Old King Cole

Old King Cole was in fact Coel Hen, an early King of Britain during the third century. Legend says that his daughter Elen is the same as St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great and finder of the True Cross.


note: I don't know why they spelled it "sole"--I would think it'd be spelled "soul." However, that's the way I found it, so don't blame me!

Now Old King Cole was a merry old sole and a merry old sole was he
He called for 'is pipe in the middle of the night and he called for his Gunners three.

Beer Beer Beer said the Gunners,
Merry merry men are we;
There's none so fair as can compare with the Royal Artillery.

Now Old King Cole was a merry old sole and a merry old sole was he
He called for 'is pipe in the middle of the night and he called for his Bombardiers three.

Bubble Line Level Line Bubble said the Bombardier
Beer Beer Beer said the Gunners,
Merry merry men are we;
There's none so fair as can compare with the Royal Artillery

Now Old King Cole was a merry old sole and a merry old sole was he
He called for 'is pipe in the middle of the night and he called for his Sergeants three

Move to the right in Threes said the Sergeant
Bubble Line Level Line Bubble said the Bombardier
Beer Beer Beer said the Gunners,
Merry merry men are we;
There's none so fair as can compare with the Royal Artillery

Now Old King Cole was a merry old sole and a merry old sole was he
He called for 'is pipe in the middle of the night and he called for his Sar-Majors three

Charge that man said the Sergeant Major
Move to the right in Threes said the Sergeant
Bubble Line Level Line Bubble said the Bombardier
Beer Beer Beer said the Gunners,
Merry merry men are we;
There's none so fair as can compare with the Royal Artillery

Now Old King Cole was a merry old sole and a merry old sole was he
He called for 'is pipe in the middle of the night and he called for his Subalterns three

I do all the work said the Subaltern
Charge that man said the Sergeant Major
Move to the right in Threes said the Sergeant
Bubble Line Level Line Bubble said the Bombardier
Beer Beer Beer said the Gunners,
Merry merry men are we;
There's none so fair as can compare with the Royal Artillery

Now Old King Cole was a merry old sole and a merry old sole was he
He called for 'is pipe in the middle of the night and he called for his Captains three.

When do I get my leave said the Captain
I do all the work said the Subaltern
Charge that man said the Sergeant Major
Move to the right in Threes said the Sergeant
Bubble Line Level Line Bubble said the Bombardier
Beer Beer Beer said the Gunners,
Merry merry men are we;
There's none so fair as can compare with the Royal Artillery

Now Old King Cole was a merry old sole and a merry old sole was he
He called for 'is pipe in the middle of the night and he called for his Majors three.

Where have you put my Guns said the Major?
When do I get my leave said the Captain
I do all the work said the Subaltern
Charge that man said the Sergeant Major
Move to the right in Threes said the Sergeant
Bubble Line Level Line Bubble said the Bombardier
Beer Beer Beer said the Gunners,
Merry merry men are we;
There's none so fair as can compare with the Royal Artillery

Now Old King Cole was a merry old sole and a merry old sole was he
He called for 'is pipe in the middle of the night and he called for his Colonels three.

Blah, Blah, Blah said the Colonel
Where have you put my Guns said the Major?
When do I get my leave said the Captain
I do all the work said the Subaltern
Charge that man said the Sergeant Major
Move to the right in Threes said the Sergeant
Bubble Line Level Line Bubble said the Bombardier
Beer Beer Beer said the Gunners,
Merry merry men are we;
There's none so fair as can compare with the Royal Artillery

Now Old King Cole was a merry old sole and a merry old sole was he
He called for 'is pipe in the middle of the night and he called for his Padres three.

God save our gracious Queen said the Padre
Blah, Blah, Blah said the Colonel
Where have you put my Guns said the Major?
When do I get my leave said the Captain
I do all the work said the Subaltern
Charge that man said the Sergeant Major
Move to the right in Threes said the Sergeant
Bubble Line Level Line Bubble said the Bombardier
Beer Beer Beer said the Gunners,
Merry merry men are we;
There's none so fair as can compare with the Royal Artillery.

(New Zealand Army)