Old
Solomon Levi (MP3)
(Click to Play)
The Tune "Old Solomon Levi" is the Regimental March which carries the words "Pork, Beans and Hard Tack", a stirring reminder of early days during the North West Rebellion.
Music by Fred Beaver and performed by The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regimental Band
"Pork Beans and Hard Tack"
(Written by Major Lawrence Buchan)
When
we embarked at Winnipeg, as chirpy as could be,
We thought we
were out for a bit of a lark, about a two weeks spree,
But when we got to Fort Qu’Appelle we found it different
then,
Our tents in a row, we pitched in the snow, just like the
real soldier men.
Chorus:
Pork,
beans, hard tack tra, Ia, Ia, Ia, Ia, Ia, Ia,
Poor hungry soldiers, tra, Ia, Ia, Ia, Ia, Ia. Ia, Ia, Ia,
Ia,
With blistered feet and aching bones we march along all day,
And go on piquet all the night, to keep the rebs away;
But when we meet the enemy we do not think of rest,
For whether we march or fight, my boys, we do our level best.
We
trudged along the winding trail, for many a weary day,
With thunder, lightning, hail and rain to cheer us on the
way;
We fought the rebels at Fish Creek and drove them out of
sight,
While many of our good men and true fell battling for the
right.
Chorus: Pork, beans, etc.
We
caught the rebels once again right in their own Batoche,
We burst them up and shot them down, we scooped them in (all)
By Gosh!
And when no more of them were left, around for us to shoot,
We plundered all their household goods, and carried off our
loot.
Chorus: Pork, beans, etc.
At
Prince Albert then the ladies came to greet us with their smiles,
Which made us quite forget our woes with all their cheering
wiles;
So to put a stop to rushing love, as good boys always oughter,
We marched along to Battleford, going all the way by water.
Chorus : Pork, beans, etc.
We
left the gallant Queen’s Own there, indulging in a swear,
Because they could’t come to Pitt to polish off Big Bear;
But now my boys we have come home to luxury and ease,
You bet we’ve earned the name we get, the fighting LBD.’s.
Chorus: Pork, beans, etc.