Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night

Subject: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 01:29 AM

I have been asked to put together a set of songs suitable for a Trafalgar Night dinner here in Shanghai.

The challenge to me is to come up with a set of songs that a group of (possibly drunk, at least in their cups) business men could easily learn. Some will be from the UK others from the other countries that make up the ex-pat community here.

I am looking for ones which could be familiar to at least the Brits and ones that have an easy tune and hopefully a good chorus.

So far I am considering:

Hearts of Oak
Blow the Man Down
Hanging Johnny
Bold Nelson's Praise
Nelson's Blood
Drunken Sailor (or a decent parody for businessmen)

There could be an opportunity for some readings to so any good prose suggestions would be gratefully received.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: The Walrus
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 02:29 AM

Not exactly 'community singing' pieces but
"Aboard a '98'" or "On board of a Man o' War" might go well or try Kipling's "Poor Honest Men" and, of course, there's always versions of "Rule Britannia".
I suppose 'The Death of Nelson' is fairly obvious as a final piece.

As for verse, 'The Boy Stood On the Burning Deck' relates to a 'Nelsonian' incident (Destruction of [i]L'Orient[/i] at the Battle of the Nile).

As for quotes, try John Jervis (Earl St Vincent) - in the House of Lords - regarding Napoleon:
"I do not say he cannot come, Merely that he cannot come by sea".

W

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Dave Earl
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 02:55 AM

"British Man 'o War" might suit.

It's one me 'n t'other 'arf are learning for a similar reason.

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 02:57 AM

(As an aside, I seem to recall that Nelson's coffin was made from wood from L'Orient).

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 05:50 AM

Blow the Man Down doesn't fit, they didn't sing shanties in the Royal Navy.
There is a song called the Victory.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Billy Weeks
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 07:14 AM

A pedantic point, just to spoil the nice flow of this thread: The song is 'Heart of Oak' not 'Hearts of Oak;'and it predates Trafalgar by more than 40 years. Iknow. It doesn't matter.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 07:44 AM

But Heart of Oak (as sung by David Garrick) was very popular in the navy at that time, you know.
I was astounded that in Master & Commander (which didn't care for) they sang Bonny Ship the Diamond but not Heart of Oak!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 08:58 AM

On Board the Victory.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MARINER'S COMPASS
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 10:52 AM

You could do worse than "The Mariner's Compass Is Grog" from 1808. I've recently revived this fine drinking song, channeled a tune since the original was lost, and recorded it on a recent CD. Here are the lyrics:

By John Holland, circa 1808
In a production called 'The Two Little Savoyards' put on at the Adelphi Theatre in 1808.
In Real Sailor-Songs, p. 255; adapted by Charlie Ipcar and with new tune in 2002
Key: F (5/C)
The Mariner's Compass

C---------------------------------G
Sam Spritsail's a lad you'd delight in,
-----C-----------------------G
For friendship he's ever a-gog,
-----------C---------------------------------------G
Loves his King, loves his wench, and loves fighting,
---------C------------G-------------C
And he loves, to be sure, his old grog!
-----------------------------------F
Says Sam, "Life's but a mere notion,
-----C-------------------------G
That wants from the spirit a jog,
-----C---------------------------G
This world is a wide troubled ocean,
----------C----------G-----------C
And the Mariner's Compass is grog!"

Chorus:

C---------------------------------F
For grog is our larboard and starboard,
-----C---------------------------G
Our mains'l, our mizzen, our log;
---C-------------------------G
At sea or a-shore, or when harbour'd,
----C-----------G------------C
The Mariner's Compass is grog!

Let grog take charge of the helm, Sir,
We'll fear not the rage of the sea,
Or if billows our ship o'erwhelm, Sir,
Still grog is the pilot for me!
Grog saves us the trouble of thinking,
So here's to each bold jolly dog,
And you who delights in good drinking,
Let's toss off a full can of grog! (CHO)

Sam Spritsail loves his grog dearly,
Enraptur'd its praises he'll sing,
Yet he fights for his country most cheerily,
Loves his sweetheart and honours his King;
Sam's heart is splic'd to his Nancy's,
And his love would blaze through the fog,
Yet sailors have comical fancies,
And dear be his wench, he loves grog! (CHO)
(Anon., Real Sailor-Songs, p. 255)


THE MARINERS' COMPASS (original)


Sam Spritsail's a lad you'd delight in,
For friendship, he's ever agog,
Loves his King, loves his wench, loves fighting,
And he loves, to be sure he does, grog!
Says Sam, says he, life's all a notion,
And wants from the spirit a jog,
The world is a wide troubled ocean,
And our rudder and compass is grog!

Chorus:

For grog is our larboard and starboard,
Our mainsail, our mizzen, our log;
At sea or at shore, or when harbour'd,
The Mariners' Compass is grog!

Let but grog take its charge of the helm,
We perceive not the dangers of sea,
Or if billows the vessel o'erwhelm,
Still grog is the pilot for me;
Since grog saves the trouble of thinking,
Then here's to each bold jolly dog,
For he that delights in good drinking,
Will toss off his full can of grog! (CHO)

Sam Spritsail, though grog he lov'd dearly,
And its praise he enraptur'd would sing,
Yet he fought for his country most cheerly,
Lov'd his sweetheart and honour'd his King;
For Sam's heart was splic'd to his Nancy's,
And his mind on the wench quite agog,
Yet sailors have comical fancies,
And dear as his Nance, he loves grog! (CHO)

And here is a link to a MP3 sample of how I sing it: Click here!

Have great fun!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 01:09 PM

Oh, let's add the Ramblin' Sailor.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: wildlone
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 06:18 PM

Shanties were not sung in the Royal Navy as work songs but singing was allowed during off duty time in port.
The reason that singing was not allowed is that orders might need to be given during any manuover and needed to be obeyed instantly, the sound of singing could mask the order.
Saying that the standard of training was very high in the Royal Navy.
It is said that Captain Hardy of the victory could control the sailing of the ship using hand signals alone.

I am going to Portsmouth tomorrow to take part in the re-enactment on tuesday.

I will be following this thread with interest.
dave

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Phot
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 06:40 PM

Work song of the RN Photographer.....Git out of my shot! Bloody civvie press, 1SL when?, now? Find an Astra that flies!, but I don't speak Japanese, Russian, French, Dutch, G'day! (Thank god for the Aussies). Wow! the Potugal tall ship can show the tug master a thing!
Hang on, I'll just fit a warp drive to the Disco, 600mm lens,....what...? raw files?....you want the image when?...Video, from a helo.............HELP!

Wassail!! Chris

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 06:44 PM

Haha, my base had the navy photographer's lab.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Chris Green
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 06:51 PM

How's about "Tom Tough" by Charles Dibdin? You can find lyrics and a MIDI
here.

Subject: Lyr Add: GUNNER JOE (Marriott Edgar)
From: Lanfranc
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 06:55 PM

Not a song, but a Marriott Edgar monologue

GUNNER JOE

I'll tell you a seafaring story,
Of a lad who won honour and fame
Wi' Nelson at Battle 'Trafalgar,
Joe Moggeridge, that were his name.

He were one of the crew of the Victory,
His job when a battle begun
Was to take cannon balls out o' basket
And shove 'em down front end o' gun.

One day him and Nelson were boxing,
The compass, like sailor lads do.
When 'Ardy comes up wi' a spyglass,
And pointing, says "'Ere, take a screw!"

They looked to were 'Ardy were pointing,
And saw lots o' ships in a row.
Joe says abrupt like but respectful,
"'Oratio lad, yon's the foe."

'What say we attack 'em?' says Nelson,
Says Joe 'Nay lad, not today.'
And 'Ardy says, 'Aye, well let's toss up.'
'Oratio answers 'Okay.'

They tossed... it were heads for attacking,
And tails for t'other way 'bout.
Joe lent them his two-headed penny,
So the answer was never in doubt.

When penny came down 'ead side uppards,
They was in for a do it were plain,
And Joe murmered 'Shiver me timbers.'
And Nelson kissed 'Ardy again.

And then, taking flags out o' locker,
'E strung out a message on high.
'T were all about England and duty,
Crew thought they was 'ung out to dry.

They got the guns ready for action,
And that gave 'em trouble enough.
They 'adn't been fired all the summer,
And touch-holes were bunged up wi' fluff.

Joe's cannon, it weren't 'alf a corker,
The cannon balls went three foot round.
They wasn't no toy balloons either,
They weighed close on sixty-five pound.

Joe, selecting two of the largest,
Was going to load double for luck.
When a hot shot came in thro' the porthole,
And a gunpowder barrel got struck.

By gum! there weren't 'alf an explosion,
The gun crew were filled with alarm.
As out of the porthole went Joseph,
Wi' a cannon ball under each arm.

At that moment up came the 'Boat-swine'
He says 'Where's Joe?' Gunner replied...
'E's taken two cannon balls with 'im,
And gone for a breather outside.'

'Do y' think he'll be long?' said the 'Boat-swine'
The gunner replied, 'If as 'ow,
'E comes back as quick as 'e left us,
'E should be 'ere any time now.

And all this time Joe, treading water,
Was trying 'is 'ardest to float.
'E shouted thro' turmoil of battle,
'Tell someone to lower a boat.'

'E'd come to the top for assistance,
Then down to the bottom he'd go;
This up and down kind of existence,
Made everyone laugh... except Joe.

At last 'e could stand it no longer,
And next time 'e came to the top.
'E said 'If you don't come and save me,
I'll let these 'ere cannon balls drop.'

'T were Nelson at finish who saved him,
And 'e said Joe deserved the V.C.
But finding 'e 'adn't one 'andy,
'E gave Joe an egg for 'is tea.

And after the battle was over,
And vessel was safely in dock.
The sailors all saved up their coupons,
And bought Joe a nice marble clock.

Alan

Subject: Lyr Add: "We be the King's men, hale and hearty...
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 08:13 PM

Searched, and found this in 'The Dynasts' (Thomas Hardy) although I am sure I recall longer version from school.
I realise it's not Nelson, but the cause of battle is much the same!

Nigel

We be the King's men, hale and hearty,
Marching to meet one Buonaparty;
If he won't sail, lest the wind should blow,
We shall have marched for nothing, O!
Right fol-lol!

We be the King's men, hale and hearty,
Marching to meet one Buonaparty;
If he be sea-sick, says "No, no!"
We shall have marched for nothing, O!
Right fol-lol!

The above is as found on the net.
I remember learning it in school as:


We be the King's men, hale and hearty, - oh.
We be the King's men, hale and hearty,
Marching to meet one Buonaparty;
If he be sea-sick, says "No, no!"
We shall have marched for nothing, O!
Right fol-lol-lol-o!
Right fol-lol-lol-o!
Right fol-lol-lol-o!
Right fol-lol-lol-o!


Same war, but land based, not a sea battle.

Cheers
Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Shanghaiceltic
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 12:32 AM

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I knew Heart of Oak was not actually of the period but it is a well known song and fits the theme for the evening.

I like the monlogue Gunner Joe too, it will add a touch of levity.

Thank's Charly for the Mariners Compass, I had not seen that one before.

With regards wildlone's comment about singing, I think that more applied to whistling as a bosun's whistle was generally used to pipe orders and other people whistling could prove a distraction. The only person who was said to be allowed to whistle was the cook, if he was whistling he could not be scoffing the food he was preparing.

Thanks again folks, I will let you know what I am going to use and also let you know how it goes. In keeping with the nautical PC, any French guests will be called 'Blue'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: The Walrus
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 03:06 AM

"...With regards wildlone's comment about singing, I think that more applied to whistling as a bosun's whistle was generally used to pipe orders and other people whistling could prove a distraction. The only person who was said to be allowed to whistle was the cook, if he was whistling he could not be scoffing the food he was preparing...."

There was also the superstitious point that whistling was traditionally believed to be part of the ceremony for summoning the Devil <1>, who always arrived in a gale of wind<2> and was therefore to be discouraged.

I note from the DT that "On board a Man O'War" is in the database as "The Press Gang".
"Aboard a 98" is from the works of Peter Bellamy.

W

<1> Hence "A Whistling Woman and Crowing hen,
          Is Neither goog for beast nor men."
<2> Hence: "Whistling up the Wind"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 03:36 AM

Aboard a 98 is trad, but with tune refitted by Bellamy.
Heart of Oak is THE naval song of the time.
Wasn't the song from the Dynasts written by Hardy?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 03:49 AM

And there is the possibility to do a search in the DT with Nelson and Trafalgar.
You'll find a lot of songs there.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 03:54 AM

how about that one about the IRA blowing up nelson's column in Dublin - for a bit of balance!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Lanfranc at the orifice
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 06:03 AM

Balance be blowed weelittledrummer!

When did the Fenians ever sing "God save the Queen", "Land of Hope and Glory" or "Jerusalem" for a bit of balance?

Go and watch (or heckle) the marches and leave this celebration to us English (OK, we might let the Scots and Welsh join in - and the Ulstermen, too, but only if they promise to keep quiet and behave themselves)

Currently researching Alex Atterson's setting of the Charles Causley poem about Nelson's corpse in its barrel of brandy. Will revert if successful.

Alan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 07:08 AM

BTW, who does a good version of Heart of Oak?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 12:39 PM

Boney was a warrior
the bonny bunch of roses
Spanish ladies
Gallant frigate amphytrite
Home boys Home

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Paddy Plastique
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 05:25 PM

Afraid, 'Poor auld Admiral Nelson is no longer in the air...'
is springing to mind too - even here amidst the arrogance of the
French. Nelson never badmouthed us Irish as much as the Duke....

There's also that other song 'Red is the Colour of the New Republic,
Blue is the Colour of the Sea' cos if Nelson hadn't staved off
mutinies in '97 there would've never been a Trafalgar, I suspect

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 05:48 PM

But Wellington didn't really bad-mouth the Irish (one comment, wow) and have a look at about the only proper thing he did as PM.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: The Walrus
Date: 28 Jun 05 - 02:31 AM

"...cos if Nelson hadn't staved off
mutinies in '97 there would've never been a Trafalgar, I suspect..."

But Nelson had nthing to do with either the Spithead or the Nore mutinies - He was in the Med at the time.
Oh yes, and the mutineers had declared that if the French were sighted, they would sail and fight. The mutinies were more in the nature of a strike ove pay and conditions than a full blown mutiny.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 28 Jun 05 - 03:11 AM

Home Boys Home is WW1.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Micca
Date: 28 Jun 05 - 03:12 AM

I would commend you to seek out the poem "The Ballad of the Good Lord Nelson" by Laurence Durrell, it can (with a little bit of jemmying) fit the tune " Princess Royal", here is a Flavour

" The Good Lord Nelson had a Swollen Gland
Little of the scriptures did he understand
'Till a woman led him to the promised land
on board the Victory, Victory O

Now stiff on a pillar with a phallic air
Nelson stylites in Trafalgar Square
reminds the British what once they were
on board the Victory, Victory O

If they'd treat their women in the Nelson way
Ther'ed be fewer frigid husbands every day
and many more heroes on the Bay of Biscay
on board the Victory, Victory O
Laurence Durrell

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Snuffy
Date: 28 Jun 05 - 09:06 AM

Isn't the C Fox Smith WWI song Home Lads Home?

Home boys Home is where the oak and the ash and the bonny rowan tree are all a-growing green in the north country

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 28 Jun 05 - 09:45 AM

I know Home Boys Home was performed by Silly Wizard, it isn't one of Andy's by chance?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 28 Jun 05 - 09:55 AM

Watching the TV last night and I think it was said that 14,000 lives were lost at sea off Trafalga

That many of the French/ Spanish? were ill and had been at sea for some time

That Nelson and his men were "up for it" and more than ready

Anyone confirm this please?

Where is /was Trafalga anyway?

I know nothing

Ray Padgett

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: The Walrus
Date: 28 Jun 05 - 09:05 PM

"...That many of the French/ Spanish? were ill and had been at sea for some time..."

I think the point was that, because of the close blockade (and Napoleon's lack of interest in matters maritime), a large proportion of the French fleet HADN'T been to sea in some time (I believe the Spanish may have had got more sea time in).
As I recall, the "Trafalgar Campaign" began with a co-ordinated Franco-Spanish break out during bad weather and a race West into the Atlantic with a 'U' turn to escape pursuit, bringing the back to Southern Spain.


"...That Nelson and his men were "up for it" and more than ready..."

For the crews of Men o'War on blockade, any break in routine would be welcome, one that gave them the possibility of prize money (or if the enemy sank, at least 'head money'), doubly so.

W

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: JWB
Date: 28 Jun 05 - 10:43 PM

Some other singable (and drink-amenable songs)of the ilk are
-- Ben Backstay
-- Don't Forget Your Old Shipmate (also sung in Master and Commander)
-- Roast Beef of Old England

Nigel refers to Thomas Hardy's 'The Dynasts'. On Brass Monkey's CD 'The Complete Brass Monkey' they perform "The Night Of Trafalgar", saying Hardy wrote the lyrics for The Dynasts. Brass Monkey's own Howard Even composed the tune they use. Here's Martin Carthy's notes:

"Thomas Hardy's loathing of war and all that it does to people is nicely placed in this song from his mighty and unperformed work 'The Dynasts', where fishermaen who have a very hard life indeed consider themselves blessed in comparison to the men of the battlefleet at Trafalgar who, having endured the hardships of battle with enormous numbers of dead and wounded, had then to cope with a huge storm which, by all accounts, took more lives than the battle itself."

There are a bunch of obscure Nelson-era Navy songs on my CD "Roast Beef of Old England".

Jerry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: The Walrus
Date: 29 Jun 05 - 03:20 AM

Has anyone mentioned 'Drink Old England Dry'?
After all, wasn't that one of the aims of Nelson? to prevent the possibility of invasion.

W

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 29 Jun 05 - 04:25 AM

Thanks for your enlightenment Walrus!

Drink Old England Dry ~ I think there are two songs, similar but different

One of course is associated with the Haxey Hood game and may well have undergone some changes over time, as Old Churchill now figures in the verses

No one mentioned?

The Pace Egg song, verse "Old Collingwood and he fought with Lord Nelson 'til he shed his blood and he comes from the sea Old England to view and he's come a Pace egging with the whole of his crew"

I believe Collingwood also died at Trafalga

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Jun 05 - 08:11 AM

"Blow Nelson Blow" is a rousing old Trinidadian folksong, commemorating an incident just before Trafalgar when Nelson's fleet just failed to catch Villeneuve in the Caribbean. An extraordinary voyage: Villeneuve got out, ran for the West Indies, and Nelson went after him. He had no hard information, but with his knowledge and deduction he sailed to the Caribbean himself, nosed around and very nearly caught up with the French, who were criss-crossing the area. Villeneuve eventually shot back to Spain, and came out again to meet Nelson at Trafalgar. Villeneuve, lost the battle, but survived himself, to die ignominiously in strange circumstances shortly after.
   The song "Blow Nelson Blow" goes to a version of the dancetune Waltz Vienna(or Varsoviana). I havent looked but I'm sure it must be locatable in the DT or elsewhere on the net. It makes a nice contrast to the Yo ho ho brave lads blue jumper school of nautical music.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Jun 05 - 08:56 PM

"I believe Collingwood also died at Trafalga"

No, he survived and latter became Admiral of the Mediterranian fleet.

There's also "Mars, Forever More" which I believe is about one of the Trafalga ships of line.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,charmian
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 02:13 AM

I have the same duty here in "supernatural" British Columbia,Canada, to prepare an evening of entertainment for 300 guests Trafalgar Night (including naval personnel, reserve), mixed ex pats. and others. I will trade you a faintly rude dialogue beween Hardy and Nelson (for a lighter note and for your prose pieces) for the music of Nelson's Praise (originally the Princess or Princes Royal) which I know but cannot find a score for my singers. Ditto "Blow Nelson Blow".... any offers?!

I was going to mention on the evening, as a segue, (in my script for the readers) that Canada and Vancouver are redolent with names from Nelson's time, and that Nelson visited Quebec (French!) and enjoyed it immensely -he said he felt extremely well there... Anyway, we have a Collingwood area both in Ontario and here, a Minto in New Brunswick, and many places are named after Nelson and Trafalgar etc. Maybe in Shanghai too?!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Ooh-Aah2
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 02:53 AM

I LIKE Admiral Collingwood - justly loved by his men and with an eye for the future. He used to walk around his estate with a pocketful of acorns to plant - when someone asked him why he answered that he was 'planting the Royal Navy'. Great man!

Subject: Lyr Add: MARS FOR EVERMORE (A. L. Lloyd)
From: GUEST,Charley Noble
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 05:33 PM

This is already in the threads but I thought I'd be redundant and post it here for all to admire:

MARS FOR EVERMORE
(A.L. Lloyd)

Come my lads we're off to the Main,
Oh Agammenons all,
To load our ships with the dollars of Spain,
Mars for evermore!

They told us thirty ships of the line,
From France and Spain on the sea does shine.

Them ships of France and Spain do shine,
They'll not forget the year of five.

The guns did rattle and the shot did hail,
And every ship poured fire and flame.

The streams of blood from our scuppers did flow,
The blue sea rolled with purple gore.

We'll burn their boats and flatten (smash) their mountains,
We'll make their blood to flow like fountains.

Well from our side broke the British thunder,
And that's how we'll keep our enemies under.

From singing of Johnny Collins
@English @sailor @work @battle
filename[ MARSFORV
AG
apr97

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 01 Jul 05 - 10:11 AM

Snuffy,
Re. Home Lads Home.
Correct.
Well spotted.
Sorry,
Keith.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Tim
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 04:34 AM

The lead in to Hardy's "Night of Trafalgar" might add more levity :

http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext03/dynst10.txt

SECOND BURGHER
Now how did they bring him home so that he could lie in state
afterwards to the naked eye!

FIRST BOATMAN
Well, as they always do,--in a cask of sperrits.

SECOND BURGHER
Really, now!

FIRST BOATMAN (lowering his voice)
But what happened was this. They were a long time coming, owing to
contrary winds, and the "Victory" being little more than a wreck.
And grog ran short, because they'd used near all they had to peckle
his body in. So--they broached the Adm'l!


SECOND BURGHER
How?


FIRST BOATMAN
Well; the plain calendar of it is, that when he came to be unhooped,
it was found that the crew had drunk him dry. What was the men to
do? Broke down by the battle, and hardly able to keep afloat, 'twas
a most defendable thing, and it fairly saved their lives. So he was
their salvation after death as he had been in the fight. If he
could have knowed it, 'twould have pleased him down to the ground!
How 'a would have laughed through the spigot-hole: "Draw on, my
hearties! Better I shrivel that you famish." Ha-ha!


SECOND BURGHER
It may be defendable afloat; but it seems queer ashore.


FIRST BOATMAN
Well, that's as I had it from one that knows--Bob Loveday of
Overcombe--one of the "Victory" men that's going to walk in the
funeral. However, let's touch a livelier string. Peter Green,
strike up that new ballet that they've lately had prented here,
and were hawking about town last market-day.


SONG
THE NIGHT OF TRAFALGAR
I

In the wild October night-time, when the wind raved round the land,
And the Back-sea(12) met the Front-sea, and our doors were blocked
with sand,
And we heard the drub of Dead-man's Bay, where bones of thousands are,
We knew not what the day had done for us at Trafalgar.
                  (All) Had done,
                        Had done,
                  For us at Trafalgar! ...........

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Tim
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 08:02 AM

One for July 4th !

Music : ("Star Spangled Banner" - but we had it first)

The Anacreontic Song.

http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/cgi-bin/display.pl?record=000.001.000&page
s=3

Words :

"When the navy of Gaul, our inveterate foes
Call'd the valour of Britain their rage to oppose........."

http://bodley24.bodley.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/acwwweng/ballads/image.pl?ref=Johnso
n+Ballads+2082&id=21910.gif&seq=1&size=0

Should do wonders for relations with both the French and the Americans.

Regards,
Tim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 08:02 PM

Does anyone know any French songs of the period. Some of the guests at the Trafalgar night bash will be from across the English Channel ;)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: The Walrus
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 10:04 PM

The "Caramagnole" and "Ça Ira" were out of favour under the Empire, "Velon(?) au Salute de L'Empire" was in.

You could try "Le Chant du Depart" a favourite with the 'Army of Italy' but likely to have made the transfer to sea, it's a good marching tune (remember marching pace is 80 paces/min, same as the Foreign Legion these days).
There are some more early (Army) songs which may have crossed over, one about piercing the flank and another who's chorus seems to revolve around 'I like onions fried in oil' ("J'aime l'oignons frits en huile" ? - I'm sorry, I know some bits phonetically, but I neither speak nor write French.

Any use?

Walrus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Charmian/Canada
Date: 04 Jul 05 - 12:59 AM

I am following all your suggestions with interest (see above)...
Again, could anyone please tell me where I might get the score for "Nelson's Praise"... on the Net or maybe someone of you has it?

Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Charmian/Canada
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 02:16 AM

I have been following your suggestions (for Shanghaiceltic) with interest as well (see above note). Thanks. Does anyone know where to obtain music for "Bold Nelson's Praise?" which appears to come originally from a little-known opera? Ta very much for help...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Peace
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 02:23 AM

http://www.pdinfo.com/source/D231925.htm


Available at the above link.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 03:12 AM

Admiral Benbow is not exactly the right period, but is about fighting French at sea.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 10:31 AM

Ca Ira was out of favour with Napoleon and the upper echelons, but it was immensley popular. Not being able to get rid of it irked Napoleon to no end.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Snuffy
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 08:39 AM

Bold Nelson's Praise

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 09:27 AM

Nice link, Snuffy, complete with sound!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Charmian
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 02:40 AM

Ahoy there - Thanks very much for the "Bold Nelson's Praise" etc. Script and music going along well for October's bash.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 10:26 AM

Click here for Toomy's Gone To Hilo (Robyn's version)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: The Walrus
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 01:14 PM

I know that this will probably be too late (unless you know one or two of the songs already) but I just came across a couple of references to CDs which give some French songs of the period.

Soldats, Conscrits et Déserteurs. La Chanson Traditionnelle: Anthologie de la Chanson Française.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=852934&sourceid=07846992830705569096#About+the+Album

1. La Tempete
2. La Milice
3. Le Conscrit de 1810
4. Concrits, Egayons nos Vingt Ans
5. La Partance
6. Soldat par Chagrin
7. Le Conseil de Guerre (Le Condamne a Mort)
8. Ce sont Trois Jeunes Garcons (La Visite a Adele)
9. Villa de Chambery
10. Adieu Marie
11. Aupres de ma Blonde
12. La Lettre de Pelot de Betton
13. Reveillez-vous, Picards !
14. L'Homme Arme
15. Trois Jeunes Tambours
16. Le Soldat Mecontent
17. A Biribi
18. Quand Madelon
19. Dans les Tranchees de Lagny
20. Non, Non, Plus de Combats

and

la chanson traditionnelle: la mer les ports & marine

http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,286602,00.html

- track listing   
track# song name                         performer (track time)
1      Avoine                            Chifonnie (3:32)   
2      Petit Mecelot                      Parisell, Emmanuel (3:33)3      Trois Maçon                        Jolis Yacoub, Gabriel (3:09)4      Tailleur de Pierre                Robine, Marc (3:30)   
5      Par Ou You                                 (2:51)   
6      C'Est un Picard, C'Est un Normand Bardot, Jacky;Rasle, Jean-Pierre (2:42)      
7      Christophe                         Bernard, Michéle (2:44)8      Chaudronnier                      Benhaïm, Dany (4:45)      
9      Rémouleur (1)                      Ben (1:52)      
10    Rémouleur (2)                      Le Corou de Berra (:32)11    Barbière                               (4:27)      
12    Compagnons Dauphinois             Bardot, Jacky (4:03)      
13    Scieurs de Long                   La Kinkerne (3:21)      
14    Ceinture d'Argent                  Chifonnie (3:37)      
15    Beau Garçon                        Jardinier Ben (2:26)      
16    Chanson de l'Aiguille Grimm,       Chantal (3:13)      
17    Voici Demain Saint-Blaise          Bardot, Jacky (3:13)      
18    Briolages                         Baudimant, Mick (1:28)      
19    Trimardeurs                        Le Corou de Berra (3:59)20    Prends Pas un Serrurier            Ben (2:20)      
21    Canuts                            Robine, Marc (3:37)      
22    Vieux Modèle                      Grimm, Chantal (3:15)      
23    Calfats                            Desnos, Christian (2:51)24    Marchands des Quatre Saisons       Ben, Mireille (2:03)

I have no idea about the true vintage (altough they came up on a "Napoleonic" site) or the quality of the songs.

Walrus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 05:03 PM

Mick (Pearce) sings a couple of good Nelson songs: Carrying Nelson Home and Death of Nelson.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Mr Fox
Date: 18 Oct 05 - 06:33 AM

From Hardy's 'The Dynasts':

I

In the wild October night-time, when the wind raved round the land,
And the Back-sea met the Front-sea, and our doors were blocked with sand,
And we heard the drub of Dead-man's Bay, where bones of thousands are,
We knew not what the day had done for us at Trafalgar.

II

"Pull hard, and make the Nothe, or down we go!" one says, says he.
We pulled; and bedtime brought the storm; but snug at home slept we.
Yet all the while our gallants after fighting through the day,
Were beating up and down the dark, sou'-west of Cadiz Bay.

III

The victors and the vanquished then the storm it tossed and tore,
As hard they strove, those worn-out men, upon that surly shore;
Dead Nelson and his half-dead crew, his foes from near and far,
Were rolled together on the deep that night at Trafalgar!

I believe Martin Carthy and/or John Kirkpatrick have set it to music.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 05 - 06:57 AM

I came across this while researching the subject about 18 months ago, can't remember the source though!

French Report of Trafalgar
From The Naval Chronicle,
Vol. XIV,
July to December 1805
The English fleet is annihilated! Nelson is no more!
Indignant at being inactive in port, whilst our brave brethren in arms were gaining laurels in Germany, Admirals Villeneuve and Gravina resolved to put to sea, and give the English battle.
They were superior in number, forty-five to our thirty-three; but what is superiority in numbers to men determined to conquer?
Admiral Nelson did every thing to avoid a battle; he attempted to get into the Mediterranean, but we pursued, and came up with him off Trafalgar.
The French and Spaniards vied with each other who should first get into action. Admirals Villeneuve and Gravina were both anxious to lay their Ships alongside the Victory, the English Admiral's Ship.
Fortune, so constant always to the Emperor, did not favour either of them - the Santissima Trinidada was the fortunate Ship.
In vain did the English Admiral try to evade an action: the Spanish Admiral Oliva prevented his escape, and lashed his Vessel to the British Admiral. The English Ship was one of 136 guns; the Santissima Trinidada was but a 74.
Lord Nelson adopted a new system: afraid of combating us in the old way, in which he knows we have a superiority of skill he attempted a new mode of fighting.
For a short time they disconcerted us; but what can long disconcert his Imperial Majesty's arms? We fought yard-arm to yard-arm, gun to gun.
Three hours did we fight in this manner: the English began to be dismayed - they found it impossible to resist us; but our brave sailors were tired of this slow means of gaining a victory; they wished to board; the cry was, "à la bordage!" Their impetuosity was irresistible
At that moment two Ships, one French and one Spanish, boarded the Temeraire: the English fell back in astonishment and affright - we rushed to the flag-staff - struck the colours - and all were so anxious to be the bearer of the intelligence to their own Ship, that they jumped overboard; and the English ship, by this unfortunate impetuosity of our brave sailors and allies, was able, by the assistance of two more Ships that came to her assistance, to make her escape in a sinking state.
Meanwhile Nelson still resisted us. It was now who should first board, and have the honour of taking him, French or Spaniard - two Admirals on each side disputed the honour - they boarded his Ship at the same moment - Villeneuve flew to the quarterdeck - with the usual generosity of the French, he carried a brace of pistols in his hands, for he knew the Admiral had lost his arm, and could not use his sword - he offered one to Nelson: they fought, and at the second fire Nelson fell; he was immediately carried below.
Oliva, Gravina, and Villeneuve, attended him with the accustomed French humanity.
Meanwhile, fifteen of the English Ships of the line had struck their colours - four more were obliged to follow their example - another blew up.
Our victory was now complete, and we prepared to take possession of our prizes; but the elements were this time unfavourable to us; a dreadful storm came on - Gravina made his escape to his own Ship at the beginning of it - the Commander in Chief, Villeneuve, and a Spanish Admiral, were unable, and remained on board the Victory.
The storm was long and dreadful; our Ships being so well manœuvered, rode out the gale; the English being so much more damaged, were driven ashore and many of them wrecked.
At length, when the gale abated, thirteen sail of the French and Spanish line got safe to Cadiz; the other twenty have, no doubt, gone to some other port, and will soon be heard of.
We shall repair our damages as speedily as possible, go again in pursuit of the enemy, and afford them another proof of our determination to wrest from them the empire of the seas, and to comply with his Imperial Majesty's demand of Ships, Colonies, and Commerce.
Our loss was trifling, that of the English was immense.
We have, however, to lament the absence of Admiral Villeneuve, whose ardour carried him beyond the strict bounds of prudence, and, by compelling him to board the English Admiral's Ship, prevented him from returning to his own.
After having acquired so decisive a victory, we wait with impatience the Emperor's order to sail to the enemy's shore, annihilate the rest of his navy, and thus complete the triumphant work we have so brilliantly begun.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Chris A
Date: 18 Oct 05 - 08:26 AM

There is a RNLI fund raising event at the Waterfront Bar On Eastbourne pier on Friday 21st October.

I have reworked three songs:
The Victory (steeleye span)
Saucy sailor (trad)
Let her go down (Peter Knight)

I chose to sing songs that looked at not just the event, but about those who had no choice to go,they who are left behind and the perils of going to sea.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 09:59 AM

posted on an Oz folk list today - BBC radio program, I did a quick search on Trafalgar & didn't see any reference, if I missed it, pls accept my apologies!

...................

I've just been listening to a remarkable programme on songs which would have been sung by lower deck seamen at the time of the battle of Trafalgar.

There were one or two 'orrible gaffs, which are outweighed by the fact that the programme was compiled entirely from recordings in the Topic archive. Catherine Bott, the programme's presenter, didn't say so, but I imagine this meant the holdings which Topic deposited at the National Sound Archive.

Anyway, the programme assembled Bert Lloyd, Roy Harris, Bob Harte, Cyril Poacher, Frankie Armstrong, Sam Larner, in fact the whole motley crew, with the strange and lamentable absence of Ewan MacColl. Even more important, it presented recordings which went right back to the early days of Topic microgroove - IE., those 8" LPs which Topic used to press - and included stuff I have certainly never heard before.

You will find the programme stowed away at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainframe.shtml?http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio3_promo.shtml and you'll need to 'list on The Early Music Show berth. NB., it's the Sun button you want, not the Sat. It lasts for one hour, and will be available for seven days from the time of transmision.

Moreover, Catherine Bott has asked people to request similar material. I didn't catch the email address, but it's at the end of the programme. So bend on your oars me hearties. Launch out the emails and fire off the broadsides.

.........................

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: Snuffy
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 07:48 PM

On Saturday I was singing Dark-eyed Sailor at the folk club, and inadvertently changed one refrain to one-eyed Sailor.

There were suggestions that this would be an ideal song for Lady Hamilton. Anyone feel up to writing it?

Subject: RE: J'aime L'oignons frits en huile
From: GUEST,Chevrette
Date: 08 Feb 06 - 02:22 PM

Does anyone have the lyrics, (in French ) for the entire song?

Tres merciments!

Abientot!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jul 14 - 09:58 AM

Replying to a comment from a number of years ago, I am very certain that "Bonny Ship the Diamond" was not sung in the film "Master and Commander". They sang a number of other things, but not that.
1) I've seen the film 17 times. If it were in there, I'd know.
2) "Bonny Ship.." is a favorite of mine. Again, if it were in there, I'd know it.
3) It's not AT ALL in period -- it's much later than 1802-ish when the film takes place (I recall that Nelson is still alive; Aubrey isn't talking about him as if he were 'late' and Blakeney asks what sort of man is he, rather than was he).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 07 Jul 14 - 11:40 AM

I don't recall it either and I have watched the DVD quite a few times too

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for Trafalgar Night
From: GUEST,Linda green
Date: 08 Feb 17 - 04:11 AM

If Gunner Joe was written in 1933, why does it mention "an egg for his tea" and " the sailors saved up their coupons". These references suggest rationing but this did not come in until after 1940. Any thoughts?