Lyr Req: We Be Soldiers Three

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Be Soldiers Three
From: Reinhard
Date: 14 Feb 21 - 12:36 PM

Sorry Felipa, you were faster ;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Be Soldiers Three
From: Reinhard
Date: 14 Feb 21 - 12:35 PM

June Tabor's notes on the song from her album Apples (Topic Records, 2005):

At the beginning of the 16th century the Netherlands were part of the most powerful empire on earth, that of Charles V (1500-1558). It was during his reign that the persecutions and wars began. More than 150 years of violence and brutality followed as the great powers of Europe fought in and for those territories. Finally the land was partitioned, the South annexed by France, the north becoming modern-day Holland and the central part, eventually, Belgium. A degree of stability was achieved but the habit of fighting wars here continued. Mercenaries returning from the troubled Low Countries, penniless, thirsty and dangerous, were to be given a wide berth. “Pardona moy” was definitely a provocation, not an apology.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Be Soldiers Three
From: GUEST,Felipa
Date: 14 Feb 21 - 12:32 PM

from http://www.lizlyle.lofgrens.org/RmOlSngs/RTOS-Soldiers3.html

Addendum:
[ In July, 2010, we received a message from Simon Freedman, who "spent many years in the Sealed Knot Society, English Civil War Re-enactment, singing this round a roaring log fire, first representing a band of Highland Mercenaries and then an English Cannon Regiment, who typically used the skills of Dutch Gunners who had fought in the 30 years war."
Here are his clarifications and comments on the original article]:

Although the English weren’t involved directly in the 30 Years War in the Low Countries, there were many Highland (Scottish) Mercenaries that were. They brought this back with them at the start of the English Civil War, where they were pressed to support Charles 1st.

Footnote 1: The Line Pardonnez Moi, Je Vous en Pris? Is actually a question, in French. “Pardon me, can I help you?” and was said as a mercenary typically intentionally caught someone with their shoulder in a pub or bar, spilling their drink. Basically it was an offer to start a fight!

Verse 1: Lately come forth from the low country instead of Lately come forth of the low country.

Footnote 2: a penny of money: It does relate to money, namely the Mercenary pay that they didn’t receive, most of the time. Either that or they’d spent it!

Verse 2: I know Here, good fellow ... as Hail, good fellow ...

Verse 4: Payes for the shot what ever it hits ... rather than ...what ever it is ...: The Mercenaries had to pay for the powder and shot they used, out of their wages, “whatever it hits” , whether that was the enemy or not.

https://mainlynorfolk.info/peter.bellamy/songs/soldiersthree.html

June Tabor sang Soldiers Three in 2005 on her CD Apples. She commented in the liner notes:

First printed in Deuteromelia (1609).

At the beginning of the 16th century the Netherlands were part of the most powerful empire on earth, that of Charles V (1500-1558). It was during his reign that the persecutions and wars began. More than 150 years of violence and brutality followed as the great powers of Europe fought in and for those territories. Finally the land was partitioned, the South annexed by France, the north becoming modern-day Holland and the central part, eventually, Belgium. A degree of stability was achieved but the habit of fighting wars here continued. Mercenaries returning from the troubled Low Countries, penniless, thirsty and dangerous, were to be given a wide berth. “Pardona moy” was definitely a provocation, not an apology.

Footnote 3: Charge it againe boy, charge it againe, ...: “Charge” relates to the loading of a musket or cannon.
As long as there is any inck in thy pen, ...: “Ink in my pen” to sign for the powder & shot, so they could be duly billed for it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Be Soldiers Three
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 21 - 12:20 PM

We be soldiers three
Pardonnez moi, je vous an prie,
Lately come forth of the Low Country
With never a penny of money.

Here, good fellow, I drink to thee
Pardonnez moi, je vous an prie,
To all good fellows, wherever they be.

And he that will not pledge me this,
Pardonnez moi, je vous an prie,
Pays for the shot whatever it is.

Charge it again, boy, charge it again,
Pardonnez moi, je vous an prie,
As long as there is any ink in thy pen.

What is the origin of this song?
In what context would it have been sung tradtionally? in the alehouse?
Is there any version with more lines in French?

Subject: RE: Lyric request: We Be Soldiers Three
From: MMario
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 09:08 AM

Dang! I should know this, it was read ot two of my sisters weddings.

Subject: RE: Turn Turn Turn
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 02:20 PM

Marcellin,

It was the Byrds, not the Beatles.

"Turn Turn Turn" was written by Pete Seeger, based on a passage from Ecclesiastes.

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Turn, turn, turn by Beatles
From:
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 02:14 PM

Hi folks:

The Beatles Sang Turn, Turn, Turn....... "There is a season to sow, there is a season to reap, there is a season to sing...."

I understand it is reference to Eclesastles in the Bible.

Would anyone know the the complete verse of the song and which verses of the Bible it comes from. You can answer by posting or direct e-mail to me.

Thanks a million.

Marcellin Chiasson, Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, Canada e-mail

Subject: RE: Lyric request: We Be Soldiers Three
From: GUEST,Curtis & Loretta
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 01:44 PM

Merci Beaucoup!!!!

Loretta Simonet Curtis & Loretta

Subject: RE: Lyric request: We Be Soldiers Three
From: MMario
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 09:11 AM

it is also available in the DT

We Be Soldiers Three

url=http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=7631

and the phrase is (pardon my spelling) pardonez moi; the whole phrase meaning,(including the part you quoted) excuse me if you please....or more literally "pardon me I pray you"

Subject: RE: Lyric request: We Be Soldiers Three
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 01:24 AM

Words and msuic are in Ravenscroft's 'Deuteromelia', 1609, which can be found in facsimile on the SCA Minstrel website.

Subject: Lyric request: We Be Soldiers Three
From: GUEST,Curtis & Loretta
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 01:08 AM

Anyone know the lyrics to "We Be Soldiers Three" ? I checked the digitrad, and some other sources and can't find it. Specifically, I'm looking for a version that's all in English, except for one phrase in French. I've got the lyrics, but can't quite understand the whole French phrase.

It starts: We be soldiers three, ?_____________? Je vous en prie, Lately come forth of the low country, With never a penny of money.

What French phrase fits in between those question marks?

Thank you for any help!! Loretta Simonet Curtis & Loretta