Seventh Calvary Version (Garry Owens)
We are the pride of the army,
And a regiment of great renown,
Our names on the pages of history,
From sixty six on down.
If you think we stop or falter,
While into the fray were goin
Just watch the step with our heads erect
When our band plays "Garry Owen."
CHORUS
In the Fighting Sevenths the place for me.
Its the cream of all the cavalry;
No other regiment ever can claim
Its pride, honor, glory, and undying fame.
We know no fear when stern duty
Calls us far away from home,
Our countrys flag shall sagely oer us wave,
No matter where we roam.
Tis the gallant Seventh Cavalry,
It matters not where were goin
such youll surely say as we march away,
When our band plays "Garry Owen."
CHORUS
Then hurrah for our brave commanders!
Who lead us into the fight.
Well do or die in our countrys cause.
And battle for the right.
And when the war is oer
And to our home were goin
Just watch the step, with our head erect,
When our band plays, "Garry Owen."
I've always enjoyed that tune, but I never knew it's origin or history. It was the marching song for General Custer's Seventh Calvary. Later history made the song title to reflect a man's name.
The song (original lyrics sang) is also used in this UGMF Air Calvary recruitment video.
There is also a song called "Garry Owens (Sargent Flynn)" - that is a military song, but I'm sure this isn't the song the bagpiper played.
My brother is a Col at Cent Com. He had a real chuckle over this story when I told him about it this morning. lol