Now we're ready for the march,
Slope your arms, and step together!
CHORUS: Agus O, Mhórag,
Horo, march together,
Agus O, Mhórag!
Keep your fours and march in order,
Singing chorus altogether.
Lift your heads and step out proudly,
Look not down, or round about you.
He that wears a kilt should be
Erect and free as deer on heather.
When he hears the bagpipe sound,
His heart should bound like steed for battle.
Think of them who went before us,
Winning glory for the tartan!
Vainly did the mighty Romans
Check the Caledonian valour;
Still from each unconquered glen
Rose the men no yoke could fetter. [1]
With the Bruce they drew the sword,
On the gory field of Bannock. [2]
In the ranks of great Gustavus
With the bravest they were reckoned. [3]
'Neathg the banners of Montrose
Like a storm-cloud swept the tartan; [4]
And when fell Dundee victorious
On Rinrorie's blood-stained heather. [5]
In the steps of Royal Charlie
Many a laurel did they gather,
From the rout on Preston brae
Till the day of black Culloden; [6]
And in Fortune's darkest hour
Closer round him they did rally.
On the field of Fontenoy
They held nobly up their banner. [7]
Thy green earth, Ticonderoga,
Keeps their glory fresh for ever. [8]
At Quebec their pibroch shrill
Up the hill went breathing terror. [9]
On the sands of Aboukir
Rang their cheer 'mid hail of bullets. [10]
When Sir Ralph, the good and brave,
On Iskandria's plain was stricken,
Heedless of life's ebbing tide,
He stood beside his Forty-Second. [11]
Many were their deeds of arms
'Gainst the swarms of Hyder Ali.
The grim fort of Savendroog
They refused not to adventure;
And the dizzy rock they scaled,
Which none dared before or after: [12]
Leaguered close in Mangalore,
Tippoo and his hordes they baffled: [13]
And the Sahib's cruel power
'Neath Seringa's towers they buried. [14]
First of many a field of war,
Where great Arthur ruled the battle,
Do their colours tell the tale,
Of the famous fight of Assaye. [15]
So the story of Maida,
Where the pride of France they levelled. [16]
On Corunna's bloody shore,
Their onset gladdened Moore in dying; [17]
And on many a field of Spain,
To their ancient fame they added:
Talavera, [18] Fuentes d'Onor, [19]
Vittoria, [20] Salamanca! [21]
Badajoz, [22] Ciudad Rodrigo, [23]
Pyrenees, [24] and San Sebastian! [25]
When they crossed the Bidassoa, [26]
Still before them Soult retreated:
Nivelle - Nive - Orthes - Toulouse - [27]
Scarce the Muse their steps can follow!
On the slopes of Quatre Bras
The Frenchman saw them stand unbroken.
On the day of Waterloo
The pibroch blew where fire was hottest. [28]
When the Alma heights were stormed,
Foremost went the Highland bonnets; [29]
And before their "thin red line"
The Cossack rider turned and vanished. [30]
When on India's burning plains
Dearly saved was Britain's honour,
Outram, Havelock, and Clyde,
Led the Highlanders to conquest. [31]
Joyful rang the pibroch loud
Through the sounding streets of Lucknow, [32]
And, like angels sent to save,
Came the brave ones to the rescue.
When Ashantee's savage lord
Loosed his dusky hordes for havoc,
Through Adansi's horrid wood
In order good they led the battle; [33]
And their stately tramp awakened
Thy forsaken streets, Coomassie! [33]
As it was in days of yore
So the story shall be ever:
Where the doughtiest deeds are dared,
Shall the Gael be forward pressing:
Where the Highland broadsword waves,
There shall graves be found the thickest.
But when they have sheathed the sword,
Then their glory is to succour;
Hearts that scorn the thought of fear
Melt to tears at touch of pity;
Hands that fiercest smite in war
Have the warmest grasp for brothers;
And beneath the tartan plaid
Wife and maid find gentlest lover.
Think, then, of the name ye bear,
Ye that wear the Highland tartan!
Jealous of its old renown,
Hand it down without a blemish!
CHORUS: Agus O, Mhórag,
Horo, march together,
Agus O, Mhórag!
[1] A.D. 79-420.
[2] June 24, 1314.
[3] 1629-32.
[4] 1644-46.
[5] July 27, 1629.
[6] Sept. 21, 1745, to April 16, 1746.
[7] 42d, May 11, 1745.
[8] 42d, July 7, 1758.
[9] Fraser's Highlanders (then 78th), Sept. 13, 1759.
[10] 42d, 79th, 92d, March 8, 1801.
[11] 42d, 79th, 92d, March 21, 1801.
[12] 71st and 72d, Dec. 21, 1791.
[13] 73d, May 1783-Jan. 30, 1784.
[14] 73d and 74th, May 4, 1799.
[15] 74th, 78th, Sept. 23, 1803.
[16] 78th, July 4, 1806.
[17] 42d, 71st, 74th, 79th, 92d, May 5, 1811.
[18] 79th, 91st, July 27 and 28, 1809.
[19] 42d, 71st, 74th, 79th, 92d, May 5, 1811.
[20] 71st, 74th, 62d, June 21, 1813.
[21] 74th, 79th, July 22, 1812.
[22] 74th, April 6-Jan. 19, 1812.
[23] Ibid.
[24] 42d, 71st, 74th, 91st, 92d, July 28, 1813.
[25] 92d, Aug. 31, 1813.
[26] 42d, 71st, 74th, 9th, 79th, 92d, Oct. 7, 9, 1813.
[27] April 10, 1814.
[28] 42d, 71st, 73d, 70th, 92d, June 16 and 18, 1815.
[29] 42d, 79th, 93d, Sept. 20, 1854.
[30] 93d, Oct. 25, 1854.
[31] July 1857-Nov. 1858.
[32] 78th, Sept.25, 1857. 42d, 78th, 79th, 93d, March 19, 1858.
[33] 42d (with 135 of the 79th), Jan. 31, 1874.
[34] Feb. 4, 1874.
Embro, Embro Copyright © 2001, Jack Campin
