billco98 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 This may have been raised before - apologies if it has. Anyone interested in the songs, music and poetry relating to WWI should get a hold of the double CD, 'Far, Far From Ypres - Songs, Poems and Music of World WWI. It is one of the most moving compilations I have ever bought. http://www.footstompin.com/products/cds/far_far_from_ypres__songs_poems_and_music_of_world_war_l_double_cd Track 7 on Disc Two has the song 'Geordie McCrae' sung by Robin Laing. The song is based on the words from pages 134 and 135 of Jack Alexander's book and is sung to the tune 'Bonnie Dundee'. 'Geordie McCrae' Kaiser Bill he came marching o'er Belgium and France To challenge the Empire with warlike advance But the bravest of Hearts volunteered for the fray And threw in their lot with old Geordie McCrae! Come pack up your footballs and scarves of maroon, Leave all your sweethearts in Auld Reekie toon. Fall in wi' the lads for they're aff and away, To take on the bold Hun with old Geordie McCrae Oh, it's sad we are leaving but happy to go, Now it's up wi' the Colonel and down wi' the foe, And when victory's ours we'll be able to say, That we fought by the side of old Geordie McCrae. Come pack up your footballs and scarves of maroon, Leave all your sweethearts in Auld Reekie toon. Fall in wi' the lads for they're aff and away, To take on the bold Hun with old Geordie McCrae Now five hundred good comrades lie buried in France, And we who are left have to carry the scars, Though our wounds might be sair, at the end of the day, We would gang once again with old geordie McCrae. Come pack up your footballs and scarves of maroon, Leave all your sweethearts in Auld Reekie toon. Fall in wi' the lads for they're aff and away, To take on the bold Hun with old Geordie McCrae Come pack up your footballs and scarves of maroon, Leave all your sweethearts in Auld Reekie toon. Fall in wi' the lads for they're aff and away, To take on the bold Hun with old Geordie McCrae The track fades out with the first few bars of the Heart's song played on the moothie. The info accompanying the CD states that the original words were penned by Private George Blaney of the Battalion in 1915. The last verse was added after the war. It also states that the club song 'Hearts, Hearts, Glorious Hearts', written in the 1950's refers not to the club's exploits on the football field but is a reference to the team of 1914. They were simply known as 'The Glorious Hearts' because of their exploits on the battlefield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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