INVICTA – “THE KENT BRANCH GIFT”
What It’s All About …
Generative AI has risen from an intriguing novelty to a familiar and trusted part of everyday life. What once felt experimental now flows effortlessly through the way we work, communicate, and create. Across homes and workplaces, people use AI to shape ideas, draft messages, analyse information, and bring creative projects to life with a speed and clarity that would have seemed extraordinary only a short time ago. Its adoption has been swift, and its presence is now as natural as email or smartphones – a quiet, reliable companion helping us think, plan, and express ourselves with confidence.
This spirit of creativity and exploration has taken root within our own Grenadier Guards community. Over the years, a great deal of Regimentally inspired instrumental music has been composed by the Officers, NCOs and Musicians of the Band of the Grenadier Guards. Yet Bob Goodson, Hon. Secretary of the Grenadier Guards – Kent Branch, discovered that no songs with lyrics could be found. So he decided to create some himself.
Drawing on AI‑powered music tools, Bob began crafting original songs inspired by the Grenadier Guards, the Household Division, and the wider military — all in musical styles he personally enjoys. These pieces blend tradition with modern innovation, giving familiar themes a fresh and imaginative twist. A selection of these songs has been included on this Invicta – “The Kent Branch Gift” page for you to enjoy.
The lyrics for each piece accompany their respective tracks — so sing along, tap your feet, or even dance. Bob is certain that at least one tune will stay with you, playing in your mind long after the music ends. He hopes these melodies bring a smile, spark a memory, perhaps even bring a tear, and show how new technology can celebrate old friendships in joyful and heartfelt ways.
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TRACK 01. Cha Cha Cha For The Kent Grenadiers (2 minutes 52 seconds)
“Cha Cha Cha for the Kent Grenadiers” is a celebratory tribute to the history, camaraderie, and enduring identity of the Grenadier Guards and the Kent Branch of the Grenadier Guards Association. The song blends light‑hearted dance rhythms with deep regimental pride, honouring the Regiment’s origins in 1656 and its distinguished service from Waterloo to the present day.
It reflects the shared experiences of Grenadiers across generations — polished shoes, medals catching the light, stories retold among trusted friends, and the unbroken bond of comradeship. The song highlights the founding of the now Kent Branch in 1948 (was originally known as the Dover sub-branch) and acknowledges both the living and the fallen, reminding listeners that the Grenadier spirit continues to grow and endure.
At its heart, the song celebrates the motto “Once a Grenadier, Always a Grenadier,” expressing the lifelong identity carried by all who have served in the Grenadier Guards regiment. Through dance, memory, and fellowship, it invites the Kent Branch to raise a glass, raise their voices, and honour the past, present, and future of the Grenadier family. It was first aired at the Kent Branch Annual Dinner on Saturday 06 September 2026 when the Hon. Secretary and his wife danced to it.
[Intro]
Cha cha cha
Cha cha Kent
Cha cha Grenadiers (hey!)
[Verse 1]
We hope you’re enjoying this evening tonight
All shining shoes
Medals catching the light
From 1656 to this very bright hall
First Regiment of Guards
We still stand tall
[Verse 2]
From Waterloo’s thunder we carried that name
Grenadier Guards
Ever faithful to fame
Through War Years of fire
Shoulder to shoulder
Comradeship forged that only grows older
[Chorus]
Cha cha cha for the Kent Grenadiers
Raise your glass
Raise your voice
Raise your cheers
Once a Grenadier
Forever sincere
Once a Grenadier
Always a Grenadier
[Verse 3]
Our branch in ’48 gathered again
Stories and laughter with old
Trusted friends
May all that we planted still blossom ahead
Honour the living and cherish our dead
[Bridge]
So dance through the memories
Slow turn
Quick spin
Past
Present
And future all woven within
We’ll dance away the night
Hearts front and centre
Step after step
Every friend is remembered
[Chorus]
Cha cha cha for the Kent Grenadiers
Raise your glass
Raise your voice
Raise your cheers
Once a Grenadier
Forever sincere
Once a Grenadier
Always a Grenadier (hey!)
[Outro]
Cha cha Kent
Cha cha Guards
Once a Grenadier
Always a Grenadier
TRACK 02. Once a Grenadier, Always a Grenadier (2 minutes 54 seconds)
The Regiment, founded in 1656, has stood at the forefront of the nation’s service for centuries. The saying “Once a Grenadier, Always a Grenadier” endures because it speaks to the courage, loyalty, and steadfast character our soldiers have shown throughout that long history. This song reminds us that every Grenadier, past and present, carries that legacy of bravery with them for life.
[Verse]
In Bruges they stood
The King’s new guard
Sixteen Fifty Six
Those times were hard
Scarlet flames on fields of grey
Through smoke and fire
They led the way
From Waterloo to desert sands
A brotherhood with iron hands
[Chorus]
Once a Grenadier
Always a Grenadier
Through the clash of steel
We persevere
Bearskin caps and hearts of stone
The ground we hold
From blood we own
[Verse 2]
The Bearskin cap earned in Waterloo’s fight
Victories carved in the dead of night
Fourteen V Cs won for deeds so bold
Stories whispered
Legends told
[Prechorus]
Marching onward
Time can’t fade
A soldier’s oath
A vow we made
[Chorus]
Once a Grenadier
Always a Grenadier
Through the clash of steel
We persevere
Bearskin caps and hearts of stone
The ground we hold
From blood we own
[Verse 2 – repeat]
The Bearskin cap earned in Waterloo’s fight
Victories carved in the dead of night
Fourteen V Cs won for deeds so bold
Stories whispered
Legends told
[Prechorus]
Marching onward
Time can’t fade
A soldier’s oath
A vow we made
[Chorus]
Once a Grenadier
Always a Grenadier
Through the clash of steel
We persevere
Bearskin caps and hearts of stone
The ground we hold
From blood we own
TRACK 03. Grenadier’s Lament (4 minutes 46 seconds)
“Grenadier’s Lament” is a solemn and heartfelt tribute to Captain Robert Nairac GC, honouring his courage, character, and the enduring bond he shares with the Grenadier Guards. The song reflects on his strength, his loyalty to the Regiment, and the warmth he brought to those who served alongside him. It recounts the tragedy of his abduction and murder by the IRA, the pain of his body never being recovered, and the lasting grief carried by his comrades.
Through its verses and chorus, the song emphasises that although he has no grave, his memory remains deeply rooted in the hearts of Grenadiers. It highlights his posthumous award of the George Cross, the quiet reverence with which his name is spoken, and the belief that a soldier is never truly gone when his story continues to be told. The piece blends remembrance with regimental pride, affirming that Captain Nairac still marches with the Grenadiers – a brother forever honoured, forever present.
Who Captain Robert Nairac GC Was
Captain Robert Laurence Nairac GC was an officer of the Grenadier Guards who later served with the Army’s intelligence community during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Born in 1948, he was known for his courage, sharp mind, and deep commitment to duty. His work placed him in extremely dangerous environments, where he sought to prevent violence and protect lives during one of the most turbulent periods in modern British history.
On the night of 14 May 1977, while operating undercover, he was abducted by members of the IRA. Despite interrogation and brutal treatment, he refused to betray his comrades or reveal operational information. He was murdered shortly afterwards. His body was never recovered, a loss that continues to weigh heavily on the Regiment and the wider military community.
For his exceptional bravery – both in life and in the face of death – he was awarded the George Cross, one of the highest honours for gallantry not in the presence of the enemy. His name is spoken with deep respect across the Grenadier Guards, where he is remembered as a man of immense courage, loyalty, and spirit.
Captain Nairac’s legacy endures in regimental history, in memorials, and in the hearts of Grenadiers who uphold the belief that “Once a Grenadier, Always a Grenadier.”
TRACK 03. GRENADIER’S LAMENT (4 minutes 46 seconds)
[Verse 1]
In the ranks of the Grenadiers, where the white plume stands proud,
Walked a brother made of courage, never shaken, never bowed.
With a smile inside the barracks and a fire in his stride,
Robert Nairac stood for honour, with the Regiment at his side.
[Verse 2]
But the night fell cold and bitter, and the shadows took their aim,
IRA hands stole him from us, leaving sorrow, leaving pain.
No grave to lay a flower, no stone to mark his rest,
But the Guards still keep his memory, burning bright within their chests.
[Chorus]
Oh Robert, dear Robert,
A Grenadier through and through,
We carry your story
You were truly blue, red, blue
Though your body lies hidden
Where no searchlight has shone,
You march with the Grenadiers
A brother never gone.
[Verse 3]
In the mess they speak in whispers of the bravery you showed,
Of the George Cross you were granted for the courage you bestowed.
And the Regiment stands silent when your name is softly said,
For a soldier isn’t missing when he lives in hearts instead.
[Chorus]
Oh Robert, dear Robert,
A Grenadier through and through,
We carry your story
You were truly blue, red, blue.
Though your body lies hidden
Where no searchlight has shone,
You march with the Grenadiers
A brother never gone.
[Bridge]
From the Square to the Palace, from the field to the line,
Your spirit keeps its vigil in the old Grenadier design.
And the Regiment remembers, when the night grows dark and long,
That a man is never taken, if he lives within their song.
[Final Chorus]
Oh Robert, dear Robert,
We will guard what you gave,
For the price that you paid
No time can ever waive.
Though fate kept you from us,
And no body came home,
You rest with the Grenadiers
TRACK 04. No Grenadier Stands Alone (7 minutes 39 seconds)
This song is a sweeping tribute to the Grenadier Guards Association, tracing its story from its founding in 1913 to the present day. It celebrates more than a century of comradeship, remembrance, and unwavering support for Grenadiers, their families, and the wider regimental community.
Beginning with the Association’s formation, the song highlights the original promise made by old comrades to stay united beyond their years of service. It reflects how that promise has endured through war, peace, hardship, and celebration – binding serving Grenadiers, veterans, and families into one enduring regimental family.
The song honours the Association’s key traditions: the annual May Chapel Service, the laying of wreaths at the Guards Memorial, Grenadier Day gatherings, and battlefield tours that keep alive the stories and sacrifices of past generations. It recognises the strength of the current twenty‑five branches across the country, where friendships continue through dinners, lunches, and reunions, and where thousands of Grenadiers still answer the call of brotherhood.
It also pays tribute to the quiet, dedicated work of Regimental Headquarters – the President, Secretary, NCOs, and volunteers – who ensure that every Grenadier has support when needed. The song emphasises the Association’s charitable heart: grants, pensions, holidays, Christmas support, and care for elderly comrades and families in difficulty. It affirms that comradeship is not just a tradition but a living promise.
In its final verses and chorus, the song celebrates the past, honours the present, and looks confidently to the future. It reminds listeners that more than a hundred years after its founding, the Grenadier Guards Association remains a steadfast home for all Grenadiers. Its message is clear and uplifting: no Grenadier is ever forgotten, no Grenadier ever stands alone – Once a Grenadier, Forever a Grenadier.
[Verse 1]
In nineteen-thirteen, a promise was made,
Old comrades together, their brotherhood stayed.
Through years and through battles, through joy and through pain,
The Grenadier spirit lives on once again.
From serving Grenadiers to veterans grown,
And families gathered, you’ll never stand alone,
For wherever we journey, wherever we roam,
The Grenadier family will always be home.
[Pre-Chorus]
And the years may roll on, but the bond stays strong,
For the heart of a Grenadier carries on.
[Chorus]
Grenadiers together, standing side by side,
With honour in our hearts and our comrades as our guide.
We remember those before us, we stand with those today,
And when a Grenadier needs us, we’ll never turn away.
Grenadiers together, through the years we’ll carry on,
The Regiment’s our family, and together we are strong.
Through remembrance, love and friendship, whatever life may bring,
No Grenadier stands forgotten – no Grenadier stands alone.
[Verse 2]
In May we come together beneath the Chapel’s light,
To honour fallen comrades and remember those who fought.
At Guards Memorial, wreaths are laid with pride,
For generations of Grenadiers who stood at duty’s side.
Then Grenadier Day brings families together,
Young and old united, bound by ties that last forever.
And we walk the battlefields where our comrades once had been,
Keeping alive their stories, their courage and their dreams.
[Chorus]
Grenadiers together, standing side by side,
With honour in our hearts and our comrades as our guide.
We remember those before us, we stand with those today,
And when a Grenadier needs us, we’ll never turn away.
[Verse 3]
Across twenty-five branches, the friendships still remain,
At dinners, lunches, gatherings, we meet and talk again.
A thousand Branch Grenadiers, three thousand more beyond,
Still sharing in the brotherhood, still answering the bond.
And behind the scenes at Headquarters, the faithful work goes on,
The President and the Secretary, the NCO marching strong.
With volunteers beside them, they quietly ensure
That the Grenadier family has a friend forevermore.
[Bridge – softer, heartfelt]
When times are hard, we’ll help you through,
Because that’s what Grenadiers will do.
A helping hand, a listening ear,
A little hope when hope’s not near.
A grant, a pension, Christmas cheer,
A holiday to brighten someone’s year.
For elderly comrades, families in need,
The promise of comradeship is more than a creed.
[Final Verse]
So here’s to the past, and the future to come,
To every Grenadier and the battles they’ve won.
To those still serving and those who have retired,
To every family by the Regiment inspired.
A hundred years and more have passed since our story began,
But the Grenadier brotherhood still reaches every man.
And whatever tomorrow, whatever the call,
We stand for our comrades – we stand for them all.
[Final Chorus – big, uplifting, full choir]
Grenadiers together, standing side by side,
With honour in our hearts and our comrades as our guide.
We remember those before us, we stand with those today,
And when a Grenadier needs us, we’ll never turn away.
Grenadiers together, through the years we’ll carry on,
The Regiment’s our family, and together we are strong.
Through remembrance, love and friendship, whatever life may bring,
No Grenadier stands forgotten – no Grenadier stands alone.
[Outro – choir, slowly building then resolving]
No Grenadier forgotten…
No Grenadier alone…
Once a Grenadier, forever a Grenadier…
Together we stand…
Together we’re strong…
Forever Grenadiers.
TRACK 05. The First of Foot (Cha Cha Cha) (5 minutes 3 seconds)
This song is a sweeping tribute to the history, identity, and enduring spirit of the Grenadier Guards. It traces the Regiment’s story from its founding in 1656 under Lord Wentworth, through centuries of service marked by loyalty, discipline, and courage. The verses honour the Grenadiers who marched across Europe and beyond, carrying the reputation of the Crown and the memory of the fallen with them.
The song places particular emphasis on the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, where the Grenadier Guards faced the French Imperial Guard and earned the right to wear the bearskin cap – a symbol of bravery, steadfastness, and regimental pride. It celebrates that historic moment as the foundation of a tradition now shared across the Foot Guards, but first won by the Grenadiers.
Alongside the Regiment’s battlefield legacy, the song reflects on the personal journeys of those who served: the drills, marches, hardships, and lifelong pride carried by generations of Grenadiers. It highlights the role of the Grenadier Guards Association in keeping comrades connected, preserving friendships, and honouring the promises made in youth. The final verse reinforces the belief that once someone becomes a Grenadier, they remain part of the Regiment’s spirit and story forever.
At its heart, the song blends history, remembrance, and camaraderie with a rhythmic, celebratory tone – affirming that the honour of the Grenadiers endures long after the battles have passed, and that the brotherhood remains strong “until the end of time.”
[Verse 1]
From sixteen fifty-six the story starts to grow
Lord Wentworth’s men in exile where the steady rivers flow
A royal bond of loyalty that never felt a crack
With red and gold upon the chest and courage at the back
They marched through centuries of dust and winter’s biting cold
A legacy of discipline a thousand stories told
From Flanders fields to distant lands the heavy boots would tread
While keeping high the honour of the crown and of the dead.
[Chorus]
Step to the rhythm of the slow cha-cha beat
One-two-three-four feel the fire in your feet
From Waterloo the name was won in thunder and in flame
The Grenadiers are marching on and glory is the name
The bearskin cap is held so high beneath the summer sun
The battle is a memory but the honour’s never done.
[Verse 2]
In 1815 came the day the world began to shake
The French Imperial Guard was there with everything at stake
But steady stood the lines of red against the iron hail
The courage of the Grenadiers would never bend or fail
And for that victory they earned the right to wear the fur
A symbol of a soldier’s heart and all the things that were
Now all five regiments of foot they wear the bearskin tall
But we were first to win the right to stand above them all.
[Chorus]
Step to the rhythm of the slow cha-cha beat
One-two-three-four feel the fire in your feet
From Waterloo the name was won in thunder and in flame
The Grenadiers are marching on and glory is the name
The bearskin cap is held so high beneath the summer sun
The battle is a memory but the honour’s never done.
[Verse 3]
For many here among our ranks the Army was our life
Through every drill and every march and every moment’s strife
We served with pride and faithfulness in seasons long ago
And now the fire of the past is still a steady glow
The Association keeps us close the camaraderie stays deep
The promises we made as boys are promises we keep
Once a Grenadier they say you’re always part of the line
In the spirit of the regiment until the end of time.
[Chorus]
Step to the rhythm of the slow cha-cha beat
One-two-three-four feel the fire in your feet
From Waterloo the name was won in thunder and in flame
The Grenadiers are marching on and glory is the name
The bearskin cap is held so high beneath the summer sun
The battle is a memory but the honour’s never done.
TRACK 06. Grenadiers in Ulster Rain (4 minutes 57 seconds)
This song is a sombre and heartfelt reflection on the experiences of Grenadier Guardsmen who, through the years, served during the Northern Ireland Troubles. It captures the tension, fear, routine, and resilience that defined their tours – from the grey streets of Belfast to the hostile roads of Crossmaglen and Andersonstown. Through vivid imagery of patrols, posters, whispers, and ever‑present danger, the song honours the Guardsmen who carried out their duties with discipline and courage in an environment unlike any other in modern British military history.
The lyrics highlight the emotional weight of service: long days, repeated tours, the strain of constant vigilance, and the quiet endurance behind the right to be a recipient of the General Service Medal, with clasp “Northern Ireland”. It acknowledges the reality that many Guardsmen returned home changed – some to peaceful streets, others to private battles with memories that never fully faded. The song pays tribute to those whose names are remembered in messes and bars, and to those whose sacrifices were never fully recognised.
The bridge offers a deeply human moment, recognising the men who struggled, the men who persevered, and the men who never “came home”. It honours the Guardsmen who faced fear with steadiness, who upheld their duty in the most challenging circumstances, and who carried the Grenadier spirit through every patrol, checkpoint, and silent night.
At its core, the song is a tribute to identity and remembrance. It affirms that the Grenadier Guards who served in Ulster are remembered as brothers whose courage, hardship, and humanity remain part of the Regiment’s living history. Every step they took was, as the song says, “a borrowed flame” – a light carried forward by those who served, and by those who remember.
[Verse 1]
Grey sky over Belfast roofs
Green berets in a foreign lane
White hackle in the drizzle
Mud on a Guardsman’s name
Rumours in the market squares
Posters on the shuttered doors
Orders whispered
“Stand-to Lads”
Same fear as a hundred wars
[Chorus]
Grenadiers in Ulster rain
Hearts back home
Boots in the pain
Thirty days and thirty more
Just a clasp on a ribbon
A number on a form
But on the roll
In the mess
In the bars
We remember who we are
Grenadier Guards in Ulster rain
Every step
A borrowed flame
[Verse 2]
Armoured hulls through Andersonstown
Faces at the curtains
Thin
Coffee from a paper cup
Letters folded
Tucked within
High alert in Crossmaglen
Roads that every lad could read
Names we’d trace on chapel walls
Trying not to let them bleed
[Chorus]
Grenadiers in Ulster rain
Hearts back home
Boots in the pain
Thirty days and thirty more
Just a clasp on a ribbon
A number on a form
But on the roll
In the mess
In the bars
We remember who we are
Grenadier Guards in Ulster rain
Every step
A borrowed flame
[Bridge]
Some men came home to quiet streets
Some came home to silent drums
Some received their medals
Clasps
And hid them when the nightmares come
For those whose names the stone won’t share
For honours history never sung
This song’s for every guard who stood
And every frightened
Steady young
[Chorus]
Grenadiers in Ulster rain
Hearts back home
Boots in the pain
Thirty days and thirty more
Just a clasp on a ribbon
A number on a form
But on the roll
In the mess
In the bars
We remember who we are
Grenadier Guards in Ulster rain
Every step
A borrowed flame
TRACK 07. Raise a Mug to Compo (4 minutes 13 seconds)
This folk‑rock tune is a comic, affectionate tribute to the Composite Rations that sustained British soldiers from the 1970s through to the early 2000s. With a wry male lead and a grin familiar to any squaddie, the song celebrates the cardboard boxes that could either lift morale or challenge a man’s teeth.
It charts the era of GS 24‑hour packs, Menus A–D, and the legendary contents that defined life in the field: AB biscuits strong enough to stop a tank, oatmeal block like paving slabs, and the eternal gamble of hoping for your favourite – Menu C. The verses revel in the culinary curiosities of the time – sausage and beans, bacon grill, porridge that worked overtime, chocolate drinks, and the mythical steak and kidney pudding that felt like a gift from heaven. Spangles vanish without trace, pilchards glare back in horror, and fruit pudding becomes the currency of true logistics.
The song nods to the rituals every soldier knew:
- the hunt for the tin opener,
- the man who “hates the stuff” but eats it anyway,
- the trades and swaps that kept morale alive,
- and the BV (Boiling Vessel) rumbling like salvation for cold armoured crews.
It traces the shift from four‑man and ten‑man Compo to the nineties revolution of GP rations and boil‑in‑the‑bag meals – lighter, cleaner, and mercifully free of rusting tins. Yet even with modern pouches, the song reminds listeners that nothing beat the joy of fresh rations when the cookhouse delivered bread, meat, and coffee to a rain‑soaked platoon.
In its closing chorus, the tune celebrates the humour, resilience, and camaraderie forged over every strange, beloved meal. It honours the Army Catering Corps for turning hardship into sustenance and mud into morale. The final message is clear: Compo may have been crude cuisine, but it fed generations of soldiers who laughed their way through every box.
[Verse 1]
From seventy to two-thousand, in a field or muddy lane,
A cardboard box could lift you up or test your jaw again.
GS twenty-four-hour, Menus A through D,
Pick your fate, unwrap your plate, and pray for Menu C.
AB biscuits, tank-proof bricks, you could build a wall or two,
Oatmeal block like paving slabs, still somehow got you through.
The squaddie’s got a grin on him, though everything tastes odd,
Because the Army Catering Corps could make Compo praise the Lord.
[Chorus]
Raise a mug to Compo, raise a spoon up to the sky,
If it’s hot, it’s haute cuisine; if it’s cold, just chew and try.
From the tin to boil-in-the-bag, we marched on, brave and bold,
The Catering Corps made cuisine from rations, mud and cold.
And the BV came rumbling when the armoured crew looked blue,
Hot meals for four muddy blokes—now that’s a proper brew!
[Verse 2]
Sausage and beans at breakfast, bacon grill all lovely fried,
Bacon burger in a wrapper with a mystery lump inside.
Porridge doing overtime, chocolate drink in hand,
Steak and kidney pudding like a parcel from the promised land.
Spangles disappeared so quickly—never found one in the pack,
While pilchards sat there ghastly, staring coldly back.
You could trade your fruit pudding for a mate’s last chocolate bar,
That was logistics, lad, and we were masters of the art.
[Chorus]
Raise a mug to Compo, raise a spoon up to the sky,
If it’s hot, it’s haute cuisine; if it’s cold, just chew and try.
From the tin to boil-in-the-bag, we marched on, brave and bold,
The Catering Corps made cuisine from rations, mud and cold.
And the BV came rumbling when the armoured crew looked blue,
Hot meals for four muddy blokes—now that’s a proper brew!
[Verse 3]
Four-man Compo for the crewmen, ten-man for the crowd,
Feed a vehicle platoon and make the sergeant proud.
One bloke finds the tin opener, one bloke guards the tea,
One bloke claims he hates the stuff, then eats it secretly.
The nineties brought a revolution: pouches joined the fray,
GP rations, boil-in-the-bag, a brighter, steamier day.
No more tins to clank and curse, no rust upon the floor,
Just squeeze the bag and call it food—then ask for one bag more.
[Bridge]
Fresh rations! Hear the chorus from the cookhouse to the track,
Fresh bread, fresh meat, fresh coffee—now that’s what we call a snack.
But when the rain came sideways and the freezing engines wheezed,
The BV served salvation while the crewmen thawed their knees.
[Final Chorus]
Raise a mug to Compo, raise a spoon up to the sky,
AB biscuits tank-proof, but the memories won’t die.
Sausage, beans and bacon grill, a pudding steaming through,
The Army Catering Corps turned suffering into stew.
From four-man to ten-man, from the tins to modern bags,
We laughed our way through every meal and polished off the rations fast.
And if someone offers pilchards, lads, there’s one thing left to do:
Say, “That’s absolutely ghastly”—then pass the tin right through!
[Outro]
Menu A, B, C or D, we knew what we were due,
A hot meal, a cold joke, and a brew strong enough to chew.
Here’s to every cookhouse hero, every muddy armoured crew
Compo may have been cuisine, but the fresh rations pulled us through!
TRACK 08. March of the Grenadier Guards (3 minutes 47 seconds)
This song is a warm, nostalgic tribute to the long history of the Grenadier Guards Association in Kent, tracing the Branch’s evolution from its beginnings in Dover in 1948 to its present‑day identity as the Kent Branch. It blends regimental pride with community memory, celebrating the people, traditions, and friendships that have shaped the Branch across more than seven decades.
The opening verses connect the Branch’s story to the wider heritage of the Grenadier Guards, reaching back to 1656 and the Regiment’s centuries of service. It evokes the familiar symbols of Grenadier identity – red tunics, medals, shared stories – and reminds listeners that the Branch has always been about more than formal gatherings; it has been a guardian of camaraderie, remembrance, and belonging.
The song then moves to 1948, when former Grenadiers in Dover first raised a glass together and formed the Sub‑Branch. As the decades passed, the Branch grew into the East Kent Branch, carrying forward the same laughter, the same friendships, and the same proud cap badge. Eventually, as other Kent branches closed, it became the Kent Branch – the final standard‑bearer of the Association’s presence in the county.
Through its chorus and bridge, the song celebrates the Branch’s enduring spirit: welcoming faces, shared memories, and the commitment to honour both the fallen and the living. It reflects the Branch’s role as a gathering place for Grenadiers and their families, a home where tradition is kept alive and where every member is valued.
At its heart, the song is a tribute to continuity – to the men who founded the Branch, to those who carried it through the years, and to those who keep it thriving today. It affirms that whether in Dover, East Kent, or Kent as a whole, the Grenadier family remains united, proud, and strong, dancing together to the march of the Grenadier Guards.
[Verse 1]
From a distant year
Sixteen fifty‑six
Proud red tunics
Steady step
Steady fix
Stories in the medals
Old smoke in the air
Guarding more than palaces
They’re guarding what we share
[Chorus]
So take my hand
For the Grenadier Guards tonight
Let the old years turn
In this gentle candlelight
From Dover shores
To all of East Kent’s hearts
We’ll dance the night away together
To the march of the Grenadier Guards
[Verse 2]
Back in forty‑eight
Friends first raised a glass
Name upon a banner
As the decades passed
Dover then to East Kent
Now a branch reborn
Same familiar laughter
Same proud cap badge worn
[Chorus]
So take my hand
For the Grenadier Guards tonight
Let the old years turn
In this gentle candlelight
From Dover shores
To all of East Kent’s hearts
We’ll dance the night away together
To the march of the Grenadier Guards
[Bridge]
Hope you’re feeling welcome
Every smile
Every cheer (hey!)
For the fallen
For the living
For another golden year
[Chorus]
So take my hand
For the Grenadier Guards tonight
Let the old years turn
In this gentle candlelight
From Dover shores
To all of East Kent’s hearts
We’ll dance the night away together
To the march of the Grenadier Guards
TRACK 09. Soldiers Hearts (5 minutes 29 seconds)
This song is a heartfelt tribute to the soldiers who served in Afghanistan from 2007 onward, particularly those who operated in Helmand Province – Nad ‘Ali, Nahr‑e Saraj, and the surrounding districts where British forces faced some of the most intense fighting of the campaign. It reflects the dust, danger, and daily uncertainty of life on operations, capturing the human side of service through photographs by the bed, letters folded in pockets, and the unspoken words carried between home and the front line.
The song honours every kind of return: those who came home changed, those who carried invisible wounds, those who suffered life‑altering injuries, and those who were killed – so never came home at all. It acknowledges the quiet grief of families, the children who grow up learning the courage behind their loved one’s name, and the way communities hold the memory of the fallen.
A central theme is the shared sacrifice between soldiers and their families. The bridge pays tribute to wives, partners, girlfriends, and children who endured long separations, fear, and uncertainty – their courage expressed not on the battlefield, but in empty rooms, lit hallways, and messages sent across thousands of miles.
The final chorus widens the lens to the full span of the campaign from 2007 to 2012, affirming that the bravery shown in Helmand lives on in memory, in regimental pride, and in the hearts of those who waited at home. The outro reinforces the song’s purpose: to remember the fallen, support the wounded, and honour the families whose love and strength carried soldiers through the hardest days.
At its core, the song is a tribute to service, sacrifice, and the enduring bond between soldiers and those who stand behind them – a reminder that their courage, and the love that sustained it, will never be forgotten.
[Intro]
For the ones who crossed the water
And the homes that held the light
[Verse 1]
Two thousand and seven, Afghan dust each day
Helmand province before them lay
To Nad ‘Ali, and Nahr-e Saraj
Soldiers dressed in camouflage
The Regiment’s name on a shoulder seam
Faces carried through every dream
A photograph beside the bed
And all the words we never said
[Pre-Chorus]
And every mile across that ground
Had a waiting heart back home
[Chorus]
Stand for the fallen, speak their names
Hold close the ones who came back changed
For every brave step, every sacrifice
For those who paid with blood and life
Soldiers hearts beneath the sun
You served until the work was done
And while you faced the danger there
Love kept watch from every chair
[Verse 2]
The radio broke the morning still
A convoy climbed another hill
Some came home with wounds unseen
Some with scars where limbs had been
Some never crossed the threshold door
Their boots grew quiet on the floor
And every child who learns their name
Will know their courage still burns like flame
[Pre-Chorus]
And every night the families prayed
Waiting for a knock, a voice, a safe return
[Chorus]
Stand for the fallen, speak their names
Hold close the ones who came back changed
For every brave step, every sacrifice
For those who paid with blood and life
Soldiers hearts beneath the sun
You served until the work was done
And while you faced the danger there
Love kept watch from every chair
[Bridge]
To wives who counted weeks and days
To partners lighting hallway lamps
To girlfriends hiding fear away
To children growing while you served
Your courage wore a different face
In quiet rooms and empty beds
You held the line from far away
With every message that you sent
[Final Chorus]
Stand for the fallen, speak their names
Hold close the ones who came back changed
For every brave step, every sacrifice
For those who paid with blood and life
From two thousand seven through twelve
Your courage lives beyond yourselves
In Nahr-e Saraj, Nad ‘Ali’s dust
In every promise kept through trust
Soldiers hearts, we won’t forget
The lives you gave, the lives you led
And every family waiting there
Still carries you in love and prayer
[Outro]
For the fallen, we remember
For the wounded, we stand near
For the families, all our honour
Your loved ones are still here
TRACK 10. No Forgotten Call (4 minutes 9 seconds)
The song is a heartfelt tribute to soldiers who served and to the families who waited for them at home. It paints a vivid picture of ordinary lives interrupted by duty: boots on muddy lanes, rain on stone, photographs tucked into coats, and loved ones standing at gates with kettles gone cold. These small domestic details highlight the emotional weight carried by those left behind.
Across its verses, the song follows men from everyday backgrounds – terraces, farms, factory yards – who found themselves facing fear, hardship, and the uncertainty of war. Their absence echoes through homes: a boot left by the stair, a note in the hallway, a child softly asking why Dad isn’t there. The pre‑choruses emphasise how time drags, how rooms fall still, and how love must bend and endure.
The chorus serves as the song’s central message: raising a glass to honour those who stood through brutal conditions, recognising both those who returned and those who never came home. It insists that their names, faces, and calls are never forgotten, carried everywhere in the hearts of the community.
The bridge deepens the intimacy – no grand ceremony, no polished memorial, just a coat hanging by the telephone and the enduring presence of names that time cannot erase. These memories live in everyday spaces: chairs at the Sunday table, familiar rooms, familiar routines.
The final chorus urges listeners to stand tall when cold winds rise, keeping the names of the fallen beating inside their hearts. The outro returns to the quiet domestic imagery – the kettle cooling, morning arriving – reminding us that remembrance is woven into daily life.
Overall, the song is a moving reflection on service, sacrifice, and the quiet strength of families. It honours the fallen, the returned, and the loved ones who held the line at home, ensuring that every one of them is remembered.
[Verse 1]
Boots in the dust lane, rain on the stone
A folded photograph tucked in a coat
Mum at the gate with the kettle gone cold
You said you’d be back before winter took hold
[Pre-Chorus]
The old pub clock keeps dragging on
Your name is carved where the paint has gone
[Chorus]
Raise your glass for the ones who stood
Through the hard black rain and the split red mud
Some came home, some stayed out there
We carry them close, we carry them everywhere
From the factory yard to the churchyard wall
No forgotten face, no forgotten call
[Verse 2]
Tom from the terraces, Lee from the farm
Both learned the weight of a stranger’s alarm
A note in the hallway, a boot by the stair
A child asking softly why Dad isn’t there
[Pre-Chorus]
The kettle sings, then the room goes still
You learn how love can bend your will
[Chorus]
Raise your glass for the ones who stood
Through the hard black rain and the split red mud
Some came home, some stayed out there
We carry them close, we carry them everywhere
From the factory yard to the churchyard wall
No forgotten face, no forgotten call
[Bridge]
No band, no speech, no polished stone
Just your coat hanging by the telephone
And all the names that the years can’t erase
Still live in the chairs at the Sunday table
[Final Chorus]
Raise your glass for the ones who stood
Through the hard black rain and the split red mud
Some came home, some stayed out there
We carry them close, we carry them everywhere
From the factory yard to the churchyard wall
No forgotten face, no forgotten call
Stand up straight when the cold winds start
Keep their names beating inside your heart
[Outro]
The kettle cools, the morning comes
We remember every one
TRACK 11. We Say Remember (4 minutes 13 seconds)
This song is a solemn reflection on the experiences of soldiers who fought in the First World War, portraying the mud, fear, exhaustion, and emotional toll of life on the Western Front. It evokes the bitter winters in the trenches, the constant threat of shellfire and gas, and the heartbreak of letters written but never sent. Through stark imagery of laced boots, wire, stone, and creeping wind, the song honours the men who endured unimaginable hardship in service to their country.
The chorus centres on remembrance. It acknowledges the rows of white headstones that still speak the names of the fallen, urging listeners to remember their suffering so that future generations understand the true cost of war. The song emphasises that remembrance is not ceremonial alone – it is a moral responsibility, a warning carved into history to prevent the world from repeating the same devastation.
The second verse turns to the long‑lasting effects of the conflict. It describes trembling hands, daylight shadows, and faces in photographs that reveal trauma carried long after the guns fell silent. It honours both the fallen and the survivors, recognising that soldiers were bound together – brothers and strangers alike – in the same trench, sharing fear, hope, and endurance.
The bridge expands the message across time, linking the thunder of 1914 to the scars still visible in the modern world. It insists that silence would betray the sacrifice of millions, and that remembrance is the only way to ensure their blood was not shed in vain. The song calls on us to carry their memory into daylight, to speak their names, and to teach future generations why these graves matter.
At its heart, the song is a plea for remembrance, compassion, and vigilance. It honours the soldiers of the First World War by preserving their stories and reinforcing the promise that we remember so that we never go back again.
[Verse 1]
Mud in their laces
Names on a postcard home
Four bitter winters
Under wire and stone
Shellfire for sunrise
Gas on the creeping wind
Letters in pockets
No one could send
[Chorus]
The fields still speak their names
In rows of white headstones
In quiet rain
We say “remember”
So countries never feel the same
For wars cause suffering and pain
Adhere the warnings carved in flame
We keep their stories
So we don’t go back again
[Verse 2]
Tremoring fingers
Long after guns fell still
Shadows at daylight
Marching against their will
Faces in photographs
Eyes that have seen too much
Brothers and strangers
Bound in a single trench
[Chorus]
The fields still speak their names
In rows of white headstones
In quiet rain
We say “remember”
So countries never feel the same
For wars cause suffering and pain
Adhere the warnings carved in flame
We keep their stories
So we don’t go back again
[Bridge]
From 1914 thunder
To fire that scars the present sky
Each headstone
Each shattered city
Asks us one burning why
If memory turns to silence
Then all that blood is spent in vain
So we carry them with us in daylight
And we speak to them through the pain
[Chorus]
The fields still speak their names
In rows of white headstones
In quiet rain
We say “remember”
So children learn those graves
Lives lost cause more than pain
We keep remembrance
So we don’t go back again
TRACK 12. We Wear The Poppy (4 minutes 43 seconds)
This song reflects on the poppy as a symbol of remembrance, worn each November not to glorify war but to honour those who gave their lives for peace. It recalls the flower’s origins in the ruined fields of the First World War and how one poet’s words turned a single red bloom into a national act of memory.
Across its verses, the song shows remembrance passing gently between generations – a child asking who “they” were, a grandparent naming friends lost in service. It pays tribute to the volunteers who make and collect poppies, and to the Royal British Legion, whose work keeps remembrance alive.
The chorus reinforces the heart of the message: we wear the poppy for the fallen, for their families, and for the peace they hoped to secure. The closing lines affirm that remembrance is a promise carried forward – a commitment to hold their sacrifice in our hearts and to carry peace into the years ahead.
[Verse 1]
A small red flower on a November coat
A quiet promise carried where we go
Not for glory, not to praise the fight
But for the names remembered in the light
[Verse 2]
The first thoughts grew where ruined fields had been
When one bright bloom rose through the mud and wind
A poet saw it, spoke of those who stayed
And people wore that crimson mark they made
[Pre-Chorus]
So every year we pin the past in place
And meet the ones whose courage shaped our days
[Chorus]
We wear the poppy, we remember why
For lives laid down beneath a foreign sky
For every family, every unanswered door
For peace we must protect forevermore
And thank the hands that keep remembrance near
The Royal British Legion, year after year
And thank each heart that gives, each voice that says
The poppy’s promise will not fade away
[Verse 3]
A child asks gently, “Who were they before?”
A granddad names the friends he knew in war
The story travels, not as distant dust
But as a vow that kindness matters most
[Verse 4]
From paper flowers made by careful hands
To collectors standing in the winter rain
Each contribution carries someone’s name
Each little offering keeps the flame
[Pre-Chorus]
We do not glorify the hurt they bore
We choose the peace they gave their lives for
[Chorus]
We wear the poppy, we remember why
For lives laid down beneath a foreign sky
For every family, every unanswered door
For peace we must protect forevermore
And thank the hands that keep remembrance near
The Royal British Legion, year after year
And thank each heart that gives, each voice that says
The poppy’s promise will not fade away
[Bridge]
Male: To those who served, your stories still remain
Female: In every ribbon, every kindly name
Male: To those who give, you help the work go on
Female: You turn remembrance into care at dawn, and where the red flower meets the morning air
We say your sacrifice is still held there
[Final Chorus] – Together:
We wear the poppy, we remember why
With grateful hearts and open hands held high
For every family, every unanswered door
For peace we must protect forevermore
And thank the hands that keep remembrance near
The Royal British Legion, year after year
And thank each heart that gives, each voice that says
The poppy’s promise will not fade away
[Outro]
Male and female: We wear the poppy, and remember why
Male: We carry peace
Female: We carry peace
Together: Into the years that follow by and by
TRACK 13. The Soldier’s Dance (3 minutes 30 seconds)
This song is a charming and uplifting foxtrot built around the life, pride, and camaraderie of Grenadier Guards on parade. Set to the classic “slow, slow, quick, quick” rhythm, it blends military imagery with ballroom elegance, creating a piece that feels both ceremonial and gently romantic.
The verses paint crisp morning scenes on the barrack square – brass buttons catching the light, boots aligned, voices bright – before the music carries listeners from Windsor to London with the familiar colours of scarlet, gold, and brown (camouflage). The foxtrot tempo suits the theme perfectly: steady, confident, and lightly buoyant, mirroring the Guards’ own measured stride.
The chorus is the song’s heart, inviting the listener to “take the soldier’s dance” and glide through lantern light with Grenadier warmth and good humour. It transforms duty into celebration, turning the parade ground into a dance floor where tradition meets joy.
Later verses add emotional depth, acknowledging friendship, quiet strength, and the homesick letters tucked into a coat. The bridge lifts the mood again, reminding us that even on distant roads, soldiers carry laughter and rhythm with them.
The final chorus brings everything together – pride, companionship, and the timeless colours of red and gold – before the outro lets the band fade softly, banners swaying as the dancers take their last steps.
Overall, the song is a graceful, spirited foxtrot that honours regimental life while offering a light, melodic escape. It’s both a tribute and a celebration, marching and dancing in perfect time.
[Verse 1]
Morning finds the barrack square
Brass buttons catch the open air
Boots in line and voices bright
We shoulder pride into the light
[Verse 2]
From Windsor’s gate to London town
We wear the scarlet, gold, and brown
A steady step, a jaunty grin
The finest company walks in
[Chorus]
Come take the soldier’s dance with me
Two gentle turns, then one, two, three
Slow, slow, quick, quick, round we glide
With Grenadier hearts held open wide
Come take the soldier’s dance tonight
In polished boots and lantern light
Where duty meets a cheerful tune
We make our own parade beneath the moon
[Verse 3]
We toast the friends who stand beside
The quiet strength we never hide
A letter folded in a coat
A homesick heart that keeps afloat
And when the long road calls us on
We carry laughter with the dawn
For every mile and distant shore
We find the rhythm we marched for
[Chorus]
Come take the soldier’s dance with me
Two gentle turns, then one, two, three
Slow, slow, quick, quick, round we glide
With Grenadier hearts held open wide
Come take the soldier’s dance tonight
In polished boots and lantern light
Where duty meets a cheerful tune
We make our own parade beneath the moon
[Instrumental]
[Final Chorus]
Come take the soldier’s dance with me
Two gentle turns, then one, two, three
Slow, slow, quick, quick, side by side
With Grenadier hearts held open wide
Come take the soldier’s dance tonight
Raise every glass and hold it high
For home, for friends, for red and gold
And all the splendid stories still untold
The band plays softly, banners sway
We dance our proud and merry way
TRACK 14. Seven Joined in One (2 minutes 56 seconds)
This song is a proud tribute to the seven regiments that form the Household Division, honouring both their ceremonial splendour and their long record of service in war and peace. It opens with the iconic imagery of scarlet coats, tall plumes, and disciplined ranks marching under the Sovereign’s watchful eye – symbols recognised across the world.
The verses highlight the two Household Cavalry regiments – The Life Guards, gleaming in gold, and The Blues and Royals, regal in blue – whose mounted presence defines state ceremony and whose armoured squadrons have fought with distinction. Alongside them stand the Foot Guards, whose steady steps echo through historic cities and sacred ground: the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish, and Welsh Guards.
The pre‑chorus reflects the dual nature of their duty: the grandeur of ceremony and the roar of battle, both carried through generations. The chorus unites all seven regiments as one – guardians of the nation, bound by tradition, loyalty, and shared purpose.
At its heart, the song celebrates unity, heritage, and the enduring spirit of the Household Division: seven hearts that beat as one.
[Verse 1]
On fields of green they march with pride
Blades of honour by their side
Scarlet coats and plumes so high
Under watchful sovereign sky
[Chorus]
Seven joined in one they stand
Guardians of this noble land
Through war and peace their duty done
Seven hearts that beat as one
[Verse 2]
Life Guards gleam with golden light
Blues and Royals
A regal sight
Foot Guards strong
Their steps resound
Through cities old
On sacred ground
[Prechorus]
Ceremony and battle’s roar
Echo through the years once more
[Verse 3] – repeat of verse 2 onwards
Life Guards gleam with golden light
Blues and Royal
A regal sight
Foot Guards strong
Their steps resound
Through cities old
On sacred ground
[Prechorus]
Ceremony and battle’s roar
Echo through the years once more
TRACK 15. We Needed Them Home (5 minutes 47 seconds)
This song is a tribute to the Grenadier Guards who served in tours of Afghanistan between 2007 and 2012, and to the families who carried their own quiet burden at home. It reflects the reality of Helmand – the dust, the danger, and the brotherhood forged in places like Nahr‑e Saraj and Nad Ali – while honouring the names held close by those who waited far away.
The lyrics acknowledge the courage shown on the ground: fear met with trust, miles endured shoulder‑to‑shoulder, and the sacrifice of men like Lance Corporal James Ashworth VC, whose bravery stands as a lasting symbol of duty and selflessness.
Equally, the song centres the families whose vigil never made the headlines – mothers at bedroom doors, fathers rereading letters, partners counting the days, and children growing through long absences. Their endurance becomes part of the same story of service.
Across its choruses, the song calls listeners to remember every step, every breath, and every name – the fallen, the wounded, and those who came home changed. It affirms that remembrance belongs both to the battlefield and to the homes where hope was kept alive.
The closing lines carry the message forward: from Helmand fields to familiar streets, the bond endures. Those who served, and those who waited, are remembered – and never alone.
[Verse 1]
From Helmand dust to the broken road
We carried more than the weight of a load
In Nahr-e Saraj and Nad Ali, dawn came pale
Names in our hearts and a plan to prevail
Mothers kept watch by the bedroom door
Fathers read letters they’d read before
Brothers and sisters learned how to wait
Love held the line at the garden gate
[Pre-Chorus]
And every mile from home was a promise
Every silence said, “Come back to us”
[Chorus]
We remember every step, every breath, every name
Those who stood in the fire, those who carried the pain
For the fallen, for the wounded, for the hearts left alone
For the Grenadiers who endured – and the ones coming home
Raise your voice for the brave tonight
Hold their stories in the morning light
Through the loss, through the love, through the years we roam
We remember, we remember, we needed them home
[Verse 2]
Two thousand seven through twelve in the dust
Brother beside brother, steel and trust
Fear in the chest but a hand on the shoulder
One more hard mile, one step closer
James Ashworth moved where the danger burned
For lives in the open, he never turned
Victoria Cross for a courage unbound
His name stands tall where the silence is loud
[Pre-Chorus]
And every voice that called from across the sea
Was a thread pulling them safely free
[Chorus]
We remember every step, every breath, every name
Those who stood in the fire, those who carried the pain
For the fallen, for the wounded, for the hearts left alone
For the Grenadiers who endured – and the ones coming home
Raise your voice for the brave tonight
Hold their stories in the morning light
Through the loss, through the love, through the years we roam
We remember, we remember, we needed them home
[Bridge]
To the wives and partners counting the days
To girlfriends guarding a photograph’s frame
To children who grew while the seasons turned
To every family who waited and learned
No medal can measure the nights you survived
No ceremony tells how you kept hope alive
The battle was carried in houses unseen
In unanswered calls and the spaces between
[Breakdown]
For those we lost – your names remain
For those who healed through lasting pain
For every hand that held the line
Your courage lives in yours and mine
[Final Chorus]
We remember every step, every breath, every name
Those who stood in the fire, those who carried the pain
For the fallen, for the wounded, for the hearts left alone
For the Grenadiers who endured – and the ones coming home
Raise your voice for the brave tonight
Hold their stories in the morning light
Through the loss, through the love, through the years we roam
We remember, we remember, we needed them home
[Outro]
From Helmand fields to the streets we know
The bond remains wherever we go
For the fallen, the wounded, the brave who came home
You are remembered – you’re never alone
TRACK 16. Take Me to the Sandhill (5 minutes 53 seconds)
This song is a fierce, nostalgic tribute to the men of the 1984 intake who formed 5 Platoon at the Guards Depot, Pirbright – a platoon remembered for its grit, humour, and unbreakable camaraderie. It honours the recruits who trained under the then Lt Charles S. T. Page (Pl Comd), Sgt Bob Goodson (until the 14‑week inspection), followed by CoH Phil Henney (Platoon Sergeants), and who were moulded by instructors such as LSgt Robert “Billy” Baynham (W.T. Instr), LCoH Glen Dobbie (W.T. Instr), LCoH Laidlaw (W.T. Instr), LSgt Graham Wardell (Drill Instr) and LCpl Hatcher (BRI). Their shared experience on the infamous Sandhill helped define the foundation of friendships that have lasted for decades.
The song centres on the Sandhill – the steep, punishing slope of loose sand that generations of Foot Guards recruits knew as a place of physical exhaustion, mental testing, and character‑building. The intentionally screaming lyrics evoke the relentless climbs, the burning lungs, the shouted orders, and the sheer determination required to conquer it. The Sandhill becomes a symbol of hardship endured together: no glory, no shortcuts, just raw effort and the strength of the man you are becoming and the man beside you.
Through its verses and choruses, the song celebrates the spirit of Guardsmen who refused to quit even when their legs failed and their lungs screamed. It reflects the discipline instilled by their instructors, the humour that kept them going, and the shared suffering that forged them into a team capable of winning the March and Shoot Competition in 1984 – a testament to their fitness, resilience, and unity.
The later verses shift to memory and reflection. The Sandhill may be gone, the Depot changed, and the uniforms hung up, but the experience lives on in the minds of those who climbed it. The song honours the enduring bond of 5 Platoon – many of the men who still meet, still laugh, and still remember the shouts, the rain, the pain, and the pride of becoming Guardsmen together.
At its heart, the song is a tribute to transformation: recruits who arrived as individuals and left as brothers. It celebrates the shared ordeal that shaped their character and the lifelong friendships born on that slope and their basic training. The Sandhill becomes more than a hill – it becomes a memory, a marker of identity, and a reminder that once you’ve climbed it together, you’re friends for life.
[Intro] – spoken, distant drums
From Pirbright’s ground, where the old boots fell,
There’s a place they knew – and they knew it well.
No glory there, no easy way,
Just sweat and sand at the break of day.
[Verse 1]
They called it training,
We called it hell,
A wall of burning sand
Where the hardest fell.
Up from the bottom,
Again and again,
With fire in your lungs
And the weight of the pain.
The instructor’s voice
Cuts through the rain:
“Move your bloody legs –
Do it again!”
No road beneath us,
No mercy above,
Just thirty yards of hell
And the will to shove.
[Pre-Chorus]
When your legs say stop,
When your lungs say die,
There’s something in a Guardsman
That refuses to cry
You don’t climb for glory,
You don’t climb for fame –
You climb because beside you
Your brother knows your name.
[CHORUS] – huge, aggressive
TAKE ME TO THE SANDHILL!
DRAG ME UP THAT SLOPE!
GIVE ME ALL THE PAIN YOU’VE GOT –
I’LL GIVE YOU BACK MY SOUL!
TAKE ME TO THE SANDHILL!
LET THE OLD HILL ROAR!
IF YOU THINK I’M FINISHED –
MAKE ME CLIMB IT ONE TIME MORE!
ONE TIME MORE!
ONE TIME MORE!
[Verse 2]
Winter rain and summer heat,
Sand beneath our feet,
Every step a battle,
Every breath incomplete.
The sweat ran down our faces,
The sand ran down our backs,
The hill kept taking everything
And giving nothing back.
Left foot – right foot,
Don’t you break the line,
Pain is only weakness
Waiting for its time.
A mate goes down,
You pull him through,
Because the man beside you
Is counting on you too.
[Pre-Chorus]
And when the body weakens,
When the courage starts to bend,
You hear that voice behind you:
“You haven’t reached the end.”
[CHORUS] – bigger
TAKE ME TO THE SANDHILL!
DRAG ME UP THAT SLOPE!
GIVE ME ALL THE PAIN YOU’VE GOT –
I’LL GIVE YOU BACK MY SOUL!
TAKE ME TO THE SANDHILL!
LET THE OLD HILL ROAR!
IF YOU THINK I’M FINISHED –
MAKE ME CLIMB IT ONE TIME MORE!
[Breakdown] – slow, pounding drums
Up.
Down.
Up again.
No surrender.
No excuse.
No way out.
SAND IN MY BOOTS.
FIRE IN MY CHEST.
BLOOD IN MY EYES.
GIVE IT MY BEST.
UP THAT HILL!
UP THAT HILL!
UP THAT BLOOMING HILL!
[Verse 3] – building
Generations came and went,
Through that battered sand they went,
Guardsmen forged beneath the sun,
Learning what they could become.
The hill is gone,
The years moved on,
The old ground changed beneath the dawn.
But somewhere deep inside the mind,
That slope still waits,
That voice still calls,
That brutal climb still stands.
[Bridge] – quieter, haunting
Now years from then,
Now the uniform’s hung away,
Now the old photographs
Have started to fade,
We’ll remember the shouting,
We’ll remember the pain,
We’ll remember our mates
In the cold and the rain.
And somebody will laugh
And somebody will say:
“Remember the Sandhill?”
And we’ll know straight away.
[Final Chorus] – full power
TAKE ME TO THE SANDHILL!
DRAG ME UP THAT SLOPE!
GIVE ME ALL THE PAIN YOU’VE GOT –
I’LL GIVE YOU BACK MY SOUL!
TAKE ME TO THE SANDHILL!
LET THE OLD HILL ROAR!
IF YOU THINK I’M FINISHED –
MAKE ME CLIMB IT ONE TIME MORE!
TAKE ME TO THE SANDHILL!
LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW!
WE WENT THERE AS RECRUITS –
WE LEFT THERE BUILT TO GO!
TAKE ME TO THE SANDHILL!
ONE MORE RUN!
ONE MORE CLIMB!
ONE MORE TIME!
TAKE ME…
TO THE SANDHILL!
[Outro] – drums fade, distant shouted voice
“Fall in…”
“Stand by…”
“Go!”
