The Trumpeter' was a popular household song in the early 20th century.
Released in 1904,
Music by J. Airlie Dix,
Lyrics by John Francis Barron (Pictured , also my Great Great Grandfather)
Performed by Peter Dawson.
Lyrics:
Trumpeter, what are you sounding now?(Is it the call I'm seeking?)"You'll know the call," said the Trumpeter tall,"When my trumpet goes a-speakin'.I'm rousin' 'em up;I'm wakin' 'em up,The tents are astir in the valley,And there's no more sleep with the sun's first peep,For I'm soundin' the old 'Reveille!'"
Trumpeter, what are you sounding now?(Is it the call I'm seeking?)"Can't mistake the call," said the Trumpeter tall,"When my trumpet goes a-speakin'.I'm urgin' 'em on,They're scamperin' on,There's a drummin' of hoofs like thunder.There's a madd'nin' shout as the sabres flash out,For I'm sounding the 'Charge' no wonder."
Trumpeter, what are you sounding now?(Is it the call I'm seeking?)"Lucky for you if you hear it at allFor my trumpet's but faint in speakin',I'm callin' 'em home! Come home! Come home!Tread light o'er the dead in the valley,Who are lyin' around face down to the ground,And they can't hear me sound the 'Rally'.But they'll hear it again in a grand refrain,When Gabriel sounds the last 'Rally'."
A bit about John Francis Barron (b.1868 d.1940):Barron joined the British Army as a Drummer Boy before training as a Clarinetist and joining the band of the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) serving with the Army over the world including the far East and many years in India. Barron returned to England and lived out his years in South London writing the lyrics for many songs, most set to music by J. Airlie Dix. 'The Trumpeter' was his and Dix's most successful song.
