Re. Battle of Corunna -any songs?

Subject: Re. Battle of Corunna -any songs?
From: ooh-aah
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 08:38 PM

Does anyone know any songs about the Battle of Corunna and the death of Sir John Moore? We are familiar with the poem, but can't believe there are no folk-songs on this subject.

Subject: RE: Re. Battle of Corunna -any songs?
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 10:47 PM

Yes. See: Battle of Corunna

Also see "Blood Red Roses" in the DT, which is thought by some to have reference to that campaign.

Subject: RE: Re. Battle of Corunna -any songs?
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 10:50 PM

That may be the poem you referred to, but I heard it sung by a "Celtic" group in New Orleans. Can't remember what song the tune reminded me of, but it was not a new tune.

Subject: RE: Re. Battle of Corunna -any songs?
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 11:21 PM

There is one song in the Bodleian, Firth c.14(23), called Corunna's Lang Shore. It is not about Moore. Date between 1849 and 1880, Glasgow.

Lyrics Add: CORUNNA'S LANG SHORE

I write you this long letter from Corunna's lang shore,
Here I lie dying and bleeding in gore;
I have fought here a battle, I'm afraid that I'm slain,
I write to let you know that we'll never meet again.

My dear, take this letter, it's the last one I'll send;
Our long correspondence is now at an end;
I'm wounded in the body, no surgeon can cure,
And the wounds I have received are fatal, I'm sure.

Whilst I lie bleeding upon the cold ground,
The blood from my wounds like a fountain runs down,
With my napkin I stop it, for to gain as long time
For to write you this letter, pretty Peggy of mine.

When you read this letter, dear maid do not frown,
For what is man's fortune it's here I'll pen down,
Our life's but a shadow, that, I plainly see now,
And there's nothing that grieves me but parting with you.

And when we were parted it was with great pain,
But we still having small hopes for to meet each again;
Our hopes are all over, and I'll ne'er see you more,
So I'll leave you, my Peggy, on Corunnas lang shore.

Air- The best of friends must part. Not the best poetry!

Subject: RE: Re. Battle of Corunna -any songs?
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 11:31 PM

Also see "Sir John Moore's Burial," undated ballad in the Bodleian, Firth b.27(104). Search at Bodleian
and enter Sir John Moore. Rather dull.

Subject: RE: Re. Battle of Corunna -any songs?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 05:14 AM

His finest legacy was the training he put into the Light Brigade (the infantry, not the cavalry of the famous charge). The 43rd, 52nd, and 95th regiments, which formed the Light Brigade, were the core of the Peninsula army.