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Recruiting Sergeant Lyrics

Artist: Great Big Sea
Album: Play

(written by Bob Hallett / Based on traditional)

Two recruiting sergeants came to the CLB,
For the sons of the merchants, to join the Blue Puttees
So all the hands enlisted, five hundred young men...
Enlist ye Newfoundlanders and come follow me

They crossed the broad Atlantic in the brave Florizel,
And on the sands of Suvla, they entered into hell
And on those bloody beaches, the first of them fell...
Enlist ye Newfoundlanders and come follow me

CHORUS:
So it's over the mountains, and over the sea
Come brave Newfoundlanders and join the Blue Puttees
You'll fight the Hun in Flanders, and at Galipoli
Enlist ye Newfoundlanders and come follow me

The call came from London, for the last July drive
"To the trenches with the regiment, prepare yourselves to die"
The roll call next morning, just a handful survived.
Enlist ye Newfoundlanders and come follow me

CHORUS

The stone men on Water Street still cry for the day
When the pride of the city went marching away
A thousand men slaughtered, to hear the King say
Enlist ye Newfoundlanders and come follow me

CHORUS (x2)

Enlist ye Newfoundlanders and come follow me

Comments/Interpretations

by Daryl Bockett on 2/24/2009 2:18am
By God this is a beautiful song...for everyone whose countries were involved in the War. Very powerful!

by Jenna Lambkin on 10/2/2009 12:48pm
I agree whole heartedly. As I am Canadian, this song relates strongly to me. I am proud to be Canadian whenever I hear this song. It nearly brings me to tears.

by Matt on 12/14/2009 11:26am
Great song, really speaks to the regional feelings inside Canada, even and especially today... Keep in mind NFL wasn't a part of Canada until 1949.

by Poppy on 4/10/2010 12:06am
This song does not "nearly bring me to tears", it LITERALLY brings me to tears

by Frankln Richards on 10/19/2011 7:40am
We heard this in history class and now im going to sing this at the rememberance day ceremony. R.I.P to all of those who died for our freedm here in Canada and thank you :)