Old King Cole

"Old King Cole" is a traditional drinking song of the Royal Artillery and has been sung for generations. (See the original version.)The words are simple, and it is easy to learn and sing. Being a drinking song, all previous verses are sung after every preceeding verse...this was a real test to see just how sober one really was. The last verse 'Padres Three' was not often sung in the North Island but was always sung by the Territorial Gunners of 31 and 32 Batterys as the very last verse to the song.

In New Zealand the chorus has been altered by several of the Batterys and the chorus sung by 161 Battery is also given below. The chorus was sung at the very end of every verse.

Chorus: (traditional)
Merry men are We!
But there's none so fair that can compare,
With - the - Royal - Ar - till - ery!

Chorus: (alternate)
Merry men are We!
But there's none so fair that can compare,
With - the - One - Six - One - Batt - ery!

Old King Cole was a merry old soul,
and a merry old soul was he.
He called for his pipe in the middle of the night,
and he called for his...

1. Gunners Three!!!
Beer! Beer! Beer!
said the Gunners!

2. Bombardiers Three!!!
Bubble, Line, Level, Line, Bubble!
said the Bombardiers!

3. Sergeants Three!!!
Move to the right in Three's!
said the Sergeants!

4. Sar Majors Three!!!
Charge that man!
said the Sergeant Major!

5. Subalterns Three!!!
We do all the Work!
said the Subalterns!

6. Captains Three!!!
When do I get my Command!
said the Captain!

7. Majors Three!!!
Where do I put my Guns!
said the Major!

8. Padres Three!!!
God-Save-Our-Gracious-Queen! (sung slowly and with reverence)
said the Padre!

3 Fd Regt   |    161 Battery