Collections - Regimental Music
The King's Own Song
Words by Herbert K Crofts, Music by Theo Bonheur.
A merry little drummer, he,
The darling and the pride,
Of all the King’s Own Regiment
And the lassies far and wide;
He had loved to “play at soldiers”
And go marching with the boys,
And the jest had turn’d to earnest
When he threw aside his toys.
Marching, marching, gaily on they go
With the dear Old Colours, waving to and fro;
Ready for the Conflict,
Ev’ry heart and brave,
Marching on to glory, or a soldier’s grave!
The air is dark with smoke and shot,
The strife is fierce and wild,
And men are dashing madly past,
The gallant soldier child;
But in his boyish breast there beats,
A brave and faithful heart,
That knows not what it is to fear,
To act a soldier’s part.
Fighting, fighting, madly on they go,
Fighting for their colours,
against their country’s foe;
Eager in the conflict,
Ev’ry heart and brave
Fighting for glory or a soldiers grave.
The deadly strife is ended,
The clash of steel is o’er,
And many a man is sleeping,
To wake on earth no more;
And a little lad is dying,
Unheeded and alone,
For the bugle note has sounded,
And the King has claimed his own.
Marching homeward,
Glory bravely won,
Many a gallant action and deed of valour done,
Many a gallant rescue,
Many a victory brave,
And many a lad is sleeping in a soldier’s grave.
Music including the song 'The King's Own' by Theo. Bonheur and Herbert K
Crofts.
Accession Number: KO2948/12
Words and Music for The King's Own by Herbert K Crofts and Theo. Bonheur
Accession Number: KO2048/12a
Words and Music for The King's Own by Herbert K Crofts and Theo. Bonheur
Accession Number: KO2048/12b
Words and Music for The King's Own by Herbert K Crofts and Theo. Bonheur
Accession Number: KO2048/12c
Words and Music for The King's Own by Herbert K Crofts and Theo. Bonheur
Accession Number: KO2048/12d
Words and Music for The King's Own by Herbert K Crofts and Theo. Bonheur
Accession Number: KO2048/12e
A different version of the music for 'The King's Own Song' with words by
Herbert K Crofts and Music by Theo Bonheur.
Accession Number: KO2950/21
Only a proportion of our collections
are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display
in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of
our collections which are held in store.
