The Regimental Song

“Garryowen” came informally

into the Army between 1861

and 1866 as a quickstep, but

its use was first documented in

1867 when “Garryowen” was

adopted by the 7th US Cavalry

Regiment as the official Air

(tune) of the Regiment, and the

historical nickname given to the

7th Cavalry Regiment and

Troopers. As it is generally

portrayed, George Armstrong

Custer did not, himself, bring

the song to the regiment, but

Brevet Lieutenant Colonel (Captain) Myles W. Keogh and several other officers with ties to the Fifth

Royal Irish Lancers and the Papal Guard, two Irish regiments in the British Army, were believed to

be instrumental in bringing the air to the regiment.

The geographical area that provided the inspiration and the name of one of the most popular,

rollicking folk songs of Ireland is situated on the upward slope of a hill in Limerick County, near the

City of Limerick. Local traditions and folk lore have preserved the historical significance of the area

and the origin of its name “Garryowen”, a compounded word composed of two Irish words, which

means “Garden of Owen”.

The terrain features of Garryowen gave the loyal patrons of the garden a broad, commanding view of

the richly cultivated surrounding countryside, the old town of Limerick and the valley of the Shannon

River which gently washes the battered, fortified towers of King John’s castle which was constructed

in the late 1180’s to control traffic along the river. The cottage of Owen and surrounding plot of

ground soon became a favorite holiday resort with the near-by citizens of Limerick because the

atmosphere and accommodations were somewhat similar to those offered to the London mechanic

by the Battersea tea-gardens.

A review of Irish literature reveals that “Owen’s garden was a general rendezvous for those who

sought simple pleasure and amusement. The elderly drank together under the shade of trees and

the young played at ball, goal, or other athletic activities on the green; while a few lingered in the

near-by hedge-rows with their fair acquaintances. Owen’s garden was soon to became as famous for

scenes of strife as it was for mirth and humor; and broken arms, legs and heads became a staple

article of manufacture in the neighborhood.

“These new diversions were encouraged by a number of young people having a greater supply of

animal spirits than wisdom to control themselves. The young gentlemen being fond of wit, amused

themselves by having parties at night to wring the heads off all the geese, and tearing knockers off

the doors in the neighborhood. They sometimes suffered their genius to soar as high as the breaking

of a street lamp, and even resorting to the physical violence of a watchman. But, this type of joking

was found a little too serious to be repeated very frequently, for few achievements of so daring a

violence were documented in the records. They were obliged to content themselves with less

ambitious distinction of destroying the door knockers and store-locks, annoying the peace of the

neighborhood, with long continued assaults on the front doors, terrifying the quiet onlookers with

every species of insult and provocation, and indulging their fratricidal propensities against all the

geese in Garryowen.

“The fame of the ‘Garryowen Boys’ soon spread far and wide. Their deeds were celebrated by some

inglorious minstrel of the day in that melody which has, since, resounded over the world; and even

symbolically competed for national popularity with ‘St. Patrick’s Day’. A string of verses were

appended to the tune which soon enjoyed equal notoriety. The name of Garryowen was as well

known as that of the city of Limerick, itself, and Owen’s garden became almost a synonym for

Ireland.”

“Garryowen” is known to have been used by Irish regiments as a drinking song. As the story goes,

one of the Irish “melting pot” Troopers of the 7th Cavalry, under the influence of “spirits”, was singing

the song. By chance Custer heard the melody, liked the cadence, and soon began to hum the tune

himself. The tune has a lively beat, that accentuates the cadence of marching horses, and for that

reason was adopted as the regimental song soon after Custer arrived at Ft. Riley, Kansas to take

over command of the 7th Cavalry Regiment. It was the last song played for Custer’s men as they left

General Terry’s column at the Powder River and rode into history.

Over its history, continuing the Regimental legacy, the 7th Cavalry Regiment has formed 3

Garryowen Bagpipe and drum bands.

1954 – The 7th Cavalry Regiment BagPipe & Drum Band organized by SSG Robert J. Scroggie at

Camp Haugen, Japan. The Tartan had 7 colors: Dark Blue and Yellow of the US Cavalry; Light Blue

to signify the present day infantry role in the cavalry; Red for action; and White for honor along with

Green and Lavender.

1959 – The 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry formed a BagPipe and Drum Band, under

the guidance of LTC Roger Rawley and CPT John L. Lindgren. The original members were sent to a

British regiment, the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Wuppertal, where they were given

preliminary training by Irish pipers and drummers.

1963 – The 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Cavalry at Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt West

Germany.

Today units of the 7th Cavalry still use Bagpipers. As they march and play, we think of all of those

glorious memories of the past.

“Garryowen” has become undoubtedly the most famous of all the regimental marches in the Army. It

became the Official Song of the 1st Cavalry Division in 1981. During “First Team” ceremonies, at

Cooper Field, Fort Hood the song is not sung; however, it is customary for the song to be played at

the conclusion of the ceremonial activities and the guests stand and clap.

In closing out of the Gulf War and returning home to the United States, in 1991, the 1st Cavalry

Division the band joined in leading the whirlwind celebrations by parading down a dozen avenues of

Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Washington, DC and New York.

The visit to New York City was a tremendous welcome from the public, press and police. At Battery

Park, the parade formation turned into Broadway, which became a wide “red” carpet for the Band to

perform. There on Broadway, under a sunlit snowstorm of paper, the 1st Cavalry Division Band, lead

by Bandmaster SFC Gary Flake, took the Big Apple by storm when they played the swaggering

melody of the Division song, “Garryowen”.

Information compiled and composed by William H. Boudreau