Lyr ADD: Loss of the Princess Alice

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Loss of the Princess Alice
From: GUEST,Lady Elizabeth
Date: 15 Nov 22 - 08:36 AM

Interesting BBC article on the history for this song - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-44800309

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Loss of the Princess Alice
From: GUEST,Janet Elizabeth
Date: 03 Sep 18 - 06:47 AM

The event has been remembered by the BBC on its 150th anniversary, so now more people will know about it ...

Princess Alice disaster: The Thames' 650 forgotten dead - BBC News

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-44800309

Sorry I forgot to use a blue clickie the first time I posted. Elizabeth x

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Loss of the Princess Alice
From: GUEST,Lady Elizabeth
Date: 03 Sep 18 - 06:35 AM

It's been remembered by the BBC on its 150th anniversary...

"Princess Alice disaster: The Thames' 650 forgotten dead - BBC News"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-44800309

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Dec 99 - 02:59 PM

I now have an address and telephone number for Rickard and a telephone number for the other member of String Whistle so if anyone is trying to get their lastst recording, which features this song, post here or better message me.

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 05:03 PM

Yippee!

I've been looking for htat for about 2 years - and psoted threads twice.

Stringwhislte still around.

SOng on latest CD or tape, reviewed in "What's On folks?".

I think the band can be traced via Dartford FOlk club.

Oh. and the Princess ALice actually went down on Gravesend reach, and I think that is the correct line at that point.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LOSS OF THE PRINCESS ALICE
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 01:59 AM

I emailed Mick these a week or so ago...

"When in doubt go to the source!" says I. So I emailed the Grand Union Morris (GUM) contact person and was referred to a member (Andrew) who kindly provided me with the following.

Enjoy!
Mary
-----------------

THE LOSS OF THE PRINCESS ALICE

1. If you listen to me, a story I'll relate
Of a ship called the good Princess Alice.
She met with her fate in 1878.
She was known as the "Floating Palace".

CHORUS: When the Princess Alice sank in Barking Reach,
Six hundred and forty died together.
Not all had been drowned as the coroner found,
Some were poisoned by the black stinking river.

2. Eight hundred or more were aboard her for sure,
On a pleasure trip in gay company,
But for hundreds of men, their families and their friends,
Oh the pleasure was surely not to be. CHORUS

3. To Sheerness they went, via Woolwich and Gravesend.
William Rickstead it was the captain's name,
And the helmsman was John Ayers who was new to such affairs,
But the captain must accept the final blame. CHORUS

4. As they rounded Tripcock Point, a collier came in sight,
Bywell Castle, a thousand tons or more,
And the collier's captain thought that ships should pass to port
And maintained his position by the shore. CHORUS

5. Well, the Alice came around from the shelter of the land
And was turned by the ebbing tide,
And by now it was too late to avoid the dreadful fate
And the collier caught her squarely in the side. CHORUS

6. There were screams. there were shouts as the ships lights went out.
They took just four minutes to go down,
And though the collier's gallant crew managed to save just a few,
All the rest were either poisoned or drowned. CHORUS

7. Well, the inquest resolved that lessons should be learned
And rules of navigation put together,
And they stand to this day, and I'm very pleased to say
That they've cleaned up the black, stinking river. CHORUS

[Written by Dave Rickard of Deptford (or Dartford?, can't remember) Performed many years ago by a band called Stringwhistle on a binaural stereo musical documentary on Capital Radio about this true event. --Andrew at GUM]

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Nov 99 - 05:52 AM

Mick, ever heard a song called 'London River'? That doesn't mention the smell either!

And by your side of the pond, I take it you mean I'm not in the 'colonies'! (sorry) Yes, I live not 4 miles from the said stinking river, and have often travelled the Woolwich Free Ferry, the last remaining free ferry across the Thames. If you want to find out how bad the river smells, go over the QE2 Bridge at Dartford, on a sunny day, when the tide is out..... sometimes it even outsmells the factories....

Sorry, I'm not a local really, having been born and brought up in Dorset, I'm only here because I got married, and SO wouldn't spend 4 hours a day commuting... He asked which disaster you meant, but we haven't been able to find anything. Why don't you give Cecil Sharp House a ring, they have an excellent music library, and may be able to help you. Phone (from UK) 020 7485 2206. Good luck!

LTS

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 21 Nov 99 - 07:40 PM

Liz I take it you are my side of the pond.. so why don't you know it.. LOL..
the last lines go..
"And I'm very pleased to say
That they've cleaned up the lack stinking river"
There's been a tv series on BBC about the Thames and so far they haven't mentioned it... too busy embroiled in the class conflict.. i.e. "those with boats cruising the river and us proles who don't"..
Given the choice between a river cruiser and a Martin.. I'll stick with my Martin thank you..
Mick

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 21 Nov 99 - 05:03 AM

For anyone interested, here's a link to a site telling a little about this tragedy (but alas, no lyrics.):

Princess Alice

Mary

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 08:02 PM

SO wants to know whether the disaster was a sinking due to collision or if it was disaster due to launching broadside on into the river? Synchronicity - he's just got back from a (grotty) gig in --- The Princess Alice, Forest Gate!! Named for the lady, not the boat.

And it is only in the last 8-10 years that people falling into certain parts of the Thames have not had their stomachs pumped as a matter of course..... There are even salmon in it now, somewhere... It still stinks when the tide is out though!

LTS

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 06:47 PM

"When the Princess Alice sank in ???? reach
Six hundred and forty died together
Not all had been drowned, as the coroner found
Some were poisoned by the black stinking river"

Come on guys.. my five year old daughter loves this song (especially the "black stinking river") and keeps asking why I don't sing it for her....
Do I have to say it?..... pretty please..
Mick

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 19 Nov 99 - 08:24 PM

I can't believe that no one has come across this song.. I mean it is about the worst disaster that has ever happened on the Thames.. for non-Brits.. the stream that runs through London, among other places before squelching out into the North Sea, or is it the Channel at that point.. and no I'm not going to say La Manche, cos any French inclined reading this.. that particular stretch of water is definitely English due to the fact we have a Navy and you don't..
It's featured on the latest tape by the Grand Union Morris.. i.e. a big hint for any Morris fans out there.
Heck what do I have to do?.. record me singing what bits I can decypher and send it to you?..
Mick

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 19 Nov 99 - 08:06 PM

Still no takers here nor at the other newsgroups Mick...I'll keep you posted.

Mary

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 09:28 PM

Totally and hopelessly indeed!

And I did come across an mp3 snippet....that's all it was, about 27 seconds worth...not much help.

I'll keep my eyes open for it though.

TBWY

Mary

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 09:07 PM

Mary
It's definitely on the next tape as I've just listened to it.. which no doubt you'll now re email..
And I would have said TAHIL..
But then again sometimes I can be picky...
And surely somebody has the lyrics to this....
Mick

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 09:31 PM

No,Mick, definitely not confused....just IL.

Mary

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 08:54 PM

Mary
Likewise.. there's a "major" problem in trying to transcribe (is there such a word) lyrics in that the Grand Union Morris are definitely not singing "Galleon's Reach" as you will no doubt find when I get to send this next tape to you (or was it on the last one..doh!!).. I told you I've lost track of what I've sent to you..
Now confused
Mick

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 16 Nov 99 - 08:48 PM

I've only come across sites about the actual "shipwreck"--but not the song.

Me

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 16 Nov 99 - 06:22 PM

Come on.. someone must know this one..!!!

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 15 Nov 99 - 06:43 PM

another refresh

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 14 Nov 99 - 07:27 PM

Thanks Kat
Did you ever send me the full account of your "festival"e..LOL
If you're doing it next year and are in need of some ideas as to what to sing with your sister, I've got a couple of ideas..
Mick

Subject: Lyric Req: Princess Alice
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 13 Nov 99 - 07:35 PM

Okay
There must be some "Britside-ponders" frequenting the mudcat that have come across this song as featured by the Grand Union Morris on their tape Can't Get The Buggers Out.. after all it is about the worst disaster that has happened on the Thames.. so pretty please.. if you know the lyrics (and hopefully chords), please post them here.
Many Thanks
Mick