The lyrics to the song "Slattery's Mounted Foot" (also known as "Slattery's Mounted Fut," "Slattery's Light Dragoon

Dragoon

The word dragoon originally meant mounted infantry, who were trained in horse riding as well as infantry fighting skills. However, usage altered over time and during the 18th century, dragoons evolved into conventional light cavalry units and personnel...

s," and "O'Slattery's Light Dragoons") were written in 1889 by the 19th Century Irish

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

 musician Percy French. The song is representative of French's comic works. The tune of the chorus differs from that of the main lyrics.

Lyrics

"Slattery's Mounted Foot"

by Percy French (1889)

You've heard of Julius Ceasar and the great Napolean too,

And how the Cork militia beat the Turks at Waterloo;

But there's a page of glory that as yet remains uncut,

And that's the warlike story of old Slattery's Mounted Fut.

This gallant corps was organised by Slattery and his son,

A noble-hearted poacher with a double-breasted gun.

And many a head was broken, aye, and many an eye was shot,

When practising maneuvers in the Slattery's Mounted Fut.

Chorus

And down from the mountains came the squadrons and platoons,

Four-and-twenty fighting men and a couple of stout gossoons;

When going into action held each musket by the butt,

We sang this song and marched along, the Slattery's mounted Fut.

Well, first we reconnoitered 'round O'Sullivan's Shabeen—

It used to be a chop house but we called it the canteen;

And there we saw a notice which the bravest heart unnerved:

"All liquor must be settled for before the drink is served."

So on we marched, but soon again each warrior's heart grew pale,

For rising high in front of us we saw the county jail;

And when the army faced about, 'twas just in time to find,

A couple of stout policemen had surrounded us behind.

Chorus

And down from the mountains came the squadrons and platoons,

Four-and-twenty fighting men and a couple of stout gossoons.

When going into action held each musket by the butt

We sang the song and marched along, the Slattery's mounted fut."

"We'll cross the ditch," our leader cried, "and take the forward flank;"

But yells of consternation here arose from every rank;

For posted high upon a tree we very plainly saw:

"Trespassers prosecuted, in accordance with the law."

"We're foiled!" exclaimed bold Slattery, "here ends our grand campaign,

'Tis merely throwing life away to face that raging drain;

I'm not as bold as lions but I'm braver than a hen,

And he that fights and runs away will live to fight again."

Chorus

So back to the mountains went the squadrons and platoons,

Four-and-twenty fighting men and a couple of stout gossoons.

When going into action held each musket by the butt,

We sang this song and marched along, the Slattery's mounted Fut.

We reached the mountains safely, though all stiff and sore with cramp.

Each took a whet of whiskey straight to dissipate the damp;

And when they loaded all their pipes, bold Slattery up and said:

Today's immortal fight will be remembered by the dead."

"I never shall forget," said he, "while this brave heart shall beat,

The eager way you followed when I headed the retreat.

Ye preferred the soldier's maxim, when desisting from the strife:

'Best be a coward for five minutes than a dead man all your life.'"

Chorus

And back to the mountains came the squadrons and platoons,

Four and twenty fighting men and a couple of stout gossoons,

When going into action held each musket by the butt,

We sang this song and marched along, the slattery's mounted fut!

Alternative lyrics for the chorus are:

And down from the mountains came the squadrons and platoons,

Four-and-twenty fighting men and a couple of stout gossoons,

When going into action held each musket by the butt,

We sang a song as we marched along with Slattery's Mounted Foot!

External links

• Frank Shay version
• The Mudcat Cafe version
• Mudcat midi 1
• Mudcat midi 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Johnkeojon