Marching On, the only track repeated from last year’s EP. We recorded this live in the studio, just belting it out because we needed a really good version. It’s the only nod we make to our past, and since the album is 50 minutes long, we thought we could justify re-recording a song we had already done – Mike Peters doing a track by track guide to Declaration – Boston Rock Magazine 1984
Another of the earliest Alarm songs, written in North Wales. Lyrically inspired by the Urban Uprising in Toxteth, Liverpool. The producer Aricentus is actually Steve Tannett who was the man who signed the band to IRS and Harry (Ari) Murlowski who worked for IRS and also took a lot of early photographs of the band included on the record sleeves of The Stand and Sixty Eight Guns. I wasn’t really a very good harmonica player at this time, more point and shoot, so Steve and Harry got Mark Feltham in from Nine Below Zero. He was brilliant. I just kept worrying how I’d get away with it live – Mike Peters, Alarm 2000 collection liner notes on the 1982 recording
Marching On was originally released as the lead track on the second 7″ single release on 22nd October 1982 on Illegal Records, this was the first release after the band had signed to IRS Records. The artwork for the single features the first appearance of what would become the iconic poppy
Ian Wilson brought a graphic artist Robert Olsen (Sarah Jane Olsen’s brother), to see us play in London with a view to creating a record sleeve for Marching On single. Robert went away with the lyrics to our songs in his mind. He was particularly struck by the war-like titles of some of our songs, Marching On, 68 Guns, Third Light etc and came back to us a few days later with the artwork for an exploding red poppy. It was later used in some shape or form on every record sleeve we ever produced, was taken to heart by our fans all over the world, and became the centre-piece of many of our stage productions and videos – Mike Peters, Alarm 2000 collection liner notes on the 1982 recording
1982 Single recording details
Running length 3:30
Written by Macdonald / Peters
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Sharp – Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Mark Feltham – Harmonica
Angie Knox – Hammond Organ
Recorded 7th September 1982 at Matrix Studios, London WC1A, England
Produced by Aricentus (Steve Tannett and Harry Murlowski) and Ian Wilson
Engineered by Jess Sutcliffe
Alternative studio recording releases ~ Album ~ Acoustic ~ Remastered
(v) 1983 – Declaration album release
Running length 3:36
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Sharp – Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Backing track recorded 21st August 1983 at Good Earth Studios, Soho, London W1D, England
Produced and mixed by Alan Shacklock. Engineered by Chris Porter.
1995 – Acoustic recording details
Running length 3:42
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Recorded at Fort Apache, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Produced by Michael Peters
Recorded by Dan McLoughlin
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Declaration [1984-1985] [Remastered]
Running length 3:36
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Sharp – Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Remastered from the 1983 original recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
2018 – The Alarm – Declaration [1984-1985] [Remastered]
Running length tbc
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Sharp – Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Remastered from the 1983 original recording by Pete Maher
Remastering supervised by Mike Peters
Album appearances and discography of studio releases
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
(All Images right click to open larger in new window)
(V) 
13th February 1984 : The Alarm – Declaration
Released in the UK on vinyl IRSA 7044, cassette IRSC 7044, CD IRS CDA 7044 by IRS Records
Declaration was released on vinyl, cassette and CD in USA, Canada, Japan, Australia. Vinyl only South Korea, New Zealand, Israel, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Europe. Cassette only Netherlands
1983 Declaration album recording
13th February 1984 : The Alarm – Declaration
IRS Records vinyl IRSA 7044, cassette IRSC 7044, CD IRS CDA 7044 (UK Release). 1983 recording.
Declaration was also released on vinyl, cassette and CD in USA, Canada, Japan, Australia. Vinyl only South Korea, New Zealand, Israel, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Europe. Cassette only Netherlan
28th October 1997 : Mike Peters – Acoustic Works 1981-1986
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C004. (CD) 1995 Fort Apache Recording
2000 : The Alarm – Eponymous (1981-1983)
Twenty First Century Recording Company, Catalogue number 21C010. Appearing as part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc. 1982 recording remastered
2000 : The Alarm – Declaration (1984-1985)
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C011 (CD)
Appearing as part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc. 1983 recorded version remastered
2018 – The Alarm – Declaration (1984-1985)
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue numbers : double vinyl LP 21C094 and double CD 21C096
1983 recorded version remastered
Single appearances and discography of studio releases
Officially released live recordings – Audio
All the following are Worldwide releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
28th September 1983. Recorded at My Fathers Place, Long Island, New York, USA
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist.
Engineered by Kevin Kelly. Running length tbc.
This version of the song was released on the CD3 3 single of Sixty Eight Guns released in 1989 in the USA only.
It also appears on the 2000 release – The Alarm – Eponymous (1981-1983), catalogue number 21C010. Part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set.
Officially released live recordings – Video/DVD
Lyrics ~ Original 1982 single version
Well, There’s a young boy standing
Staring at the world
You know he can’t control his anger
You can see it in his eyes
He’s gonna smash the window
He’s gonna tear down the walls
Hey mister you don’t understand it
Take a look at it through my eyes
These are the kids they’re powerless
So you tell them so
These are the kids they’re powerful
Don’t say you haven’t been told
(And we’ll go) Marching On
Hear our sound hear our voice
We’re growing stronger
(And we’ll go) Marching On
We’re not alone and we’re keeping on, we’re Marching On
Take a walk round your city walls
Before it all comes down (Tumbling down)
Take a walk down any street
You’re gonna feel the stares of us all
And can you feel it burning (Burning)
Shame is what it’s called
You’d better look at what you have created
And think of all the people who hate you
These are the people that made you
When you said you cared for us all
These are the people who’ll break you
Get prepared for the fall
(And we’ll go) Marching On
Hear our sound hear our voice
We’re growing stronger
(And we’ll go) Marching On
We’re not alone and we’re keeping on, we’re Marching On
We’re the young who stand up
We must never be silenced
We’ve gotta speak up now
For all our sakes
And lift our voices higher
Let’s sing our song
Keep on marching marching
And never forget
About the power on the right side
Fights the power on the left
We have got to stand together
Forget the east and west
‘Cause there’s another voice crying in the ghetto
Another mouth to feed
Another heart beating in the ghetto
Another soul to set free
(And we’ll go) Marching On
Hear our sound hear our voice
We’re growing stronger
(And we’ll go) Marching On
We’re not alone and we’re keeping on, we’re Marching On
Keep on Marching, Marching, Marching On
Lift up your voices higher
(Marching, Marching, Marching On)
Oh yeah
Lift up your voices now
And sing this song (Marching, Marching, Marching On)
Cause our hearts must have the courage
To keep on Marching On
(Written by Macdonald/Peters)
Alternative lyrics ~ Declaration Album Version
Well, There’s a young boy standing
Staring at the world
You know he can’t control his anger
You can see it in his eyes
Gonna smash the window
He’s gonna tear down the walls
Hey, hey mister you don’t understand it
Take a look at it through my eyes
These are the kids they’re powerless
So you tell them so
These are the kids they’re powerful
Don’t say you haven’t been told
(And we’ll go) Marching On
Hear our sound hear our voice
We’re growing stronger
(And we’ll go Marching On)
We’re not alone and we’re keeping on, we’re Marching On
Take a walk round your city walls
Before it all comes down (Tumbling down)
Take a walk down any street
You’re gonna feel the stares of us all
And can you feel it burning (Burning)
Shame is what it’s called
You’d better look at what you have created
And think of all the people who hate you
These are the people that made you
When you said you cared for us all
These are the people who’ll break you
Get prepared for the fall
(And we’ll go) Marching On
Hear our sound hear our voice
We’re growing stronger
(And we’ll go) Marching On
We’re not alone and we’re keeping on, we’re Marching On
We’re the young who stand up
We must never be silenced
We’ve gotta speak up now
For all our sakes
And lift our voices higher
Let’s sing our song
Keep on marching marching
And never forget
About the power on the right side
Fights the power on the left
We have got to stand together
Forget the east and west
‘Cause there’s another voice crying in the ghetto
Another mouth to feed
Another heart beating in the ghetto
Another soul to set free
(And we’ll go) Marching On
Hear our sound hear our voice
We’re growing stronger
(And we’ll go) Marching On
We’re not alone and we’re keeping on, we’re Marching On
Keep on Marching, Marching, Marching On
Lift your voices higher
(Marching, Marching, Marching On)
Oh yeah
Lift up your voices now
And sing this song (Marching, Marching, Marching On)
Cause our hearts must have the courage
To keep on Marching On
(Written by Macdonald/Peters)
Alternative lyrics ~ 1995 Acoustic Works recording
Well, There’s a young boy standing
Staring at the world
You know he can’t control his anger
You can see it in his eyes
He’s gonna smash the window
He’s gonna tear down the walls
Say mister you don’t understand it
Take a look at it through my eyes
These are the people they’re powerless
So you tell them so
These are the people they’re powerful
Don’t say you haven’t been told
And we’ll go Marching On
Hear our sound hear our voice
We’re growing stronger
Marching On
We’re not alone and we’re keeping on, we’re Marching On
Take a walk round your city walls
Before it all fall down (tumbling down)
Take a walk down any street
You’re gonna feel the stares of us all
And can you feel it burning (Burning)
Shame is what it’s called
You’d better look at what you have created
Think of all the people who hate you
These are the people that made you
When you said you cared for us all
These are the people gonna break you
And get prepared for the fall
And we’ll go Marching On
Hear our sound hear our voice
We’re growing stronger
Marching On
We’re not alone and we’re keeping on, we’re Marching On
We’re the young who stand up
We must never be silenced
We’ve gotta speak up now
For all our sakes
And lift our voices higher
Let’s sing our song
Keep on marching marching
And never forget
About the power on the right side
Fights the power on the left
We have got to stand together
Forget the east and west
When there’s another voice crying in the ghetto
Another mouth to feed
Another heart beating in the ghetto
Another soul to set free
Marching On
Hear our sound hear our voice
We’re growing stronger
Marching On
We’re not alone and we’re keeping on, we’re going Marching On
Keep on Marching, Marching, Marching On
Never be silent
Marching, Marching, Marching On
Lift up, lift up the voices now
And sing this song
Cause our hearts must have the courage
To keep on Marching On
(Written by Macdonald/Peters)
Audio & Visual sources
Video Link – Remastered 2018 audio of the 1982 recording with new video using footage of the era compiled in 2018. From the official The Alarm youtube channel.
(Page updated 17/07/2022)