Lyr Req: Ocean's Glory - John Clare Notebook

Subject: Lyr Req: Ocean's Glory - John Clare Notebook
From: Young Buchan
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 05:18 AM

In the published version of John Clare's notebooks is a song (probably from his father - otherwise one of his local singers)called Ocean's Glory, about Grenville and with a similar structure to Benbow:

Come all you seamen bold and draw near, and draw near,
Come all you seamen bold and draw near.
It's of an admiral's fame, bold Greville was his name;
How he stormed along the main, scorning fear till he died,
And brought his navy fame - you shall hear etc.

I once took down a copy of it, but it and I have long since parted.

Does anyone have a copy (or Library access to one)?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ocean's Glory - John Clare Notebook
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 06:05 AM

Google tells me that it's in a 1979 collection called "Midsummer Cushion", but I can't find the text anywhere online (I thought everything was online these days!).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ocean's Glory - John Clare Notebook
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 06:05 AM

NB I think it's "Bold Grenville" with an N.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ocean's Glory - John Clare Notebook
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 06:12 AM

Here's the text from George Deacon's John Clare and the folk tradition. The orthography as as in the book.

Deacon's notes say:

There have been no alterations to the manuscript, and there is only one major difference between the two texts of this song; line 4 of the last verse of MS. A54 is:

Till their decks were washed with blood

... Although Clare has specified 'Old Benbow' as the tune, I have been unable to trace a tune of that name, and have therefore given the earliest Benbow tune from Chappell.

A phrase such as 'you shall hear' must be added to the last line of each verse to complete the scansion.

The title 'Oceans Glories' is taken from MS. A54. In MS. A40 it is described simply as 'Sea Song'.


The Chappell tune is 'Benbow, The Brother Tars Song', PMOT p678, taken from the broadside (with tune) printed in the first half of the eighteenth century (Deacon's note).


I haven't checked to see if the tune is findable now (Deacon's book was 1983).

Mick

---

Oceans Glories
Tune: 'Old Benbow' a beautiful melodie

Come all you seamen bold, who have fought, side to side
Come gallant fellows all, lend an ear
Tis of an Admirals fame
Brave Grenville called by name
How he fought on the main, scorning fear, till he died
& won a naveys fame you shall hear

The first of seven ships, was his own, for to meet
The spaniards line of sail, fifty five
& spite of shot & ball
He sailed amidst them all
& there his ship Revenge, kept at bay, their whole fleet
Till scarce a gallant heart, beat alive

Come gallant boys he cried, I will lead, who will fight?
Theres not a man on board, that would run
& out their courage burst
Each tryed which should be the first
Where hell een turned tail, in despair, at the sight
Each rushed on glorys throne to his gun

The spanish thunder burst, on their ship, all around
& courage felt the shock, so severe
But like a rising sun
The gloom was oer & gone
When Grenvilles cheer was heard, English tars, keep your ground
I lead you on to fight not to fear

Their masters brave commands, they did back, all along
& the bravest nailed the Flag, to the mast
Brave brothers he did try
We'll fight on till we die
To him the cannons noise, was a song, was a song
& thus they stood it on, to the last

Bold Grenville met a shot, & was brought, to the ground
& courage for a while, forced to bow
They dressed his wounded head
& sorrow quickly fled
When they the laurel saw, springing up, from the wound
& glory weaving wreaths, for his brow

For still he lived & cried, fight it on, we will buy
A conquest which our foes, cannot reap
Lay in me glorys bed
On the quarter deck he said
That I may face my foes, & command, till I die
& then in Honours grave I will sleep

A tallisman to all, was his sun, ere it set
& glory they pursued, to the grave
They fought it on & stood
Till their guns e'en wanted food
& when their shot was spent, they must yield, & they met
A fame which battles won, never gave

Source: George Deacon, John Clare and the folk tradition, from mss: Peterborough MS. A40 p94, alternative text: Peterborough MS. A54 p312

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ocean's Glory - John Clare Notebook
From: Young Buchan
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 11:42 AM

Very grateful, Mick. That is exactly it!

Phil - you are of course correct but the key betwee b ad m o my computer is't workig. :-S