Home ⇒ 📌William Topaz Mcgonagall ⇒ The Storming of the Dargai Heights
The Storming of the Dargai Heights
‘Twas on the 20th of November, and in the year of 1897,
That the cheers of the Gordon Highlanders ascended to heaven,
As they stormed the Dargai heights without delay,
And made the Indian rebels fly in great dismay.
“Men of the Gordon Highlanders,” Colonel Mathias said,
“Now, my brave lads, who never were afraid,
Our General says ye must take Dargai heights to-day;
So, forward, and charge them with your bayonets without dismay!”
Then with a ringing cheer, and at the word of command,
They bounded after their leaders, and made a bold stand;
And, dashing across the open ground with their officers at their head,
They drove the enemy from their position without any dread.
In that famous charge it was a most beautiful sight
To see the regimental pipers playing with all their might;
But, alas! one of them was shot through both ankles, and fell to the ground,
But still
Oh! it must have been a gorgeous sight that day,
To see two thousand Highlanders dressed up in grand array,
And to hear the pibroch sounding loud and clear
While the Highlanders rushed upon the foe with a loud cheer.
The Gordon Highlanders have gained a lasting fame
Which for ages to come will long remain :
The daring gallantry they displayed at the storming of Dargai,
Which will be handed down to posterity.
Methinks I see that gallant and heroic band
When brave Colonel Mathias gave them the command,
As they rushed upon the rebel horde, which was their desire,
Without the least fear through a sheet of fire.
Then the rebels fled like frightened sprites,
And the British were left masters of the Dargai heights;
But, alas! brave Captain Robinson was mortally wounded and cut down,
And for his loss many tears from his comrades fell to the ground.
Success to the Gordon Highlanders wherever they go.
May they always be enabled to conquer the foe;
And may God guard them always in the fight,
And give them always strength to put their enemies to flight.
(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)Related poetry:
- The Battle of Alexandria It was on the 21st of March in the year of 1801, The British were at their posts every man; And their position was naturally very strong, And the whole line from sea to lake was about a mile long. And on the ruins of a Roman Palace, rested the right, And every man amongst […]...
- The Battle of Glencoe Twas in the month of October, and in the year of 1899, Which the Boers will remember for a very long time, Because by the British Army they received a crushing blow; And were driven from Smith’s Hill at the Battle of Glencoe. The Boers’ plan of the battle was devised with great skill, And […]...
- General Gordon, the Hero of Khartoum Alas! now o’er the civilised world there hangs a gloom For brave General Gordon, that was killed in Khartoum, He was a Christian hero, and a soldier of the Cross, And to England his death will be a very great loss. He was very cool in temper, generous and brave, The friend of the poor, […]...
- The Battle of Atbara Ye Sons of Great Britain, pray list to me, And I’ll tell ye of a great victory. Where the British defeated the Dervishes, without delay, At the Battle of Atbara, without dismay. The attack took place, ’twas on the 8th of April, in the early morning dawn, And the British behaved manfully to a man; […]...
- The Battle of Culloden ‘Twas in the year of 1746, and in April the 14th day, That Prince Charles Stuart and his army marched on without delay, And on the 14th of April they encamped on Culloden Moor, But the army felt hungry, and no food could they procure. And the calls of hunger could not brook delay, So […]...
- The Relief of Mafeking Success to Colonel Baden-Powell and his praises loudly sing, For being so brave in relieving Mafeking, With his gallant little band of eight hundred men, They made the Boers fly from Mafeking like sheep escaping from a pen. ‘Twas in the year of 1900 and on the 18th of May, That Colonel Baden-Powell beat the […]...
- The Last Berkshire Eleven ‘Twas at the disastrous battle of Maiwand, in Afghanistan, Where the Berkshires were massacred to the last man; On the morning of July the 27th, in the year eighteen eighty, Which I’m sorry to relate was a pitiful sight to see. Ayoub Khan’s army amounted to twelve thousand in all, And honestly speaking it wasn’t […]...
- The Downfall of Delhi ‘Twas in the year of 1857 and on the 14th of September That the Sepoy rebels at Delhi were forced to surrender; The attack was first to be made by Brigadier Nicholson, And he was ordered to attack the Cashmere Bastion. The British were entirely in command. Of Major-General Reid, assisted by Brigadier-Generals Wilson and […]...
- I showed her Heights she never saw I showed her Heights she never saw “Would’st Climb,” I said? She said “Not so” “With me ” I said With me? I showed her Secrets Morning’s Nest The Rope the Nights were put across And now “Would’st have me for a Guest?” She could not find her Yes And then, I brake my life […]...
- The Ashantee War ‘Twas in the year of 1874, and on New Year’s Day, The British Army landed at Elmina without dismay, And numbering in all, 1400 bayonets strong, And all along the Cape Coast they fearlessly marched along, Under the command of Sir Garnet Wolseley, a hero bold, And an honour to his King and country, be […]...
- The Battle of Abu Klea Ye sons of Mars, come join with me, And sing in praise of Sir Herbert Stewart’s little army, That made ten thousand Arabs flee At the charge of the bayonet at Abu Klea. General Stewart’s force was about fifteen hundred all told, A brave little band, but, like lions bold, They fought under their brave […]...
- The Battle of Alma ‘Twas on the heights of Alma the battle began. But the Russians turned and fled every man; Because Sir Colin Campbell’s Highland Brigade put them to flight, At the charge of the bayonet, which soon ended the fight. Sir Colin Campbell he did loudly cry, Let the Highlanders go forward, they will win or die, […]...
- The Wreck of the Abercrombie Robinson Twas in the year of 1842 and on the 27th of May That six Companies of the 91st Regiment with spirits light and gay, And forming the Second Battalion, left Naas without delay, Commanded by Captain Bertie Gordon, to proceed to the Cape straightaway. And on the second of June they sailed for the Cape […]...
- The Battle of Waterloo ‘Twas in the year 1815, and on the 18th day of June, That British cannon, against the French army, loudly did boom, Upon the ever memorable bloody field of Waterloo; Which Napoleon remembered while in St. Helena, and bitterly did rue. The morning of the 18th was gloomy and cheerless to behold, But the British […]...
- The Battle of El-Teb Ye sons of Great Britain, I think no shame To write in praise of brave General Graham! Whose name will be handed down to posterity without any stigma, Because, at the battle of El-Teb, he defeated Osman Digna. With an army about five thousand strong, To El-Teb, in the year 1884, he marched along, And […]...
- The Battle of Sheriffmuir ‘Twas in the year 1715, and on the 10th of November, Which the people of Scotland have cause to remember; On that day the Earl of Mar left Perth bound for Sheriffmuir, At the same time leaving behind a garrison under Colonel Balfour. Besides leaving a force of about three thousand men quartered in different […]...
- The Capture of Lucknow ‘Twas near the Begum Kothie the battle began, Where innocent blood as plentiful as water ran; The Begum Kothie was a place of honour given to the 93rd, Which heroically to a man they soon did begird. And the 4th Punjaub Rifles were their companions in glory, And are worthy of their names enrolled in […]...
- Of Old Sat Freedom on the Heights Of old sat Freedom on the heights, The thunders breaking at her feet: Above her shook the starry lights: She heard the torrents meet. There in her place she did rejoice, Self-gather’d in her prophet-mind, But fragments of her mighty voice Came rolling on the wind. Then stept she down thro’ town and field To […]...
- The Horrors of Majuba ‘Twas after the great Majuba fight: And the next morning, at daylight, Captain Macbean’s men were ordered to headquarters camp, So immediately Captain Macbean and his men set out on tramp. And there they were joined by the Blue Jackets and 58th men, Who, for unflinching courage, no man can them condemn; And that brave […]...
- The Death of Prince Leopold Alas! noble Prince Leopold, he is dead! Who often has his lustre shed: Especially by singing for the benefit of Esher School, Which proves he was a wise prince. and no conceited fool. Methinks I see him on the platform singing the Sands o’ Dee, The generous-hearted Leopold, the good and the free, Who was […]...
- The Battle of Flodden Field ‘Twas on the 9th of September, a very beautiful day, That a numerous English army came in grand array, And pitched their tents on Flodden field so green In the year of our Lord fifteen hundred and thirteen. And on the ridge of Braxton hill the Scottish army lay, All beautifully arrayed, and eager for […]...
- The Hero of Kalapore The 27th Regiment has mutinied at Kalapore; That was the substance of a telegram, which caused great uproar, At Sattara, on the evening of the 8th of July, And when the British officers heard it, they heaved a bitter sigh. ‘Twas in the year of 1857, Which will long be remembered: Oh! Heaven! That the […]...
- The Black Watch Memorial Ye Sons of Mars, it gives me great content To think there has been erected a handsome monument In memory of the Black Watch, which is magnificent to see, Where they first were embodied at Aberfeldy. And as a Highland regiment they are worthy of what has been done for them, Because a more courageous […]...
- The First Grenadier of France ‘Twas in a certain regiment of French Grenadiers, A touching and beautiful custom was observed many years; Which was meant to commemorate the heroism of a departed comrade, And when the companies assembled for parade, There was one name at roll call to which no answer was made It was that of the noble La […]...
- Colonel Martin I The Colonel went out sailing, He spoke with Turk and Jew, With Christian and with Infidel, For all tongues he knew. ‘O what’s a wifeless man?’ said he, And he came sailing home. He rose the latch and went upstairs And found an empty room. The Colonel went out sailing. II ‘I kept her […]...
- 200. Song-The Young Highland Rover LOUD blaw the frosty breezes, The snaws the mountains cover; Like winter on me seizes, Since my young Highland rover Far wanders nations over. Where’er he go, where’er he stray, May heaven be his warden; Return him safe to fair Strathspey, And bonie Castle-Gordon! The trees, now naked groaning, Shall soon wi’ leaves be hinging, […]...
- General Roberts in Afghanistan ‘Twas in the year of 1878, and. the winter had set in, Lord Roberts and the British Army their march did begin, On their way to Afghanistan to a place called Cabul; And the weather was bitter cold and the rivers swollen and full. And the enemy were posted high up amongst the hills, And […]...
- 189. Verses on Castle Gordon STREAMS that glide in orient plains, Never bound by Winter’s chains; Glowing here on golden sands, There immix’d with foulest stains From Tyranny’s empurpled hands; These, their richly gleaming waves, I leave to tyrants and their slaves; Give me the stream that sweetly laves The banks by Castle Gordon. Spicy forests, ever gray, Shading from […]...
- The Hero of Rorke's Drift Twas at the camp of Rorke’s Drift, and at tea-time, And busily engaged in culinary operations was a private of the line; But suddenly he paused, for he heard a clattering din, When instantly two men on horseback drew rein beside him. “News from the front!” said one, “Awful news!” said the other, “Of which, […]...
- The Wreck of the Steamer Stella ‘Twas in the month of March and in the year of 1899, Which will be remembered for a very long time; The wreck of the steamer “Stella” that was wrecked on the Casquet Rocks, By losing her bearings in a fog, and received some terrible shocks. The “Stella” was bound for the Channel Islands on […]...
- An All-Night Sea Fight Ye sons of Mars, come list to me, And I will relate to ye A great and heroic naval fight, Which will fill your hearts with delight. The fight was between the French Frigate “Pique” and the British Frigate “Blanche,” But the British crew were bold and staunch; And the battle was fought in West […]...
- The Clepington Catastrophe ‘Twas on a Monday morning, and in the year of 1884, That a fire broke out in Bailie Bradford’s store, Which contained bales of jute and large quantities of waste, Which the brave firemen ran to extinguish in great haste. They left their wives that morning without any dread, Never thinking, at the burning pile, […]...
- Heights Of Folly O crows circling over my head and cawing! I admit to being, at times, Suddenly, and without the slightest warning, Exceedingly happy. On a morning otherwise sunless, Strolling arm in arm Past some gallows-shaped trees With my dear Helen, Who is also a strange bird, With a feeling of being summoned Urgently, but by a […]...
- The Tortoise In Keystone Heights When I knew, it was raining. Winter in decline. I was tired. You in your soaked shirt diffused Into the western sky bulging with clouds, Speeding cars a few feet away- Why would they not slow down? Though afternoon, a slip of moon Busied itself with rising, And it had to mean something. If only […]...
- The Battle of Tel-el-Kebir Ye sons of Great Britain, come join with me, And sing in praise of Sir Garnet Wolseley; Sound drums and trumpets cheerfully, For he has acted most heroically. Therefore loudly his praises sing Until the hills their echoes back doth ring; For he is a noble hero bold, And an honour to his Queen and […]...
- Ode To a Chestnut on the Ground From bristly foliage You fell Complete, polished wood, gleaming mahogany, As perfect As a violin newly Born of the treetops, That falling Offers its sealed-in gifts, The hidden sweetness That grew in secret Amid birds and leaves, A model of form, Kin to wood and flour, An oval instrument That holds within it Intact delight, […]...
- The Wreck of the Steamer Mohegan Good people of high and low degree, I pray ye all to list to me, And I’ll relate a terrible tale of the sea Concerning the unfortunate steamer, Mohegan, That against the Manacles Rocks, ran. ‘Twas on Friday, the 14th of October, in the year of ninety-eight, Which alas! must have been a dreadful sight; […]...
- The Terrific Cyclone of 1893 ‘Twas in the year of 1893, and on the 17th and 18th of November, Which the people of Dundee and elsewhere will long remember, The terrific cyclone that blew down trees, And wrecked many vessels on the high seas. All along the coast the Storm Fiend did loudly roar, Whereby many ships were wrecked along […]...
- Adventures of King Robert the Bruce King Robert the Bruce’s deadly enemy, John of Lorn, Joined the English with eight hundred Highlanders one morn, All strong, hardy, and active fearless mountaineers, But Bruce’s men attacked them with swords and spears. And while they were engaged, a new enemy burst upon them, Like a torrent of water rushing down a rocky glen: […]...
- The Battle of Corunna ‘Twas in the year of 1808, and in the autumn of the year, Napoleon resolved to crush Spain and Portugal without fear; So with a mighty army three hundred thousand strong Through the passes of the Pyrenees into spain he passed along. But Sir John Moore concentrated his troops in the north, And into the […]...