Another Regimental Song: THE JOLLY DIE-HARDS

The tune to this appears to have been lost (although, as Winstock[1] points out it does fit to "The Bold King's Hussar" )- it fits - just about - to "Paddy's Resource" which was written by the bandmaster of the 77th Foot, which became 2nd Bn Middlesex Regt.

At the battle of Albuhera in Spain, Colonel Ingless lay severely wounded in the square of the 57th as it received yet another charge. His last words before he passed out were "Die Hard 57th, Die Hard!", This passed into Regimental legend and became the Regimental nickame (lived up to on more than one occasion).

THE JOLLY DIE-HARDS

When the bugle for battle so merrily sounds,
In the ranks of the Die-Hards each heart then rebounds,
As fearless of danger, right onward we go,
When up go our colours and down go the foe,
Be they Russians or Prussians or Spanish or French,
At scaling a rampart or guarding a trench,
Neither bullet nor bayonet our progress retards,
For it's just all the same to the gallant Die-Hards.
For Highlanders, Riflemen, Lancers and Guards,
Are not like the boys called the jolly Die-Hards.

Our regiment has conquered, but never in vain,
Bear witness those hills and the mountains through Spain,
Bear witness the shades of those hundreds who fell
At red Albuhera, and our victory can tell
How Soult and his Frenchmen were beaten and sank,
As we fell on them fiercely, rank after rank,
Invincible seemed those brave children of Mars,
When Lord Beresford styled us the "Gallant Die-Hards".
For highlanders, etc.

I wish you had seen them at famed Inkerman,
Or heard their wild shouts at the gory Redan,
'Midst lightning and thunder their spirits ne'er quailed,
'Midst bloodshed and carnage their hearts never failed;
Why wait for the loss of brave Goldie our chief,
Why weep for brave Shadworth, away with that grief,
They died like true heroes as history records
While leading to glory the gallant Die-Hards.
For Highlanders, etc.

When black-hearted savage with treacherous guile,
Slew our comrades in arms, did they reckon the while
That our steel was as sharp and our arm was as strong,
As the days when we hurled the wild Cossack along?
The Die-Hards advance - how fiercely they cheer
The Pahs - they are taken, without dread or fear,
And the Maoris are vanquished and got their reward,
And our chief, like his men was a gallant Die-Hard.
For Highlanders, etc.

What harm if we suffer from hardship at times,
What harm if e're bronzed by those hot eastern climes,
Such trifles as these our spirits can't damp
For we're jovial in battle and more so in camp,
Watch the girls, how they smile when we march through a town,
When they hear we're the Die-Hards of far famed renown,
So fill up your glasses and show your regard
By drinking the health of each jolly Die-Hard.
For Highlanders, etc.

Enjoy.

Walrus

[1] Lewis Winstock - Songs and Music of the Redcoats