The lyrics of the song are interesting. They refer to 'grenadiers'. These were companies of soldiers that started to appear in English regiments towards the end of the seventeenth century, usually distinguished by special hats that looked a little like ecclesiastical mitres. They carried 'pouches' in which hand grenades were kept, and wore tunics or coats with looped (or embroidered) button holes - all described in the song.

   The song also comments upon tactics. Grenadiers were employed, usually in sieges, to attack fortified positions. Of course, they employed hand grenades - small bombs that could be held in the hand and thrown. In those days, this meant utilising a lighted fuse.

   Consequently, the attack was organised in a way described in the song. The front rank or 'leaders' comprised the best (or most foolhardy) throwers, equipped only with a number of slow burning fuses. The rear ranks passed the grenades to them as required, the 'leaders' inserting a burning fuse before throwing them at the enemy position.

It was a job for brave men, and the grenadiers distinguished themselves in the Flanders campaign against the army of Louis XIV and the fortified positions constructed by Vauban (it was mostly siege warfare). It is thought by some that the song was written to commemorate their valour at the siege of Namur.

Could it be that a tune going the rounds in Flanders at the time attached itself to this song?

      Regards,
       Train Guard