Over the Hills and Far Away (traditional)
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Over the Hills and Far Away is a traditional English song, dating back to at least the early 1700's. The words have changed over the years, as can be seen in the versions below. The tune was provided with another set of lyrics for the Sharpe movies.
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[edit] George Farquhar Lyrics
A version of the lyrics by George Farquhar for his play The Recruiting Officer from 1706.
- Our 'prentice Tom may now refuse
- To wipe his scoundrel Master's Shoes,
- For now he's free to sing and play
- Over the Hills and far away.
- Over the Hills and O'er the Main,
- To Flanders, Portugal and Spain,
- The queen commands and we'll obey
- Over the Hills and far away.
- We all shall lead more happy lives
- By getting rid of brats and wives
- That scold and bawl both night and day -
- Over the Hills and far away.
- Over the Hills and O'er the Main,
- To Flanders, Portugal and Spain,
- The queen commands and we'll obey
- Over the Hills and far away.
- Courage, boys, 'tis one to ten,
- But we return all gentlemen
- All gentlemen as well as they,
- Over the hills and far away.
- Over the Hills and O'er the Main,
- To Flanders, Portugal and Spain,
- The queen commands and we'll obey
- Over the Hills and far away.
[edit] John Gay Lyrics
Here is another version of the song, as used in John Gay's, The Beggar's Opera from 1728.
MacHeath:
- Were I laid on Greenland's coast,
- And in my arms embrac'd my lass;
- Warm amidst eternal frost,
- Too soon the half year's night would pass.
- And I would love you all the day.
- Ev'ry night would kiss and play,
- If with me you'd fondly stray
- Over the hills and far away.
Polly:
- Were I sold on Indian soil,
- Soon as the burning day was clos'd,
- I could mock the sultry toil
- When on my charmer's breast repos'd.
- I would love you all the day.
- Ev'ry night would kiss and play,
- If with me you'd fondly stray
- Over the hills and far away.
- Over the hills and far away...
Duet:
- Were I laid on Greenland's coast,
- And in my arms embrac'd my lass;
- Warm amidst eternal frost,
- Too soon the half year's night would pass.
- And I would love you all the day.
- Ev'ry night would kiss and play,
- If with me you'd fondly stray
- Over the hills and far away.
[edit] John Tams Lyrics
This is the version that is used in the Sharpe (TV series) movies, written by John Tams. Note that each verse is from a different movie, as noted at the start of the verse.
Chorus:
- O'er the hills and o'er the main
- Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain.
- King George commands and we obey
- Over the hills and far away.
From Sharpe's Eagle & Sharpe's Mission:
- There's forty shillings on the drum
- To those who volunteer to come,
- To 'list and fight the foe today
- Over the Hills and far away.
From Sharpe's Company:
- Mid smoke and fire and shot and shell,
- And to the very walls of hell,
- But we shall stand and we shall stay
- Over the hills and far away
From Sharpe's Enemy:
- Though I may travel far from Spain
- A part of me shall still remain,
- And you are with me night and day
- Over the hills and far away.
From Sharpe's Honour & Sharpe's Siege:
- Then 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.
From Sharpe's Gold:
- When Evil stalks upon the land
- I'll neither hold nor stay me hand
- But fight to win a better day,
- Over the hills and far away.
From Sharpe's Battle:
- If I should fall to rise no more,
- As many comrades did before,
- Ask the pipes and drums to play
- Over the hills and far away.
From Sharpe's Sword:
- Let kings and tyrants come and go,
- I'll stand adjudged by what I know.
- A soldiers life I'll ne'er gainsay.
- Over the hills and far away.
From Sharpe's Challenge:
- Though kings and tyrants come and go
- A soldier's life is all I know
- I'll live to fight another day
- Over the hills and far away.
No version of the song accompanies Sharpe's Rifles, Regiment, Revenge and Justice. A tongue-in-cheek verse appears in Sharpe's Waterloo:
- Old Wellington, he scratched his bum.
- He says, "Bony lad, thee's had thee fun."
- My riflemen will win the day
- Over the hills and far away.
