The favourite love song of many servicemen and women is on sale for friends and families – and all proceeds from the sale go towards helping the wounded from the conflict in Afghanistan.

Love Farewell is a popular folk song rearranged by folk singer John Tams for the Napoleonic War TV series Sharpe.

Tams has released the song, accompanied by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles Regiment.

The military band asked Tams to help them record the song after the reception the band received every time they played for service personnel and their families.

The music has sadly been played at many funerals of serviceman.

Love Farewell is available as a download from the Help for Heroes website for £1 and comes with bonus track Over the Hills and Far Away/Sharpe’s Theme.

“I’m a civilian – I hold no truck with war yet the young men and women returning in heartbreaking numbers, dead and wounded in service was an opportunity to put my voice where they had put their lives – a small gesture for me – an all too often life-losing, life changing sacrifice for them,” said Tams.

“It’s a love song, a leave-taking song without jingoism or sabre rattling and if it makes a difference to the care of those coming home and their families, my small contribution has been worthwhile.”

The Rifles music director Captain Mark Purvey, said he rearranged Love Farewell after the regiment’s Colonel Commandant, General Sir Nick Parker, challenged him to produce a piece of music that would be relevant to, and inspire today’s soldiers.

“The song was actually from Queen Anne’s reign but it really strikes a chord with the lads today too,” he said.

“When we played it for some of the troops who were deploying and some who had recently returned, the reception we got was pretty spectacular – they really loved it. It’s by soldiers and for soldiers. It’s about the horrors of war but it’s also about leaving the people you love behind, and looks at both sides. I think most people can relate to that.”