The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #174725 Message #4237256
Posted By: Robert B. Waltz
24-Mar-26 - 05:13 AM
Thread Name: Scottish kids' song on the Boer War
Subject: RE: Scottish kids' song on the Boer War
There are a number of children's songs that mention the Boer War, the most famous of course being "Marching to Pretoria" (which began as a soldiers' song but became a children's song). My gut feeling is Ulster is the biggest source (from the memories of Alice Kane, e.g.).
My personal favorite was one that Oliver Sacks somehow learned,
One, two, three, relief of Kimberley Four, five, six, relief of Ladysmith Seven, eight, nine, relief of Bloemfontein.
And then there are music hall songs like "The Baby's Name":
The War, the War, the blooming war, has turned my wife insane, From Kruger to Majuba she's the Transvaal on the brain....
Is there something in particular that people are seeking about the war?