Lyr Add: The Amazon

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Amazon
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Oct 14 - 04:12 AM

Thanks, John.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Amazon
From: GUEST,John Moulden
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 03:04 PM

The ship was commissioned as a privateer in Belfast in 1778 and made two voyages, the first under Captain Robert Moore returned unfought and prizeless after six months. The second, under Capt George Colvill fought the battle described. The song probably derives from reports in the Belfast Newsletter on 5 November 1779. On return from this voyage in February 1780, the ship arrived at Donaghadee on Belfast Lough to land some crew and took on local men to work to Belfast. Unfortunately, they were caught on a lee shore and driven into Ballyhome Bay. All on board drowned. George Colvill's grave with a notable gravestone, now unfortunately shattered, is in Bangor Abbey graveyard. A six-pounder cannon with a plaque identifying it as having been salvaged from the Amazon, is outside.
The song exists in two forms - The Irish Privateer and The Spanish Snow. I transcribed the song from Robert Cinnamond's singing in mid 1971 and added a few lines. Kevin Mitchell recorded it from my singing and passed the song to Jim Mageean from whose record 'Of Ships and Men' Terry Timmins learned it. The performance that Kevin recorded lacked a verse:

Our ship she was rigged both fore and aft, a gallant craft was she,
Out flag was at the Topmast, before we put to sea,
Our Captain's name was Colcill and our ship the Amazon
And the most of our brave heroes were reared near Belfast Town.

The song has an interesting printing history part of which is outlined in one of the Dungbeetle articles on the Musical Traditions website.

I could send a more detailed account from my PhD thesis to any who request it. jmoul81075 [at] aol.com

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Amazon
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 02:35 PM

The British frigate was launched in 1773 among 18 in the Amazon class. The HMS Ambuscade in this class was captured by the French and re-named but later re-captured by the British in 1803.

The song seems to be of this time, but not related to any particular Amazon-class ship.

In part Timmons accent makes for a few unintelligible bits to these Canadian ears.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Amazon
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 01:57 PM

Fine singing - Having been to Portaferry several times when Fibula Mattocks ran MudGathers there , its nice to hear it in a good song

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Amazon
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 01:30 PM

The Amazon was a Nova Scotia-built brigantine, later made famous in fiction and reports as the Marie Celeste, found abandoned and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean.

A different vessel, the Amazon set sail from London in 1863 to America with 891 LDS (Mormons) aboard. Primarily craftsmen and trades people, they were discussed by Charles Dickens.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Amazon
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 10:15 AM

Thanks for the link, Martin. That is indeed fine singing.

Before listening, I asked myself, "Is it about the river or about a warrior goddess?" Neither, it's about a ship.

Subject: Lyr Add: The Amazon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 09:27 AM

Came across this while looking for something else at The Goilin Song Project. Not sure if we've looked at the song before - but it's a fine piece of singing by Terry Timmons.

Click here

Regards