Origins: Sir Richard's Song (Kipling/Bellamy)

Subject: Sir Richard's Song - what is the story?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 08:14 AM

Referring to the beautiful Kipling poem ("England has taken me"), set to equally haunting music by P. Bellamy.

What is the story behind the song? Does it have historical references?

I empathise with the song particularly, being in the same boat (all the fault of La Inglesa, of course).

Subject: RE: Sir Richard's Song - what is the story?
From: Midchuck
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 08:24 AM

I just learned this song. Love it.

I didn't think it referred to any actual specific historical character. Just one of the guys in William the Bastard's gang, who met a woman and settled down in England and ended up as a country squire. His grandchildren probably grew up drinking toats to "Confusion to the French!"

Reminds me just a little of what's happened to poor old Kendall.

Also reminds me of a quote I saw (and this is a rough paraphrase):

The English language is the result of attempts by Norman men-as-arms to make time with Anglo-Saxon tavern wenches, and is no more legitimate than any of the other outcomes of that activity.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Sir Richard's Song - what is the story?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 09:20 AM

Read the story "Young Men at the Manor" in Kipling's Puck of Pook's Hill, which is where the song comes from.

Here it is. (Read the rest of the book for that matter.

Subject: RE: Sir Richard's Song - what is the story?
From: Ferrara
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 12:09 PM

Aaaaahhhhh.. Thank you, McGrath. As a kid I read Just So Stories four times, and the Jungle Books at least seven times, but the Petworth children's library didn't have a copy of Puck of Pook's Hill. So, 55 years later, I can now start reading it on line. That was so enjoyable. Now I have to go read it all, starting with the first chapter.

Subject: RE: Sir Richard's Song - what is the story?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 12:30 PM

A good tale, much at odds with the better known history.

Subject: RE: Sir Richard's Song - what is the story?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 05:40 PM

And when you've read Puck of Pook's Hill, you can read teh sequel, Rewards and Fairies, Ferrara. Ain't the Internet magic?

For reading a story online I prefer the browser so the text is a lot bigger than I normally have it. Otherwise I find there are too many words on a line for comfortable reading of along text. But sitting up and reading from a screen up there is still less than comfortable for me.

Someday they'll come up with a device that makes reading from online texts almost as easy and pleasant as from books. I know they've got some devices already, but I think they are some way short of cracking it

Subject: RE: Sir Richard's Song - what is the story?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 31 Mar 05 - 03:39 AM

Thanks Kevin. Not historical then, but still ever such a powerful song.