The sergeant's song

When Lawyers strive to heal a breach
And Parsons practise what they preach:
Then Boney he'll come pouncing down,
And march his men on London town!
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!

When Justices hold equal scales,
And Rogues are only found in jails;
Then Boney he'll come pouncing down,
And march his men on London town!
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!

When Rich Men find their wealth a curse,
And fill therewith the Poor Man's purse;
Then Boney he'll come pouncing down,
And march his men on London town!
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!

When Husbands with their Wives agree,
And Maids won't wed from modesty;
Then Boney he'll come pouncing down,
And march his men on London town!
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,
  Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!

by Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) , "The sergeant's song", from Wessex Poems and Other Verses, published 1898

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

by Rutland Boughton (1878-1960) , "Quick march", published 1924 [chorus a cappella], from Four Partsongs
by Gerald Finzi (1901-1956) , "Rollicum-Rorum", op. 15 no. 6, published 1936 [baritone and piano], from Earth and Air and Rain, no. 6.
by Hubert James Foss (1899-1953) , "The sergeant's song", published 1925 [tenor, baritone, TBar chorus, and piano], from Seven Poems by Thomas Hardy
by Gustav Holst (1874-1934) , "The sergeant's song", published 1923. [baritone and piano]
by Frederick Keel (1871-1954) , "The sergeant's song", published 1938. [voice and piano]
by Boyton Smith , "Rollicum-rorum", first performed 1912. [voice and piano]

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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