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Napoleonic figures from The One Tree |
The Plains of Waterloo
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Napoleonic figures from The One Tree |
It was on the 16th day of June in Flanders where we lay
Our bugles did the alarm sound before the break of day
We British Belgians Brunswickers and Hanovarians too
All Brussels left that morning for the plains of Waterloo.
By a forced march we did advance till three in the afternoon
Our British hearts with ardour burnt to pull the tyrant down
Near Quatre Bras we met the French their shape to us seemed new
For in steel armour they were clad on the plains of Waterloo.
Napoleon to his men did say before the fight began
My heroes if we lose this day our nation is undone
The Prussians we've already beat we'll bang the British too
And display victorious eagles on the plains of Waterloo.
Our immortal hero Wellington no speech to us did make
We were Peninsula heroes that had often made them shake
At Vittoria Salamanca and Toulouse and Bayonne too
They saw their former conquerors on the plains near Waterloo.
But in bright array Britiana stood and viewed her sons that day
And to her much loved heroes came and thus to them did say
If you the wreath of laural twist from you usurper's brow
To ages you all shall be called brave sons of Waterloo.
The bloody battle then began the cannon loud did roar
But being short of cavalry they pressed on us full sore
Three British cheers we gave to them with volleys not a few
Which made them wish themselves in France and far from Waterloo.
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More of Mark's work |
For full four hours and longer we sustained the bloody fray
Then during a long weary night upon our arms we lay
The orders of our General next day we did pursue
And retired in files for full six miles on the plains of Waterloo.
This day both armies kept their ground and not a shot was fired
The French did boast of victory because we had retired
This noble act of genership them from their strongholds drew
Then we had a share of fighting fair on the plains of Waterloo.
On the 18th in the morning both armies did advance
On this side stood brave Albion's son on that the pride of France
With the fate of Europe in our hands each man his sabre drew
And death or victory was the word on the plains of Waterloo.
Then to the right they did advance Prince Jerome led the van
With imperial guards and cuirassiers that though none could them stand
The British steel soon made them yield though our numbers were but few
We prisoners made but more lay dead and the rest like lightning flew.
Then to our left they bent their course in disappointed rage
The Belgian line stood for a time but could not stand their charge
Till Caledon took up her drone and loud her chanter blew
Playing Marshall Ney a new strathspey to the tune of Waterloo.
The tune was scarcely half played up till the French had danced their fill
And thousands of their warriors upon the field lay still
Some thousands prisoners of them we made with imperial eagles too
Thus British valour was displayed on the plains of Waterloo.
The bloody battle raged on till the setting of the sun
The French then in disorder flew and owned the field was won
Napoleon bold like Cope of old straight back to Paris flew
There to relate his own defeat on the plains of Waterloo.
Success to our Prince Regent long may he as govern
And to the Duke of Wellington that noble son of Erin
Two year they've added to out time for pay and pension too
And now we are recorded as men of Waterloo.
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