Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er

Subject: Need Lyrics to: When the Battle's O'er
From: Tully
Date: 19 Nov 98 - 12:45 PM

Does anyone have the lyrics to the Scottish tune, "When the Battle's O'er". I recall hearing Mary Williamnson or perhaps the Corries sing it some time ago. So far I can't locate it in any of the folksong lyric data bases.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Sep 12 - 03:28 PM

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=when%20the%20battle's%20o'er%2C%20corries&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CFkQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usahpd.com%2Fdocuments%2FPipe%2520Tune%2520Lyrics.pdf&ei=hXhXUOCBG6Pt0gHPlYHYCQ&usg=AFQjCNHALLZp_xHsT6SE4RIlTus61gsxlw

At that link, song 31--or the song that's on page 31--may be what we're looking for.

Subject: ADD: When the Battle's O'er
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 03:34 AM

From the link provided by 999 above - but is it the song that was requested?

When The Battle's O'er

WHEN THE BATTLE'S O'ER

I return to the fields of glory,
Where the green grasses and flowers grow,
And the wind softly tells the story,
Of the brave lads of long ago.

CHORUS:
March no more, my soldier laddie,
There is peace where there once was war,
Sleep in peace, my soldier laddie,
Sleep in peace, now the battle's o'er.

In the great glen they lay a sleeping,
Where the cool waters gently flow,
And the grey mist is sadly weeping,
For those brave lads of long ago.
Chorus....

See the tall grass is there awaiting,
As their banners of long ago,
With their heads high, forward threading,
Marching lightly to meet the foe.
Chorus....

Some returned from the fields of glory,
To their loved one who held them dear,
But some fell in that hour of glory,
And were left to their resting here.
Chorus....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 04:26 AM

Sung and if I remember rightly composed by the late Andy Stewart.
To the pipe tune of the same name.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,#
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 10:24 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nz_aU2AhLs

Song sung there by Andy Stewart.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 02:39 PM

The late Andy Stewart is the lyricist of the work above, which is known as The Battle's O'er, and he should have been credited - as its his copyright work reproduced. The tune is traditional, but re-arranged by Iain Macfadyen. If I remember there is a separate discussion elsewhere on Mudcat about the other lyrics to the tune and its origins. It is also known in its earlier form (not the Andy Stewart title), as 'When the Battle's O'er.

https://pipingpress.com/2016/06/07/is-famous-song-source-of-when-the-battles-oer/

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: Jack Campin
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 03:05 PM

Great tune but those words are like something created by a computer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 08:23 PM

Jack, whilst its Andy's usual looking back at war Scottish Soldier type of lyric, he does sing it with feeling - especially on the original 1960's orchestrated Top Rank recording. It also has a big ending. My brother recently covered it on his latest album. Sadly later re-recordings by Andy Stewart himself for other record labels are totally dire, as his voice was shot to hell by illness, and the awful backings he was given. Listeners should always go for the original EMI/Top Rank tracks, and not the second rate self-covers he made.

The Battle's O'er used to be frequently used at funerals, particularly those of cancer sufferers or other long term illness sufferers. So from a song which was about a soldier, it transferred to those who had fought their battles with illness, and were now at peace. In the right hands, and setting it is very moving.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 11:21 AM

I understand that the tune is not "traditional" in the sense of composer unknown, but is attributed to Pipe Major William Robb - 1863 - 1909. See: William Robb

It is the tune that was played by many pipers around the world at 6am (local time wherever they were) on 11th November 2018, on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice agreement.
It is a fine tune.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 03:38 PM

The tune is itself which Robb adapted, is based on an earlier Irish tune/song 'The last Rose of Summer' discussion I think has taken place elsewhere.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 03:53 PM

Sorry I mangled that last sentence while typing! I meant to say "The tune which Robb adapted, is itself based on an earlier Irish tune/song - the Last Rose of Summer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 09:03 PM

Ok, I can see the resemblance there. Presumably adapted to fit the pipe scale.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 22 Sep 23 - 09:39 AM

I remember singing this song when my friend Martin had a band called Braveheart and I played the accordion while he sang. I also remember him saying that the words were written and first recorded in 1964 by Andy Stuart. I have never seen earlier songs set to this tune. Thank you very much from Joe moyes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 22 Sep 23 - 09:39 AM

I remember singing this song when my friend Martin had a band called Braveheart and I played the accordion while he sang. I also remember him saying that the words were written and first recorded in 1964 by Andy Stuart. I have never seen earlier songs set to this tune. Thank you very much from Joe moyes.