Lyr Req: Battle of Largs (Larry Marshall)

Subject: The Battle of Largs
From: GUEST,Forgetful Scot
Date: 23 Apr 01 - 06:13 PM

In the 60's I remember my Dad having a 7" record of the above tune by Larry Marshall.
I know it starts,

' Back in 1263 when all Scotland was free
And the English were merely our neighbours
From a far crippit land came a fierce savage band
Who were known as the Viking invaders
They had boats with square sails and wore helmets
just like pails.....

I cannot remember the rest and I really liked the song. I do remember the tune. If you have the chords please keep them simple

Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Battle of Largs
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Apr 01 - 10:23 PM

This is the only thing I could find, and the words are not similar at all.....Click here The Battle of Largs is an alternated title for Hardyknute. Sorry I'm not more help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Battle of Largs
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 24 Apr 01 - 01:07 AM

The tune "Hardy Knute" (Battle of Largs) given by Oswald, mentioned in the click-on above, is given as T008 in ABC file T1.HTM on my website. However, it's obvious from the language used that the one requested above is a much more modern song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Battle of Largs
From: GUEST,Dita (at work)
Date: 24 Apr 01 - 05:25 AM

Larry Marshall was the frontman for a 60's TV show called the "One O'clock Gang." It was a humour/musical lunchtime show, which went out in Scotland only. Larry Marshall was an entertaner in the music hall tradition. I don't know the song but imagine it was a spin-off from the show. It was probably issued on a small independent record label, of which there were a number at this time, puting out all manner of material at a local level. These record labels issued records by the Logan family, Josh Macrae, Matt McGinn, etc, anyone with a high local profile.
I would think that this was a song in the music hall style written by or for Larry.
The only thing I can think of would be if Dorothy Paul, who was in the show with him had a copy in her archives. Scottish interest boxes at record fairs are the only other thing I can think of.
love, john

---

Messages from multiple threads combined. Messages below are from a new thread.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Battle of Largs - 1263
From: GUEST,onyer
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 08:07 PM

In the 1960's, a Scotsman named Larry Marshall recorded the above song. Our family had a 7" single of it. Sadly missing now.

It begins:

Back in 1263
When all Scotland was free
And England was merely our neighbour,
From a far cripit land
Came a fierce savage band
Who were known as the Viking invaders.

They had boats with square sails
And wore helmets just like pails
Arrived offside Largs seeking plunder,
But they anchored offshore
For an hour or maybe more
And that was their first major blunder.

Now the Scots weren't sleepin'
Even now, they're all a-creepin'
Just to see for themselves what's a Viking...

I'm afraid that's all I can remember. I know the tune, but if anyone has all the words and guitar chords, I would be grateful for them.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 21-Sep-02.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Battle of Largs - 1263
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 11:50 PM

Sorry, no luck at all.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Battle of Largs - 1263
From: Hrothgar
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 04:44 AM

This might be in Michael Brander's "Scottish and Boder Battles and Ballads" but I can't lay my hands on my copy at the moment. I have a suspicion somebody has borrowed it.....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Battle of Largs - 1263
From: GUEST,Scabby Doug
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 05:06 AM

Hrothgar - don't bother looking for this in Scottish and Border Ballads.. Larry Marshall was a Scottish comedian on TV and theatre. This was obviously a comic song. I'll see if I can find anything...

Cheers

Steven

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Battle of Largs - 1263
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 05:16 AM

timely request; the Mod (Gaelic festival/competition) invades Larg next month

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Battle of Largs - 1263
From: GUEST,Onyer
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 02:51 PM

I appreciate you all taking the time to try and help me find the lyrics.

Good luck. Hope you are successful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Battle of Largs - 1263
From: GUEST,Jack O'D
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 03:31 PM

I wouldn't bother. What I remember about Larry Marshall and that song is frightening. He made Harry Lauder look like Lawrence Olivier. Orra best.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Battle of Largs - 1263
From: GUEST,ray smith, scottish broadcaster, regina, can
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 07:37 PM

I have the original 45 of the song The Battle of Largs recorded and written by Larry Marshall. As other contributors mention, he starred in the long running STV variety show The One O'Clock Gang. Somebody mentioned that it would have been on a minor, local label. Not so. It was issued on the mighty Parlophone Label 45-R-4720. The musical director for the recording was the celebrated Ron Goodwin. The flipside is a song that Larry often got kudoes for on the show, Old Scotch Mother Mine-the B side orchestration by Johnny Spence. Those who recalled the lyrics of Battle of Largs have excellent memories. Very accurate indeed. I have played the track several times on my weekly Scottish music show, Scotland Calling(CJTR FM in Regina -also streaming on www.cjtr.ca) and have received very positive comments from Scots exiles in North America and indeed listening back hame, who have never heard it before.The 45 was issued in 1960 and I must say it stands the test of time,remarkably well.Thanks for the opportunity to contribute to this excellent forum and about one of my favourite entertainers, Larry Marshall.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BATTLE OF LARGS (Larry Marshall)
From: GUEST,Linda C Wood
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 03:03 PM

Hi! Not sure if you ever got the full lyrics to "The Battle of Largs", so here they are:

THE BATTLE OF LARGS
By
Larry Marshall


Back in 1263
When auld Scotland was free,
The English were merely aye our neighbours,
From an ice-grippin' land
Came a fierce, savage band
Who were known as the Viking Invaders.
They had boats with spare sails
And wore helmets jist like pails,
Arrived offside Largs seekin' plunder,
But they anchored off-shore
For an hour, maybe more
And that was their first major blunder!

Chorus
Och, aye, dearie me, misery and woe,
Then was heard for the very first time
The King's cry "Aye, ye'll go!"

But the Scots weren't sleepin'
Even now they're all a-creepin'
Jist to see for themselves "Whit's a Viking?"
What they saw when they keeked
Left the most of them piqued
And admittin' was not tae their likin'.
Now the brave Scottish leader
While removing his wee feeder
Grew visibly paler and thinner.
"The Vikings!" he shouted
"I'll soon see that they get clouted,
Arrivin' when I'm at my dinner!"

Chorus


Then he marshalled his forces,
Seven men and thirteen horses
At the top of the steep Hayley Brae.
In a voice loud and clear,
Jist to show he'd no fear,
He issued his orders for the day.
"Now ma plan of attack
Is the soldiers at the back
Will come down to the front – now don't be shy!
Ye've been there long enough
And if things get too rough
You'll escape, never fear, ye're a' that fly!"

Chorus

Then he girded his sword
And with nary a word
Into battle they marched, nice and slow,
With the men up in front and the leaders ahint
And their stirrin' clan cry "Aye, ye'll go!"
But the Vikings don't need it –
Look, they've turned around tae beat it!
They're all tearin' back tae their ships!
And wi' horrified glances
They're all droppin' swords and lances
They must think that they have had their chips!

(Narrated)
Now the message here printed,
Which I have only hinted,
Didn't dawn till the morning of Fair Monday.
Whit did happen, ye see, is as plain as it can be –
They landed in Largs ON A SUNDAY!

Chorus
Och, aye, dearie me, misery and woe,
Then was heard for the very first time
The King's cry "Aye, ye'll go!"
They went!

Other 45s by Larry Marshall:

The Ballad of Rob Roy/A Town Like Glasgow
Calling You Again to Bonnie Scotland/Wee Harry

I have performed "A Town Like Glasgow" to a live audience in the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall a few years ago and it was well received. I have written to Larry but received no reply. I gather he is now unwell, sadly.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Battle of Largs (Larry Marshall)
From: Arkie
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 08:45 PM

Since this is an old thread, interest in this song may have waned. Though now we have the lyrics.

Here is a recording on emusic. Is this the song requested?

The Battle of Largs