One of the strong points of the Sharpe movie series was it's music provided by Dominic Muldowney and John Tams (who also played the ex-poacher, Hagman). As well as the powerful theme music which introduced each film, there were numerous soldier's folk songs scattered throughout the films, often (but not exclusively) sung by John Tams. From "Eagle" onwards, one of these tunes became the closing credit theme for the series: "Over the Hills and Far Away". This soldier's song dates back to the time of Queen Anne (see Lesley Nelson's excellent website) but was freely adapted over the next hundred years plus. It was freely adapted again for the series, with John Tam writing new verses for it for each of the films from Eagle to Sword.
"Over the Hills" is included on a CD of music from the series: "Over the Hills and Far Away: The Music of Sharpe".
(Eagle) There's forty shillings on the drum To 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. |
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(Company) Mid smoke and fire and shot and shell, And to the very walls of hell, But we shall stand and we shall stay Over the hills and far away (chorus) |
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(Enemy) Though I may travel far from Spain A part of me shall still remain, And you are with me night and day Over the hills and far away. (chorus) |
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(Honour) 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) |
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(Gold) When Evil stalks upon the land I'll neither hold nor stay me hand But fight to win a better day, Over the hills and far away. (chorus) |
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(Battle) If I should fall to rise no more, As many comrades did before, Ask the pipes and drums to play Over the hills and far away. (chorus) |
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(Sword) Let kings and tyrants come and go, I'll stand adjudged by what I know. A soldiers life I'll ne'er gainsay. Over the hills and far away. (chorus) |
Text printed without permission.
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Last update 1/2/03