Slattery's Mounted Foot - Lyrics

Lyrics

"Slattery's Mounted Foot"

by Percy French (1889)

You've heard of Julius Ceasar and the great Napoleon 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!