The Afrikaans part in the original verse, says Hugill, "went something like this":(!) Mitchen truss, mitchen truss an Da der di ding-dong! Da der di ding-dong! Da der di dong-dong! And he says that in the "original song," the part filled by "oh gloria, Victoria" here had Zulu words: "Ai-oria, ai kona!" |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Sean Rice Date: 17 Jan 10 - 05:32 PM I distinctly remember hearing the song over the radio, sung by The Weavers, in the 1950s. I attended a concert by Josef Marais and Miranda, but I don't recall their performing the song. They probably did, but that was a long time ago. To me, it sounds like a jolly marching song, a hell of a lot better than our jody cadence calls. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Steve Gardham Date: 03 Jan 10 - 05:50 PM Flatint's Zonophone 78 version seems to have a lot in common structurally with 'Marching through Georgia'. Is there any connection between the two songs? No one has yet mentioned on this thread the British forces versions of the song such as 'Zulu Warrior'. These are rather crude and racist in places, but I can post some versions if required. Zulu Warrior (click) |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Charley Noble Date: 03 Jan 10 - 01:19 PM Odd that this song didn't make it into the Fireside Book of Folk Songs. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Joe Offer Date: 02 Jan 10 - 07:59 PM Anybody have the lyrics to the "Swimming to Victoria" parody mentioned above? Seems to me there was a "Peoria" version, too. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Origins: marching to Peoria From: Joe Offer Date: 02 Jan 10 - 07:55 PM You can always find threads by using the Filter, which may well be our most efficient search engine - and I can't ever remember it being broken. I'm going to close this thread because there's already an informative discussion started here (click). -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Origins: marching to Peoria From: TonyA Date: 02 Jan 10 - 07:55 PM It was a Smothers Brothers bit. They'd sing the song, but Tommy would sing Peoria instead of Pretoria, and then Dicky would explain very patronizingly, and Tommy would be embarassed at his mistake. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: marching to Peoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 02 Jan 10 - 07:48 PM Too bad the thread search is gone. There was quite a lot of information, plus variants, but I can't remember the thread number. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: marching to Peoria From: olddude Date: 02 Jan 10 - 06:46 PM thanks Bill and Q |
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Subject: RE: Origins: marching to Peoria From: Bill Hahn//\\ Date: 02 Jan 10 - 06:06 PM Marais and Miranda have it on one of their recordings about S. African Veldt and The Weavers have an excellent version (with Lee Hays lead vocal) on one of their Carnegie Hall Concert LPs. Bill Hahn |
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Subject: RE: Origins: marching to Peoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 02 Jan 10 - 05:55 PM A variant of "Marching to Pretoria;" see thread. In Canada, "Marching to Victoria" is well-known on the west coast. |
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Subject: Origins: marching to Peoria From: olddude Date: 02 Jan 10 - 05:44 PM Haven't thought about this song for years, can't remember who did it back in the 60's anyone know anything about it Dan |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,why teach this song to suburban kids in NJ? Date: 23 Sep 09 - 07:17 AM I can remember the Smothers Brothers singing this song in the 60's. That's how I learned it. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 24 Aug 09 - 12:23 PM In British Columbia, it's "Swimming to Victoria." |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: greg stephens Date: 24 Aug 09 - 09:14 AM How does "WE are marching to Peoria" fit in to the history of this song. I belive "Peoria" is an Amercian camp-fire type of song. Can anyone confirm this? And what are the words? The cod Cornish song "Where be going to jagger?" also uses the Pretoria/Peoria tune for the final chorus "And we'll all go back to Oggie land" etc etc. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Gerry Date: 23 Aug 09 - 11:35 PM Cort, you and I come from about the same place and about the same time, and I also remember singing Pretoria, and a few other songs that were not of that time and place, like I've Got Sixpence. I don't know exactly why those songs found their way into the New York City area grade school repertoire, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Pete Seeger had something to do with it. He recorded nearly every folk song known to mankind, and those records got around to people who liked to sing the songs to kids. I'd have a look to see whether Seeger and/or the Weavers ever recrded Pretoria, or see if maybe Burl Ives did, and that may explain how it came to you and me. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Cort Date: 23 Aug 09 - 11:24 PM I was sitting in church today "listening" to the sermon when this tune goes through my head: "We are marching to Pre-tor-ia, Pre-tor-ia, hooray" and I think "Hey, Pretoria is in South Africa" why do I know this song? I grew up in suburban New Jersey in the late 1950's early 1960s. It never occurred to me to wonder why did we sing this song about South Africa is NJ in 1960? So, I Google "Marching to Pretoria" and find this site and all these interesting threads. No one explained this to us in fourth grade, of course and it still doesn't answer the question: why teach this song to suburban kids in NJ? I figure I was singing this song in music class during the "Cuban Missle Crisis". Does that make sense? Thanks for the great info. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Org Potgieter Date: 10 Jul 09 - 02:46 PM Thank you Q for pointing me to Die Blêrkas - what a wealth! Incidentally 215 Vat Jou Goed en Trek Ferreira is one of the songs that Marais translated into English. (Hip! Hop! Skip to the one side, Johnny with the bandy legs etc.) |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,flatint Date: 12 Jun 09 - 10:59 PM OK, I have gone ahead and transcribed "Marching on Pretoria" as best I can. The sound quality is quite poor and certain words are difficult to make out. There is also a poetic license to the language used and sometimes the phrases do not make grammatical sense. I have put words that I cannot fully make out in square brackets. "MARCHING ON PRETORIA" (Patriotic Song) Sung by Mr. Ian Colquhoun ZON-O-PHONE, International Zonophone Company X-348 Orchestra Accompaniment, London Reproduced in Germany Date: c1901 – 1905. Transcription: "Marching on Pretoria Sung by […] Colquhoun With orchestral accompaniment. When the call to arms went forth [our hearts were…] and glad [… those days and…] the brave it bloody had. Every English meadow yielded up its human lad We March! March! March! on Pretoria. Hooraah! Hooraah! Come hither sail they come. Hooraah! Hooraah! They've made the [business…] calm. Round the world you heard the beat of Britain's ceaseless drum When we went marching on Pretoria. Far from overseas our brothers flocked to join the flag. [Doing thus that pretty part] what neither blus nor brag. Put the foot they stood with us beneath that dear old flag When we went marching on Pretoria. Hooraah! Hooraah! [… play this] bonnie song. Hooraah! Hooraah! [Lets] mark an [aid in call] They have thrown [it] in their [face/faith?] the blood of Britain's [rung/ruin/young?]. When we went marching on Pretoria. Cheer up boys and sing good luck to all our gallant men Who fought for the empire out in Africa and when They have brought the seas once more we welcome home again Conquerors of proud Pretoria. Hooraah! Hooraah! [Foot-soldiers/Get hold] of the King Hooraah! Hooraah! Their praises let us sing. Victory they have brought us back wherever they have been. And now they are coming home from Pretoria." (Transcribed by flatinternational) This British patriotic song is different from the Afrikaans version both in lyric and melody. It is also sung from a home-front perspective rather than from the war-front. Perhaps it could have been derived from the battle version. But in any event, it is the "Hurrah!" in the Josef Marais version at the end of "We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, hurruh!" that makes me think that they are historically linked. The "Hooraah!" in the British version is definitely the most catchy part—the hook if you like. I suspect that if this was sung on battlefields, that it might have been the thing that people most responded to—Afrikaaners or English. Anyway this is just an opinion. But here's another thought! I have never heard the main lyric in this song sung in Afrikaans. As far as I know it has always been "We are marching to Pretoria" plus some Afrikaans lyrics. Perhaps for this reason alone it could have been derived from the English version. For example Q's lyric quote from above: "Jou kombers en My matras en Daar lê die ding, Daar lê die ding, Daar lê die ding. We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, Pretoria. We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, here we come Die een kant op en Die anderkant af en Daar lê die ding, Daar lê die ding, Daar lê die ding." Also a note on the translation as given by Org Potgieter. The original Afrikaans lyrics could have been interpreted as sexual by Marais. Maybe this what he was referring to when he claimed that they were a "little crude for recording" and changed the lyrics in his 1940s version. "My matress and your blanket, and there lies the thing. Up on the one side, down on the other side and there lies the thing." I'll post the British version on my web-site in the near future or email me at flatinternational@hotmail.com |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 12 Jun 09 - 06:13 PM Many Afrikaanse folk songs and others, in Afrikaans, 400 in all, at Ons Blerkas, most with midi. Afrikaan folksongs Joseph Marais first broadcast the English version of his "Oh, Brandy ..." on WJZ, NYC, in 1939. The tune is based on an Afrikaans tune he heard as a boy, but he does not mention the name. Marais and Miranda, 1964, "World Folk Songs," Ballantine Books. About "Marching to Pretoria," Boer War of 1901, Marais says, "As both sides sang it, there was no recognizable set way of performance. I wrote English verses and a definitive musical adaptation which, to my delight, has captured the enthusiam of school and college students across the U. S. A." Up above somewhere, I had given part of this quotation. Guest Flatint, your transcription of the part of that old recording that you can understand would be much appreciated. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Org Potgieter Date: 12 Jun 09 - 05:18 PM Maybe I can add that the Boers never marched on Pretoria, then the capital of the ZAR (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek of Paul Kruger). The ZAR and the Free State were at war with England (1899-1902). 50 000 Boers resisted against 450 000 British soldiers in a war that cost England 230 million pounds. By the time the English forces reached Pretoria it was pretty deserted, the ZAR having moved their HQ. The scorched earth policy of Kitchener lead to the death of 28 000 Boer women and children in the concentration camps. Some 30 000 farm houses and 40 towns were burnt down. And they also call it "the last gentleman's war". :-) Google Anglo Boer War. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Org Potgieter, Cape Town Date: 12 Jun 09 - 04:58 PM I've known this as a sort of Afrikaans party going song - always expected it had something to do with the Boer War. The words are really somewhat meaningless - my matress and your blanket, and there lies the thing; up on the one side, down on the other side and there lies the thing etc. Joseph Marais was the first to write original Afrikaans songs like "Brandewyn laat my staan" (Brandy leave me alone) abd others. There was not much interest, so he translated them into English and marketed them in the USA. In 1990 I did a documentary TV-programme on the history of Afrikaans song, and it includes a medley of three songs by Marais. Anybody is welcome to contact me. vryskut@spektrum.co.za 12 June 2009 |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Bill H //\\ Date: 11 Jun 09 - 10:27 PM Josef Marais does it in a very lively and happy manner. I have the 10" LP of it. All the music always seems so happy no matter what the subject matter Bill Hahn |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Lighter Date: 11 Jun 09 - 10:11 AM Yes, flatint. You may be the only person here who can supply the words of a Boer War-era version. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Joe Offer Date: 11 Jun 09 - 02:59 AM Hi, Flatint, I would really like to hear that 78 rpm recording if you could send it to me. I might even have enough Web space to post it at least temporarily. All the best to you. Joe Offer joe@mudcat.org |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,flatint Date: 11 Jun 09 - 01:45 AM Hi, I collect South African music and I might have an answer to your original question from April 2005. You were looking for the roots and lyrics of the song: "Marching to Pretoria" in it original form as sung by British Soldiers in the Boer War. I have the song on a single sided 78 rpm record: "MARCHING ON PRETORIA" (Patriotic Song) Sung by Mr. Ian Colquhoun ZON-O-PHONE International Zonophone Company X-348 Orchestra Accompaniment, London Reproduced in Germany I am guessing that it dates from around 1901-1903. And it is definitely a British patriotic song in this version. I came across your thread because I was curious about the difference between "Marching ON" and "Marching TO" Pretoria. As a South African I was aware of the famous "Marching to Pretoria" song. I had always heard the song as "TO" and not "ON". But I was struck by this version which most definitely puts Pretoria on the defensive. I suspect as it was popularised in Afrikaans it would have been more politically correct to shift the emphasis to going to Pretoria rather than attacking it. In any event the record is in poor condition but I have made a recording of it. One can still make out most of the lyrics. They are different from the Afrikaans version. But I can forward them to you if you like. It will take me a few days to transcribe. Also a quick note on the Josef Marais version. In the 1940s booklet that accompanies the Decca 78 rpm album set, "Songs from the Veld, Vol.2", he says about his version of "Marching to Pretoria": "The really well-known Afrikaans verses to this gay marching song are a little crude for recording, and other versions are given." Interesting! He then sings it in both English and Afrikaans. Talk Soon! |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 29 Mar 09 - 01:36 PM The Anglo-Boer War Museum Archives, Blomfontein, has a number of songbooks, including unpublished, that might help with the earlier history of the song. University of Praetoria, Gray, A-M (2004) The fabled march to Praetoria by Lord Roberts, foot soldiers against mounted Boers, was a futile exercise. There were a number of songs about the march; sheet music title pages of some English compositions are shown at this Canadian website: www.goldiproductions.com/angloboerwarmuseum/Boer93o5_sheet5_canada.html -Roberts Marching through Praetoria -Praetoria March -March to Praetoria -Quick March (for Lord Roberts of Kandahar) Also -The Transvaal March -The Mafeking March (for Robert Baden-Powell) "Marching to Praetoria" also has alliance to "Soldiers of the Queen." |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Marching to Pretoria From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Mar 09 - 01:59 AM WorldCat.org has this in its catalog: Songs from the Veld: Fourteen Songs from South Africa by Josef Marais Type: Musical score : Folk music : Multiple forms : Popular music; English Publisher: New York : G. Schirmer, ©1942. Document Type: Musical Score Music Type: Folk music; Popular music Language Note: English words; at end of each song, one of the Afrikaans versions, with its literal translation. Notes: Piano acc. Description: 1 score (32 p.) ; 30 cm. Contents: Sarie Marais -- Jan Pieriewiet -- There's the cape-cart -- Siembamba -- Sugarbush : vastrap -- On the top of the hill -- The world is very, very big -- Meisiesfontein -- Onions and potatoes -- The Capetown girls -- Train to Kimberley -- Marching to Pretoria -- Auntie Mina's cooking the sirup -- Polly, come with me to Paarl. Responsibility: [arranged] by Josef Marais ; [English versions by Josef Marais]. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Joe Offer Date: 10 Jun 08 - 02:14 AM Hi, Allan - I moved your message over here so people can see what has been said before. I gather from the discussion above that Josef Marais is responsible for the English translation, published in 1942. Here's what Josef Marais says in Marais and Miranda, 1964, World Folk Songs, pp. 16-18: In 1939 I introduced this song to American radio audiences over NBC's Blue Network. Pretoria, of course, was the important objective of the British during the Boer War of 1901, the last of the so-called "gentlemen's wars." As both sides sang it, there was no recognizable set way of performance. I wrote English verses and a definitive musical adaptation which, to my delight, has captured the enthusiasm of school and college students across the U.S.A. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: marching to pretoria author history? From: Melissa Date: 09 Jun 08 - 11:45 PM Baden-Powell was involved in the Boer War. He used the song with his first batches of boys, I think. Somebody here will probably know who wrote it..if not, I'll try to catch the thread again before it floats downstream and see if I can find info in my gs stuff. |
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Subject: marching to pretoria author history? From: GUEST,Allan S. Date: 09 Jun 08 - 09:06 PM Who wrote the song "We are Marching to Pretoria" No it wasn't the weavers or Josiepf Maris. What is the history of the piece??? From what I can figure it is from the 2nd. Anglo Boer War.. How does Baden-Powel figure in to this. I know it is popular with the Boy Scouts from RSA.. Tot Siens Allan |
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Subject: RE: Tune/Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Little Robyn Date: 29 Apr 06 - 05:23 PM Yep, that's the tune my cousin used, only she didn't sing the chorus part. Robyn |
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Subject: RE: Tune/Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 28 Apr 06 - 09:33 PM Added note- The midis at Ons Blêrkas are excellent. |
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Subject: RE: Tune/Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 28 Apr 06 - 09:29 PM I have been unable to find any verification that this song was sung during the 'Boer War'. All 'evidence' seems to be anecdotal. Its early association with the Scouts leads me to think that it originated with Lord Baden-Powell and the early Scout movement, after the War. Any Afrikaans version would be even later, if my presumption is correct. In British Columbia, a form of the song has survived, "Swimming to Victoria." The tune could be Afrikaans- perhaps it may be found at the very extensive Afrikaans folk song site, "Ons Blêrkas van Afrikaanse volksmusiek." http://esl.ee.sun.ac.za/~lochner/blerkas Ons Blerkas |
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Subject: RE: Tune/Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Charley Noble Date: 28 Apr 06 - 07:28 PM Robyn- That's much more interesting than what we were chirping! Charley |
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Subject: RE: Tune/Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Little Robyn Date: 28 Apr 06 - 05:07 PM Actually, looking back at the verses posted by Q, they could be similar: Jou kombers en My matras en Daar lê die ding, Daar lê die ding, Daar lê die ding. en daar le die ding = and ah lady dum. It seems to have the mattress bit there already! Robyn |
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Subject: RE: Tune/Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Little Robyn Date: 28 Apr 06 - 05:02 PM Charley, my cousin grew up in South Africa and used to sing an Afrikaans song that may be your missing verse. I heard it back in 1969 and I haven't a clue how it should be spelt but the phonics in my memory go something like this: Oh, ill ma trass and ma pa trass and ah lady dum, Ah lady dum, ah lady dum, Oh, ill ma trass and ma pa trass and ah lady dum, Ah lady dum, ah lady dum. Which she reckoned meant: Your mattress and my pillow and there lies the thing.!!! A bit risque for a young lass but I was teaching her to play guitar and that was one of the few songs she knew and there wasn't time to teach her many new ones. Robyn |
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Subject: RE: Tune/Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Charley Noble Date: 28 Apr 06 - 03:53 PM Damn, can't someone else supply an accurate transcription of Josef Marais and Miranda's Afrikaansa verse? Maybe I'll ask my brother if he can still babble it out. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Tune/Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Joe Offer Date: 28 Apr 06 - 02:47 AM Here's the tune from World Folk Songs, by Marais and Miranda. Lyrics are the same as what's in the Digital Tradition. I e-mailed a scan of the song to Sol. -Joe Offer-
Click to play |
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Subject: RE: Tune/Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Rabbi-Sol Date: 27 Apr 06 - 04:07 PM Is the sheet music available anywhere on the web or can someone who has it scan a copy and e-mail it to me ? SOL ZELLER |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Joe Offer Date: 27 Apr 06 - 04:01 PM Let's post in this thread instead of splitting the discussion. Sol, send me a personal message with your e-mail address, and I can e-mail a scan to you. The version I have is copyright 1942 by G. Schirmer. Josef Marais says he introduced the song to American radio audiences in 1939, but that it comes from the Boer War of 1901. I'd say it's relatively clear that it's in the public domain - but not completely so. My Travelin' On With the Weavers songbook also gives the 1942 Schirmer copyright and attributes the song to Marais and Miranda. -Joe- |
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Subject: Tune Req: Marching To Pretoria From: Rabbi-Sol Date: 27 Apr 06 - 03:52 PM I am looking for a copy of the sheet music for "Marching To Pretoria". I was told that the song is in the public domaine and hence no copyright laws will be broken if someone would furnish it to me. I need it to create a midi-karaoke file using the VanBasco player. The person who I am collaborating with on this project can only work from sheet music and not from chords or MP3s. I will be glad to make the finished product available to anyone who wants it free. SOL ZELLER |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: GUEST,Charley Noble Date: 29 Apr 05 - 05:17 PM Q- My eyes are also dim from web brosing myself, in my case looking for images of old Japanese fishing trawlers, but not to worry. I wouldn't dare post the giberish that I remember singing with my brother. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 29 Apr 05 - 01:13 PM I should have noted that the comment by Marais is from Marais and Miranda, 1964, "World Folk Songs," pp. 16-18, where the sheet music is given for the song. Unfortunately, only Josef Marais's version in English is there. There is a large Afrikaans song website, but it doesn't seem to have the "veld song" mentioned by Marais. Yeah, Charley, I'll look some more, but later. I went through 38 pages of "Marching to Pretoria" on google, plus some other combinations, and my eyes don't want to cooperate any longer. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Charley Noble Date: 29 Apr 05 - 09:04 AM As I recall Josef Marais and Miranda also sang an Afrikaansa verse which used to fascinate my brother and I with its rolling multisyllable words. Have a great search! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 28 Apr 05 - 10:48 PM The tune, called by Marais a "veld song," was sung by soldiers on both sides during the war. Marais said "I wrote English verses and a definitive musical adaptation, which, to my delight, has captured..." His verses were "I'm with you ...," "Sing with Me...," and "We have food n' ...," When we eat we will sing...," etc. Anecdotally, Lord Baden-Powell on the march to Pretoria is supposed to have used the following, but this is mixed up with stories of Baden-Powell and Sgt. Major Goodyear and the founding of the Scouts: March with me and we'll march together And yes, we will march together (2x) I'll march with you and you'll march with me And yes, we will march together as we march. Oh, yes, we're marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, Pretoria. We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, Pretoria, hurrah! One Boer version goes: Jou kombers en My matras en Daar lê die ding, Daar lê die ding, Daar lê die ding. (We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, Pretoria. We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, here we come) Die een kant op en Die anderkant af en Daar lê die ding, Daar lê die ding, Daar lê die ding. This dance from Ralph Page, 1984, "An Elegant Collection of Contras and Squares," p. 15, Yates Publishing. DANCING TO PRETORIA Singing square. Song: Marching to Pretoria Intro, Break and Ending All join hands, circle left, circle once around All the way around, 'til you get back home again Reverse back, the other way you go then Right hand to your partner for a grand right and left [all the way around]; sing it! We'll go dancing to Pretoria, Pretoria, Pretoria We'll go dancing to Pretoria, Pretoria, hurrah! Figure Allemande left your corner and Come back and swing your partner Swing with your partner, swing around and round The head two couples right and left through Turn to face back in And the side couples do the same old thing Then you promenade one-quarter way round the ring Four ladies chain, chain across the ring Then you chain right back and with your partner swing To Pretoria, hurrah! Sequence: Intro; figure twice for heads; break; figure twice for sides; ending. Origin? Or original with Ralph Page? www.izaak.unh/nhltmd/syllabus2003.pdf |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 28 Apr 05 - 07:24 PM Amos, that is the Scout version. The original which I am looking for speaks of the invasion of the Transvaal. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Amos Date: 28 Apr 05 - 06:16 PM As it was played by Josef Marais and Miranda, it was a simple song, as marching osngs often are: We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria, Pretoria We are marching to Pretoria Pretoria, Hooorah! You sing with me, I'll sing with you and so we will sing together So we will sing together So we will sing together Sing with me, I'll sing with you and so we will sing together As we march along. We are marching to Pretoria, Pretoria....etc. Repeat with other verbs in place of "sing" such as talk, march. As a youth I used to spice it up by adding a "sleep" verse, but it didn't make a hit. A |
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Subject: Lyr Req: Marching to Pretoria From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 28 Apr 05 - 05:59 PM In the DT (as 'Marchin to Pretoria') is a Scouts version of the Boer War Song (English side). I am looking for the song as sung originally by British soldiers. In British Columbia, I heard a parody, but I can remember only the title, "Swimming to Victoria." Does anyone have the words? Words to one or both would be much appreciated. |
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