Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse

Cover of the music sheet

Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse (lit. "Sambre-et-Meuse regiment") is a French song and military march by Robert Planquette and Paul Cezano.

	Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse 1905 recording sung by Pierre d'Assy Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse 1910 instrumental recording Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse 1919 recording sung by Enrico Caruso
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The original poem was written in 1870 by Paul Cezano, in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War and the first days of the French Third Republic. The references to the Army of Sambre-et-Meuse set Republican, soldierly mood.

The next year, music was composed by Robert Planquette. In 1879, it was arranged as a military march by Joseph François Rauski.

"Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse" was the official march of the Royal 22^e Régiment of Canada until it was replaced in 1935 by "Le Royal 22^e régiment," written by Capt C. O'Neill 1922-37 followed by the current official quick march "Vive la Canadienne," in 1939.^[1]

Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse is popular in the USA, where it is sometimes played at American football games, most notably by The Ohio State University Marching Band during its signature Script Ohio formation,^[2] and at West Point graduations.^[3] It is also often used for marches of the Belgian military schools in Brussels (KMS) and Sint-Truiden (KSOO) because of the historic link of this song with Belgium.

Lyrics

French

English

1er couplet: Tous ces fiers enfants de la Gaule Allaient sans trêve et sans repos Avec leur fusil sur l'épaule Courage au cœur et sac au dos La gloire était leur nourriture Ils étaient sans pain, sans souliers La nuit, ils couchaient sur la dure Avec leur sac pour oreiller Refrain: Le régiment de Sambre et Meuse Marchait toujours au cri de "Liberté" Cherchant la route glorieuse Qui l'a conduit à l'immortalité

1st verse: All these proud children of Gaul Marched without respite or ease With their rifles on their shoulders Courage in their hearts and packs on their backs Glory was their nourishment With neither bread nor shoes They slept on the hard ground With their packs beneath their heads. Chorus: The regiment of "Sambre et Meuse" Always marched to the call of freedom Seeking the path of glory That led them to immortality

References

1. Royal 22^e Régiment
3. Regiment Sambre et Meuse March

External links

• Complete lyrics
• Modern interpretations: vocal
• Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse (The Sambre and Meuse Regiment) on the site of the Fédération Nationale des Combattants Volontaires