Referring to the Spanish Civil War Battle of Jarama, the song uses the tune of Red River Valley.
The seasoned troops of Franco's Army of Africa assaulted positions held by the inexperienced volunteers of the International Brigades, in particular the British and the Dimitrov battalions.
[3] Perhaps McDade wrote the song to focus his comrades' minds on something other than the casualties, but "its humorous cynicism made it popular in all battalions".
According to scholar Jim Jump, it was first published on 8 January 1939 in London in a booklet for a British Battalion reunion and "has continued to be sung at International Brigade commemorative events".
From this valley they tell us we're leaving But don't hasten to bid us adieu For e'en though we make our departure We'll be back in an hour or two[5]
With the rest of the international column, In the stand for the freedom of Spain We swore in the valley of Jarama That fascism never will reign.
Now we’ve left that dark valley of sorrow And its memories of regret, So before we continue this reunion Let us stand to our glorious dead.
We are proud of the Lincoln Battalion And the fight for Madrid that it made There we fought like true sons of the people As part of the Fifteenth Brigade.
Doch wir haben, auf Tod und Verderben Die Faschisten zum Stehen gebracht.
Ja, wir haben die Stellung verlassen; Denn es half auch kein: Oh, Herr – mon Dieu!
Und das Tal dort am Rio Jarama Wird gehören dem Mann, der’s bestellt!
Пусть враги ухмыльнутся довольно Что у нас артиллерии нет, Но штыки батальона ЛинкОльна Не уступят фашистской броне!