Over the Hills and Far Away (English Marching Song) Performed by Treebeard Folk Group

This English soldier's song, which probably began as a barrack room ballad, dates back at least to the late 17th century. A printed version of "Over the Hills and Far Away" first appeared in Irish playwright George Farquhar's (1677-1707) drama The Recruiting Officer in 1706.

The version sung and performed by English folk group Treebeard is a contemporary version of the song with lyrics written by English folk singer and musician John Tams for the 1990s ITV Napoleonic Wars miniseries Sharpe (which was broadcast as Sharpe's Rifles on PBS in the United States) starring Sean Bean. Tams plays the role of one of the British Army's 95th Regiment Riflemen in the TV series.

It's up, lads! And it's over the hills and far away!

Lyrics:

There's forty shillings on the drum
For those who volunteer to come,
To 'list and fight the foe today
Over the Hills and far away

[Chorus]

O'er the hills and o'er the main
Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain
King George commands and we obey
Over the hills and far away

When duty calls me I must go
To stand and face another foe
But part of me will always stray
Over the hills and far away

[Chorus]

If I should fall to rise no more
As many comrades did before
Then ask the fifes and drums to play
Over the hills and far away

[Chorus]

Then fall in lads behind the drum
With colours blazing like the sun
Along the road to come what may
Over the hills and far away

[Chorus] X4