The Jolly Die-Hards

[Verse 1]
When a Bugle, for battle, so merrily sounds,
In the ranks of the Die-Hards, each heart then rebounds.
As fearless of danger, right on we go,
When up go our colours, then down go the foe.
Be they Russians or Prussians or Spanish or French,
At scaling a rampart or guarding a trench.
Not a bayonet nor bullet our progress retards,
For it's just all the same to the gallant Die-Hards.

[Verse 2]
Our regiment has conquered, but never in vain,
Bear witness those hills, and those mountains in Spain!
Bear witness the shades of those hundreds that fell,
At Red Albuhera, and a victory can tell.
How Soult and his Frenchmen were beaten and sank,
As we fell on them fiercely, rank after rank.
Invincible seemed those brave children of Mars,
Lord Beresford styled us the 'Gallant Die-Hards'.

[Verse 3]
What harm if we suffer from hardships at times,
What harm if we're bronzed by those hot Eastern climes.
Such trifles as these our spirits can damp,
For we're jovial in barracks and more so in camp.
Watch the girls, how they smile when we march through the town,
When they hear we're the Die-Hards of far-famed renown.
So fill up your glasses and show your regard,
By drinking the health of each jolly Die-Hard.