Over the Hills and Far Away

Melody -

Traditional, c. 1720; followed by "Napoleonic" version by John Tams

Hark now the drums beat up again
For all true soldier gentlemen
So let us list and march I say
And go over the hills and far away
Chorus:
Over the hills, and o'er the main
To Flanders, Portugal and Spain
Queen Anne commands and we'll obey
And go over the hills and far away.

2. There's twenty shillings on the drum
For him that with us freely comes
'Tis volunteers shall win the day
Over the hills and far away.
Chorus:

3. Come gentlemen that have a mind
To serve a queen that's good and kind
Come list and enter in to pay
And go over the hills and far away.
Chorus:

4. And we shall live more happy lives
Free of squalling brats and wives
Who nag and vex us every day
So its over the hills and far away.
Chorus:

5. Prentice Tom may well refuse
To wipe his angry master's shoes
For now he's free to run and play
Over the hills and far away.
Chorus:

6. No more from sound of drum retreat
When Marlborough and Galway beat
The French and Spaniards every day
Over the hills and far away.
Chorus:

Here's fourteen shillings on the drum
For those who'll volunteer to come
To list and fight the foe today
Over the hills and far away.
Chorus: O'er the hills and o'er the main
To (through) Flanders, Portugal and Spain
King George commands and we obey
Over the hills and far away.

2. Through smoke and fire and shot and shell
Unto the very walls of hell
We shall stand and we shall stay
Over the hills and far away.
Chorus:

3. Now though I travel far from Spain
A part of me shall still remain
For you are with me night and day
And over the hills and far away.
Chorus:

4. So fall in lads behind the drum
With Colours blazing like the sun
Along the road to come-what-may
Over the hills and far away.
Chorus:

5. When evil stalks upon the land
I'll nyther hold nor stay me' hand
But fight to win a better day
Over the hills and far away.
Chorus:

6. If I should fall to rise no more
As many comrades did before
Ask the pipes and drums to play
Over the hills and far away.
Chorus:

7. Let Kings and tyrants come and go
I'll stand ajudged by what I know
A soldier's life I'll ne'er gainsay
Over the hills and far away.
Chorus:

The date of the original version is circa 1720. Why? Queen Anne who features in the chorus was on the throne then and Marlborough (in one of the verses) was also fighting then. - with thanks to Sue Dudley.

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