Jeannie Hutchison                              SA1980.03.7

Labelled a ‘March Ballad’ – this was a classic First World War recruiting song,  composed in 1914 and sung on the 78rpm record Regal 6804 by  Stanley Kirkby.  The song quickly travelled to far off places such as New Zealand where it was among the recruiting concert items promoted by Armies of Europe at War in the Dominion Theatre, Wellington in September 1915.   Kirkby’s recording can be listened to  online here   and there’s a fine set of slides illustrating this song available for viewing here. Jeannie would probably have been around 18 years old when she heard this song – over 65 years ago.  It’s evidence of her fine memory for songs.   Roud index no. 25907.

 

Hark the drums how they beat, Isabelle,
To the tramping of feet, Isabelle,
Dry your eyes sweetheart don’t cry,
Wish me luck then say goodbye.
There is work to be done, Isabelle,
To the beat of the drum, Isabelle,
Into line I’ll fall as the bugles call,
“Hurry up, come along, come along”  

      Farewell Isabelle, Isabelle;
      I’ve got to leave you; I’ve got to go.
      Farewell Isabelle, Isabelle;
      I’ve got to leave you to face the foe.
      You know very well, Isabelle,
      There’s the battle I go through;
      I will do my best when I’m in it, to win it,
      ‘Cos I’ve won you!

When I’m lonely at night, Isabelle,
By the campfire so bright Isabelle
The vision of your loving smile
Will help to cheer me all the while.
When there’s work to be done, Isabelle
To the beat of the drum, Isabelle,
I’ll go back again to the bugle call,
‘Hurry up, come along, come along’

Farewell Isabelle, Isabelle;
 I’ve got to leave you; I’ve got to go,
Farewell Isabelle, Isabelle;
I’ve got to leave you to face the foe.
You know very well, Isabelle,
There’s the battle I go through.
I will do my best when I’m in it, to win it,
‘Cos I’ve won you!