Tune Req: The Waggon Train

Subject: The Waggon Train
From: GUEST,Paul Slade
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 05:14 AM

Does anyone know where I can find a sound recording of an old English folk song called The Waggon Train?

I'm interested in an 1853 gallows ballad about Elizabeth Vickers of Brixton, and it's noted above the verses of her song that it should be sung to The Waggon Train's tune. Without hearing The Waggon Train, though, that's not much help to me.

Thanks very much.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE FATE OF FAITHFUL NANCY AND WILLIAM...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 10:21 PM

Maybe "The Waggon Train" is an abbreviated title of this song:

From the Bodleian Library Ballad Collection, Firth b.25(506). The Bodleian also has 6 other editions of this song.


THE FATE OF FAITHFUL NANCY AND WILLIAM OF THE WAGGON TRAIN
Tune—Bushes and Briers

Attend awhile, and do not smile, young men and maids around,
While I relate a tale so true as ever yet was found.
A female did a soldier wed and with him she did go
To join the Peninsular War and share young William's woe.

The trumpet sounded war's alarms and call'd young William away.
He left his dearest Nancy's arms and thus to her did say:
"Adieu, adieu! my lover true; upon yon hill remain
Till you behold your soldier bold, young Will of the waggon train."

'Twas on that lofty mountain poor Nancy she did stand.
Her moments she was counting, and view'd the battle grand.
The battle thrice was lost and won and thousands there lay slain.
The daring foe had laid them low, and Will of the waggon train.

The trumpet sounded victory; the sun had sunk to rest.
A shot was fired so angry, and wounded Nancy's breast.
She cried, "Oh, save my soldier brave, or I will share his pain,"
For honour cries young Nancy, and Will of the waggon train.

Then from the mountain Nancy went, her William for to find.
To seek her soldier she was bent, her danger did not mind;
But mark that night what met her sight: she found the soldier slain.
Her soldier bold lay dead and cold, poor Will of the waggon train.

She wrote a letter to her friends and sealed it with her gore,
Crying: "Say you witness'd my sad end; I soon shall be no more."
Then said farewell and down she fell upon the gory plan
And closed her eyes no more to rise from Will of the waggon train.

The officers were standing by and viewed this pair so true.
A tear did dim each warrior's eye as from them they withdrew.
So be true and kind; ne'er change your mind, young men, when hearts you gain.
And maids be true like Nancy was to Will of the waggon train.

Subject: Lyr Add: WILLIAM OF THE WAGGON TRAIN
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 10:49 PM

Or perhaps this one:

From the Bodleian Library Ballad Collection, Firth c.14(172). The library has 4 other editions of this song.


WILLIAM OF THE WAGGON TRAIN

One lovely morning as I was walking
In the merry month of May,
Alone a smart young pair were talking,
And I overheard what they did say.
The one appear'd a lovely maiden,
Seemingly in grief and pain;
The other was a gay young soldier,
A serjeant in the waggon train.

Said this young soldier, "I must leave you.
The royal orders I must obey.
I ne'er intended to deceive you,
So, dearest Nancy, shun dismay.
I'm going to cross the raging ocean,
And if fam'd laurels I should gain,
I may return with high promotion
And bid farewell to the waggon train.

"Suppose your parents you offended
And I should in the battle fall?
Then when your soldier's life is ended,
Alas! no friend you'll find at all.
Besides, if you are such a ranger,
You'll have to cross the raging main,
So be a stranger to such danger;
Say farewell to the waggon train."

"Young man, you know my situation.
Do not leave me here behind.
I'll bid adieu to each relation,
Be a soldier true and kind.
If sick or in sorrow, I will follow,
To soothe your care and drown your pain,
And in the battle, hear the rattle
Of your royal waggon train."

"Since you seem so much undaunted,
Nancy, I'll ne'er bid you adieu.
I'll ask the favour, if it's granted,
Before I go, to marry you.
I'll guard my ranger through each danger,
And from the foe in France and Spain;
So God protect you, faithful Nancy,
With William of the waggon train."

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Waggon Train
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 10:56 PM

There are 12 more editions called YOUNG WILLIAM OF THE ROYAL WAGGON TRAIN, essentially the same song as WILLIAM OF THE WAGGON TRAIN.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Waggon Train
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 04:06 AM

Presumably nothing to do with the theme for the TV 'Wagon Train', which I seem to recall was written in pentatonic scale (i.e. you could play it on just the black notes of a piano)