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"Garryowen" is an old Irish quick-step that can be traced back...
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"Garryowen" is an old Irish quick-step that can be traced back to the early 1860's. In 1867, "Garryowen" was adopted by the 7th Cavalry Regiment as the official Air (tune) of the Regiment, and the historical nickname given to the 7th Cavalry Regiment and Troopers. It became the Official tune of the 1st Cavalry Division in 1981. "Garryowen" has become undoubtedly the most famous of all the regimental marches in the Army.
The word garryowen is derived from Irish, the proper name Eóghan ("born of the yew tree") and the word for garden garrai - thus "Eóghan's Garden". The term refers to an area of the town of Limerick, Ireland.
"Garryowen" is known to have been used by Irish regiments as a drinking song. As the story goes, one of the Irish "melting pot" Troopers of the 7th Cavalry, under the influence of "spirits", was singing the song. By chance Custer heard the melody, liked the cadence, and soon began to hum the tune to himself. The tune has a lively beat, that accentuates the cadence of marching horses, and for that reason was adopted as the regimental song soon after Custer arrived at Fort Riley, Kansas to take over command of the 7th Cavalry Regiment. It was the last song played for Custer's men as they left General Terry's column at the Powder River and rode into history.
The tune became the official "Air" of the Regiment in 1867 and actually became the official tune of the entire 1st Cavalry Division in 1981.
The significance of the tune in the Regiment's history led to it being incorporated into the Regimental crest, along with the raised saber.
When Soldiers salute an officer, they also traditionally give the "greeting of the day" or the regimental motto. So when any soldier, anywhere, in the 7th Cav salutes, they sound off with "Garry Owen, Sir!"
Original Version:
Let Bacchus' sons be not dismayed
But join with me, each jovial blade
Come, drink and sing and lend your aid
To help me with the chorus:
Chorus
Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail;
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.
We'll beat the bailiffs out of fun,
We'll make the mayor and sheriffs run
We are the boys no man dares dun
If he regards a whole skin.(Chorus)
Our hearts so stout have got no fame
For soon 'tis known from whence we came
Where'er we go they fear the name
Of Garryowen in glory. (Chorus)
We'll beat the bailiffs out of fun,
we'll make the mayor and sheriffs run,
we are the boys no man dare dun,
if he regards a whole skin. (Chorus)
Our hearts so stout have got us fame,
for soon 'tis known from whence we came,
where're we go they dread the name,
of Garry Owen in glory. (Chorus)
7TH Cavalry Version
We are the pride of the army,
And a regiment of great renown,
Our name's on the pages of history,
From sixty six on down.
If you think we stop or falter,
While into the fray we're goin'
Just watch the step with our heads erect
When our band plays "Garry Owen."
Chorus:
In the Fighting Seventh's the place for me.
It's the cream of all the cavalry;
No other regiment ever can claim
It's pride, honor, glory, and undying fame.
We know no fear when stern duty
Calls us far away from home,
Our country's flag shall sagely o'er us wave,
No matter where we roam.
T'is the gallant Seventh Cavalry,
It matters not where we're goin'
such you'll surely say as we march away,
When our band plays "Garry Owen."
(Chorus)
Then hurrah for our brave commanders!
Who lead us into the fight.
We'll do or die in our country's cause.
And battle for the right.
And when the war is o'er
And to our home we're goin'
Just watch the step, with our head erect,
When our band plays, "Garry Owen."
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