See sir frederick ponsonby, commander of the 12th light dragoons
And general jacquinot reacts, the french can see we'll hold our own with smiles

Enter the fearsome lancers
Savage and terrifying, they pierce my flesh
Wounded in both my arms and
Out of control I plunge into the fray

Explore the limits of yourself
And ask yourself just how much can you take
When one can take abuse with smiles
Then he in turn may lead his men as sons

When I open up my eyes and try to lift myself out of the mud
Hear, "tu n'es pas mort, coquin?" and quickly followed by another blow

I feel the steel inside me
The pain is overwhelming and blinding
I taste the blood arising
My lung is pierced and soon I slip away

I once again awaken
So paralyzed, forsaken and alone
I'm robbed in empty pockets
A tirailleur will use me as a shield

Explore the limits of yourself
And ask yourself just how much can you take
When one can take abuse with smiles
Then he in turn may lead his men as sons