Battle of Barossa, The; A War Song
AIR — Johnnie /cope in the Morning .
1. (Moderato)
The night-march was long, and the darkness was drear,
As our close British band, from the van to the rear,
At each pause gave a shout, at each halt gave a cheer,
To get near the French in the morning.
A G RAHAM at their head, with a head for command,
British fire in each breast! British steel in each hand,
Unfatigued — all inspired, marched the firm Martial band,
To get near the French in the morning.
Chorus ,
And O V ICTOR bold! are you coming yet,
With your famed Legion brave, and its Eagle pet?
We may yet clip its wings, if you're not very fleet
In running away this fine morning!
(Da Capo)
2. (Allegro.)
" They come, lads! — they come! " cried our chief with a wave;
Three for one they come brisk, lads! — your powder pray save;
Give them true British steel , the true test of the brave,
Three to one that we conquer this morning. "
The drum gave the step — each step was in time;
The bugles sound C HARGE with shrill echoes sublime;
From the right to the left through each rank rang the chime,
" Three to one that we conquer this morning. "
3. (Presto.)
" They shrink, boys! — they turn! " cried our loud cheering band,
British steel is too bright for a French eye to stand: "
" Let their backs feel it then, " cried each voice in command,
" And see how they like it this morning. "
As the shaft from the bow — as the ball from the gun,
As the flash from the cloud, quick the onset's begun;
While our Britons push home, and the French swiftly run
O'er the heights of B AROSSA this morning!
Chorus .
And, O Victor brave! are you running yet?
And, O Victor bold! but your horse runs fleet!
Were it not for his speed, you had ne'er found retreat
From the plain of B AROSSA this morning!
(Da Capo)
4. (Sung slow.)
But ah! what a scene! — what a sight on that plain!
The wounded imploring! — the dying — the slain,
Proud warriors laid low ne'er to see home again!
No wife e'er shall hail their returning!
(Brisk)
" Give quarter! — give quarter! — the battle is o'er,
Their Eagle is taken — their Legion's no more;
Forget what disgraced all their conquests before,
And be kind to the vanquished this morning!
" For it ne'er shall be said that we B RITONS , who brave,
Still conquer in fight, e'er neglected to save
One foe, when defenceless, but cheerfully gave
Relief in Misfortune's dark morning! "
Thus spoke Valour's chief; and he spoke from the heart;
He well knew misfortune, and keen felt the dart;
To war flew for comfort, and found it impart
Relief mid deep sorrows returning!
Chorus .
So now, Victor brave! you may fire off each shell
From your height, safe from danger, and valiantly tell
Your great Master Boaster all yet may be well,
When these Britons are homeward returning!
But while prompted by glory, and panting for fame,
Bright Honour their boast, and steel-fighting their game:
Regardless of numbers , when led on by G RAHAM ,
Three for one may be conquer'd each morning.
1. (Moderato)
The night-march was long, and the darkness was drear,
As our close British band, from the van to the rear,
At each pause gave a shout, at each halt gave a cheer,
To get near the French in the morning.
A G RAHAM at their head, with a head for command,
British fire in each breast! British steel in each hand,
Unfatigued — all inspired, marched the firm Martial band,
To get near the French in the morning.
Chorus ,
And O V ICTOR bold! are you coming yet,
With your famed Legion brave, and its Eagle pet?
We may yet clip its wings, if you're not very fleet
In running away this fine morning!
(Da Capo)
2. (Allegro.)
" They come, lads! — they come! " cried our chief with a wave;
Three for one they come brisk, lads! — your powder pray save;
Give them true British steel , the true test of the brave,
Three to one that we conquer this morning. "
The drum gave the step — each step was in time;
The bugles sound C HARGE with shrill echoes sublime;
From the right to the left through each rank rang the chime,
" Three to one that we conquer this morning. "
3. (Presto.)
" They shrink, boys! — they turn! " cried our loud cheering band,
British steel is too bright for a French eye to stand: "
" Let their backs feel it then, " cried each voice in command,
" And see how they like it this morning. "
As the shaft from the bow — as the ball from the gun,
As the flash from the cloud, quick the onset's begun;
While our Britons push home, and the French swiftly run
O'er the heights of B AROSSA this morning!
Chorus .
And, O Victor brave! are you running yet?
And, O Victor bold! but your horse runs fleet!
Were it not for his speed, you had ne'er found retreat
From the plain of B AROSSA this morning!
(Da Capo)
4. (Sung slow.)
But ah! what a scene! — what a sight on that plain!
The wounded imploring! — the dying — the slain,
Proud warriors laid low ne'er to see home again!
No wife e'er shall hail their returning!
(Brisk)
" Give quarter! — give quarter! — the battle is o'er,
Their Eagle is taken — their Legion's no more;
Forget what disgraced all their conquests before,
And be kind to the vanquished this morning!
" For it ne'er shall be said that we B RITONS , who brave,
Still conquer in fight, e'er neglected to save
One foe, when defenceless, but cheerfully gave
Relief in Misfortune's dark morning! "
Thus spoke Valour's chief; and he spoke from the heart;
He well knew misfortune, and keen felt the dart;
To war flew for comfort, and found it impart
Relief mid deep sorrows returning!
Chorus .
So now, Victor brave! you may fire off each shell
From your height, safe from danger, and valiantly tell
Your great Master Boaster all yet may be well,
When these Britons are homeward returning!
But while prompted by glory, and panting for fame,
Bright Honour their boast, and steel-fighting their game:
Regardless of numbers , when led on by G RAHAM ,
Three for one may be conquer'd each morning.
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