The Dashing White Sergeant
Scottish Song By John Burgoyne
The Dashing White Sergeant takes its title from the original song, with words traditionally attributed to General John Burgoyne (1722–1792) and music composed by the English composer Sir Henry Rowley Bishop in 1826.The song was apparently intended for one of Bishop's stage works, although there is no evidence that it was incorporated into one. The tune was subsequently adopted as a military march and became the regimental march of the Royal Berkshire Regiment.
The dance combines elements of the Scottish reel with influences from Swedish country dancing.
The better-known later lyrics were written by the Scottish composer and conductor Sir Hugh Stevenson Roberton (1874–1952), founder of the Glasgow Orpheus Choir, who also wrote the English words of Mairi's Wedding.
Related Scottish Country Dances
The Dashing White SergeantReturn Of The Dashing White Sergeant
The Dashing White Sergeant By John Burgoyne
If I had a beau for a soldier who'd go,
Do you think I'd say no? No, no, not I!
For a soldier who'd go, Do you
No, no, no, no, no, no, not I!
When his red coat I saw,
Not a sigh would it draw,
But I'd give him eclat for his bravery!
If an army of Amazons ere came in play,
As a dashing white sergeant I'd march away.
Chorus
A dashing white sergeant I'd march away, march away, march away, march away.
March away, march away, march away, march away, march away, march away.
The Dashing White Sergeant - The Better Known Lyrics By Sir Hugh Roberton
Now the fiddler's ready, let us all begin
So step it out and step it in
To the merry music of the violin
We'll dance the hours away.
(Repeat first 4 lines, then):
Katie and Peggy and Patsy and Paul,
Callum and Peter and Flora and Moll,
Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance away the hours together!
Dance till dawn be in the sky,
What care you and what care I?
Hearts a-beating, spirits high,
We're gonna dance, dance, dance!
The Dashing White Sergeant Song Video
The Dashing White Sergeant Song - Information Video
The Dashing White Sergeant - Music Score
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