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| Garryowen, Limerick, Ireland |
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"Garryowen" is an old Irish quick-step that can be traced back to the early
1860s. The Regimental Song "Garryowen" came informally into the Army between
1861 and 1866 as a quickstep, but its use was first documented in 1867 when
"Garryowen" was adopted by the 7th US Cavalry Regiment as the official Air
(tune) of the Regiment, and the historical nickname given to the 7th Cavalry
Regiment and troopers. As it is generally portrayed, George Armstrong Custer
did not, himself, bring the song to the regiment, but Brevet Lieutenant
Colonel (Captain) Myles W. Keogh and several other officers with ties to the
Fifth Royal Irish Lancers and the Papal Guard, two Irish regiments in the
British Army, were believed to be instrumental in bringing the air to the
regiment.
The geographical area that provided the inspiration and the name of one of the
most popular, rollicking folk songs of Ireland is situated on the upward slope
of a hill in Limerick County, near the City of Limerick. Local traditions and
folk lore have preserved the historical significance of the area and the
origin of its name "Garryowen", a compounded word composed of two Irish words,
which means "Garden of Owen".
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| King John's Castle - Limerick |
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The terrain features of Garryowen gave the loyal patrons of the garden a
broad, commanding view of the richly cultivated surrounding countryside, the
old town of Limerick and the valley of the Shannon River which gently washes
the battered, fortified towers of King John's castle which was constructed in
the late 1180's to control traffic along the river. The cottage of Owen and
surrounding plot of ground soon became a favorite holiday resort with the
near-by citizens of Limerick because the atmosphere and accommodations were
somewhat similar to those offered to the London mechanic by the Battersea
tea-gardens.
A review of Irish literature reveals that "Owen's garden was a general
rendezvous for those who sought simple pleasure and amusement. The elderly
drank together under the shade of trees and the young played at ball, goal,
or other athletic activities on the green; while a few lingered in the near-by
hedge-rows with their fair acquaintances. Owen's garden was soon to became as
famous for scenes of strife as it was for mirth and humor; and broken arms,
legs and heads became a staple article of manufacture in the neighborhood."
"These new diversions were encouraged by a number of young people having a
greater supply of animal spirits than wisdom to control themselves. The young
gentlemen being fond of wit, amused themselves by having parties at night to
wring the heads off all the geese, and tearing knockers off the doors in the
neighborhood. They sometimes suffered their genius to soar as high as the
breaking of a street lamp, and even resorting to the physical violence of a
watchman. But, this type of joking was found a little too serious to be
repeated very frequently, for few achievements of so daring a violence were
documented in the records. They were obliged to content themselves with less
ambitious distinction of destroying the door knockers and store-locks,
annoying the peace of the neighborhood, with long continued assaults on the
front doors, terrifying the quiet onlookers with every species of insult and
provocation, and indulging their fratricidal propensities against all the
geese in Garryowen."
"The fame of the 'Garryowen Boys' soon spread far and wide. Their deeds were
celebrated by some inglorious minstrel of the day in that melody which has,
since, resounded over the world; and even symbolically competed for national
popularity with 'St. Patrick's Day'. A string of verses were appended to the
tune which soon enjoyed equal notoriety. The name of Garryowen was as well
known as that of the city of Limerick, itself, and Owen's garden became almost
a synonym for Ireland."
"Garryowen" is known to have been used by Irish regiments as a drinking song.
As the story goes, one of the Irish "melting pot" troopers of the 7th Cavalry,
under the influence of "spirits", was singing the song. By chance Custer heard
the melody, liked the cadence, and soon began to hum the tune himself. The
tune has a lively beat, that accentuates the cadence of marching horses, and
for that reason was adopted as the regimental song soon after Custer arrived
at Ft. Riley, Kansas to take over command of the 7th Cavalry Regiment. It was
the last song played for Custer's men as they left General Terry's column at
the Powder River and rode into history.
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| The 3rd Recon Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regimental Band, Ledward Barracks |
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Over its history, continuing the Regimental legacy, the 7th Cavalry Regiment
has formed 3 Garryowen Bagpipe and drum bands.
- 1954 - The 7th Cavalry Regiment BagPipe & Drum Band organized by
SSG. Robert J. Scroggie at Camp Haugen, Japan. The Tartan had 7
colors: Dark Blue and Yellow of the US Cavalry; Light Blue to
signify the present day infantry role in the cavalry; Red for
action; and White for honor along with Green and Lavender.
- 1959 - 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron 7th Cavalry formed a BagPipe
and Drum Band, under the guidance of LTC Roger Rawley and Capt
John L. Lindgren. The original members were sent to a British
regiment, the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at
Wuppertal, where they were given preliminary training by Irish
pipers and drummers.
- 1963 - The 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry at Ledward
Barracks, Schweinfurt West Germany.
- Today units of the 7th Cavalry still use Bagpipers, which are
Divisional Band members. As they march and play, we think of all
of those glorious memories of the past.
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| The 1st Cavalry Division Band |
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"Garryowen" has become undoubtedly the most famous of all the regimental
marches in the Army. It became the Official Song of the 1st Cavalry Division
in 1981. During "First Team" ceremonies, at Cooper Field, Ft. Hood. the song
is not sung; however, it is customary for the song to be played at the
conclusion of the ceremonial activities and the guests stand and clap.
In closing out of the Gulf War and returning home to the United States, in
1991, the 1st Cavalry Division the band joined in leading the whirlwind
celebrations by parading down a dozen avenues of Atlanta, Houston, Dallas,
Washington, DC and New York.
The visit to New York City was a tremendous welcome from the public, press and
police. At Battery Park, the parade formation turned into Broadway, which
became a wide "red" carpet for the Band to perform. There on Broadway, under a
sunlit snowstorm of paper, the 1st Cavalry Division Band, lead by Bandmaster
Sgt. First Class Gary Flake, took the Big Apple by storm when they played the
swaggering melody of the Division song, "Garryowen".
Lyrics of the song, unchanged over the years, are as follows:
"Garryowen"
[Verse 1]
Let Bacchus's sons be not dismayed,
but join with me each jovial blade,
come booze and sing and lend your aid,
to help me with the chorus:
"Chorus"
Instead of spa we'll drink down ale
and pay the reckoning on the nail,
for debt no man shall go to jail
from Garry Owen in glory.
[Verse 2]
We are the boys who take delight
in smashing Limerick lamps at night,
and through the street like sportsters fight,
tearing all before us. (Chorus)
[Verse 3]
We'll break windows, we'll break doors,
the watch knock down by threes and fours,
then let the doctors work their cures,
and tinker up our bruises, (Chorus)
[Verse 4]
We'll beat the bailiffs out of fun,
we'll make the mayor and sheriffs run,
we are the boys no man dare dun,
if he regards a whole skin. (Chorus)
[Verse 5]
Our hearts so stout have got us fame,
for soon 'tis known from whence we came,
where're we go they dread the name,
of Garry Owen in glory. (Chorus)
There was a special set of lyrics written for the 7th Cavalry Regiment in
1905. For those special troopers of the 7th:
[Verse 1]
We are the pride of the Army
and a regiment of great renown,
Our name's on the pages of history.
From sixty-six on down.
If you think we stop or falter
While into the fray we're going
Just watch the steps with our heads erect,
While our band plays Garryowen. (Chorus)
"Chorus"
In the Fighting Seventh's the place for me,
Its the cream of all the Cavalry;
No other regiment ever can claim
Its pride, honor, glory and undying fame.
[Verse 2]
We know fear when stern duty
Calls us far away from home,
Our country's flag shall safely o'er us wave,
No matter where we roam.
"Tis the gallant 7th Cavalry
It matters not where we are going"
Such you'll surely say as we march away;
And our band plays Garryowen. (Chorus)
[Verse 3]
Then hurrah for our brave commanders!
Who led us into the fight.
We'll do or die in our country's cause,
And battle for the right.
And when the war is o'er,
And to our home we're goin
Just watch your step, with our heads erect,
When our band plays Garryowen. (Chorus)
Reference: "From Custer to MacArthur, the 7th US Cavalry"
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| Garryowen - General Custer's Song |
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The song "Garryowen" was highlighted in "They Died with Their Boots On", a
1941 western movie directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn and
Olivia de Havilland. Despite being rife with historical inaccuracies, the film
was one of the top-grossing movies of the year.
The theme of the movie follows the life of George Armstrong Custer (played by
Errol Flynn) from attending West Point, wooing of Elizabeth Bacon (played by
Olivia de Havilland) who becomes his loving wife, the American Civil War, and
the Battle of Little Big Horn. In the film, the battle is blamed on a group of
unscrupulous corporations and politicians craving the land of Crazy Horse
(played by Anthony Quinn) and his people.
Custer is portrayed as a fun-loving, dashing figure who chooses honor and
glory over money and corruption. Though his "Last Stand" is probably treated
as more significant and dramatic than it may have actually been, Custer
follows through on his promise to teach his men "to endure and die with their
boots on." In the movie's version of Custer's story, a few corrupt white
politicians goad the Western tribes into war, threatening the survival of all
white settlers in the West. Custer and his men give their lives at Little
Bighorn to delay the Indians and prevent this slaughter. A letter left behind
by Custer absolves the Indians of all responsibility.
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| Rough Riders Depart For Cuba |
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There are only a handful of war movies and/or historical films that portray
the men that fight battles realistically. One of them, starring Theodore
Roosevelt (Rough Riders) was directed by John Milius. "Rough Riders", released
in 1997, is an unforgettable film on the events of the Spanish-American
War.
In this brilliant outtake that shows the pathos of the departure to the front,
the troops of Teddy Roosevelt's (Tom Berenger's) 1st United States Volunteer
Cavalry that was formed in 1898. In the departure scene for the train ride
east across the South to Florida for embarkation to Cuba, the troops fall in
under the orders of Captain Bucky O'Neill (Sam Elliott). In preparing for the
departure, it was discovered that many of the wounds of the Civil War (or the
War Between the States, to make everybody happy) have started to heal. Heard
in the background of the departure, was the tune of Garryowen, stunningly sung
by Elan Oberon (who happens to be the wife of John Miliu).
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