Follow the Colours (Elgar, Edward)

Movements/SectionsMov'ts/Sec's 1 (With spirit. In marching time)
Composition Year 1908 for soloist and optional male chorus, with orchestra/military band, in E-flat major
1914 republished (with minor changes) for soloist and optional male chorus with piano, in D major
Genre Categories Songs; For voice, piano; For voices with keyboard; Scores featuring the voice; Scores featuring the piano; For voice, male chorus, piano; For voices and chorus with keyboard; Scores featuring male chorus; English language; For wind band (arr); For orchestra without strings (arr); Scores featuring wind band (arr)

Contents

Performances

Recordings

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Synthesized/MIDI

Voice and Orchestra with Chorus (1908)

 Synthesized Performance
#1000405 - 0.13MB - 3:26 -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 1×⇩ - MID - P0mbal

MID file (audio/video)
P0mbal (2025/11/11)

Publisher Info. John Morrison, 2025
Performers MIDI
Copyright
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 [tag/del]
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Voice and Piano with Male Chorus (1914)

 Synthesized Performance
#1000406 - 0.02MB - 3:58 -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 0×⇩ - MID - P0mbal

MID file (audio/video)
P0mbal (2025/11/11)

Publisher Info. John Morrison, 2025
Performers MIDI
Copyright
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 [tag/del]
Misc. Notes Vocal Score, key D
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Sheet Music

Scores

Voice and Orchestra with Male Chorus (1908)

 Complete Score
#582808 - 22.78MB, 14 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 20×⇩ - P0mbal

PDF scanned by Worshipful Comp...
P0mbal (2019/7/26)

Publisher. Info. Manuscript, 1908.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del]
Misc. Notes By permission of The Worshipful Company of Musicians. Autograph score dated May 21, 1908. Titled just "Marching Song" before being given its name "Follow the Colours" from the words of the song. Presented to The Worshipful Company of Musicians June 14 1910.
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 Complete Score
#689571 - 2.28MB, 14 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 12×⇩ - M.kowalski49

PDF scanned by Unknown
M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

Publisher. Info. Manuscript, 1908.
Reprinted New York: E.F. Kalmus, n.d.(1933–70). Catalog A5619.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del]
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 Complete Score
#589602 - 0.50MB, 13 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 171×⇩ - P0mbal

PDF typeset by editor
P0mbal (2019/9/13)

Editor John Morrison
Publisher. Info. John Morrison, 2019
Copyright
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 [tag/del]
Misc. Notes Transcribed from composer's 1908 ms.
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Voice and Piano with Male Chorus (1914)

 Complete Score
#554736 - 2.90MB, 7 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 33×⇩ - P0mbal

PDF scanned by p0mbal
P0mbal (2018/12/30)

Editor First edition
Publisher. Info. London: Novello & Co.,Ltd., 1914. Plate 14154.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del]
Misc. Notes Title page missing.
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Parts

Voice and Orchestra with Male Chorus (1908)

 Flute 1/2
#689557 - 0.16MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 7×⇩ - M.kowalski49

PDF scanned by Unknown
M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

⇒ 13 more: Oboe 1/2 • Clarinet 1/2 (B♭) • Bassoon 1/2, Contrabassoon • Horn 1/2, 3/4 (F) • Trumpet 1/2 (B♭) • Trombone 1/2, Trombone 3, Tuba • Timpani • Bass Drum/Cymbals/Triangle • Violins I • Violins II • Violas • Cellos • Basses

 Oboe 1/2
#689558 - 0.14MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 7×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Clarinet 1/2 (B♭)
#689559 - 0.16MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 6×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Bassoon 1/2, Contrabassoon
#689560 - 0.20MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 6×⇩ - M.kowalski49

PDF scanned by Unknown
M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Horn 1/2, 3/4 (F)
#689561 - 0.26MB, 4 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 6×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Trumpet 1/2 (B♭)
#689562 - 0.09MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 6×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Trombone 1/2, Trombone 3, Tuba
#689563 - 0.25MB, 4 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 6×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Timpani
#689564 - 0.06MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 6×⇩ - M.kowalski49

PDF scanned by Unknown
M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Bass Drum/Cymbals/Triangle
#689565 - 0.08MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 7×⇩ - M.kowalski49

PDF scanned by Unknown
M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Violins I
#689566 - 0.10MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 7×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Violins II
#689567 - 0.09MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 7×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Violas
#689568 - 0.08MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 7×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Cellos
#689569 - 0.08MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 7×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

 Basses
#689570 - 0.08MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 5×⇩ - M.kowalski49

PDF scanned by Unknown
M.kowalski49 (2021/4/7)

Publisher. Info. London: Novello, 1908.
Reprinted New York: E.F. Kalmus, n.d.(1933–70). Catalog A5619.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del/mrg]
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 Flutes 1/2
#589871 - 0.12MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 58×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

⇒ 13 more: Oboes 1/2 • Clarinets 1/2 (B♭) • Bassoons 1/2, Contrabassoon • Horns 1/2, 3/4 (F) • Trumpets 1/2 (B♭) • Trombones 1, 2, 3, Tuba • Timpani • Side Drum/Triangle, Cymbals/Bass Drum • Violins I • Violins II • Violas • Cellos • Basses

 Oboes 1/2
#589872 - 0.11MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 52×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Clarinets 1/2 (B♭)
#589873 - 0.10MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 54×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Bassoons 1/2, Contrabassoon
#589874 - 0.17MB, 4 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 55×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Horns 1/2, 3/4 (F)
#589875 - 0.21MB, 6 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 51×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Trumpets 1/2 (B♭)
#589876 - 0.08MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 56×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Trombones 1, 2, 3, Tuba
#589877 - 0.27MB, 4 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 54×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Timpani
#589878 - 0.06MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 50×⇩ - P0mbal

PDF typeset by editor
P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Side Drum/Triangle, Cymbals/Bass Drum
#589879 - 0.14MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 49×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Violins I
#589880 - 0.12MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 53×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Violins II
#589881 - 0.10MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 47×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Violas
#589882 - 0.10MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 48×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Cellos
#589883 - 0.09MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 50×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/9/16)

 Basses
#589884 - 0.09MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 48×⇩ - P0mbal

PDF typeset by editor
P0mbal (2019/9/16)

Editor John Morrison
Publisher. Info. John Morrison, 2019
Copyright
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 [tag/del/mrg]
Misc. Notes Parts for 1908 edition: orchestra, solo voice and chorus. From manuscript score.
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Vocal Scores

Voice and Piano with Male Chorus

 Complete Score
#589605 - 0.24MB, 10 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 130×⇩ - P0mbal

PDF typeset by editor
P0mbal (2019/9/13)

Editor John Morrison
Publisher. Info. John Morrison, 2019
Copyright
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 [tag/del]
Misc. Notes For 1908 edition. Tenor solo, male chorus TBB and piano (rehearsal only)
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Arrangements and Transcriptions

For Wind Band (Morrison)

 Complete Score
#618465 - 0.47MB, 13 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 153×⇩ - P0mbal

PDF typeset by arranger
P0mbal (2020/4/8)

 Complete Parts
#618466 - 1.93MB, 31 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 99×⇩ - P0mbal

PDF typeset by arranger
P0mbal (2020/4/8)

Arranger John Morrison
Publisher. Info. John Morrison, 2019
Copyright
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 [tag/del/mrg]
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Lyrics (1)

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General Information

Work Title Follow the Colours
Alternative. Title Marching Song
Composer Elgar, Edward
Internal Reference NumberInternal Ref. No. IEE 115
Key E-flat major and D major
Movements/SectionsMov'ts/Sec's 1 (With spirit. In marching time)
Text Incipit Thousands, thousands of marching feet
Year/Date of CompositionY/D of Comp. 1908 for soloist and optional male chorus, with orchestra/military band, in E-flat major
1914 republished (with minor changes) for soloist and optional male chorus with piano, in D major
First Performance. 1908/05/24 — London, Albert Hall
1914/10/10 — London, Albert Hall
First Publication. 1908 – London: Novello & Co.,Ltd.
1914 – London: Novello & Co.,Ltd.
Librettist William de Courcy Stretton (1862–1936)
Language English
Dedication Commissioned by and dedicated to The Worshipful Company of Musicians
Average DurationAvg. Duration 10 minutes
Composer Time PeriodComp. Period Romantic
Piece Style Romantic
Instrumentation voice, orchestra, optional male chorus
voice, piano, optional male chorus
External Links Wikipedia article
Extra Information The work was the product of a Commission by The Worshipful Company of Musicians for a marching song for soldiers, advertised in 1907. At its first performance, given at a (private) dinner for the Musicians Company in Stationers Hall on 28 April 1908, it was titled just 'Marching Song', but after that was always titled 'Follow the Colours.'
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