Lyr Req: century of songs's Banks of the Nile

Subject: Lyr Add: BANKS OF THE NILE
From: Roberto
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 06:28 AM

From the collection A CENTURY OF SONGS, a celebration of traditioal singers since 1898, EFDSS CD02. The singer is unknown. Please, help me complete and correct this transcription. Thank you. Roberto

Hark, I hear the drums a-beating, no longer can I stay
I hear the bugle sounding, my love I must away
(...) many's the long mile
To go fight those Blacks and Heathens on the banks of the Nile

O wait, dearest Willie, don't leave me here to mourn
You'll make me curse and rue the day that ever I was born
For the parting of my own true love is the parting of my life
O stay at home, dear Willy, and I will be your wife

I will cut off those yellow locks and I'll go along with you
I'll dress myself in velveteen and go an' see Egypt too
I'll fight and bear your banner while kind fortunes on me smile
And we'll comfort one another on the Banks of the Nile

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: century of songs's Banks of the Nile
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 09:03 AM

(We are ordered down to Portsmouth and it's many the weary mile)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: century of songs's Banks of the Nile
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 09:08 AM

There are 2 versions in DT.
Try
this one

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: century of songs's Banks of the Nile
From: Roberto
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 09:28 AM

Thank you, Keith, but I am looking for the specific version I've mentioned. R

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: century of songs's Banks of the Nile
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 12:28 PM

It's very difficult to make out that part of the cylinder recording, which the years have not treated kindly. The closest I can get is:

Our order is to Portsmouth for many's the long mile

-but that's by no means certain. "We are ordered to Portsmouth" appears elsewhere and is just possible if slurred.

Additionally:

O Willie, dearest Willie

The recording is a bit of a mystery. It may have been made by Ralph Vaughan Williams, but isn't referred to in any of his notes. I think that it was found stored with the few surviving cylinders he made, but the provenance is unknown.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: century of songs's Banks of the Nile
From: Roberto
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 04:13 PM

Thank you vey much, Malcolm. R

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: century of songs's Banks of the Nile
From: GUEST,Lighter
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 05:16 PM

I don't have this particular recording, but the words I've always known are "We are called up to Portsmouth, and it's many a weary mile."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: century of songs's Banks of the Nile
From: Big Tim
Date: 08 Nov 04 - 04:55 AM

Just as a matter of interest, Ewan MacColl sings,

"We are called up to Portsmouth,
And it's many a weary mile,
All to be embarked for,
The banks of the Nile".