John Tams & Barry Coope's ' Over the hills and far away' recorded live at East Grinstead's Chequer Mead theatre on 16 November 2010, courtesy of Acoustic Sussex
This song and the man who sings it are a major part of the reasons why the Sharpe series was so brilliant. And he was a perfect actor in the role of Hagman as well.
@@animerlon I agree, it just busted my heart into shards. That's why as a writer, I can't kill favored characters.... probably not a good thing.... but dang.... Hagman had made it through so damn much with Sharpe.... it tore me up... I actually sobbed like a baby.
@@LadyDragonsblood Me too. I can handle endings that aren't all happily ever after but i found this one to be unnecessarily cruel. After singing about being far away for so long, he deserved to go home.
My 3x Great Grandfather was in the 95th Rifles and fought in the Peninsula wars through Spain, France and at Waterloo. The night before the battle, he was skirmishing against French troops and during the battle. I have a transcript of his journal that he kept through all of this time. Wellington asked that a comrade who took part in the battle with him be chosen to be his sideman during the dinner celebrating the 25th anniversary....My GGG Grandfather was that man. So proud of my family.
yeah I would love to hear or read some of those transcripts. I wonder if they could be put on-line somehow or maybe you can tidy them up and publish them. Thanks for the family anecdote.
***** in context of the show its a nickname. And I have worked with a few Irish that never minded paddy as much as being called mick that one got me a threat of having my head punched in. 😉
Hearing John Tams perform this song, and seeing his wonderful performances as Daniel Hagman in the Sharpe stories is one of those things that make the series truly special. Hearing John perform it like this, in front of a live audience does bring a tear to my eye. Thank you John for Daniel Hagman, and thank you for this timeless rendition - it has made the song new again to millions who would never otherwise have heard it.
And I'm one of the millions who would never otherwise have heard it. It moves me to tears every time I listen to it. Thank you for posting it, and thank you, John Tams.
My childhood was blessed by listening to him sing and act, happy memories of been on the sofa with my family watching Sharpe. Its where I found my love of history
Theres always a few in a unit who can sing and know when to and of what. Morale and thoughts of home. Sharpe worked because each of the chosen men could have been real, they were a believable unit.
Reminds me of my father ....Joseph Henry Richards ....Sargent Grenadier Guards ...Western Desert , Italy , ....Gone for 24 years now .....miss him to this day ..... Taught me Discipline , Respect , and who I am.
As a German I heard this song for the first time in the tv series Sharpe and as an old soldier the lyrics are very close to my heart. The longing and love for the homeland and the duty to fulfill one's service.
I am an American soldier, retired but back on duty teaching firearms. My ancestors come from Northampton but came to the Colonies in 1740. My direct ancestor John Wesley Southard is on the roles at Valley Forge and was wounded at Yorktown. My line served in every war the U S had and I volunteered to go to Berlin in 1961. I had the opportunity to serve as an exchange soldier with the Greenjackets and as an Infantryman I was able to do several patrols with them along the Grunewald. I served in SE/Asia and many other locations for 24 years. I will always value the time spent with my Brit Brothers in Arms.
That was nice of you to write this Daniel,because my brother in law was a bandmaster with the Greenjackets when they served in Germany,and it once again reminds me how hard they to march to always be up at the front of any throes with the enemy . rgds
@@sand1e he would be too short, at least back then. If I remember right they all were rather tall muscled lads, Hagman (I mean Tams) is too slender and short of stature for a napoleonic grenadier
Indeed... SOLDIERS do not start or cause wars. that is solely the preserve of POLITICIANS , ( Who usually do not have to fight in them.... There are a few exceptions though)
He should sing this at the Albert Hall Remembrance Service dressed as a Chosen man there would not be a dry eye in the house or in the country, although it is an old folk tune, he has made it his, and he sings it with such passion and conviction he makes us all proud to be have walked the walk wearing the Queens uniform
Richard Sharpe: Gimme a pick-lock, Cooper. Cooper: Pick-lock, sir? Catch me with a pick-lock! Patrick Harper: They did, Coop. But when you got out of Newgate prison, you got another set, and that's the one the officer wants. Cooper: Do I get it back, sir? Richard Sharpe: Trust me. Cooper: It's very hard to trust a man who wants to borrow your pick-lock, sir. Brilliant line
In the same way that Obi Wan became far more powerful when Darth Vader killed him, I choose to believe that Hagman and Harris ascended to some higher plane on 18th June 1815
My eternal respect & love to my Southern Irish Grandfather Private Michael Quinn, late of the Connaught Rangers; served the British Empire WWI; Inter-War Colonial Policing & WWII. I hope I die making you proud of me😇😇😇😇
Listening to this man singing is like going back in a time machine to the Peninsular War as his voice fits so perfectlyhe sounds like a real soldier of the time singing!!
It is a very moving piece of song, but it was originally written by British Recruiters for the napoleonic wars that's why it mentions "40 shillings on the drum" why was the payment given to soldiers on signing up and why it glorifies war, which is definitely not what war should be viewed as or what Remembrance Day should stand for I think.
No, it does not glorify war, it puts war in it's place.... it was written for wars long before the Napoleonic Wars... it's origins are deep in the 18th century with queen Ann... The lyrics that John sings are updated... what you are looking for definitively is the song from the Ceylon Wars of the late 18th century... which used many Irish volunteers, Johnny I hardly knew ya!! th-cam.com/video/Yg_rf2d894k/w-d-xo.html
I am Canadian proud to be subject of Queen Elizabeth II Queen of Canada. My young patriotism was British Imperialism because a lot of us thought of it as Our Empire. We were part of it not just subject to it but full possessors of it. This made us no less Canadian just the best part of the Empire. My ancestors were American colonists that fought for King George. People we called loyalists and heroes and the Traitor Rebels called Tories and traitors. I still feel an affinity to Our mother the UK even if she does seem to forget us more and more. I am although politically quite leftwing a monarchist because of the fact that democratic constitutional monarchies are quite arguably more often good places to live than republics. These songs sing to me three my family history and make my heart soar.
Indeed, as one of your Prime Ministers said, the British Empire did not stop at the White Cliffs of Dover! It was our Empire, good and bad. The World owes it a debt that cannot be paid by money for stopping Louis 14th, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm and Hitler in their tracks!
Hagman was played by the guy who's currently singing...John Tams,not only did he sing the theme music for the Sharpe series,but he also sings a version of Over the hills and far away IN as his character Daniel Hagman.
That was '' trooper'' Hagmans remedy to every ailment his oppoes suffered . He was the original battalion medic as well as being a '' chosen man'' Believe he ended up as a Sgt: before he was slotted. To this day soldiers promoted from the ranks , as """ Ruperts""" / after being gazetted are still referred to , not as L.E.O.s' but as SHARPIES.
My Grandfather, wounded in Flanders. My Great umcle, missing, presumed dead at Ypres, my Great Uncle died of wounds in the Dardanelles. My uncle wounded in Italy and probably not the end of the list. They fought for their mates, their families and their duty. Not much about King and Country from what I recall from those who came home.
@@adamcarreras-neal4697 I come from a military family - at least five generations. We were all loyal to King/Queen and Country, but on the battlefield we fought not for anything but our lives and the lives of our pals. Fighting for one's country is more a myth than reality; and pride in one's unit meant so much more. At the end of the day, it comes down to self preservation. If and when you get through, you can still honour the monarchy, but they're not the ones to send you to war!
In this the 100th.anniversary of the Great War,I am reminded of my uncle Jonathan who went over the hills and far away and never returned,he`s over there still and no one knows where.God Bless you Jonny
Both my Granddads came back, one left a hand at Gallipoli. The other won the MM, but claimed he found it in a tin of bully beef. Neither talked about it.
In a world that makes no sense anymore the simplicity and heroism of Hagman, Paddy, Harris and Richard Sharpe made some kind of sense to me. The love that these guys had for each other transcended everything. I’d have been proud to have served alongside Daniel. John Tams was simply magnificent in that show and he continues to be magnificent at what he does now that it has finished. Seam B has been very good since but he WAS Richard Sharpe. This is what it means to be British
If you get a moment, please share with friends on Facebook etc - with over 70,000 hits, I reckon we can give John Tams a nice present of 100,000 by Christmas. Thanks
im a 30 year old heavily tattooed metal head but every single time i hear John Tams sing it has me crying like a baby! the guy is an amazing talent & his music means more to me than nearly any other!
This brings a tear to my eye for all those who have fought for their country. It describes every enlisted, or even chosen man. It puts me in mind of Mark Knopfler's 'Brothers In Arms', which has the same effect.
By all accounts John Tams is a bit of an old-school "working man" lefty (no bad thing in my book). The lyrics to the song's chorus are traditional, so he couldn't change them. Loyalty to your fellow men and comrades above all seemed to be the drive behind most of Tams' "Hagman" songs. :)
Frenchman here, same. Sharpe was never broadcaast in France for obvious reasons (French soldiers are basically as dumb as Star Wars stormtroopers in the show except when shooting Spaniards) and I just discovered this fantastic series last month (thank you TH-cam!). But boy is it a jewel. John Tams is one of the best and best fleshed-out character's I've ever seen
you are the first French person i have ever heard saying anything like a thank you , most French just hate the English. somewhere in France there is a little piece that will be always English as long as my uncle lies there, don't know where exactly but 2.5 meters of it is English.
Dam near all of 'France' is bloody English, the men who fought and died there got fucked by the Pope. We should never have backed down there or any time else.
My father enlisted into the 95th in June 1939. He spent 30 years in the British Army and was R.S.M for the 95th, the 60th and at The Rifle Brigade Depot in Winchester. Commissioned in 1959 he ended his time with the rank of Major. A true rifleman. "Swift and Bold"
"Look after one another!" As touching as this song is, and as much as I liked it (and still do), whenever I heard John singing it in the "Sharpe's Rifles" episodes: His final words are the REAL message ...
@@luketimewalker Somewhat reluctantly. I think like me he respected his motives but was questioning his actions. But Hagman is that classic old NCO of the unit, no screaming RSM, but the old man they all look up too.
@@TheGroundedAviator I was shocked at first too, but in the end Truman was right. I shudder at the thought that captains and above really treated men worse than cattle as is portrayed in the show...
@@luketimewalker The worst usually got killed by their own men. I know at least one story of an RSM "disappearing" one night on a troopship. Truman was right about some stuff and tricked about others, despite being a gruff worker I can get uneasy about such actions. Stanwyck was ironically the decent one with Parfitt being not just a robber baron, but also a hypocrite as he was abusing the very people he came from.
I have loved this song from when I first heard it when I was 11 on Sharpe. I love traditional music and would love to hear more traditional military or folk music from England. I've explored and enjoyed and learned my native Scottish music and listened to lot a lot of Irish music but find it hard to find English music its generally a song for a region rather than the country when I have encountered English folk/traditional music. But I have to say I do adore Jerusalem .
Here's forty shillings on the drum To those who volunteer to come, To 'list and fight the foe today Over the Hills and far away. O'er the hills and o'er the main Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain. King George commands and we obey Over the hills and far away. Then fall in lads behind the drum With colours blazing like the sun. Along the road to come what may Over the hills and far away. O'er the hills and o'er the main Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain. King George commands and we obey Over the hills and far away. When duty calls me I must go To stand and face another foe But part of me will always stray Over the hills and far away O'er the hills and o'er the main Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain. King George commands and we obey Over the hills and far away. If I should fall to rise no more As many comrades did before Then ask the fifes and drums to play Over the hills and far away O'er the hills and o'er the main Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain. King George commands and we obey Over the hills and far away. Here's forty shillings on the drum For those who volunteer to come, To 'list and fight the foe today Over the Hills and far away O'er the hills and o'er the main Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain. King George commands and we obey Over the hills and far away.
Interesting to see so many people here getting excited (and sometimes unpleasantly so) about the rights and wrongs of various wars. This is just a brilliant song about the experience of being a soldier, it's sad and stirring just like war. War is a method for powerful people to crap on weak people (soldiers and increasingly civilians) to serve their own greed and vanity. It's very rare for ordinary citizens to demand spontaneously that their government allow them go and fight battles in other countries (it's not uncommon for them to be manipulated into doing so)
With 70 decades under my belt, I can appreciate what your saying... I would find it difficult to believe it that you were under 30.. Peace and long life...
I AM ARGENTINIAN AND VERY PROUD OF IT BUT THIS SONG IS THE FEELLING OF A SOLDIER WHO LOVES HIS COUNTRY AND TOUHG I M NOT A MONARCHIST, I UNDERSTAND WHY THE BRITISH SOLDIERS FOUGHT AND DIED SO BRAVELY TRIYING TO TAKE BUENOS AIRES IN YEARS 1806-07
GUSTAVO ALEJANDRO JOSE SCAVUZZO I hate your current politics in place, but I am extremely fond of the words you have written.. The power of the internet have brought together two like minded people in you and me and I can completely agree with your original sentiments.
@@callumbush1 theres a time and a place, and this thread ain't it. Soldiers are all brothers in arms directed by the cowards, no matter what side they are on
This song and the man who sings it are a major part of the reasons why the Sharpe series was so brilliant. And he was a perfect actor in the role of Hagman as well.
I hate that they killed him in the last episode.
@@animerlon I agree, it just busted my heart into shards. That's why as a writer, I can't kill favored characters.... probably not a good thing.... but dang.... Hagman had made it through so damn much with Sharpe.... it tore me up... I actually sobbed like a baby.
@@LadyDragonsblood Me too. I can handle endings that aren't all happily ever after but i found this one to be unnecessarily cruel. After singing about being far away for so long, he deserved to go home.
He was my favorite character
@@animerlon Me too
My 3x Great Grandfather was in the 95th Rifles and fought in the Peninsula wars through Spain, France and at Waterloo. The night before the battle, he was skirmishing against French troops and during the battle. I have a transcript of his journal that he kept through all of this time. Wellington asked that a comrade who took part in the battle with him be chosen to be his sideman during the dinner celebrating the 25th anniversary....My GGG Grandfather was that man. So proud of my family.
You should make some vids reading the transcripts for us all👍👍
that is incredible
yeah I would love to hear or read some of those transcripts. I wonder if they could be put on-line somehow or maybe you can tidy them up and publish them. Thanks for the family anecdote.
@@kennethmeyer2329 oh man me too! I am watching SHARPE yet again
That's ridiculously cool. Wow.
John Tams will always be Hagman, chosen man of the 95th rifles.
to bloody right he will. after paddy he was my favourite character.
***** in context of the show its a nickname. And I have worked with a few Irish that never minded paddy as much as being called mick that one got me a threat of having my head punched in. 😉
+MxTwitch oh I fully agree mate I have never gone up to a random Irish peraon and called them it.
Big Loaf
This song will always belong to Mr Tams no matter who sings it.
R Crowes Harper's firstname was Patrick, so he's Pat or Paddy!
that man is not singing ...........he is living it,fantastic history and pride,thankyou
He is one of the best singers the UK has ever produced but almost unknown except for playing Hagman in Sharp. He has done some awesome songs.
This has to be one of the most powerful, evocative songs ever. John Tams has made it his own.
Hagman and his best brown paper and paraffin oil. Epic tune by an epic man.
Hangman was a kind man.
Sir, best brown paper and paraffin, for your wound.
it's actually Bess Brown paper
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Bess
Always liked his singing in Sharpe. Shame he died at Waterloo…… lovely to hear this, amazing. 👍🍻
Hearing John Tams perform this song, and seeing his wonderful performances as Daniel Hagman in the Sharpe stories is one of those things that make the series truly special. Hearing John perform it like this, in front of a live audience does bring a tear to my eye. Thank you John for Daniel Hagman, and thank you for this timeless rendition - it has made the song new again to millions who would never otherwise have heard it.
As a Green Jacket, this man is one of us
I just run across sharpes series three weeks ago and I agree with your comment
And I'm one of the millions who would never otherwise have heard it. It moves me to tears every time I listen to it. Thank you for posting it, and thank you, John Tams.
My childhood was blessed by listening to him sing and act, happy memories of been on the sofa with my family watching Sharpe. Its where I found my love of history
John Tams took a old folk tune and made his own. His voice is still stunning, very beautiful and moving.
I love that much of the perfomances come across as 'live' on the set with no studio effects added. overall an amazing production for a TV budget.
Theres always a few in a unit who can sing and know when to and of what. Morale and thoughts of home. Sharpe worked because each of the chosen men could have been real, they were a believable unit.
Just ran across Sharpe during lockdown. What a wonderful series! And this guy is a big part of its appeal.
For my great uncles of the Seaforth Highlanders who both died during WW1. Lest we forget your sacrifice. Sleep peacefully, god bless.
Sadly i bet they wouldn’t have fought for the breakdown of nation states, culture and our heritage.
One of the best television series ever written - Sharpe and Patrick and all the chosen men - fond memories ❤️🇮🇱🇬🇧
When Hagman died, my heart broke.
Same
Same but Perkin’s death hit different
I binged that whole series in like 2 days and I was pissed the Sharp didn't kill that prince
He didn't die. He had his best brown paper and paraffin oil.
Yeah
Reminds me of my father ....Joseph Henry Richards ....Sargent Grenadier Guards ...Western Desert , Italy , ....Gone for 24 years now .....miss him to this day ..... Taught me Discipline , Respect , and who I am.
As a German I heard this song for the first time in the tv series Sharpe and as an old soldier the lyrics are very close to my heart. The longing and love for the homeland and the duty to fulfill one's service.
Depends what army and service
RUBBISH@@sgfitnessuk413
Your longing is for nonsense instead of love and peace where ALL life forms on this planet are loved and respected.
This was in Sharpe. That is the actor who played Hagman and sung the song.
I am an American soldier, retired but back on duty teaching firearms. My ancestors come from Northampton but came to the Colonies in 1740. My direct ancestor John Wesley Southard is on the roles at Valley Forge and was wounded at Yorktown. My line served in every war the U S had and I volunteered to go to Berlin in 1961. I had the opportunity to serve as an exchange soldier with the Greenjackets and as an Infantryman I was able to do several patrols with them along the Grunewald. I served in SE/Asia and many other locations for 24 years. I will always value the time spent with my Brit Brothers in Arms.
Thank you, whoever you are.
Thank you so much again
That was nice of you to write this Daniel,because my brother in law was a bandmaster with the Greenjackets when they served in Germany,and it once again reminds me how hard they to march to always be up at the front of any throes with the enemy . rgds
Remember the Green Jackets began as Americans from New York. :-)
1st Battalion Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters (1WFR) here always like working the the Yanks !
Thank you John Tams, for immortalising 'Over the hills and far away', and the men of the PBI, the Poor British Infantry of King George's day.
I'm an American that loves history, especially the Napoleonic wars(obviously). I must say, I fucking love this song, even slowed down.
Your country has little history and very little to be proud off.
@@jamessim1858 fully aware, don’t see the reason to remind me here though lol
@@TheCameron4life There is always one idiot. And as a Brit I apologize for him.
@@jamessim1858 tbf a side proxy conflict of the Napoleonic wars happened in north America: The war of 1812
Hagman's songs at the end were always so great, just pulled the entire thing together. Long live Sharpe and his Chosen Men
Daniel hagman,chosen man,95th rifles,best shot from the company and best there ever will be.
agreed
No french musket can penetrate that mustache
It's why they shot im in the back.
Ass holes i cried on that scene
Looks like Hagman seceretly wanted to be a Grenadier of the Old Guard with that 'stache
Lol
@@sand1e he would be too short, at least back then. If I remember right they all were rather tall muscled lads, Hagman (I mean Tams) is too slender and short of stature for a napoleonic grenadier
Forget the politics my fellow men, soldiers die on both side of war, lest we forget. R.I.P the fallen.
Indeed... SOLDIERS do not start or cause wars. that is solely the preserve of POLITICIANS , ( Who usually do not have to fight in them.... There are a few exceptions though)
Tim Maddicks
The Lottery of Life, and the Democracy of Death - Waterloo
Tim Maddocks No more brother wars.
@@jewelcitizen2567 No more
Thirty years later and, Dan is still the hardest death to handle on, Sharpe. Thank you, John
And Harris...dont forget Harris...both had gone through so much both deserved to go home...
@@mottthehoople693 and without the real private Harris surviving, we'd never had Sharpe
Him and Harris was a gutter. The defence of la hay saint.
He should sing this at the Albert Hall Remembrance Service dressed as a Chosen man there would not be a dry eye in the house or in the country, although it is an old folk tune, he has made it his, and he sings it with such passion and conviction he makes us all proud to be have walked the walk wearing the Queens uniform
One word amen brother
Thats for sure. Bought the song right up to mean so much in the present day.
he changed the song you know that right
Just thinking about it brought tears to my eyes.
I hope someone with the power to do so makes this a reality
All British Soldiers should learn this as their "un-official" song of the British Army. Change King George to Queen Bess.
I think that it tends to get changed to "the king/queen commands and we obey"
Well there is the "Queen Anne" version that this is somewhat based on.th-cam.com/video/7bs07OvqXp4/w-d-xo.html
Damn right
Sure
Why queen Bess? Wouldnt it be queen liz?
Richard Sharpe:
Gimme a pick-lock, Cooper.
Cooper:
Pick-lock, sir? Catch me with a pick-lock!
Patrick Harper:
They did, Coop. But when you got out of Newgate prison, you got another set, and that's the one the officer wants.
Cooper:
Do I get it back, sir?
Richard Sharpe:
Trust me.
Cooper:
It's very hard to trust a man who wants to borrow your pick-lock, sir.
Brilliant line
Agree. It’s almost throwaway, but it’s an epic. Thought that last night, whilst watching it.
John Tams great entertainment from a true Chosen Man. Thank you John.
John Tams is great , I nearly cried when Hagman and Harris got killed in Sharpe at the battle of Waterloo
In the same way that Obi Wan became far more powerful when Darth Vader killed him, I choose to believe that Hagman and Harris ascended to some higher plane on 18th June 1815
@@chrisp4170 I have rewritten in my brain - they didn't die - just badly wounded - were found and saved.
My eternal respect & love to my Southern Irish Grandfather Private Michael Quinn, late of the Connaught Rangers; served the British Empire WWI; Inter-War Colonial Policing & WWII. I hope I die making you proud of me😇😇😇😇
@@CaptainKarate Greatest respect for him.
Listening to this man singing is like going back in a time machine to the Peninsular War as his voice fits so perfectlyhe sounds like a real soldier of the time singing!!
28 of my family died at Waterloo.
Does anyone know if John Tams .made a recording .of his songs from the serious tv made Sharp
Wonderful... proud to be British.
+Alan Noorkoiv love thee british culture!
+Alan Noorkoiv Proud to be an English speaking man.
its amazing how a simple song can create so much thought and emotion. A man much have felt immortal, after hearing this.
God save the King
Proud to be American just wish we were imperialistic *John Sousa: Stars and Stripes Forever earrape plays*
It’s now the regimental song of the Rifles
Bloody Legend he should sing this on Rememberance day at the Cenotaph! OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY!
YOU WOULD HEAR MEN CRYING FOR MILES! GOD BLESS!
It is a very moving piece of song, but it was originally written by British Recruiters for the napoleonic wars that's why it mentions "40 shillings on the drum" why was the payment given to soldiers on signing up and why it glorifies war, which is definitely not what war should be viewed as or what Remembrance Day should stand for I think.
No, it does not glorify war, it puts war in it's place.... it was written for wars long before the Napoleonic Wars... it's origins are deep in the 18th century with queen Ann... The lyrics that John sings are updated...
what you are looking for definitively is the song from the Ceylon Wars of the late 18th century... which used many Irish volunteers, Johnny I hardly knew ya!! th-cam.com/video/Yg_rf2d894k/w-d-xo.html
Thats for sure. Such a haunting song with so much feeling.
I'm crying now
I am Canadian proud to be subject of Queen Elizabeth II Queen of Canada. My young patriotism was British Imperialism because a lot of us thought of it as Our Empire. We were part of it not just subject to it but full possessors of it. This made us no less Canadian just the best part of the Empire. My ancestors were American colonists that fought for King George. People we called loyalists and heroes and the Traitor Rebels called Tories and traitors. I still feel an affinity to Our mother the UK even if she does seem to forget us more and more. I am although politically quite leftwing a monarchist because of the fact that democratic constitutional monarchies are quite arguably more often good places to live than republics. These songs sing to me three my family history and make my heart soar.
Indeed, as one of your Prime Ministers said, the British Empire did not stop at the White Cliffs of Dover! It was our Empire, good and bad. The World owes it a debt that cannot be paid by money for stopping Louis 14th, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm and Hitler in their tracks!
Hagman, one of the chosen men of the 95th Rifles.who always sang so beautifully "Over The Hills & Far Away"
Hagman was played by John Sams.
Hagman was played by the guy who's currently singing...John Tams,not only did he sing the theme music for the Sharpe series,but he also sings a version of Over the hills and far away IN as his character Daniel Hagman.
Dont forget his best brown paper and paraffin oil!
Along with a poultice of spiders' webs and moss to stop a wound going bad, according to the books. :)
That was '' trooper'' Hagmans remedy to every ailment his oppoes suffered . He was the original battalion medic as well as being a '' chosen man'' Believe he ended up as a Sgt: before he was slotted.
To this day soldiers promoted from the ranks , as """ Ruperts""" / after being gazetted are still referred to , not as L.E.O.s' but as SHARPIES.
This is England!, keeping these old songs alive, reminding us of the past. 🙂
This is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland..And I don't t know why Northern Ireland is shingled out. We are all one.
Absolutely bloody brilliant one of the best tunes ever a great singer and a great actor
I absolutely love this song and love Sharpe. One of my favourite all time series to watch over and over again.
My Grandfather, wounded in Flanders. My Great umcle, missing, presumed dead at Ypres, my Great Uncle died of wounds in the Dardanelles. My uncle wounded in Italy and probably not the end of the list. They fought for their mates, their families and their duty. Not much about King and Country from what I recall from those who came home.
that's true for most enlisted privates in any army.
Spot on.
@@adamcarreras-neal4697 I come from a military family - at least five generations. We were all loyal to King/Queen and Country, but on the battlefield we fought not for anything but our lives and the lives of our pals. Fighting for one's country is more a myth than reality; and pride in one's unit meant so much more. At the end of the day, it comes down to self preservation. If and when you get through, you can still honour the monarchy, but they're not the ones to send you to war!
I love how he encourages the audience to join him, shows his true character!
In this the 100th.anniversary of the Great War,I am reminded of my uncle Jonathan who went over the hills and far away and never returned,he`s over there still and no one knows where.God Bless you Jonny
Amen to that, and all the tommies who never came home,
Both my Granddads came back, one left a hand at Gallipoli. The other won the MM, but claimed he found it in a tin of bully beef. Neither talked about it.
My greart uncleTom lies in Connaught cemetery@@systemdry
If I should fall to rise no more,
As many comrades did before,
Then ask the fifes and drums to play.
Over the hills and far away.
@@systemdry that is so striking
John Tams is an inspirational singer and actor!
This sends shivers down my spine. One of Sharpes chosen men.
Swift and bold legends that are the royal green jackets.. god save the queen
Ian Carey now The Rifles, Swift and Bold!
Greetings from a former German Rifleman
This song always moves me to tears no matter what version I hear. Some of you might know why
I saw this at Shrewsbury this year, Truly, truly amazing. It left me in tears. The power of John Tam's rendition is truly astonishing.
In a world that makes no sense anymore the simplicity and heroism of Hagman, Paddy, Harris and Richard Sharpe made some kind of sense to me. The love that these guys had for each other transcended everything. I’d have been proud to have served alongside Daniel. John Tams was simply magnificent in that show and he continues to be magnificent at what he does now that it has finished. Seam B has been very good since but he WAS Richard Sharpe.
This is what it means to be British
Well said. I will serve with you with you, with honour.
If you get a moment, please share with friends on Facebook etc - with over 70,000 hits, I reckon we can give John Tams a nice present of 100,000 by Christmas. Thanks
What an absolutely brilliant rendition of this ballad, I wish I had been there!
Started watching Sharpe recently - have this song in my head every morning when I wake up now :)
Perfect, this man's voice perfectly embodied the life that lives within the lines of the song.
Bless him. Good that the lads of Wellington's Army are not forgotten.
Fall in behind the drum!
I've not got a tear in my eye, honest. Awesome. Long live the 95, rifles.
A great performer with excellent intuitive expression. It would be good to see him perform at the Battle Proms...anyone listening?
Kind sir, years later you’ve brought a man to tears. I’m from hills far away but yet I feel this tune thank you
im a 30 year old heavily tattooed metal head but every single time i hear John Tams sing it has me crying like a baby! the guy is an amazing talent & his music means more to me than nearly any other!
It's not that. It's the song that encapsulates all of our ancestors sacrifices in times of war......very emotional if you're a true Brit
@@seanmccann3550 the reason it means so much to me is the connection it has to my dad.
Замечательно !!!! A magnificent performance!
This brings a tear to my eye for all those who have fought for their country. It describes every enlisted, or even chosen man. It puts me in mind of Mark Knopfler's 'Brothers In Arms', which has the same effect.
Sharpe's chosen man 👍
Such Glorious Soul of Loyalty He puts into this anthem ballad!
By all accounts John Tams is a bit of an old-school "working man" lefty (no bad thing in my book). The lyrics to the song's chorus are traditional, so he couldn't change them. Loyalty to your fellow men and comrades above all seemed to be the drive behind most of Tams' "Hagman" songs. :)
Makes one so proud to be British!
Now look at the state of our beloved Country with Illegal Immigrants !
Even as a dane, I cry my eyes out whenever i hear this song. The dedication and self-sacrifice is inspiring beyond belief.
Frenchman here, same. Sharpe was never broadcaast in France for obvious reasons (French soldiers are basically as dumb as Star Wars stormtroopers in the show except when shooting Spaniards) and I just discovered this fantastic series last month (thank you TH-cam!).
But boy is it a jewel. John Tams is one of the best and best fleshed-out character's I've ever seen
So true friend and listening to it after a few beers does not help the tear ducts.
I've only started Watching Sharpe (Yeah where the bugger have i been) my favorite episode has to be Sharpe's Enemy.
The best and the saddest episode.
Mines was a toss between sharpes regiment and sharpes eagle
Wonder if anyone else knows that this was originally a marching tune, when sang at the right speed, it'd keep everyones timing just right!
John Tams is a damn legend, hands down!
Wonderful singer is John Tams. beautiful song.
strange that war brings unlikely people together and makes bonds stronger
you are the first French person i have ever heard saying anything like a thank you , most French just hate the English. somewhere in France there is a little piece that will be always English as long as my uncle lies there, don't know where exactly but 2.5 meters of it is English.
Dam near all of 'France' is bloody English, the men who fought and died there got fucked by the Pope. We should never have backed down there or any time else.
My father enlisted into the 95th in June 1939. He spent 30 years in the British Army and was R.S.M for the 95th, the 60th and at The Rifle Brigade Depot in Winchester. Commissioned in 1959 he ended his time with the rank of Major. A true rifleman. "Swift and Bold"
Fantastic.A true soldier.🇬🇧
I love his voice. It is so unique and beautiful.
"Look after one another!"
As touching as this song is, and as much as I liked it (and still do), whenever I heard John singing it in the "Sharpe's Rifles" episodes: His final words are the REAL message ...
And the fact he is encouraging the audience to join in shows his true character, as Hagman he was expressing himself.
@@TheGroundedAviator Very true
Didn't you love how he joined Sharpe's brother ?
@@luketimewalker Somewhat reluctantly. I think like me he respected his motives but was questioning his actions. But Hagman is that classic old NCO of the unit, no screaming RSM, but the old man they all look up too.
@@TheGroundedAviator I was shocked at first too, but in the end Truman was right. I shudder at the thought that captains and above really treated men worse than cattle as is portrayed in the show...
@@luketimewalker The worst usually got killed by their own men. I know at least one story of an RSM "disappearing" one night on a troopship.
Truman was right about some stuff and tricked about others, despite being a gruff worker I can get uneasy about such actions. Stanwyck was ironically the decent one with Parfitt being not just a robber baron, but also a hypocrite as he was abusing the very people he came from.
Man, he is having to pull the chorus out of that audience... If I'd been there I'd be belting it out.
So would I
@@martinscott9571 I saw him in Holmefirth and sung my bloody head off
To be fair, he has a hard rhythm to follow.
I was at this concert. It was fantastic
Audiences always sing slowly. It's not that they don't want to sing. They are probably singing as loud as they can - they just are waiting to be led.
I have loved this song from when I first heard it when I was 11 on Sharpe. I love traditional music and would love to hear more traditional military or folk music from England. I've explored and enjoyed and learned my native Scottish music and listened to lot a lot of Irish music but find it hard to find English music its generally a song for a region rather than the country when I have encountered English folk/traditional music. But I have to say I do adore Jerusalem .
Kristine Lawrie .
Try the ' Proms' and just rake around in here.
Easy, just type in ' the proms 2018,' you may find what you want :-))
Brings a tear to the eye, what’s happened to our once proud nation 🇬🇧
Thank you John for your contribution.
It does 😪
As a descendant of United Empire Loyalists, I wonder the same!
The left, self hating, miserable people, that`s what happened.
I hate to be the one to tell you but english common folk suffered more than they do now. It does suck now though as well you are correct.
We must keep on fighting for our great country even if we have to shed more of our blood 🩸
makes you remember your british brings a lump too the throat
love this song from a proud ulsterman
I could listen to this all day.. John Tams = Legend
PBI doesn't refer to 'British'; it's 'Poor Bloody Infantry'. It's universal.
Onthis 75th Anniversary of D Day I want to say I love you my British Brothers. Out here.
Hangman’s death hit me hard :( a kind soul in a brutal conflict
Superb voice John Tams let's have more chosen man
The Rifles are the original special forces long before the SAS and Commandos
By God, I love John Tams' voice!
Simply wonderful!
❤️ 🙏 ♾️ 🇬🇧 🏴
As someone who grew up watching Sharpe and as a boy with his grandmother this brings a tear to my eye
Here's forty shillings on the drum
To those who volunteer to come,
To 'list and fight the foe today
Over the Hills and far away.
O'er the hills and o'er the main
Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain.
King George commands and we obey
Over the hills and far away.
Then fall in lads behind the drum
With colours blazing like the sun.
Along the road to come what may
Over the hills and far away.
O'er the hills and o'er the main
Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain.
King George commands and we obey
Over the hills and far away.
When duty calls me I must go
To stand and face another foe
But part of me will always stray
Over the hills and far away
O'er the hills and o'er the main
Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain.
King George commands and we obey
Over the hills and far away.
If I should fall to rise no more
As many comrades did before
Then ask the fifes and drums to play
Over the hills and far away
O'er the hills and o'er the main
Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain.
King George commands and we obey
Over the hills and far away.
Here's forty shillings on the drum
For those who volunteer to come,
To 'list and fight the foe today
Over the Hills and far away
O'er the hills and o'er the main
Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain.
King George commands and we obey
Over the hills and far away.
so annoyed I missed this live but glad that someone recorded it ..... awesome
Inspiring, of a time when us Brits had balls and took no shit from Europe. Oh to have our country back!
That, IMHO, is the definition of a minstrel.
Interesting to see so many people here getting excited (and sometimes unpleasantly so) about the rights and wrongs of various wars. This is just a brilliant song about the experience of being a soldier, it's sad and stirring just like war.
War is a method for powerful people to crap on weak people (soldiers and increasingly civilians) to serve their own greed and vanity. It's very rare for ordinary citizens to demand spontaneously that their government allow them go and fight battles in other countries (it's not uncommon for them to be manipulated into doing so)
With 70 decades under my belt, I can appreciate what your saying... I would find it difficult to believe it that you were under 30.. Peace and long life...
@@cro-magnongramps1738 whoa you're 700 !
just messing around with u
very true ;)
Thankee, Johnnie, God Bless Thee
One day, the World may have the misfortune to forget what an Englishman was. The English almost have already.
You are not wrong
Sadly the Englishman is all but gone, the last hero’s of WW2 are dwindling.
God bless him he's one of the reason I watched the sharp series xx still sing the song 🎵
Respect from Ireland, Keep your songs and music alive
I AM ARGENTINIAN AND VERY PROUD OF IT BUT THIS SONG IS THE FEELLING OF A SOLDIER WHO LOVES HIS COUNTRY AND TOUHG I M NOT A MONARCHIST, I UNDERSTAND WHY THE BRITISH SOLDIERS FOUGHT AND DIED SO BRAVELY TRIYING TO TAKE BUENOS AIRES IN YEARS 1806-07
GUSTAVO ALEJANDRO JOSE SCAVUZZO I hate your current politics in place, but I am extremely fond of the words you have written.. The power of the internet have brought together two like minded people in you and me and I can completely agree with your original sentiments.
DEAR FRIEND WHEN THE MEN BEGAN TO DIED IN BATTLE THERE IS NO CURRENT POLITICS ONLY DEAD
+GUSTAVO ALEJANDRO JOSE SCAVUZZO well said sir
The Falklands will forever be British!
@@callumbush1 theres a time and a place, and this thread ain't it. Soldiers are all brothers in arms directed by the cowards, no matter what side they are on
Chills and misty-eyed every time. Thank you, Mr Tams.
It's that "Look after one another" that gets me every time.
Most moving song ever: Sharpe is my Hero!
Don't care what anyone says this makes me proud to be British.
Oh I so wish I could hear John Tams live, in a concert, sing along with everyone, would so love that. to hear John Tams live. xo
Beautiful voice and great song. I love Sharpe so much, its my hero