“The British Grenadiers” is one of the oldests military marches in the history of the United Kingdom, composed during the height of the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783).
The grenadiers were a elite heavy infantry troops of the British army during the 17th and 18th centuries, which marched into the battlefield at the front of the line to throw heavy iron hand grenades into enemy formations.
To hurl these heavy gunpowder weapons, grenadiers had to be the tallest, strongest, and most physically robust men in the regiment.
Their uniforms included iconic, towering caps (later made of bearskin) specifically designed to make them look even more imposing and gigantic on the battlefield.
They marched synchronically by the rytmic beating of the military drums and fifes (high-pitched flutes) (the “Tow-Row-Row”)
Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules Of Hector and Lysander, and such great names as these. But of all the world’s brave heroes, there’s none that can compare. With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, to the British Grenadiers.
Those heroes of antiquity ne’er saw a cannon ball, Or knew the force of powder to slay their foes withal. But our brave boys do know it, and banish all their fears, With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, for the British Grenadiers.
Whene’er we are commanded to storm the palisades, Our leaders march with fusees, and we with hand grenades. We throw them from the glacis, about the enemies’ ears.[n 1] With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, for the British Grenadiers.
And when the siege is over, we to the town repair. The townsmen cry, “Hurrah, boys, here comes a Grenadier! Here come the Grenadiers, my boys, who know no doubts or fears! Then sing tow, row, row, row, row, row, for the British Grenadiers.
Then let us fill a bumper, and drink a health of those Who carry caps and pouches, and wear the loopèd clothes. May they and their commanders live happy all their years. With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, for the British Grenadiers.