Lyr Req: Stand To, Me Bonny Lads (John Tams)

Subject: Lyr Req: Stand To Me Bonny Lads.John Tams
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 12 Nov 08 - 08:35 AM

This came up in the Warhorse thread.
Interest was expressed but no one had the full lyric.
It is referred to in connection with the TV series Sharpe's Challenge, but I do not remember hearing it.
Anyone know more?
keith.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stand To Me Bonny Lads.John Tams
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 01:30 PM

Indeed, IMDb.com gives the following information in the soundtrack listing for "Sharpe's Challenge":

STAND TO, ME BONNY LADS
Traditional
Adapted by John Tams
Performed by John Tams

Here's John Tams' web site. Unfortunately, I can't find any reference there to the song or to "Sharpe's Challenge."

If it's truly traditional, we ought to be able to find other versions of it, but I have failed to find anything. Do you suppose he took a traditional tune and gave it lyrics and a new title?

Apparently there is a DVD available.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stand To, Me Bonny Lads (John Tams)
From: GUEST,J Adam
Date: 16 May 23 - 12:35 PM

I wanted to sing this myself and the website no longer has the lyrics, so I have transcribed it as best I can.



Stand to, me bonny lads,
Stand to and make you ready.
Stand to, me bonny lads,
Hold the line right steady.
Let bright bands rule the flame;
This day shall bear your name.
Stand to, me bonny lads,
Hold the line right steady.


Be steadfast, bonny lads,
May angels now attend thee.
Be steadfast, bonny lads,
For earthly dread defend thee.
One final holy prayer
A whistle greets the air
Be steadfast, bonny lads
Angels now attend thee


Go easy, bonny lads,
Up the line to glory
Go easy, bonny lads
With every step a story.
These meadows turn to mud
For they’re sown with seeds of blood
Go easy, bonny lads
Up the line to glory

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stand To, Me Bonny Lads (John Tams)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 17 May 23 - 01:17 PM

For what it's worth, there is an overlap of lyrics between "Stand to" and "The Devonshire Carol", the latter being as sung in the stage production of "War Horse": if you click on the second link in "Related threads" above, it will take you there. The full lyrics are there, as is link to a YouTube video of John Tams and Barry Coope performing it.

I transcribed what I was hearing for piano or other instruments, as below - it gets more minor-ish as it goes on!(in the wonderful key of F)

THE DEVONSHIRE CAROL
(as sung by John Tams)

The (F)lambkin in the manger the (Bb)light upon the (C)lea
The (F)moorland yields to glory the (Bb)shepherds bend the (C)knee
And (F)all are wrapped in grace and (Bb)all are gifted (C)mirth
Peace (F)walks upon this blessed land
Peace (Bb)walks upon this (C)blessed land
Peace (F)walks upon this blessed land
Good(Bb)will up(C)on all (F)Earth


The (F) ploughboy and his traces, the (Bb) line upon the (C)land
All's(F)gift by(Gm)Nature's (Dm7)graces her (Bb)bounty to (C)command
And(F)all are wrapped in grace and (Bb)all are gifted (C)mirth
Peace(F)walks upon this blessed land
Peace (Bb)walks upon this (C)blessed land
Peace (Am)walks upon this (Dm)blessed land
Good(Gm)will up(C)on all (F)Earth.

Instrumental (Tune like "Stand to" verse)
F   C   F,   Bb    CF,
F   C   F,   Bb    CF,
Bb Am Dm, Gm    C,
F   Gm Dm, Bb Gm CF.

(F)Tommy in the meadow, (Bb)Tommy in the (C)byre
(F)Tommy on the (Dmin)firestep, (Gmin)Tommy on the (C)wire
And (F)those who walked in war and (Bb)those who walked in (C)peace
And (F)those who walked this (Dmin)blessed land
And (Gmin)those who walked this (C)blessed land
And (Amin)those who walked this (Dmin)blessed land
Their (Gmin)souls shall (C)never (F)cease.

(F)Stand to, me (C)bonny (F)lads,stand(Dmin)to and make you(C)rea(F)dy
(F)Stand to, me(Gmin)bonny(Dmin)lads,(Gmin)hold the line right
(C)stea(F)dy.
Let(Bb)pride burn(Amin)through the(Dmin)flame, this (Gmin)day shall bear your (C)name
Stand (F)to, me(C)bonny(F)lads, (Gmin)hold the line right (C)stea(F)dy
And (F) those who walked in war and (Bb)those who cherished (C)peace
And (F)those who (Gmin)walked this (Dmin)blessed land
And (Bb)those who walked this (C)blessed land
And (Amin)those who walked this (Dmin)blessed land
Their (Gmin)souls shall (C)never (F)cease.