Your Favourite March

[herakles]

So what's your favourite march? What gets your feet moving when the Band of the Royal Marines gets going?

There's some excellent ones, aren't there. And a few really good American ones - written by men like Sousa.

I find my question very hard to answer. One favourite is "Crown Imperial" by Walton, but it's a march in name, not one to really march to. Alan Titchmarsh played it last weekend on his Radio 2 program. It's certainly stirring.

So, what turns you on?

I found this link:

http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/audio/Index_audiomp3.htm

[The Sailor]

Soldiers of the Queen.
Remember it in Breaker Morant?

[BB60]

I'm not sure that it is a march, but I like the Royal Regiment of Wales Band singing Men of Harlech.

....no where is that mp3 on my 'puter...

[BB60]

See this page for good tunes:

http://militarymusiconline.com/US-UK.htm

[herakles]

Spot on Jeff. I've marched to Men of Harlech many times.

I confess that I enjoy a Welsh choir singing anything.

[BB60]

Ere the sun is high in heaven,
They you fear, by panic riven,
Shall, like frightened sheep, be driven,
Far, by Harlech men.

Ya gotta love it!

I like the version in the movie Zulu version also.

Men of Harlech stop your dreaming,
Can't you see their spear points gleaming,
See their warrior pennants streaming,
To this battlefield.

to the last verse

Men of Harlech on to glory,
This will ever be your story,
Keep these burning words before ye,
Welshmen will not yield.

[Maritime Michael Ian]

Hi fellas!

I have a few favourite marches, but my absolute first on is HM Royal Marine's Regimental March 'Life on the Ocean Wave'... I have heard many bands over the years playing it but they just don't have that 'zip' that the Royal Marines have!

The other Marches I like are the Regimental Marches of the Brigade of Guards and the Royal Air Force.

Ian

[viv1949]

WOW...

Thanks to you all for posting these links as I absolutely adore military music. And The Royal Marines' full version of Last Post and Sunset ALWAYS sends (nice) shivers down my spine. In these times sadly not very PC but who cares.....
As a bit of novice on the pc I did not know that this sort of music is available on line.
PLEASE tell me more about it ?

Thanks

Viv

:)

[romft1945]

The Radetzki March played by the London Syphony orchestra,thats what i call music great stuff,
ROM:)

[herakles]

It is great stuff! You can almost smell the horses!

[John Brown]

'Colonel Bogey' with the rude words!

[Harley]

Can't beat, in order;
"Land of Hope and Glory" to brass
"The British Grenadier"
"Heart of Oak".

Special mentions, but only to full orchestra, are "Colonel Bogey" and "Voice of the Guns" (always played around the Army officers in "Lawrence of Arabia"). Both by Kenneth Althorp.

Harley

[BB60]

Being from the Southern US, I am right fond of Dixie, althought it is now politically incorrect to play it.

Stars and Stripes Forever, Garry Owen, Semper Fidelis and The Washington Post are all rousing tunes.

[romft1945]

Why not BB ouite like Dixie myself has a sort of heart rendering beat to it,
ROM

[johnny07]

So what's your favourite march? What gets your feet moving when the Band of the Royal Marines gets going?

There's some excellent ones, aren't there. And a few really good American ones - written by men like Sousa.

I find my question very hard to answer. One favourite is "Crown Imperial" by Walton, but it's a march in name, not one to really march to. Alan Titchmarsh played it last weekend on his Radio 2 program. It's certainly stirring.

So, what turns you on?

I found this link:

http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/audio/Index_audiomp3.htm

Yes my favourite march is by Sousa The stars and stripes forever. I often play it on youtube. I believe he wrote it on the back of an envolope going home on the train.

[Scurs]

"Dixie" is the only tune I know of that can portray Sadness, Defiance and sheer jubilation, depending upon how it's played.
Loved the scene in the film "Gettysburg", depicting the morning of the first day, when the band struck up a spirited rendition of "Dixie"........sends a "tingle" down the spine.

Talking of films..........always liked the "Luftwaffe March" for the film "Battle of Britain", and the theme from "The Longest Day".

[CE REYC]

What about "The Keel Row" played while Cavalry (Blues and Royals or Life Guards) march past at the canter? Jingling harness and all! Or the Junior Service "Per Ardua ad Astra". Van

[John Odom]

I will second "Stars and Stripes Forever" by Sousa. I realize that that is a nationally biased choice. I was privileged to sit in with a US Navy band at a performance of it on the fourth of July 1951 at the US Embassy in Manila. What a thrill!

[berry]

Great thread,love all the above,and in my opinion the Confederates 'BONNY BLUE FLAG' is up there with the best.
Sid.

[alanandbren]

My favourites are, Army of the Nile, Crown Imperial,and Officer of the Day.

Alan

[spruso]

As a former drummer in a military band I go for St.Louis Blues (Glenn Miller), Hearts of Oak, and Sarafand. 40 years later, all of the marchs I played are still going on in my #+?*"/@ head! Help!!! - How do I stop it!:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Cheers
Bruce

( Yes dear, I know the tapping annoys you, but I can't help it!)

[Vegaskip]

Does anyone know where I could get a recording/download, 'Taranto' March past of the Fleet Air Arm. I used to 'drive' the After Lift in Ark Royal, bringing the RM band from the Hanger to the Flight Deck for 'Colors', and they used to sometimes play it. I have tried to find it on the Internet, but no luck so far.
regards Jim

[jainso31]

Let us not forget the RAF and the "Dambusters March"-stirring stuff.

jainso31

[Shinysheff]

Try this one. It's not the usual tune you think of with the Grenadiers as it's their slow march. What a great stirring tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C066scMaOjc&feature=related

[Vegaskip]

Forgot to mention favorite march, 'The Black Bear', the Scottish regiment's march back to barracks, also the march off for the participants in the Edinburgh Tattoo
There's not a Scotsman in the world who's feet wouldn't be tapping and a shiver down the spine to that one.
Jim

[alanandbren]

Forgot to mention favorite march, 'The Black Bear', the Scottish regiment's march back to barracks, also the march off for the participants in the Edinburgh Tattoo
There's not a Scotsman in the world who's feet wouldn't be tapping and a shiver down the spine to that one.
Jim

Totally agree Jim, especially when the shout goes up,

Alan

[MelQuick]

I agree with John Brown:

Colonel Bogey - with or without the rude words!

Mel

[Richtea]

Forgot to mention favorite march, 'The Black Bear', the Scottish regiment's march back to barracks, also the march off for the participants in the Edinburgh Tattoo
There's not a Scotsman in the world who's feet wouldn't be tapping and a shiver down the spine to that one.
Jim

Visited the tattoo 2 years ago,
got to agree with you, the skirl of the pipes playing any marching tune
sends a shiver down the spine.
A dearly departed uncle of mine served in the Highland light Infantry in WW2,
at El Alamein He said that due to the Allied bombardment they did not get any sleep for two days,but when the pipes started playing it blew the cobwebs away.God knows what it did to the enemy.
Regards
Richard

[Fairlead]

Jim,
I collect RM Recordings and of the 1420 (spreadsheet count) tracks I have, there is no trace of TARANTO. I think the track you are looking for is "Flying Stations" which is the FAA March and is composed around the bugle call notes for Hands to Flying Stations - this you will find on the record entitled "Salute to Heroes" by the Royal Marines (be careful in your search because the RAF also made a record of the same name).

Gordon

[Vegaskip]

Thanks for that Gordon, no wonder I couldn't find it, I asked one of the Bandsmen, what the tune was and he said Taranto, it's the Fleet Ar Arm march past. 'bum steer Royal'
regards Jim

[Fairlead]

The Band of HMRM Portsmouth have now issued a single recording of "Wootton Basset" - details here

http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/catalogue/Wootton_Bassett.htm

Gordon

[Dave Hutson]

Hi Graham,

Somewhere in my grey cells I recall it was performed in "Wootton Bassett" by the RM Band and attended by CinC Portsmouth as it's first outing. A great tribute to the people of that small town - now a Royal.

Dave H

[INVINCIBLE]

I thoroughly enjoyed the military drums in Texas at the opening parade last year and put a film on YouTube:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO0pq6gRjv0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO0pq6gRjv0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

[TACKLINE]

My two favourites are 'Marching through Georgia',and 'Sussex by the sea'. Whenever I hear either of them I am transported back to 'Royal Arthur' Skegness,and the Summer of 1941,when on Sundays,we would march past to the Royal Marine band,and those two were often played . Once,King Haaken of Norway took the salute. Local people would gather in their hundreds at the railings to watch the weekly free show.

[fulcrum]

Like viv1949 Ceremonial Sunset is just superb. Takes me back to an evening in Hong Kong, I was on Cavalier and the RM Band marching along the jetty playing Sunset, the Wardroom were having a cocktail party! So moving to a 17 year old baby stoker. Also like to hear Gibraltar.

[Ednamay]

Marches! I love them all.

Between 1935 and 1939 (after my father took pension and when he got called back), we used to walk out to Eastney Barracks on a Sunday evening to watch the Royal Marines beat retreat. Bandmaster was F. Vivian Dunn, who wrote that wonderful piece with the sunset bugle call counterpointed by the band, oh, the days that are gone!

Edna

[Polycell]

My favourite March is the one that follows February!

[dennis a feary]

Herakles - MY favourite MARCH is the one I live in !!

March Cambridgeshire !!!

Er - Ho Humm !!!!!

Sadsac

[buster185]

I quite like 'the great escape theme' and another one the Booties used to play, I think it's by Sousa and only known to me as the matelots version 'poor little Kitty'. Anyone got any idea of the proper name??
Regards
Buster

[Polycell]

Carrefour is quite a good super march e

[Dave Hutson]

My two favourites are 'Marching through Georgia',and 'Sussex by the sea'. Whenever I hear either of them I am transported back to 'Royal Arthur' Skegness,and the Summer of 1941,when on Sundays,we would march past to the Royal Marine band,and those two were often played . Once,King Haaken of Norway took the salute. Local people would gather in their hundreds at the railings to watch the weekly free show.

Great, Anything by John Philip Sousa, plus, being a Sussex lad your second. One of the good things of being on a Carrier was that we had a RM Band and in every port they, you got it, performed "Beat the Retreat". I think I watched every one during that commission. Another bonus was the on board hangar concerts where their party piece was "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" but always ending with the "Evening Hymn".

A couple of years ago at the Veterans Parade in Weymouth the RN Associations contingent was led by a RM Cadet Band and as we approached the saluting base they struck up with Glen Miller's "St Louis Blues" march. The heads went up, the shoulders went back, the swagger crept in and the smiles were broad and the years dropped away. We even did an "eyes right" at the "Black Dog" [any memories on that boozer ;)]

Dave H

[emason]

The march from the Karelia Suite by Sibelius. Probably a tad too quick to march to, but great listening.

[Fairlead]

Dave,
Shame on you - Military Bands do not 'Beat the Retreat' - they "Beat Retreat".
Sorry, but I have a 'thing' about this!

Gordon

[Dave Hutson]

Dave,
Shame on you - Military Bands do not 'Beat the Retreat' - they "Beat Retreat".
Sorry, but I have a 'thing' about this!

Gordon

Humble apologies Gordon - I should know better the number of times I have attended.

Dave H

[INVINCIBLE]

Whilst we are on the subject of military music try:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHPcPHBm4XU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPjjdtIZtTs&NR=1

Very moving and believe it or not the Royal Navy was present with an RNA standard proudly flying amongst all the many tricolours !!

[Ednamay]

What about:-

"We'll make a bonfire of our troubles
And we'll watch them blaze away......."

I think I have found it :

Blaze Away: Holzmann, Kennedy

We'll make a bonfire of our troubles and we'll watch them blaze away
and when they've all gone up in smoke clouds,
we'll never worry should they come another day
and as the bonfire keeps on burning,
happy days will be returning,
while the band keeps playing
we'll let our troubles blaze away

Here we are, there's work to do,
and don't let troubles trouble you.
Bring them along and we'll burn them up,
bring them along and we'll burn them up ha ha, ha hey

Start and throw them right into the fire
Watch the flames go higher and higher
Blazing away, blazing away, oh, come along bring your worries round today.

We'll make a bonfire of our troubles and we'll watch them blaze away
and when they've all gone up in smoke clouds,
we'll never worry should they come another day
and as the bonfire keeps on burning,
happy days will be returning,
while the band is playing
we'll let our troubles blaze away.

Edna

[Lachlan of Queensland]

the british grenadiers and the waltzing matilda of the 1st Bn. Royal Australian regiment get my boots moving in a brisk military step :)

[Forester]

As a former Pipe Major of the RAF Halton Pipes and Drums, I'll go for The 'Black Bear Hornpipe' and 'Caber Feigh', in that order.

I did enjoy the marchpast on my last ever AOC's Parade at Changi - the band played 'The Liberty Bell' (the tune forever associated with Monty Python). I'm not so sure that the AOC was as pleased with it as I was though... ;)

[Blaydon]

Pipes wise Scottish Soldier (Green Hills of Tyrol) as to military marches, I have marched behind a few bands in my service many of those mentioned qualify ( Radetsky, Liberty Bell, Hearts of Oak and Life On The Ocean Wave).

But another that I like The Band of Her Majestys Royal Marines playing Thunderbirds.

[chris westwood]

the March of The Hebrew Slaves by Verdi affects me deeply

[jainso31]

The Dead March from Saul by George Fredrick Handel is extremely mournful
but I find it evocative:(.

jainso31

[chris westwood]

The Dead March from Saul by George Fredrick Handel is extremely mournful
but I find it evocative:(.

jainso31
absolutely

[barracuda]

I have lots of favourite marches, but I think Aces High composed by Ron Goodwin for the film The Battle of Britain is excellent. Originally it was named the Luftwaffe March and some think the music is German of WW2 origin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZJdRRN3dOQ

Peter

[Blaydon]

If we are going to film music the theme for Where Eagles Dare.

[chris westwood]

The March Of 'The Siamese Children' from 'The King and I' is very evocative for me. I useed to get dragged along by my parents to productions of the local Amateur Dramatic Society, and this one of their shows. I surprised myself by really enjoying it. Not as much as 'Carousel' though-which I saw the following year.

[MaggieRedhead]

Other members have mentioned some of my favourites, but as usual I have a story!
The band of the Royal Marines were on the pier in Palma de Mallorca, on the decommissioning Tour of HMS Ark Royal. For the farewell party on board, they played "Hearts of Oak" and "A life on the ocean wave". Not a dry eye on the Ship.
Found this newsletter of that tour:
http://www.axfordsabode.org.uk/pdf-docs/arkroy27.pdf

When "The Dam Busters" movie came out, my older brother was serving with 617 Squadron, and I absolutely loved that march.
I listened for it every weekend on the radio. I preferred Eric Coates, but Billy Cotton added that corny dialogue to his version which I loved too.....I was a tiny girl at the time.

I have to say that my very favourite march is a slow one....the Queen Mother's favourite, which was played so beautifully at her funeral -
"Oft in the Stilly Night" by the Irish Guards. (Makes me cry)
What a tune....and what a Lady!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoPCL1uNmX0&feature=related

[siggy63]

G'Day All
even as a mere youngster I still have fun memories of marching to "Hearts of Oak", being screamed at by the CGI (Chief Gunnery Instructor) for humming along to it at what I was advised as too loudly......

Straying from the RM Band I also like Black Bear but you struggle to get a decent version on T'Internet without some other Jock song with it

Dan

[bluestreak]

Having a love of all military music it is difficult to pick out a few favourites, but here goes.

On the Quarterdeck, Hearts of Oak, Sambre et Muese. Band of HM Royal Marines. Any bugle march by The Light Infantry (Royal Green Jackets)

To be played at my funeral, High on a Hill, Band of 2nd Battallion Royal Green Jackets

[Lachlan of Queensland]

the british grenadiers and the waltzing matilda of the 1st Bn. Royal Australian regiment get my boots moving in a brisk military step :)

to add to this is Semper Fidelis and the marines hymn since i heard marines playing them while i was down at shoal water bay taking a look at exercise talisman sabre and i admitt that these are very catchy tunes and i find myself humming the tunes for no apparent reason haha

[jainso31]

Being half Scottish- I am very partial to the March "Highland Laddie", played by the Massed Pipe Bands of the Scottish Division;as they march "en masse", with bayonets fixed and kilts and sporrans swinging in unison, through Prince's Street in Edinburgh.--even on a wet day!:cool:

jainso31

[Clive 58]

Click on the link and you can play (and download) loads of tracks by the band of HM Royal Marines

http://mp3skull.com/mp3/royal_marines.html

Cheers,

Clive.