John Tams Sharpes Rifles series

Subject: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From:
Date: 23 Aug 98 - 01:38 PM

I am trying to find the words to a song John Tams sings in the episode Sharpes Sword. His character (Rifleman Hagman) sings a funny song to some children in the camp. a line from the song is

Thats my head and you can play there. and The more I love my lover draws near.

Help anyone?

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From:
Date: 23 Aug 98 - 02:43 PM

Dont know the answer to that. But is the Song OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY THat is used as theme music an Actual song or was it made up for the series. Ive never heard it before ???? Allan

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Bruce O.
Date: 23 Aug 98 - 03:35 PM

The song with the burden "Over the hills and far away" is part of "The Recruiting Officer, or Merry Volunteers" in 'Pills to Purge Melancholy', 1706 and 1719. This has 14 verses. The TV series used the original tune, which I'm sure is still familiar to many. It's tune B360 on my website in ABC. I've also seen a shorter copy of the song in a Scots MS of the 1740's, (NLS MS 6299) with different verse order and with the title "Over the hills and far away".

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Dave Lever
Date: 23 Aug 98 - 03:52 PM

The song is an actual marching song that dates back to Queen Anne. The verses are made up by different campaigns in different countries. John Tams did make up some verses for the movies but the song is essentially a true marching song with many versions. There is an American version on Mudcats list of folk songs. Cheers

Dave

Subject: Lyr Add: THE RECRUITING OFFICER (from D'Urfey)
From: Bruce O.
Date: 23 Aug 98 - 04:58 PM

[Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1706, but here from reprint of 1719 edition, V, p. 319.]

THE RECRUITING OFFICER: Or, the Merry Volunteers: Being an Excellent New Copy of Verses upon raising Recruits.

To the foregoing Tune. [Over the Hills and far away = Jockey's Lamentation, comm: Jockey met with Jenny fair.]

Hark! now the Drums beat up again,
For all true Soldiers Gentlemen,
Then let us list, and march I say,
Over the Hills and far away;
   Over the Hills and o'er the Main,
  To Flanders, Portugal and Spain,
  Queen Ann commands, and we'll obey,
  Over the Hills and far away.

All Gentlemen that have a Mind,
To serve the Queen that's good and kind;
Come list and enter into Pay,
Then o'er the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

Here's Forty Shillings on the Drum,
For those that Volunteers do come,
With Shirts, and Cloaths, and present Pay,
When o'er the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

Hear that brave Boys, and let us go,
Or else we shall be prest you know;
Then list and enter into Pay,
And o'er the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

The Constables they search about,
To find such brisk young Fellows out;
Then let's be Volunteers I say,
Over the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

Since now the French so low are brought,
And Wealth and Honour's to be got,
Who then behind wou'd sneaking stay?
When o'er the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

No more from sound of Drum retreat,
While Marlborough, and Gallaway beat,*
The French and Spaniards every Day,
When o'er the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

He that is forc'd to go and fight,
Will never get true Honour by't,
While Volunteers shall win the Day,
When o'er the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

What tho' our Friends our Absense mourn,
We all with Honour shall return,
And then we'll sing both Night and Day,
Over the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

The[n] Prentice Tom he may refuse,
To wipe his angry Master's Shoes;
For then he's free to sing and play,
Over the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

Over Rivers, Bogs, and Springs,
We all shall live as great as Kings,
And Plunder get both Night and Day,
When o'er the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

We then shall lead more happy Lives,
By getting rid of Brats and Wives,
That Scold on both Night and Day,
When o'er the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

Come on then Boys and you shall see,
We every one shall Captains be,
To Whore and rant as well as they,
When o'er the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

For if we go 'tis one to Ten,
But we return all Gentlemen,
All Gentlemen as well as they,
When o'er the Hills and far away;
  Over the Hills, &c.

* Henry de Massue, French, created Earl of Galway by the English in 1697, reviving extinct title. In 1707 he lost the battle of Almanza. The tune, presumeably Irish, "Lord Gallaway's Lamentation", probably refers to him. [D. O'Sullivan's 'Carolan', II, p. 128-9]

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From:
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 01:05 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Melbay
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 10:38 AM

How can I access "Over the Hills and Far Away"? Any information can be e-mailed to [e-mail] Thanks Much, MPO

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From:
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 02:24 PM

Which one?

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 05:18 PM

That dirty trick when you go to erase a istype and the message disappeers is back!

Anyway, I'm not correcting any typing errors this time.

Some good stuff here but no-one is answering the guy's question. He's looking for a version of that cumulative song (often done with a female member of the audience) counting body parts off upwards (toe-a-tacker, knee-a-knacker, thigh-a-thacker, (can't remember, groin region)(can't remember,stomach region)bumpers, chinny-chops, snotterbox)

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From:
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 05:57 PM

Mathew the Miller
[in Frank Purslow's 'The Wanton Seed', with music]

I clapped my hand upon her knee,
"What's this my love, what's this my dear?"
"Tis my knee-a-nap, I-go-leer,"
Knee-a-nap, toe-a-ap, tit-a-tap in,
Where Mathew the miller the malt grinds in.

Subsequent verses have:

Rump -swager-arse
Belly- plimp-sack
Breast- bumpers
Neck- gudgel-pipe
Chin- chin-a-chop
Mouth- grinders
Nose- snorters
Eyes- lookers
Head- raggy locks

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Bev Lawton
Date: 09 Aug 99 - 08:41 AM

David try this link for Sharpes Rifles/John Tams info : SHARPES RIFLES

Both are a big favourite with myself - BTW there is a CD out of all the music and songs of the series - details on the site. Regards Bev Lawton

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 09:20 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 09:46 PM

Please note my email address above is no longer in use thanks to a hacker.... Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: DonMeixner
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 10:04 PM

What are the Sharpes movies? Are they a series? I am unfamiliar with them.

Don

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 10:23 PM

Oh Don, you have a great discovery to make. They have filmed the entire series of the Bernard Cornwell books recounting the adventures of Richard Sharpe. They haven't been completely faithful to the books but they haven't gone too far afield either. Sean Bean plays Sharpe and the rest of the cast are corkers.

Good series. I haven't seen them all yet but I hope to some day.

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: balladeer
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 10:48 PM

Thanks so much for this thread, folks. I've been trying to remember who the charming fellow was who arranged and sang the songs in the Sharpe films and puzzling over where to look for the background and/or lyrics for Over the Hills and Far Away. Of course I know any lyrics search should start with the mudcat. I just forgot.

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 01:37 AM

Look for John Tams and Dominic Muldowney (I think!).

The CD/tape is available, as are vids of most of the shows. Each 2 hour show was a complete book, but they do follow on chronologically.

You might also want to check here for either a song or a thread called 'Recruited Colliers' lament'.

LTS

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: pavane
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 03:17 AM

Try here

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 04:11 AM

The character Sharpe is fiction, but apparently he was inspired by journals or records of an actual soldier in the Napoleonic wars. I once read an article stating that the REAL soldier originated from my home town of Bradford (Yorkshire). The fictional character of the stories is a blunt, common soldier, who rises throiugh the ranks due to being very good at it, but causing conflict amongst the Gentlemen in high positions due to his forthright and honest responses to their incompetence and dishonesty.
It's a lot better than my decription suggests, a lot of humour, believable adventures and a fine cast of actors, including John Tams, who has an excellent musical track record. Mrs.Duck also speaks highly of Sean Bean in long boots and tight trousers, but that is her foible!
Quack!

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: GeorgeH
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 05:35 AM

"Over the hills and far away" also features in John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera" - but as a non-music historian I don't know its date; to me it's just "early".

Shirley and Dolly Collins included it in a suite from the Beggars Opera on one of their recordings (again, I can't remember which one . . )

So after that helpful information I'll simply ask - why are there two active Sharpe threads at the moment?

George

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 05:42 AM

I think it is just sychronicity. Ther are only a limited number of thoughts in the world, and hence they occasionally collide!
Or something like that.
I did try to put some clicky links from the other thread to here, but my postings are refusing to actually appear at the bottom of that thread. Don't know why not!
Quack!!!

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 10:24 AM

The Sharpes Rifles series are based on the writtings of a Rifleman Harris (also a character in the books) who was educated enough to keep a detailed diary of his campaigns. Harris was also lucky enough to survive long enough to leave a good record of what it was like to live during those years. The Sharpes videos also had Richard Rutherford Moore (Rifleman Moore) as a military advisor. He is responsible for the historic accuracy and detailed drill, uniforms and weapons, recreated for the movies. I highly recommend them to anyone. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: wildlone
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 12:41 PM

You could Click here

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 02:19 PM

Their historical accuracy and the quality of the uniforms and the contrasts between lifestyles and backgrounds of the officers and PBI (poor bloody infantry - a WWI phrase that fits very nicely in all ages) is spot on, even down to the smallest button.

These were the days when you could become an officer just by having enough money to buy your way in. If your father was an officer, it was generally expected that you would also be one. Officers' sons who joined the Rank and File were considered worse than bastards and could often be cut off without a penny. The story of Sharpe could be based on one man, it could be a composite. There certainly were more men making it through the ranks as the Penninsula Campaign progressed, the accounts of promotions being won by acts of bravery/stupidity are 100% accurate, but were more often than not, posthumous.

LTS - who worked in a military museum that provided at least some of the research material for the books.....

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Melani
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 02:28 PM

My co-workers and I often show videos during our lunch hour, and we are totally addicted to the Sharpe series. We have about three videos to go yet--we space them with other stuff so as not to suffer and overdose of Sean Bean, though it would be a delightful way to go. We did have to move the video player out of the lunchroom when other people in the building complained about loud battle scenes.

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From:
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 05:35 PM

BTW, Mr. Cornwell is now on his 4th book ("Sharpe's Trafalgar") of a (sorta) new series that goes back to his experiences in India, prior to the events in the TV program and associated videos.

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: The Walrus
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 05:55 PM

Dave (tam), When did Richard add the "Rutherford" to his name? He certainly never used it when I used to know him in the N.A. (too many years ago to think about).

LtS, Which museum?

"Sharpe's Trafalgar" Has anyone read it? How does Bernard Cornwall get a rifleman into a naval battle? Having run through the Napoleonic Wars, what's next? "Sharpe and the Army of Liberation of the Andes"?

Walrus (In a very odd mood)

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From:
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 05:59 PM

Ensign Sharpe took passage home from India on a frigate that ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 02:37 PM

There's another one that carries on after Trafalgar, can't remember the title, new out in hardback.... got a sailing ship on the cover.

Walrus - Dorset Military Museum. Someone came and took detailed descriptions/photos/notes of our bell topped shakos and the plumed cavalry helmet of which there are very few left intact, as most were bastardised by removal of the full helmet plume (from eyebrow ridge to below the neck guard) to change it into the shorter plume that didn't reach the neck. I think we even had an Essex Regiment bell top to show them. Don't know how the Dorsetshire Regiment or the Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry (Queen Anne I think that is....) got hold of a Buffs shako, but there we are...

LTS

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: wildlone
Date: 07 Jul 01 - 01:19 PM

The 23rd/Royal Welsh Fusileers were used on board ship as marines. In fact research that has been done by members has turned up the fact that the red coats worn by the Royal Marines on Malta during the Napoleonic period was the same as the 23rd's including the lace.
LONG LIVE KING GEORGE.
Pioneer 23rd RWF.

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: 8_Pints
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 06:18 AM

For further evidence note the line in "Here's the Tender coming full of Red marines" ....

This describes the press ganging of men into the RN in the North East of England.

Bob vG

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Ditchdweller
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 01:39 PM

To the Walrus "Sharpe's Trafalgar" Has anyone read it? How does Bernard Cornwall get a rifleman into a naval battle? Having run through the Napoleonic Wars, what's next? "Sharpe and the Army of Liberation of the Andes"?

Already done:- Read "Sharpe's Devil"!!!

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Nerd
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 01:46 PM

Of course, the reason why a rifleman might sing "over the hills and far away" to a group of kids, given the rather racy lyics we've seen above about whores and wars, is that by the Napoleonic wars it was ALSO a children's song and nursery rhyme about "Tom, Tom the Piper's son." This is number 508 in the Oxford Book of Nursery Rhymes."

But if Richard B is right, this ain't the song John Tams sang anyhow...

Steve

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: artbrooks
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 05:37 PM

According to www.amazon.co.uk, the newest (April 2001) is "Sharpe's Prey", in which our hero apparently becomes a spy and gets involved in the Battle of Copenhagen. Since "Sharpe's Trafalgar" is just now arriving in US bookstores, those of us on the left side of the pond will have to wait a year or so.

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 05:41 PM

That's the one, Prey.

It looks good, but I don't have a very good relationship with my library (not since they sacked me anyway....) so it will be a while before I get to read it....

LTS

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: GeorgeH
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:38 AM

THAT seems a bit of a harsh response to your not returning books on time, Liz . . .

G.

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: GUEST,Neil Comer
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:43 PM

I have the soundtrack. I don't know if it is available commercially, but if you can find it, listen. Kate Rusby sing a wonderful version of The Bonny Lighthorseman. I will get you the details of you e-mail me: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: balladeer
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 02:01 AM

I spent Saturday listening to Kate Rusby live at the Mariposa folk festival, the first stop in her first-ever Canadian tour. Wonderful in every way. A Yorkshirewoman myself, I found Kate's Barnsley speech patterns delightful. Balladeer

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 11:11 AM

I just chanced across a website about Sean Bean, including a Sharpe page Blue Clicky If anyone is interested!

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: GUEST,Calach
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 12:20 PM

The soundtrack is by Carlton Television, and is called; ""Over the hills and far away; the music of Sharpe." The Cd is numbered VTCC81. 7243 8 41590 2 3
That;s what's on the cd anyway.

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From:
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 12:05 AM

Referring to the post of July 2001 where Mr Duck says, "Mrs.Duck also speaks highly of Sean Bean in long boots and tight trousers, but that is her foible!" I will add to the discussion that although I am VERY impressed with John Tams in his portrayal of Daniel and his singing which is terrific, and I am also pleased that so much attention was paid to the military correctness of the military uniforms, I have to state categorically that the appeal of the Sharpe videos is that face and those "long boots and tight trousers." It is sex. And, don't tell me that everyone doesn't know this!

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 04:49 PM

If the library hadn't sacked me for being ill, I might not be so lax in returning them....

LTS

And it isn't just the boots and breeches - some of us like them for the historical content and story lines....

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 06:27 PM

And the sex Liz let's be honest!!!

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 04:59 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-tpnwfye4w&feature=related

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Aug 21 - 02:49 PM

I Touched her on the toe.

I touched her on the toe, that's my share
Thats my toe-a-nack and you can play there
Toe-a-nacker, tripper-up, I love my dear
The more I loved my nigger drawed near.

I touched 'er on the knee, thats my share
That's my knee-a-nack and you can play there
Knee-a-nacker, toe-a-trip, I love my dear
The more I loved my nigger drawed near.

I touched her on the thigh, thats my share
That's my thigh-a-thack and you can play there
Thigh-a-thacker, knee-a-nacker,
toe-a-trip, I love my dear
The more I loved my nigger drawed near.

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: GUEST,Observer
Date: 02 Aug 21 - 04:05 AM

"These were the days when you could become an officer just by having enough money to buy your way in. If your father was an officer, it was generally expected that you would also be one. Officers' sons who joined the Rank and File were considered worse than bastards and could often be cut off without a penny. The story of Sharpe could be based on one man, it could be a composite. There certainly were more men making it through the ranks as the Penninsula Campaign progressed, the accounts of promotions being won by acts of bravery/stupidity are 100% accurate, but were more often than not, posthumous."

The conventions of the day with regard to the gentry of those times was generally as follows. The eldest son inherited everything, he then took over as head of the family with the responsibility of looking after everyone else in the family when he came into his inheritance.

The second eldest son was sent to the navy where in time of war there were good opportunities to make money through prize money, both officers and men made fortunes by this method and successful commanders were never short of volunteers to serve under them [The most notable being Cochrane who served in independent command in the Mediterranean - He was so effective Napoleon put a price on his head].

The third son would be purchased a commission in the Army where he would be killed or make a name for himself and ultimately be given some sort of colonial administrative post.

The fourth son would be sent to the church, that living being obtained through the gift, influence or riches of the eldest son.

The line about the sons of serving officers themselves becoming officers is rather fanciful as their fathers would have to be rich enough to purchase their commissions. Sons of officers or gentlemen did join up as common soldiers on the understanding that should gaps appear in regiment's officers due to disease or combat losses then they would step up - the term used to describe such men was "Gentleman Soldier", the 42nd Regiment of Foot [Commonly called "The Black Watch"] had many such men, when it was first raised anyone applying to join had to have two references and they were interviewed, many were turned away. Best opportunities for such promotions were in Regiments sent to places such as the West Indies where tropical disease took it's toll of Officers and men alike.

The principle avenue for promotion from the ranks to officer during the Peninsular War was via Sir William Beresford's Portuguese Army who offered Portuguese commissions to Sergeants serving in the British Army. They also offered promotions to officers serving in the British Army who thought that they could not afford to purchase their own way up the ladder. Beresford's forces proved to be vital and effective allies in support of Wellington's campaigns in Portugal, Spain and finally in France.

Big differences between Cornwell's books and the TV Series:

1. Sharpe was promoted Ensign for saving Wellesley's life at the Battle of Assaye in India, not in Spain.

2. In each of Cornwell's book at the start of each book Sharpe always "needs" something. If memory serves in the first and second books it was a pair of boots and a new pair of trousers he takes these from the corpses of French Officers he kills.

3. Sharpe is from Essex, or London he is not from Yorkshire.

My son met John Tams when he performed at the 2014 Festival of Remembrance and in conversation with John Tams my son said how much he had enjoyed watching the Sharpe Series and Tams portrayal of Daniel Hagman - John Tams was surprised that in 2014 anyone would actually remember it.

Subject: RE: John Tams Sharpes Rifles series
From: GUEST,Don Day
Date: 02 Aug 21 - 04:06 PM

From near the top-

Snotter box, Chinner chops, Breast Plate, Navel stringer, Funny thinger,
Thigh thacker, Knee nacker, Toe tapper
Love my dear,
The more I love my nigger draw near.

There were probably several more which I can't remember.
Remember it being sung around in the sixties by Cyril Tawney I believe.