Lyr Req: Grave of Napoleon

Subject: Lyric request:Grave of Napoleon
From:
Date: 05 Nov 96 - 05:01 PM

I am looking for the lyrics and sources of the song "The Grave of Napoleon" or "Napoleon's Grave". Norman Blake recorded a version on a recent album; I'm particular- ly interested in where the song came from.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GRAVE OF NAPOLEON
From:
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 02:38 AM

I recorded this song on Sea Shanties and Sea Songs from Way out West.
Got the words from American, English and Irish Broadsides. at the Library of Congress. I got my tune from a note book from the Bark Sunbeam. Old Dartmouth Historical Society. 1860-63. I have also seen it printed in I think a Fire Side Song Book From the early 20th century.

THE GRAVE OF NAPOLEON

On a lone barren isle, where the wild roaring billow,
Assail the stern rock, and the load tempest rave,
The hero lies still, while the dew dropping willow
Like a fond weeping mourner leans over the grave.
The lightning may flash, and the loud thunders rattle,
He heads not, he hears not, he's free from all pain,
He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle,
No sound can awake him to glory again.
No sound can awake him to glory again.

Yet spirit immortal, the tomb cannot bind thee,
For like thine own eagle that soured to the sun,
Thou springest from bondage, and leavest behind thee
A name which before thee no mortal has won.
Though nations may combat, and war's thunders rattle,
No more on thy steed wilt thou sweep o'er the plain,
Thou sleepest thy last sleep, thou hast fought thy last battle,
No sound can awake him to glory again.
No sound can awake him to glory again.

Oh shade of the mighty! where now are the legions
That rushed but to conquer when thou lead them on?
Alas! they have perished in far hilly regions,
And all save the fame of their triumph is gone.
The trumpet may sound and the load cannon rattle,
They heed not, they hear not, they're free from all pain,
They sleep there last sleep, they have fought their last battle,
No sound can awake him to glory again.
No sound can awake him to glory again.

Subject: RE: Lyric request:Grave of Napoleon
From: nutty
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 03:29 AM

There's a Broadside here in the Bodleian Library dated circa. 1860
It was printed in New York

Grave of Bonaparte