Post by tbw on Dec 31, 2011 21:35:29 GMT -5
Garryowen 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
Today's 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."
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."
Gary Owen isn't or I should say wasn't a real person. And it wasn't ever meant to be two words, but one, Garryowen. It roughly translates in gaelic to mean Owen's garden. Owen's garden or Garryowen is a real town in Limerick County, Ireland and the song had its origins there in the mid 19th century.
In the movie We Were Soldiers, where a young soldier is finally rescued with the rest of his unit after being cut off from the rest of the regiment you'll note he salutes Capt. Moore and says Garryown sir. That just wasn't a movie stunt, it's a part of the tradition of the U.S. 7th Cavalry. How far back the tradition goes, one can only guess. We here at TCF want to wish all of our members, friends, readers and visitors a very safe, prosperous and Happy New Year in 2012 and we raise our glass in toast to one and all - Garryowen.
