I Want to Be in the Cavalry, a Canadian folk song

Folk Songs

I Want to Be in the Cavalry
Canadian folk song
I Want to Be in the Cavalry is a popular song composed by Corb Lund and his Canadian folk-country band.

The song describes a young man's desire for heroism by enlisting in the cavalry. He very logically explains his reasons: He wants to continue the tradition of his forefathers who were in the cavalry; he wants to perform great deeds on a good steed that will "leave a good hoof beat." He affirms that he was not made to be a foot soldier, nor would he do well on a navy ship for he would become seasick and parched on the ocean waters.

The youth affirms his desire to leave home and carry out brave and noble deeds in the defense of family and country. It calls to mind that the ultimate heroism is the dedication of one's life to a noble ideal.

I Want to Be in the Cavalry is here interpreted by Seth Staton Watkins.

Listen to I Want to Be in the Cavalry

Lyrics:

Refrain:
I want to be in the cavalry
If they send me off to war
I want a good steed under me
Like my forefathers before
And I want a good mount when the bugle sounds
And I hear the cannons' roar
I want to be in the cavalry
If they send me off to war

1. I want a horse in the volunteer force
That's riding forth at dawn
Please save for me some gallantry
That will echo when I'm gone
And I beg of you sarge, let me lead the charge
When the battle lines are drawn
And let me at least leave a good hoof beat
They'll remember loud and long

2. I'm not a good foot soldier mate,
I'd be sour and slow at march
And I'd be sick on a navy ship,
And the sea would leave me parched
But I'll be first in line if you let me ride,
By God, you'll see my starch
Lope back o'er the heath with the laurel wreath
Underneath that vict'ry arch

Refrain

3. Let me earn my spurs in the battle's blur
Where the day is lost or won
And I'll wield my lance as the ponies dance
And the blackguards fire their guns
And a sabre keen, and a saddle carbine
And an army Remington
Where the hot lead screams with the cold, cold steel
Let me be a cavalryman

4. Let 'em play their flutes and stirrup my boots
And place them back to front
For I won't be back on the rider-less black
And I'm finished in my hunt
I want to be in the cavalry
If they send me off to war
Well I want to be in the cavalry,
But I won't ride home no more.

For the full PDF version, click here.

The Charge of the Three Kings (La Carga de Los Tres Reyes) by Augusto Ferrer-Dolmau, depicting the Battle of las Navas de Tolosa, one of the most important and victorious battles against the Muslims during the Spanish Reconquista