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Begone Dull Care!

The Regimental Quick March for the Corps is known as "The Royal Signals March". This march is based on the traditional airs "Begone Dull Care" and "Newcastle". The generally played version of this March was arranged by Lt. Col. C. H. Pike who was the Musical Director of the Royal Signals Band during the (we believe) 1960s.

The Regimental Slow March entitled "The Royal Signals Slow March, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal", was specially written for the Corps by Major(?) R R Ricketts, Musical Director of the Royal Signals Band from 1926 to 1939. It is usually referred to, by Military Musicians, simply as "H.R.H."

When a Corps Regimental March is played, officers and other ranks should remain still in whatever position they are at the time and should keep silent. When playing that March, the band should remain seated if already in that position.

We cannot trace this popular ditty beyond the reign of King James II of England, but we believe it to be older. The origin is to be found in an early French chanson. The present version has been taken down from the singing of an old Yorkshire yeoman. The third verse we have never seen in print but it is always sung in West Yorkshire.

Official Lyrics

Begone dull care!

I prithee begone from me;

Begone, dull care!

Thou and I can never agree.

Long while thou hast been tarrying here,

And fain thou wouldst me kill;

But i' faith, dull care,

Thou never shalt have thy will.

Too much care

Will make a young man grey;

Too much care