His troopers, they were loyal His troopers, they were young They'd follow Allan Wilson to the setting of the sun They were hands from many lands, and many a distant shore They would follow Wilson—a soldier to the core
Up the Washangani, and down the other side Up the Washangani, where Allan Wilson died
The Matabele army was running to the north And Major Forbes would follow whit for all that he was worth But reaching the Shangani, Shangani River wide Sent Wilson and his men to scout over the other side
Up the Washangani, and down the other side Up the Washangani, where Allan Wilson died
Through green Makone Forest the Matabele fled The Yankee tracker Burnham said 'They can't be far ahead' But Wilson and his troopers were surrounded in the night Said Wilson to the volunteers: 'We will stand and fight'
Up the Washangani, and down the other side Up the Washangani, where Allan Wilson died
With horses in a circle, they sang "God Save the Queen" And thirty-four young troopers would never more be seen They killed ten times their number; they're on the honour roll So take your hat off slowly to the Shangani Patrol
Up the Washangani, and down the other side Up the Washangani, where Allan Wilson died