FAMOUS REGIMENTAL MARCHES. They ARE Playrd at Review and Parade,

Otago Witness, Issue 2308, 26 May 1898, Page 50

FAMOUS REGIMENTAL MARCHES. They ARE Playrd at Review and Parade,

The regimental marohes of the British' - |rmy are mostly quaint old tunes which were specially composed for their respective regiments, and their music is of a distinctly local character. On all parade days or reviews the jregimental march is struck up on passing tha saluting point-, and on entering or leaving barracks the same tune is played. At every military concert the programme is concluded with the regimental march and the National Anthem. The wild skirl, " Cock o' the North," has just now a great fascination for the patriotic Britisher, for it was to the strains of this weird tune that the Gordon Highlanders advanced to their brilliant atttack at Dargai.

The Boyal Artillery, Boyal Engineers, Grenadier Guards, and all Fusilier regiments of the line have as their regimental march bbc well-known "British Grenadiers." This lively air dates back at least as far as the time of Marlborongh. The Scots Guards, with several Highland regiments, display a partiality for "Highland Laddie," while that historic corps, the Scots Greys, march to the tune of the " Garb of Old Gaul." The sth Boyal Irish Lancers have as their regimental march th« plaintive "Harp that once through Tara's halls,"

while the Bth Hussars and other Irish regi-

tnents parade to the lively notes of " Garry Owen " and " St. Patrick's Day." The latter £une is also the regimental march of the old 88th Foot, or Oonnaught Rangars. "Men of Harlech" is played at every parade of the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusilierß )md the South Wales Borderers.

To the inspiriting strains of " A life on the pcean wave" the Royal Marine Artillery inarch past the saluting poab. The corps ff elite, the Prince of Wales's Own Royal

Hussars (10th), honour their chief by playing »*God bleas the Prince of Wales."

When Colonel

"Valentine Baker com-

laanded the 10th Hussars, his wife induced film to place on the daily programme of the band the pathethic tune, "As pants the hart," and even to-day at gunfire this tune is never omitted. The Royal Scots Regiment, which has done

inch splendid service in our recent frontier troubles, is represented by " Blue bonnets i>yer the border," while the Scottish Bifl.es •wtfre-fond of- M Within a mile o' Edinboro' Toon," "The boya in black," as the famous Rifle Brigade is termed, have that jolly old English tuner " Huntsman's chorus," while •ihe Lincolnshire -Begiment enjoys the luxury of having two regimental marches — viz., "The Lincolnshire poacher " and a newer air, " A starry night for a ramble." "Do you ken John Peel 1 " is the war note of the gallant Sordersrs, while the Derbyshire pin their faith on the soft " Young May moon." The Bedfordshire has a regimental march With a foreign title, the if ell-known " Manflolinata." This regiment, by the way, until the recent Chltral .campaign, had jaever seen a shot fired In anger for a hundred years, although on its colours are {Inscribed the glorious names of Blenheim, Eamilieg, Malplaaaet, and Ottdenarde.

Tho Liverpool Regiment ara nothing if not gallant, for their favourite strain is " Here's to the maiden of bashful fifteen/ while the Suffolk, mindful , of the bzoad acres whence they sprang, march to tha appropriate tune of "God apeed the plough."

The West Yorkshire B glment, formerly known aa the old 14th Foot, acquired it 3 regimental march in a very peculiar manner. This regiment formed part of the attackicg force which was besieging Tournai. The bands of the besieged could be heard playing an air called "Ca Ira," and by degrees the English learnt the tune. At the fiual assault of the towa, which was successfully carried by storm, the Franoh had the mortification of seeing the gallant 14th sweep everything before them as they obarged to the tune "Oa Ira." Since that time the air has been the regimental march of the West Yorkshire.