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Lyr Req: So Far from Home (Tim Brooks)

26 May 00 - 05:42 AM (#234161)
Subject: So Far From Home
From: Wotcha

I heard a tape with the shanty (?) song "So Far From Home" sung by a Liverpool shanty group Stormalong John.
The song sounds very much like a contemporary American Jody, or marching song.
The chorus line goes something like,
"So far from home,
Every man's an enemy
So far from home.">
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Allahamdalla
Brian

26 May 00 - 08:15 AM (#234180)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Far From Home
From: GUEST,A Wandering Minstrel

Its a ghost song based on the disappearance of the 9th Roman Legion while on duty on Hadrians Wall in northern England. The song recounts how someone went out for a walk on the wall and saw a vision of this legion marching past. I will look up the source and the rest of the words for you but meanwhile the chorus goes:

So far from home, and every man's an enemy So far from home,and little chance of leave So far from home, No pretty wife to comfort me So pity us poor soldiers we've cause enough to grieve.

I think the version I have is by Johnny Collins

31 May 00 - 08:21 AM (#236312)
Subject: Lyr Add: SO FAR FROM HOME (Tim Brooks)
From: GUEST,A Wandering Minstrel

Here you are:

Taken from "Make the Rafters Roar" by Johnny Collins

So Far From Home
(Tim Brooks)

As I walked out one winter's morning early,
A mist hung in the valley; I'd no thought to tarry long.
When the cheery birds fell silent, I felt a cold about me,
And I heard the sound of voices raised in mournful marching song.

CHORUS: So far from home and every man's an enemy!
So far from home and little chance of leave!
So far from home! No pretty wife to comfort me!
Oh, pity us poor soldiers. We've cause enough to grieve.

And as I stood, a horse and armoured rider
Came riding at the vanguard of a line of trudging men.
Bright feathers in their helmets, their faces dark and cloudy,
There never was a sadder sight than passed before me then. CHORUS

No sound there came. No jingle from the bridle.
No sound from the armour or the weapons that they wore.
Only their voices lifted up in singing,
Disturbed the morning silence as they marched across the moor. CHORUS TWICE

Enjoy!

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 7-Apr-03.

01 Jun 00 - 06:54 AM (#236753)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Far From Home
From: Wotcha

Minstrel:
Thanks very much.
Cheers,
Brian

30 Aug 02 - 10:42 PM (#774624)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Far From Home
From: rich-joy

Listen also to Jez Lowe's "Military Road" (as sung by Judy Dinning and her great group "Lucky Bags") ...

Cheers! R-J

08 Sep 08 - 02:58 PM (#2434379)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Far From Home
From: GUEST

The folk process has already worked its magic

Original lyrics here - mix and match as you see fit!

Link to "So Far from Home"


OTT