Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad

13 Apr 04 - 09:34 PM (#1161352)
Subject: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: CET

No, not Roll, Alabama, Roll. I was reading an article about the excavation of the C.S.S. Alabama in the December 1994 issue of National Geographic. It mentions that the Alabama's crew was not solely Confederate, but included English, Welsh, Germans, and Portuguese. It also quotes a verse of a song supposedly sung by Liverpudlian crew members, without giving any other information:

"We're homeward bound; we're homeward bound,
And soon shall stand on English ground,
But ere that English land we see,
We first must fight the Kearsargee."

Does anybody know anything about this song? I would really like to get my hands on the complete lyrics and the tune.

Cheers

Edmund

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13 Apr 04 - 10:01 PM (#1161366)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: Deckman

I think "Alaska Mike" needs to plug in here! Bob

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13 Apr 04 - 10:54 PM (#1161388)
Subject: Add: THE FATE OF THE PIRATE ALABAMA
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Here's how the damnyankees viewed the engagement:

THE FATE OF THE PIRATE ALABAMA
by R. B. Nicol

Ye jolly sons of the ocean blue,
I have a song to sing for you
Of the Kearsarge and her gallant crew,
And the pirate Alabama.

These vessels met in the forenoon,
On Sunday, the 19th day of June;
And our Yankee gunners proved right soon,
Too much for the Alabama.

In half mile circles round they went-
An hour and more broadsides were sent,
Till through and through great holes were rent
In the hull of the Alabama.

Like blasts sent from the pit of Hell
Was the awful storm of shot and shell,
Which from the guns of the Kearsarge fell
On the fated Alabama.

Her boiler by a solid shot
Was burst, while steam was scalding hot,
And shells were searching every spot
Throughout the Alabama.

The crew pell-mell all rushed on deck,
Hauled down their flag, the fire to check;
Confusion reigned upon the wreck
Of the sinking Alabama.

Then over board all hands did bound-
The Captain swam for the Deerhound,
A British yacht which had come round
To help the Alabama.

Captain Winslow hailed her then,
For help to save the drowning men,
Not thinking her the chosen friend
Of the pirate Alabama.

Of course his aid was freely lent,
Boats were lowered and quickly sent;
Then with a plunge to the bottom went
The far-famed Alabama.

A number of the crew were brought
With Captain Semmes aboard the yacht,
Which away for a British harbor shot
With her prize from the Alabama.

Had our Yankee boys their treach'ry guessed
They would not have stayed to save the rest,
But to Davy Jones, had her expressed
Along with the Alabama.

Now the English Channel long will be
Remembered for this victory;
Three cheers for the "Champion of the Sea"
That sunk the Alabama.

Air: The Heights of Alma.
Pub. Gibson Bros., printers, entered 1864 by R. B. Nieel, District of Columbia.

Haven't checked the history on this.

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13 Apr 04 - 10:57 PM (#1161391)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Forgot to mention that I found the poem at American Memory, American Song Sheets Collection. Printed on one sheet, no music, just the air named.

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13 Apr 04 - 11:48 PM (#1161414)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: LadyJean

I've been to the square in Geneva called Alabama, because that was where the United States and Great Britain settled their differences over the sinking of the Alabama. It was the first case decided by an international court. They decided in favor of the U.S.

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14 Apr 04 - 11:59 AM (#1161504)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Found more songs about the Alabama, but not the one sought. If I get a chance today, I will transcribe one called "Last of the Alabama." There is one in the Bodleian, but it is bad doggerel.

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14 Apr 04 - 12:11 PM (#1161516)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: GUEST

there are two versions of "The Heights of Alma" in the DT

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14 Apr 04 - 02:10 PM (#1161609)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: Alaska Mike

In 1864, after the Alabama had been sunk, the Confederates purchased the Sea King from England and outfitted her with numerous guns etc. They rechristened the ship CSS Shenandoah and sailed around the world to Alaskan waters where they destroyed a large portion of the Yankee Whaling Fleet.

The Shenandoah continued to fight for many months after Lee surrendered, unaware of the ensuing peace. The last battles of the Civil War were fought in Alaskan waters. Captain Waddell was planning on sailing into San Francisco Bay and laying waste to the merchant ships and dock facilities there when he finally discovered that the war was over.

His ship and crew had been labeled Pirates and they were pursued relentlessly by Union warships. But The Shenandoah successfully rounded Cape Horn and docked in England where they received a better welcome than the hanging which awaited them if they had been captured. I am still fine tuning my song about this episode in American history.

Mike

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14 Apr 04 - 02:57 PM (#1161645)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

There is a great colored steel engraving of the engagement on the cover of sheet music to "The Last of the Alabama," by "Eastburn," in the Levy Sheet Music Collection.

Interesting reading is the illustrated article from Century Magazine (in American Memory) by the surgeon of the Gunboat, John M. Browne, "The Duel Between the Alabama and the Kearsarge," He had this to say about the crews of the two ships:

"Most of the line officers of the Kearsarge were from the merchant service, and of the crew, only eleven were of foreign birth. Most of the officers of the Alabama were formerly officers in the United States Navy; nearly all the crew were English, Irish and Welsh, a few of whom were said to belong to the "Royal Naval Reserve."
Several quotes from Captain Semmes, of the Alabama, are included in the article.

The Union side bitterly resented the support and supplies given to the Confederacy by the British; this shows strongly in some of the broadsides about the Kearsarge-Alabama engagement.

The two vessels were about equal in tonnage and length (about 1000 tons and 1020-1030 feet in length. Captain Semmes of the Alabama in his report remarked on the steel plating of the Kearsarge, which was damaged but saved that ship.
Not mentioned in the songs are two French pilot boats, which saved some men. Seventy men were taken aboard the Kearsarge, including five officers. A 2nd Lt. Armstrong of the Alabama had refused to escape on the Deerhound (a British yacht) and was taken into parole by Captain Winslow at Cherbourg, where one of the pilot boats had taken him. Capt. Winslow of the Kearsarge gave him a letter of commendation for his conduct.


Alabama's assistant surgeon, a Dr. Llewellyn, is praised for the assistance he gave to the wounded. He was one of the last to leave the sinking ship, and was drowned. His father was a "British rector."

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14 Apr 04 - 05:59 PM (#1161791)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: Deckman

Mike ... Whatcha' mean you are "fine tuning the song?" It's already a fine tune!!!! CHEERS, Bob

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15 Apr 04 - 06:42 PM (#1162757)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: CET

Q: thanks for that song. I love the Heights of Alma and I'm looking forward to learning these lyrics.

Mike: I hope you're planning to sing your song at the next Getaway. Perhaps we could have a workshop on songs about the Confederate Navy.

I hope somebody can come up with a lead to that verse from the National Geographic article - interesting to have a British take on an American sea battle.

Edmund

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15 Apr 04 - 08:18 PM (#1162823)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: Charley Noble

Q-

I'm curious about the reference to "steel plating" on the Kearsarge. My understanding is that she was also a conventional wooden warship. There is some reference to an attempt to "armor" her by hanging heavy chain over her broadsides and that this chain may have provided some additional protection. However, probably more important was the deteriorated state of the Alabama's powder. Several of her shells that hit the Kearsarge did not explode as designed.

Mike-

Please post your song.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

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15 Apr 04 - 11:53 PM (#1162828)
Subject: Lyr Add: SHENANDOAH ROLL ON HOME (Mike Campbell)
From: Alaska Mike

SHENANDOAH ROLL ON HOME
by Mike Campbell 2004

I am a Confederate sailor man,
    Roll on Shenandoah.
I'll fight them Yankees wherever I can,
    Roll on Shenandoah.
In eighteen hundred and sixty four,
We bought from England a ship of war,
And we named our ship the Shenandoah,
    Shenandoah roll on home.
    Roll on, roll on, Shenandoah roll on home.

Around Good Hope to Australian shores,
    Roll on Shenandoah.
We've burned their ships and we'll burn some more,
    Roll on Shenandoah.
To Alaska where ice and the sea are one,
Where Yankee whaling songs are sung,
They are no match for this ship's guns,
    Shenandoah roll on home.
    Roll on, roll on, Shenandoah roll on home.

Our Captain Waddell, he is brave and true,
    Roll on Shenandoah.
He fought not knowing that the war was through,
    Roll on Shenandoah.
Thirty-eight ships as war trophies,
A thousand prisoners taken at sea,
But the war is lost now our ship must flee,
    Shenandoah roll on home.
    Roll on, roll on, Shenandoah roll on home.

We sailed with speed around Cape Horn,
    Roll on Shenandoah.
Its death for us all if we try for home,
    Roll on Shenandoah.
For too many months we have not touched sand,
Our duty called and we made our stand,
But its England's shore where we must land,
    Shenandoah roll on home.
    Roll on, roll on, Shenandoah roll on home.

Union ships searching high and low,
    Roll on Shenandoah.
Their merchants rail that our ship must go,
    Roll on Shenandoah.
They call us pirates and they scream,
If we get caught we'll be hung it seems,
But they'll only catch us in their dreams,
    Shenandoah roll on home.
    Roll on, roll on, Shenandoah roll on home.

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15 Apr 04 - 11:58 PM (#1162832)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Chaeley, steel plating was too strong of a term, based on a quick glance through the article.

However, after the engagement, Semmes in his official report says:
At the end of the engegement it was discovered, by those of our officers who went alongside the enemy ship with the wounded, that her midship section on both sides was thoroughly iron-coated. The planking had been ripped off in every direction by our shot and shell, the chain broken and indented in many places, and forced partly into the ship's side. The enemy was heavier than myself, bith in ship battery and crew; I did not know until the action wasover that she was also iron-clad."

Browne in his article says "The chain plating was made of one-hundred and twenty fathoms of sheet-chains, of one and seven-tenths inch iron, covering a space amidships of forty-nine and one-half feet in length by six feet two inches in depth, .... secured by iron dogs, and employed for the purpose of protecting the engines when the upper part of the coal bunkers was empty, as happened during the action. The chains were concealed by deal..."
It is "strange that Captain Semmes did not know of the chain armor; supposed spies had been on board and shown through the ship...."

American Memory: Enter "The Alabama and the Kearsarge" in the Search Blank.

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06 May 04 - 10:14 PM (#1179937)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: CET

Any luck with the song fragment from the National Geographic?

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07 May 04 - 11:41 AM (#1180373)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: GUEST,CET

Mick:

Great research finding those two sites. I guess I'll have to write to the National Geographic for anything more definitive.

Edmund

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07 May 04 - 09:04 PM (#1180793)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: beardedbruce

over 1000 feet long????? Has to be a typo!

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08 May 04 - 06:42 AM (#1180979)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: GUEST

In my post of 07 May I gave the name of the person linked to as Raphael Semmed, it should have been Raphael Semmes.

Mick

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08 May 04 - 10:14 AM (#1181066)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: Charley Noble

Q-

Sorry that I had missed your clarification about the "chain armor" protecting the Kearsarge. Nice details you have dug up!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

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19 Jan 06 - 10:11 PM (#1651929)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: CSS Alabama ballad
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

More Alabama songs. At American Memory:
"Kearsarge and Alabama," Song sheet, "written by Silas W. Steel, Esq., and sung by D. McConahy, the Razor Powder Man." Printed by J. H. Johnson, Philadelphia. Lyrics only.

"The Last of the Alabama." Sheet music, by 'Eastburn,' printed by J. Marsh, Philadelphia, 1864.

"The Alabama," 1864, sheet music. Poetry E. King, music F. W. Rosier. Printed by Geo. Dunn & Co., Richmond, VA.

At the Bodleian Library:
"The "Alabama" Case," by an American citizen. Signed 'A. B.' Bodleian Library, Johnson Ballads, 2298, 1860's. No date or printer cited.

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19 Jan 06 - 10:44 PM (#1651953)
Subject: RE: Lyr. Add: THE ALABAMA
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Lyr. Add: THE ALABAMA
Words E. King, Music F. W. Rosier

The wind blows off yon rocky shore,
Boys! set your sails all free;
And soon our booming cannon's roar
Shall ring out merrily.
Run up your bunting taught a-peak,
And swear, lads, to defend her;
'Gainst every foe, where 'er we go,
Our motto "No Surrender!"

Chorus:
Then sling the bowl, drink ev'ry soul,
A toast to the Alabama;
What e'er our lot, through storm or shot,
Here's success to the Alabama!

Our country calls all hands to arms,
We hear but to obey;
Nor shall home's most endearing charms
Steal one weak thought away,
Our saucy craft shall roam the deep,
We've sworn, lads, to defend her;
Trim, taught and tight, we'll brave the fight,
Our motto "No Surrender!"
Chorus

Our home is on the mountain wave,
Our flag floats proudly free;
No boasting despot, tyrant, knave,
Shall crush fair Liberty.
Firmly we'll aid her glorious cause,
We'll die, boys, to defend her;
We'll brave the foe, where'er we go,
Our motto "No Surrender!"

Chorus

Boys! if perchance it may befall,
When storm of battle raves,
By shot or shell our noble hull
Shall sink beneath the waves,
Yet while a plank to us is left
To death we will defend her;
Facing the foe, down, down we'll go,
But still cry "No Surrender!"

Chorus.

"A Nautical Song. The Alabama. Respectfully dedicated to the gallant Captain Semmes, his officers and crew, and to the officers and seamen of the C. S. Navy. By E. King, author of the Naval Songs of the South." Richmond, VA, lithographed and published by Geo. Dunn & Compy. 1864.
American Memory. http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/sheetmusic/conf/conf0090-1-72dpi.jpeg.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/

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