The British Grenadiers is a traditional marching song for units of the British and Commonwealth armies whose badge of identification carries the grenade[citation needed], the tune of which dates from the 17th century. It is the Regimental Quick March of the Royal Artillery (since 1716), Corps of Royal Engineers (since 1787), the Honourable Artillery Company (since 1716), Grenadier Guards 'The First (later 'Grenadier') Regiment of Foot Guards' (since 1763), and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (since 1763). It is also an authorised march of The Royal Gibraltar Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, The Canadian Grenadier Guards, The Royal Regiment of Canada, The Princess Louise Fusiliers, and The 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles. The standard orchestration for military band was approved in 1762, when the Royal Artillery Band (founded in 1557) became officially recognized, and for all other 'grenade' regiments in 1763[citation needed], when all of the remaining unofficial bands gained official status[citation needed]. The grenade was adopted from France[citation needed] and was in wide use, before Charles II, while in exile, raised a specialized and dedicated regiment, in 1656 at Bruges. That regiment was originally titled the 'Royal Regiment of Guards', and after several changes of name, was titled 'The Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards' in 1815.
Lyrics
The following text is the most well-known version of the song. The text arguably dates back to the War of Spanish Succession (1702--1713), since it refers to the grenadiers throwing grenades (a practice that proved to be too dangerous and was dropped soon after,) and the men wearing "caps and pouches" (i.e. the typical grenadier caps, worn by these elite troops, and probably the small cartridge boxes worn in front, known as a 'belly box') and "loupèd clothes", then preserved only for the grenadiers.
Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules
Of Hector and Lysander, and such great names as these.
But of all the world's great heroes, there's none that can compare.
With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, to the British Grenadiers.
Those heroes of antiquity ne'er saw a cannon ball,
Or knew the force of powder to slay their foes withal.
But our brave boys do know it, and banish all their fears,
Sing tow, row, row, row, row, row, for the British Grenadiers.
Whene'er we are commanded to storm the palisades,
Our leaders march with fusees, and we with hand grenades.
We throw them from the glacis*, about the enemies' ears.
Sing tow, row, row, row, row, row, the British Grenadiers.
And when the siege is over, we to the town repair.
The townsmen cry, "Hurrah, boys, here comes a Grenadier!
Here come the Grenadiers, my boys, who know no doubts or fears!
Then sing tow, row, row, row, row, row, the British Grenadiers.
Then let us fill a bumper, and drink a health to those
Who carry caps and pouches, and wear the loupèd clothes.
May they and their commanders live happy all their years.
With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, for the British Grenadiers."
sometimes sung "about the Frenchmen's ears"
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Barry Lyndon - British Grenadiersby Zappiss533,309 views
outstanding quality well worth uploading you nonce
harrow86 3 days ago
why the english are using skirts?????
arbereo 1 week ago
Don't get too cocky you lousy brit. Napoleons Marshall's lost him this battle.
Grathom15 1 week ago