Lyr Req: Jack Crawford

Subject: Lyr Req: Jack Crawford
From: BB
Date: 19 Aug 04 - 06:15 PM

While we were in Broadstairs last week, an old boy from Essex who's always around during Folk Week asked me if I knew a song called ' Jack Crawford', which I didn't. He could remember the tune and a bit of the first verse, and I promised to try to get the words for him. The only trace of it that I can find on the web is in the Northumbrian Minstrelsy(?) set of recordings, in which it appears to have been recorded by The Hush/Bob Fox. Now I can't afford to buy a CD to get the words of a song for someone else, but if anyone has it, or knows the song and could transcribe the words, I would be most grateful. When I say 'old boy', he must be in his 80s and isn't likely to even sing it in public, much less make money out of it, so I don't feel that I'd be doing anyone out of anything by passing it on.

As far as I can gather, Jack Crawford was from Sunderland and was on board ship in Nelson's time, and, as it was described to me, took the colours up the mast three times. Don't know whether it's a trad. song or a modern one from an existing tale or what.

Hope someone can help.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jack Crawford
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Aug 04 - 06:19 PM

Thought he was guy played by Scott Glenn in the silence of the lambs

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jack Crawford
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 19 Aug 04 - 06:32 PM

You can hear a sound sample at http://www.blueguitar.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mp3.html

The song sounds like a modern piece set to a modified traditional tune. The events described are historical; see http://www.bnicrawford.co.uk/dyncat.cfm?catid=176 for details.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jack Crawford
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Aug 04 - 06:33 PM

Here's a link from the Sunderland Echo telling the story which is related almost word for word in the song Jack Crawford. I don't know its provenance but Mike Harding should. It takes the merest mention of Bob Fox for the track to be played ad nauseum on his show.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jack Crawford
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 10:33 PM

Here's my transcription of the sound sample that Malcolm Douglas provided a link to:

Six times the flag was shot away and the chain shot through like hail.
The mast top fell to the deck and the fleet began to fail.
Jack Crawford he picked up the flag, and nimble to the last,
He climbed atop the main and nailed the colors to the mast,
Nailed the colors to the mast, nailed the colors to the mast,
He climbed atop the main and nailed the colors to the mast.

Oh, what a cheer was heard that day as the English tars fought back!
The Dutch were torn asunder and the cry went up for Jack.
Admiral Duncan he stepped up to him sayin', "We've won the day at last,
For Jack Crawford, you're the hero who nailed the colors to the mast,
Nailed the colors to the mast, nailed the colors to the mast,
Jack Crawford, you're the hero who nailed the colors to the mast."

Subject: Lyr Add: JACK CRAWFORD
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 02:31 PM

Lyrics copied from Richard B. Gillion's web site:


JACK CRAWFORD

1. Jack Crawford was a Sunderland man. He worked on board a keel.
Up and down Wear Valley he knew the river weel;
But then he joined the navy amongst the cannon's blast,
And there became the hero who nailed his colours to the mast.

CHORUS: Nailed his colours to the mast, nailed his colours to the mast,
And there became the hero who nailed his colours to the mast.

2. Jack sailed aboard the 'Venerable', the flagship of the fleet.
They sailed into the channel the Hollanders to meet.
The battle was at Camperdown and shot flew thick and fast,
And that's where Jack Crawford nailed his colours to the mast.

3. Six times the flag was shot away as the chain shot flew like hail,
Till the mast top fell to the deck and the fleet begun to fail.
Jack Crawford picked up the flag and, nimble to the last,
Climbed atop the main and nailed his colours to the mast.

4. Oh, what a cheer was heard that day and the English tars fought back!
The Dutch were torn asunder and the cry went up for Jack.
Admiral Duncan stepped up to him saying, "We've won the day at last,
For Jack Crawford the hero nailed his colours to the mast."

5. Now Jack was called to London, sent for by the king.
He says: "Jack, you're a hero", and the crowd began to sing.
"Here's a pension, thirty pound a year, for you fought them to the last.
Raise a cheer for Jack Crawford who nailed his colours to the mast."

6. So if you go to Sunderland, leave the streets and crowd.
See the statue of him there that stands up so proud.
In the Mowbray Park, pause as you go past,
And remember brave Jack Crawford who nailed his colours to the mast.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jack Crawford
From: Rasener
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 04:28 PM

This has just been covered on this thread - Bob Fox is who you want

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