"THE ENGINEER GREETING"
The Engineer greeting or toast "CHIMO" is derived from an old
Inuktitut word "saiurtqu". The word was used as an Inuit greeting.
According to folklore, when two people met on the Arctic tundra,
they rubbed their chests in a circular motion and said
"CHIMO" ("Are you friendly?")
The answer was a repeat of the gesture and the word
"CHIMO" (Yes, I am friendly.")
This toast calls to mind the Engineers role in the
development of Canada's North, and has since
gained a wealth of meaning related to the
world-wide achievements of
Canadian Military Engineers everywhere
CHIMO - Pronunciation: CHEE-mo!
UBIQUE
Meaning: "Everywhere"
(Given to the Corps representative of Battle Honours)
QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT
Meaning: "Where Right and Glory Lead"
HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
Meaning:"Evil be to him who evil think"
In 1931 His Majesty King George V approved of the grant to the
ROYAL CANADIAN ENGINEERS
Permanent Force (PF)
and to the Canadian Engineers
Non-Permanent Active Militia (NPAM)
the HONOUR of bearing these MOTTOS on their
Badges and Regimental Crests.
REGIMENTAL MARCH PAST is - WINGS
The Words to - THE ROYAL ENGINEERS (WINGS)
Where the shot and shell are falling
And the bugles are a-calling
Where the smoke and smell of powders' on the wind
And the sharper rifle rattle shows the forefront of the battle
A squad or two of Sappers you will find
Be it bridging or pontooning
Be it surveying or ballooning
A path through swamps or obstacles to clear
Then the man they all will beckon
And the man on whom they'll reckon
Is serving in the Royal Engineers
EVERYWHERE our motto
Where our country needs
Is the Sapper watchword,
Not by words but deeds
First when bugle summon
Last to leave in war
Is the proud tradition?
Of our glorious Corps.
"Wings" is the Engineer march. It was adopted about
1870 by the Royal Engineers. Because of the close
affiliation of the RCE with the RE,
"Wings" was also chosen as the RCE march.
This traditional Engineer march
was then adopted by the CME.
"Wings" consists of two tunes combined,
the first tune adopted from the air
"The Path Across The Hills"
and the second from the German score
of "Wings" by Claribel, who was thought to
have been the original author.
It was later found that Dolores was the original author.
CORPS SONG is - Hurrah for the C.R.E.
HURRAH FOR THE C.R.E.
(Originated in South Africa)
"Good morning Mr. Stevens and windy Notchy Knight,
Hurrah for the C.R.E.
We're working very hard down at Upnor Hard,
Hurrah for the C.R.E.
You make fast, I make fast, make fast the dinghy
Make fast the dinghy, make fast the dinghy,
You make fast, I make fast, make fast the dinghy,
Make fast the dinghy pontoon.
For we're marching on to Laffan's Plain,
To Laffan's Plain, to Laffan's Plain,
Yes we're marching on to Laffan's Plain
Where they don't know MUD from clay.
AH, AH, AH, AH, AH, AH, AH, AH, AH,
OSHTA, OSHTA, OSHTA, OSHTA,
Ikona malee, picaninny skoff,
Ma-ninga sabenza, there's another off.
Oolum-da cried Matabele,
Oolum-da, away we go.
AH, AH, AH, AH, AH, AH, AH, AH, AH,
SHUUSH! AH;AH;AH;AH;AH; WHOOW!"
"Hurrah for the CRE" is the traditional
song of the RE. It originated in South Africa,
and is sung or played by the band at social functions
mess dinners and other functions as appropriate.