The R.S.M.

‘Atten-shun!

Stand by your gun!

And look in the Frenchies eyes,

They’re marching down at the sound of the drum

So many they look like flies.

Don’t be afraid of the French Cockade

They’re flesh and blood, like you,

We’ll scatter them over the battlefield

On this hill, near Waterloo.’

 

‘Right Dress,

Look at your best,

You’re here for the King and Queen,

Let’s have no slovenly army dress

If you die, they’ll say, ‘He’s clean!’

Your Red coat’s more than a match for the Blue,

It’s just a matter of course,

Old Boney’s riding across at the rear

Astride of his pure white horse!’

 

‘Eyes front,

Look to your gun,

And gather your cannister shot,

One can will decimate fifty French

And pile their bodies to rot.

You’ll tear the cavalry horse to shreds

And pile them high at the front,

They’ll have to clamber over the lot

While you’re reloading your gun.’

 

Stand fast!

Think of your lass,

How proud she will be of you,

Taking apart proud Bonaparte

At the Battle of Waterloo.

Hey gunner! You! Take over the gun

He’s slipped and died in the mud,

Don’t look so green at the sights you’ve seen,

He’s dead, and it’s only blood!’

 

‘You there!

Form in a square,

The Lancers are over the hill,

Wait ‘til you see the whites of their eyes

Then front rank, fire at will.’

Their horses speared on a line of stakes

The French turned back in fear,

The R.S.M. raised his voice up then,

‘We’ve got them - Blucher’s here!’

 

David Lewis Paget

Author's Note

R.S.M. - Regimental Sergeant Major; if you listen closely as you read, you should be able to hear the drums.

Reviews

[David Scott]

I could feel the heat and the ruch of adrenaline as the battle rose. Loved the meter you gave this! If you could not feel the drums then you were not paying attention... I enjoyed this straying away from your template.
A wonderful write and a pure joy to read.

[keyvan]

beautiful

[Enid Blake]

Can definately hear the drum beat :)

[Mehak Mushtaq]

Oh yes! I could hear the drums. Narrating the whole episode of the Battle of Waterloo. Amazing.