One and All

For many years prior to 1933 two marches were played: One and All, based on an old Cornish tune that goes back a long way in history, and Trelawny, a song long popular in Cornwall. In 1933 official sanction was sought for both marches to be recognised. This was refused and accordingly the two marches were combined, retaining the title One and All.

Both marches have associated verses of some historical interest. Cornish concern for the fate of Bishop Trelawny, one of the six bishops arrested and put in the Tower by James II is well known. The verses attached to the tune of One and All are said to have been written by Colonel Bridges Willyams, commanding the Royal Cornwall Rangers Militia around the year 1811 when they volunteered to a man to serve in Ireland against Napoleon's threat of invasion.

TRELAWNY

A good sword and a trusty hand!
A merry heart and true!
King James's men shall understand
What Cornish men can do!

And have they fixed the where and when?
And shall Trelawny die?
Then twenty thousand Cornish men
Will know the reason why.

Out spake their captain brave and bold;
A merry wight was he:
'If London Tower were Michael's hold,
We'd set Trelawny free!'

We'll cross the Tamar land to land:
The Severn is no stay:
Then 'one and all' and hand to hand:
And who shall bid us nay?

And when we come to London Wall,
A pleasant sight to view,
Come forth! Come forth! ye cowards all
Here are better men than you.

Trelawny he's in keep and hold:
Trelawny he may die;
But here's twenty thousand Cornish bold
Will know the reason why!

ONE AND ALL

Away, brave boys to Dublin jig,
The girls to kiss, the whisky swig,
And each as merry as a grig,

Sing 'One and All'.

But he that will not with us jog,
Shall kiss no girls and drink no grog,
For that he is a sorry dog,

Sing 'One and All'.

Chorus

    Then let the bells of Dublin ring,
    The Cornish boys are come to sing,
    With Irish lads God save the King,

Sing 'One and All'.

To those who by their colours stand,
Great crowds shall shout throughout the land,
There goes true blue, and hark the Band,

Plays 'One and All'.

But they who are not of good heart,
And basely from their comrades part,
Shall have the rogues march in a cart,

Hoot 'One and All'.

Chorus

Whether we drink, or play, or fight,
Or drunk, or sober, if we're right,
We'll of our motto ne'er lose sight,

Of 'One and All'.

This principle where'er we go,
Will meet respect from friend or foe,
Then let the world our maxim know,

'Tis 'One and All'.

Chorus

But see the transport crowd the strand,
We soon shall find on Irish land,
'Erin go Bragh' go hand in hand,

With 'One and All'.

And as for French and foreign foes,
We'll twine the shamrock with the rose,
And pull old Boney by the nose,

Pull 'One and All'.

Chorus

But when the din of war is o'er,
Our services required no more,
We'll hail again our native shore,

With 'One and All'.

And then the Cornish Volunteer,
Shall meet kind welcome, hearty cheer,
Plenty of beef, and good strong beer,

Drink 'One and All'.

 

Chorus
   Then let the bells of Bodmin ring,
    The Cornish Irish lads shall sing,
    Drink to their sweethearts and their King,
Drink 'One and All'.