Someone asked what the first version was. This is from my web-site but was provided by Bruce Olson: Originally a single sheet song with music, c 1760. Copy of the single sheet song is in the British Library, London, catalogued by first line in British Union Catalog of Early Music, printed before 1800. The single sheet song issue has the title "The Soldier's Joy."

    When the shrill trumpet sounds on high,
    And wide the floating banners fly,
    When the fierce foe with dire alarms,
    Provoking, menaces to arms:
    When glittering swords and cannons play,
    And death in triumph guides the fray,
    The foe to slaughter and destroy:
    This is alone the soldier's joy.

Robert Burn's 1785 version is title "Son of Mars."

In the US old versions include "Love Somebody." Many versions use the similar but different melody, "My Love is But A Lassie Yet."

I've got a good collection of lyrics on my web-site: http://bluegrassmessengers.com.temp.realssl.com/soldiers-joy--version-4-robert-burns-1785.aspx

I've put several thousand pages on this year in my spare time (started the site in March 2009, revamped from old site) but have not proofed them yet.

Richie