A much darker take on this lovely old tune: "King George commands, and we obey, over the hills and far away".
As to the political elements, a crusty old cynic might ask: wasn't it ever thus?
Arranged and performed here by John Tams, including lyrics, for the TV Series "Sharpe" which was set in the Napoleonic Wars.
A few people have asked about specific images. Almost all of my YouTube vids comprise my own photography. Not here, however - so all credit due to the original creators of these images (not to mention the principal act here: John Tams' performance and arrangement of this music!).
At 0:50 the striking image of brave French soldiers in unimaginably harsh conditions is at once frightening, and heartbreaking. Most of us have not even the vaguest grasp of what it means to be fighting in war - except of course for the courageous soldiers of today, many of whom play video-games for fun, relaxation; and yes, relief from the harder truths of military conflict. Armchair warriors bring it on!
The image of the British soldiers at 1:16 here: http://www.napoleon-series.org/images...
And here is a rather earlier account of this tune:
http://youtu.be/0MR7VihPm2E
Finally, here are John Tams' lyrics:
Here's forty 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
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]
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]
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]
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]
If I should fall to rise no more
As many comrades did before
Ask the fifes and drums to play
Over the hills and far away
[chorus]
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]
Recording:
Over the Hills and Far Away: The Music of Sharpe
Label: Virgin
ASIN: B0000263G2
