The Hill At Magersfontein
The Highland Drummer's Sacrifice: Magersfontein's Tale
Lyrics
He was a young drummer, from Scotland he came
Introduction of a young drummer from Scotland joining the military.
On the march from Modder River to Magersfontein
Describes the journey from Modder River to Magersfontein.
He was with the C-Force, wrapped up in his plaid
The drummer is part of the C-Force, wrapped in his plaid (Scottish garment).
Through the rainy night with the Highland Brigade
Marching through a rainy night with the Highland Brigade.
Come laddy, come, leave behind your drum
Encouragement for the drummer to leave his drum and join the battle.
To sound the bugle call, the battle lines are drawn
Reference to sounding the bugle call as the battle lines are drawn.
Many men may fall but it won't be in vain
Acknowledges that many may fall, but their sacrifice won't be in vain.
We're off to take the hill at Magersfontein
The purpose is to take the hill at Magersfontein.
Looking at the hills at the break of the day
Observation of the hills at daybreak, questioning the enemy's presence.
No enemy are seen, are they hiding away?
Wondering if the enemy is hiding as they prepare to attack.
Hills were smashed with cannon, attack now at all cost
Description of cannon fire and a call for an all-out attack.
Mausers open fire and 200 men are lost
Enemy Mausers open fire, resulting in the loss of 200 men.
Come laddy, come, leave behind your drum
Encouragement for the drummer to leave his drum and sound the bugle call.
Sound the bugle call, to rally us all
Another call to rally as they face casualties in the pursuit of the hill.
Many men will fall but it won't be in vain
Emphasizes that the sacrifices won't be in vain.
For we have to take the hill at Magersfontein
Reiterates the objective: taking the hill at Magersfontein.
Highlanders retreating, I've not seen it in my time
Surprising sight of Highlanders retreating, a rare occurrence.
But a hundred of the bravest, they break the enemy line
A hundred brave soldiers break the enemy line but face dire consequences.
Cut down on the hillside, surrounded and marooned
Description of the situation on the hillside: surrounded and marooned.
The drummer boy is captured but dies of a wound
The drummer boy is captured but succumbs to his wounds.
Come laddy, come, leave behind your drum
Encouragement for the drummer to leave both drum and bugle.
Leave the bugle call, you've stood firm and tall
Suggests that the drummer has stood firm and tall in the face of adversity.
Many men have fallen but it was not in vain
Reflects on the many fallen, emphasizing their sacrifice was not in vain.
We'll be back to take the hill at Magersfontein
Expresses determination to return and take the hill at Magersfontein.
He was just a drummer, so young and so brave
Description of the drummer as young and brave, acknowledged by the enemy.
The enemy salute him and dig him a grave
The enemy salutes the drummer and provides him a burial.
Not with his comrades but never alone
Despite being buried away from comrades, the drummer is not alone.
They bury that boy beside their very own
The drummer is laid to rest beside the enemy's fallen soldiers.
Come laddy, come, leave behind your drum
Encouragement to leave the drum, promising to sound a bugle call and wrap in a shawl.
We'll sound a bugle call, and wrap you in your shawl
Expresses the intention to honor the fallen drummer with a bugle call and shawl.
So young you had to fall but it was not in vain
Recognition of the drummer's young age and the acknowledgment that his fall was not in vain.
For we'll bury you near the hill at Magersfontein
Reaffirms the commitment to bury the drummer near the hill at Magersfontein.
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