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Lyr Req: Death of Nelson

18 Oct 04 - 06:46 PM (#1300093)
Subject: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Jess A

Since the 200th anniversary of Nelson's demise is nearly upon us, Rich & I were wanting to sing some Trafalgar & Nelson related songs... and in particular the one which I think Abby is referring to in this (old) thread although nobody actually posted the words to the version I'm after there. The version starts 'On the twenty-first of October at the rising of the sun' and has a chorus which goes something like

'Let him lie in peace,
God bless you all,
on board a man of war' (x2)

I've heard it sung by the Wilsons and I suspect it is a Bellamy tune. I am (fingers crossed) hoping that somebody out there might have the words to hand?

18 Oct 04 - 08:15 PM (#1300176)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,Steve Dawes

The version of the song that you have heard sung by the Wilsons was put together by Richard Grainger several years ago and is based on a traditional ballad, one version of which is given in Roy Palmer's "Boxing the Compass".
I don't have all the words, but if you're still stuck I could probably get them, in which case e-mail me at sdawes2262@aol.com.
But why not instead contact Richard directly? I'm sure he'll be happy to help. richard.grainger@onyxnet.co.uk should find him.

18 Oct 04 - 10:05 PM (#1300254)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST

while we're on this subject, does anyone know the origin of the following:

the first white line is the battle of the nile
the second is copenhagen's victory
the third white line will ever ever shine in memory of his greatest fight at sea
and the black silk scarf is to remind us all
that we still mourn the loss today
of nelson the brave, who gave his life to save
our honour at trafalgar bay

the white lines are the white lines around the neck flap thing of a sailor's uniform.

maureen

19 Oct 04 - 01:38 AM (#1300361)
Subject: Lyr Add: NELSON'S DEATH (from A. L. Lloyd)
From: Roberto

A recording of Nelson's Death
A. L. Lloyd, in The Valiant Sailor, Songs & Ballads of Nelson's Navy, Topic 12TS232, 1974, after Roy Palmer's book The Valiant Sailor, 1973

All Britons long expected good news from our fleet
Commanded by Lord Nelson the French for to meet
Till at length the news came over, through the country was spread
That the French were defeated but Nelson was dead

He was a bold commander, as sail the ocean wide
He made the French to tremble with his terrible broadside
One hundred fights he'd been in, and never once was beat
Though he'd one arm and one eye, no power could him defeat

This bold undaunted hero on the quarter deck he stood
You would admire his actions with the decks a-wash with blood
But aloft all in the rigging a Frenchman fired a ball
And that was the cause of our bold Lord Nelson's fall

Then up steps the doctor in a hurry he did say:
Me Lord indeed I'm sorry to see you bleed this way -
No matter and no matter, whatever about me
It's to me gallant seamen your first duty should be

He called unto his captain – How does the battle go?
I hear our great guns rattle, oh death is near I know -
Oh, it's eighteen we have captured and our men they are on board
And we'll blow the French from the ocean, me Lord

Come all you bold seamen, let the bottle go round
For Nelson was loyal and true to the Crown
Here's God bless all seamen that speak for his good
And God bless our fleet and the brave Lord Collingwood

But mourn, England, mourn, oh mourn and complain
For the loss of Lord Nelson that died on the main

19 Oct 04 - 03:42 AM (#1300405)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: breezy

MCP is a font of info here and performs a cracking version of the Death of Lord N

See thread of his St Albans tour and pm him

19 Oct 04 - 04:38 AM (#1300441)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,MCP

The Bellamy recording of The Death of Nelson seems to be (if I understand his notes correctly) from versions by George Dunn and Harry Cox. His song does start with "On the 21st of October..." and the verses do end with "On board the man of war", but not the 3 lines you give.

I'll post Bellamy's version later and the Harry Cox version (if that hasn't already been done; I haven't looked yet, but I might have already posted that). It's essentially the Harry Cox version that I sing, referred to by breezy above, although I've replaced his "Rule Britannia..." chorus with a new one made up from bits of his verses. This version is the one also known as Nelson's Monument.

I'm assuming that George Dunn's contribution was a version of On Board A Man O' War, but haven't checked that. It may be on the George Dunn recording, but alas I don't have that, but someone else may be able to check that for you. If I have time later I'll have a look at versions of that to see if I can locate the chorus above, though from the reading above it may be a completely new construction.

If you're looking for Nelson/Trafalgar songs, as Malcolm Douglas points out in the other thread, there are quite a lot of Nelson-related songs in the Bodleian broadsides. I have about 50 of them, covering 30 odd songs. They cover Copenhagen, The Nile, Trafalgar, Nelson's death, a few on ships, Nelson in general and a few oddments.

Mick

19 Oct 04 - 06:41 AM (#1300513)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: breezy

told you - warned you - bout 'the font'

Mick's chorus sits very nicely, at the end of each verse and it good too.

Hey Mick ,mind posting that bit here please

it goes something like

'And word is to old England sent
The french they are defeated, but Lord Nelson lays slain'

go on what is it please?

19 Oct 04 - 06:44 AM (#1300514)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: breezy

the country spread?
-dead?

come on MCP its doing me head in or I'll have to ask moses

19 Oct 04 - 03:10 PM (#1300885)
Subject: Lyr Add: NELSON'S MONUMENT
From: Herga Kitty

OK Breezy - Mick put together a composite of the versions published by Roy Palmer in Ballad History of England and the Vaughan Williams collection, and turned two of the lines into a chorus (Malcolm Austin subsequently pointed out, in regard to verse 4's mention of Collingwood, that swords of polished marble are somewhat unusual, unless incorporated into monumental statues):


NELSON'S MONUMENT

Old England long expected good news from the fleet
Commanded by Lord Nelson, the French for to meet
Till the news has come over, through the country spread
That the French were defeated but Lord Nelson was dead

CHORUS:

The news has come over, through the country spread
That the French were defeated but Lord Nelson was dead

Not only brave Nelson, but thousands were slain
Fighting the French on the watery main
To protect England's glory, her honour and wealth
We fought and would not yield till we yielded to death

The merchants of Yarmouth, hearing us say so
Said "Come dearest brothers, to church let us go
And there we will build a most beautiful pile
In remembrance of Lord Nelson, the hero of the Nile"

Your plan, said Britannia, is excellent and good
A monument for Lord Nelson and a sword for Collingwood
Let it be of polished marble to perpetuate his name
And in letters of gold write, "He died for England's fame"

All seamen and soldiers so I have been told
Have ordered themselves in readiness to hold
Their rights to maintain and their cause to support
From any invasion keep each British port

Our soldiers and sailors mighty deeds they have done
Fighting in foreign many battles have won
If the Nile could but speak or Egypt declare
All the world with Lord Nelson they could not compare.

19 Oct 04 - 04:13 PM (#1300965)
Subject: Lyr Add: DEATH OF NELSON and NELSON'S DEATH
From: GUEST,MCP

Here are a few versions of the words. Peter Bellamy's version (with some suspect words in one verse; corrections welcome). This is followed by Harry Cox's version, very similar to many of the broadside versions of Nelson's Death/Monument.

Finally, for breezy, I give the version I actually sing, derived from the Harry Cox version. (The version Kitty posted above is not exactly what I sing.) I didn't think I could sing "Rule Britannia..." with any conviction, so I made a new chorus from a few lines of one of Harry's verses (with a new bit of tune) and assembled together bits of a couple of verses, losing only a couple of lines that don't affect the sense of the rest very much. I've altered a few odd words to make the song suitable for my own singing.

When I have a bit more time I'll put up the tunes.

Mick


DEATH OF NELSON

On the Twenty-First of October, before the rising sun,
We ?pulled? the line for action me boys at twelve o'clock begun
Brave Nelson to his men did say:
"The Lord will prosper us this day.
Give then the broadside, fire away".
On board the man of war.

So broadside to broadside our cannon balls did fly
Like pale stars their small shot all round our deck did lie
Our mast and rigging they were shot away
Beside some thousand seen that ?grey?
Was ill and wounded on that day
On board the man of war.

But then our brave commander in grief he shook his head:
There is no reprieve, there is no relief, Great Nelson he is dead.
"It was a fatal musket ball
That caused our hero for to fall
But he died in peace. God bless you all
On board the man of war."

And the merchants of Yarmouth when they did hear it so
They said: "Come brother sailors to church now let us go
There we will build a noble pile
All for the hero of the Nile
Who gave his life for England's isle,
On board the man of war".

Now our soldiers and sailors many noble deeds have done
While fighting in foreign many battles they have won.
If the Nile it could witness there
Or the Capes of Trafalgar declare
There is nought with Nelson did compare
On board the man of war.

Source: Peter Bellamy, CD: "Wake The Vaulted Echoes" originally from "Maritime England Suite", 1982



NELSON'S DEATH

Old England's long expected heavy news from the fleet -
It was commanded by Lord Nelson the French for to meet -
The news it came over, through the country was spread,
That the French were defeated but Lord Nelson was dead.

  Chorus:
  Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves,
  Britons never never never shall be slaves.

Not only Lord Nelson but thousands were slain,
A-fighting the French on the watery main,
To protect our own country both honour and wealth,
But the French they would not yield until they yield unto death.

The merchants of Yarmouth when they heard so
Said, 'Come, brother sailor, to church let us go;
And there we will build a most beautiful pile
In remembrance of Nelson the hero of the Nile'

'Your plans', said Britannia, 'are excellent and good,
A monument for Lord Nelson and a sword for Collingwood.
Let it be of good marble to 'petuate his name;
Letters of gold wrote, "He died for England's fame".'

Our soldiers and sailors as I have been told
Keep themselves in readiness their rights for to hold;
Their rights to maintain, the cause to expose,
If in an invasion to save British ports.

Our soldiers and sailors many brave deeds have done
While fighting in foreign many battles have won.
If the Nile could but speak or did Trafalgar declare,
All the world with Lord Nelson they would not compare.

Source: Roy Palmer: "A Ballad History of England", originally from Harry Cox, collected by Peter Kennedy, 1953.



NELSON'S DEATH

Old England has long expected heavy news from the fleet -
'Twas commanded by Lord Nelson the French for to meet -
Our rights to maintain, and our cause to expose,
If invasion to keep British ports from our foes.

  Chorus:
  The news has come over, through the country spread,
  The French were defeated but Lord Nelson lay dead.

Not only Lord Nelson but thousands were slain,
Fighting the French on the watery main,
To protect our own country both honour and wealth,
But the French wouldn't yield 'til they yielded to death.

The merchants of Yarmouth when they heard so
Said, 'Come, brother sailors, to the church let us go;
And there we will erect a most beautiful pile
In memory of Lord Nelson the hero of the Nile'

'Your plans', said Britannia, 'are excellent and good,
A monument for Lord Nelson and a sword for Collingwood.
Let it be of good marble to 'petuate his name;
In letters of gold write, "He died for England's fame".'

Our soldiers and sailors many brave deeds have done
Fighting in foreign many battles have won.
But if the Nile could but speak or Trafalgar declare,
In the world with Lord Nelson there's none can compare.

Source: Mick Pearce

21 Oct 04 - 03:28 PM (#1303149)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE DEATH OF NELSON
From: BB

The version we sing comes from George Dunn - we've been singing it a long time, so can't remember whether the words are directly as George sang them or not. Entitled 'The Death of Nelson'.

Arise, ye sons of Britain, in chorus join and sing;
Great and joyful news is come unto our royal King;
An engagement we have had at sea, with France and Spain the enemy,
And we have gained the victory on board a man-of-war.

On the twenty-first of October, before the rising sun
We formed a line for action, my boys, at twelve o'clock begun;
Brave Nelson to his men did say, 'The Lord will prosper us this day;
Give them the broadside, fire away on board a man-of-war.'

Then broadside to broadside our cannon balls did fly;
Like hailstones the smallshot around our decks did lie;
Our mast and rigging were shot away, besides some thousands on that day
Were killed and wounded in the fray on board a man-of-war.

Oh, then our brave commander with grief he shook his head;
'There is no reprieve, there is no relief, brave Nelson he is dead.
It was a fatal musket ball that caused our hero for to fall.
He cried, "Fight on, God bless you all!" on board a man-of-war.'

Let us hope this glorious victory will surely bring us peace,
That all the trades in England will prosper and increase,
Our ships from port to port go free, no more to face an enemy,
That Nelson died for liberty on board a man-of-war.

21 Oct 04 - 03:32 PM (#1303151)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: breezy

Thanks

21 Oct 04 - 04:18 PM (#1303190)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,MCP

Thanks for the George Dunn version Barbara. That gives all the bits for the Bellamy version at least.

Mick

22 Oct 04 - 07:16 AM (#1303729)
Subject: Lyr Add: DEATH OF NELSON
From: Jess A

Thanks for all this everybody. I've now discovered that we were wrong about it being the 200th anniversary of Trafalgar this year (it took place in 1805 not 1804!!) so I've got a whole extra year to learn the song properly - although in fact I've nearly learnt the words now so will be singing it on Sunday anyhow at the Sheffield singing session . Nowt wrong with commemorating the 199th anniversary anyhow I guess :)

I got in touch with Richard Grainger (thanks to Steve for putting me on to him) and this is what he said about the song (following taken from his mail, with his permission)

There are several songs I believe carrying the title or indeed similar ones. Rarely do you find it as simply Death of Nelson but more often Death of Nelson and his Victory at Trafalagar and other such mutterings....

My song 'Death of Nelson' was composed from fragments puiblished from a collection by a trad singer published in a Folk Music Journal I think 1973. It was in 1973 that I was searching through this book for possible material when I came across the fragment. I have to say there were more gaps and dashes than surviving words or phrases. However unlike other folk who will have looked once and turned the page I seemed to feel that even what was left was worthy of salvage.
So I took the words from the Journal and added my own lines and phrases to fill in the gaps.

However by the time I had rewritten the words and added a chorus I really had to invent a tune for it as it really changed its character completely. So the tune is original. I had no knowledge of any other songs of that title at the time I wrote it. However naturally as it happens I came across many versions of the same story afterwards.
The song was first recorded by me in 1984 on Fellside FE038 'Herbs on the Heart' my first solo album.That is the definitive version. The Wilsons alas thinking they had heard me sing a wholly traditional song decided to go adding other verses from other songs which I personally think destoys the immediacy and power of the piece.
I would ask you please to tell people about who rewrote the words, composed the chorus and invented the tune.
However I am delighted that you like the song. My lyrics are as follows;-

DEATH OF NELSON

On the 21st of October before the rising sun
We formed a line for battle and at twelve o clock begun
Old Nelson to his men did say t he lord will prosper us this day
Set fire the broadside fire away on board a man of war

Chorus
Let him die in peace, God bless you all
On board a man of war. ( Repeated)

From roadside to broadside the cannon balls did fly
Like hailstone the small shot across our decks did fly
Our main mast was blown away besides some hundreds on that day
Were killed or wounded in the fray on board a man of war

Chorus

And then our great commander with grief he shook his head
There's no reprieve, no relief, old Nelson he is dead
It was a fateful musketball that caused old Nelson for to fall
Let him die in peace god bless you all on board a man of war

Chorus


I'll be recording this song once again in December to include on an album for 'Sea Britain 2005'.


So there we go. The lyrics that Richard put together look to me very much like the Bellamy words and are presumably from the same root source - but I presume the tune is completely different. Richard's tune is brilliant and has a very trad feel and the chorus makes it a really good one to join in with. I need to learn how to make midi files or whatever but once I have I'll put the tune on here.

From what I can remember of the additional verses that the Wilsons sing, they were probably taken from this version which Malcolm Douglas had linked to on the earlier thread.

They certainly sing a verse which goes something like

Heaven reward Lord Nelson and protect his men
Nineteen of the combined fleets were sunk and taken then
The Achilles blew up among them all
Which made the French for mercy call
But Nelson was slain by a musket ball
On board a man of war

22 Oct 04 - 04:07 PM (#1304134)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Once Famous

If you sang only half of this song would you have a "half nelson?"

22 Oct 04 - 05:43 PM (#1304195)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: MoorleyMan

But if you only sang a "half Nelson" Martin, would you need to wrestle with your conscience?

23 Oct 04 - 08:40 AM (#1304692)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: breezy

and I was only after MCP's chorus, look what he gave me!!

btw we all were impressed by the Duncan Mkphastlane

23 Oct 04 - 11:18 AM (#1304790)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Malcolm Douglas

Roud 522, Laws J17. The "trad singer" referred to above by Richard Grainger was indeed George Dunn (Folk Music Journal vol 2 no 4, 1973, 277-278). Mr Dunn's set was recorded by Roy Palmer and has been issued more than once: it is currently available on George Dunn, Chainmaker (Musical Traditions MT CD 317-8). Transcription and notes by Roy Palmer can be seen via the link.

The verses Barbara quotes are very close indeed to Mr Dunn's, with the usual small variations; apart from the final line of verse 3, which has been changed from Mr Dunn's

Let him die in peace, God bless you all, on board a [the] man o' war.

The first and final verses have been introduced from elsewhere, however; perhaps from the broadside.

23 Oct 04 - 05:41 PM (#1305079)
Subject: Tune Add: NELSON'S DEATH (from Roy Palmer)
From: Malcolm Douglas

And here is George Dunn's tune, with his variations, as transcribed by Roy Palmer:


X:1
T:Nelson's Death
S:George Dunn, Quarry Bank, Staffordshire.
Z:Recorded by Roy Palmer, 7/6/1971.
B:Folk Music Journal, EFDSS, II, 4, 1973, 277-8.
L:1/8
Q:1/4=100
M:4/4
K:D
A, A,|D3 E "(a)" F E A,2|(D2E2) F2 B2|A2 G2 F2 E2|D6 (FG)|
w:On the twen-ty first of Oc-to_ber, be-fore the ris-ing sun, We_
A3 A B3 B|"(b)" A2 A3/2 F/ G2 F2|E2 D2 C2 D2|A,6 (FG)|
w:formed a line for act-ion, my boys, at twelve o' clock be-gun. Brave_
A2 A2 (AB) A2|G2 G2 G3 E|F2 D2 "(c)" A2 F2|(ED) (CB,) (A,B,) (CA,)|
w:Nel-son to_ his men did say, "The Lord will pros-per us_ this_ day._ Give_
D3 E F2 D2|G2 A2 HB2 (AG)|F3 D E3 C|D6|]
w:them the broad-side, fire a-way, on_ board the man o' war."
L:1/8
Q:1/4=100
M:4/4
K:D
"(a) verses 2 & 3" A,2|D3 F E2|
L:1/8
Q:1/4=100
M:4/4
K:D
"(b) verse 2" G4 F2 E2|F2 A2 G2 F2|E6
L:1/8
Q:1/4=100
M:4/4
K:D
"(c)" A3 F|

28 Oct 04 - 07:54 AM (#1309443)
Subject: Tune Add: NELSON'S DEATH (from Roy Palmer)
From: GUEST,MCP

And here's Harry Cox's tune from Roy Palmer's book. I'll put up the Bellamy tune when I've time (if it's not Mr. Dunn's; I haven't checked yet).

Mick


X: 1
T:Nelson's Death
M:3/4
L:1/4
S:Roy Palmer: A Ballad History Of England, originally from Harry Cox 1953
K:D
A|A F F/F/|D D D/F/|A> G F|E>
w:Old Eng-land's long ex-pect-ed heav-y news from the fleet
A A/D/|F A D/D/|F A> F|E D B,|A,2
w:It was com-mand-ed by Lord Nel-son the French for to meet
A,|F F F|(F/D/) D F/G/|A d A|B2
w:The news is came ov_er through the coun-try was spread
B/B/|A B> A|A E E/F/|G E C|D2||
w:That the French were de-feat-ed but Lord Nel-son was dead.
M:4/4
"^Chorus:"
F3 F|G G2 A|G F E D|C4|
w:Rule Brit-ann-ia, Brit-ann-ia rules the waves
A2 G2| F/E/F/G/ A G|F2 E2|D4|]
w:Brit-ons nev-er nev-er nev-er shall be slaves.

22 Oct 05 - 12:43 PM (#1588475)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: prmartinuk

Does anyone know the words for the Strawhead version of Death of Lord Nelson.

22 Oct 05 - 03:49 PM (#1588560)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: nutty

There are a number of broadsides relating to Nelson's death in the Bodleian Broadside collection. Here are the links to some of them ......


Death of Nelson

Hero of Trafalgar

Nelson's Monument

Gallant Lord Nelson
To the tune of "God Save the King"

The Death of Lord Nelson

Trafalgar's Battle

Nelson's Death and Victory

Brave Nelson

The Victorious Sailor

23 Oct 05 - 02:25 PM (#1589087)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,Eric

prmartinuk - The Strawhead version I have seems to be the one in Nutty's broadsides links called "The Death of Lord Nelson".

Eric

24 Oct 05 - 12:43 PM (#1589780)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Jon W.

There's this song in the DT

24 Oct 05 - 04:05 PM (#1589919)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST

If you want to hear A.L. Lloyd's version go to BBC Radio 3 - "Listen Again" for Sunday 23rd October 2005 and hear it in the Early Music programme's "A Sailor's Life"

24 Oct 05 - 04:12 PM (#1589924)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson

I think a thread about Ricky Nelson would be much more interesting.

26 Oct 05 - 10:00 AM (#1590883)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: prmartinuk

Thanks Eric and nutty. It's been on my list of songs to learn for a long time, can finally do it now (just to late for Trafalgar 200, but ahwell)

11 Nov 05 - 03:59 AM (#1602099)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson - Hymn of Trafalgar
From: GUEST,Margaret R

I found this thread by accident when trying to find a song called something like "Sing me a Hymn of Trafalgar" - the chorus, I think, has quite a bit of Spanish in it. Does anyone out there know the lyric?

Thanks

11 Nov 05 - 04:18 AM (#1602117)
Subject: Lyr Add: CARRYING NELSON HOME (Mike O'Connor)
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)

That sounds like Mike O'Connor's Carrying Nelson Home. These words are taken from Mike singing it but there are a few places where I'm not sure of the words in the chorus (Spanish and French in my version). I've put in what I sing. (I did email Mike over a year ago to check but got no reply and I haven't seen him since then). Martin Wyndham-Read sings the song now.

Mick



CARRYING NELSON HOME
(Mike O'Connor)

Ease the bow spring, gently set the foresheets on the windward side,
Let go fore and aft then as she turns, sail her full and by to catch the evening tide.
Shake out those topsails, feel the seas roll under that she know so well,
Find a star to guide her to the dawn, and then let her greet the long Atlantic swell.
Chorus:
Sing me a chanty
Cantad del Cabo San Vicente*
Chantez des Marin de Nile
Sing a hymn of Trafalgar.

Stream the log now, for she's heeling with a land-breeze to inspire,
Orange-scented from the groves of Andalucia, and within my mind Cadiz still gleams with fire.
Give her sea-room, put Saint Vincent well astern by break of day,
Then you shorten sail and harden up the sheets, and close-hauled we'll make the Northings slip away.

One point to loo'ard, for the rolling seas are getting shorter now.
They remind me of the lights of (far Hiera)**, and they tell me Biscay's on the starboard bow.
Shake out your reef, for carried on the breeze that's setting fair
Are spices from the quays of Lorient you can sail her free to weather Finisterre.

Ease your mainsheets, for it's soon we'll see the harbour lights of home,
Anchor, make good every sheet and halyard, remembering just who you have on board.
Pipe me ashore, gently hoist aloft your keg of brandy wine
Make ready to receive the admiral's pouch, lower me easy, I'm going ashore one last time.


* Cape sao Vicente? (Portuguese rather than Spanish)
** Figuera (da Foz)?

11 Nov 05 - 06:50 AM (#1602179)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST

Mick

Thank you! Yes, that is the song I was looking for! I heard it on the radio late one evening on Trafalgar Day this year, but no details were given about it. Do you happen to know if there's an easily available recording of it, as it's such a lovely melody?

Regards

Margaret

11 Nov 05 - 07:45 AM (#1602209)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)

Margaret

The version I have is Mike singing it at home, but a quick search found a BBC Radio Shropshire playlist showing Martyn Wyndham-Read singing it from a CD Oceans in the Sky on Fellside Number FECD197. Martyn's site has no details, but they are available on Fellside Records site.

(If I've got some time later I'll put the tune up here)

Mick

11 Nov 05 - 08:15 AM (#1602228)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,Margaret R

Mick

I'm really very grateful for this. I've bookmarked the site and will have a good look at it shortly.

I appreciate your offer to put the tune on the site, but please don't worry about this if you're doing it for me. Unfortunately my musical appreciation has no creative side to it (can't play, can't sing!) and I'll be happy just to get hold of the CD.

You've been very kind - thanks again.

Margaret

22 Nov 05 - 09:31 AM (#1611126)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,Margaret R

Mick

Just a postscript to say I've now got the CD you mentioned and have just listened to 'Carrying Nelson Home'. Great song - thanks again for your help in obtaining it.

Margaret

05 Dec 09 - 10:43 AM (#2781300)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,Molly

Further to the Hiera/Figuera controversy - the version of the words I have has:
"They remind me of the lights of HYERES" Don't ask me how this is pronounced but it is French so "EYE-AIR" or "EE-AIR"? If you look at a map of the southern coast of France. Toulon is East and slightly South of Marseilles - Hyeres is East of Toulon and les Iles D'Hyeres just off the coast a bit further East.
However, looking at the course of the voyage home from Trafalgar, this makes no sense! Since he refers to Andalusia and Cadiz could it possibly be "JEREZ"?
There is only one way to find out - someone will have to ask Mr O'Connor!
PS I need the tune as I am trying to learn it so if you could oblige? Sorry, I'm always a bit late picking up threads!

05 Dec 09 - 06:15 PM (#2781633)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Joe_F

This would be even more charming if it had a tune:

1805 [sic -- the funeral was in 1806]

by Robert Graves

At Viscount Nelson's lavish funeral,
While the mob milled and yelled about St Paul's,
A General chatted with an Admiral:

'One of your Colleagues, Sir, remarked today
That Nelson's exit, though to be lamented,
Falls not inopportunely, in its way.'

'He was a thorn in our flesh,' came the reply---
'The most bird-witted, unaccountable,
Odd little runt that ever I did spy.

'One arm, one peeper, vain as Pretty Poll,
A meddler, too, in foreign politics
And gave his heart in pawn to a plain moll.

'He would dare lecture us Sea Lords, and then
Would treat his ratings as though men of honour
And play at leap-frog with his midshipmen!

'We tried to box him down, but up he popped,
And when he'd banged Napoleon at the Nile
Became too much the hero to be dropped.

'You've heard that Copenhagen "blind eye" story?
We'd tied him to Nurse Parker's apron-strings---
By G---d, he snipped them through and snatched the glory!'

'Yet,' cried the General, 'six-and-twenty sail
Captured or sunk by him off Trafalgar---
That writes a handsome finis to the tale.'

'Handsome enough. The seas are England's now.
That fellow's foibles need no longer plague us.
He died most creditably, I'll allow.'

'And, Sir, the secret of his victories?'
'By his unServicelike, familiar ways, Sir,
He made the whole Fleet love him, damn his eyes!'

06 Dec 09 - 09:11 AM (#2782051)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,Molly

I have been in touch with the man himself and it is Hyeres in the South of France. The choppy waters of the Bay of Biscay recalling to Nelson's spirit the similar waters off Hyeres where he had a victory in times gone by.

06 Apr 10 - 06:02 AM (#2880534)
Subject: Lyr Add: CARRYING NELSON HOME (from M Wyndham-Read
From: Gervase

A few years late, perhaps, but here's the version as sung so beautifully by Martyn Wyndham-Read:

CARRYING NELSON HOME
Ease the bowspring,
Gently set the foresheets on the windward side.
Let her go fore and aft and as she turns,
Sail her full and by to catch the evening tide.
Shake out those topsails,
Feel the seas roll under that she knows so well.
Find a star to guide her to the dawn
And then let her greet the long Atlantic Swell,

        Sing me a shanty
        Cantad del Cabo San Vicente
        Chantez des marins de Nile
        Sing a hymn of Trafalgar

Stream the log now,
For she's heeling with a land breeze to inspire;
Orange scented from the groves of Andalucia,
And within my mind Cadiz still gleams with fire.
Give her searoom,
Put St Vincent well astern by break of day,
Then you shorten sail and harden up those sheets
And close-hauled we'll make the northings slip away

One point to leeward,
For the rolling seas are getting shorter now;
They remind me of the lights of far Hyeres,
And they tell me Biscay's on the starboard bow.
Shake out your reefs,
For carried on the breeze that's setting fair
Are spices from the quays of Lorient.
You can sail her free to weather Finisterre.

Ease your mainsheets,
For it's soon we'll see the harbour lights of home.
Anchor; make good every sheet and halyard,
Remembering just who you have on board.
Pipe me ashore;
Gently hoist aloft your keg of brandy wine,
Make ready to receive the Admiral's barge,
Lower me easy now, I'm going ashore one last time.

06 Apr 10 - 11:38 AM (#2880737)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST, Sminky

...and listen to Benny Graham singing it too if you get the chance - wonderful.

30 Jun 11 - 08:35 PM (#3179404)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Charley Noble

I also agree that Mike O'Connon's song "Carrying Nelson Home" is a wonderful song and tribute.

But I'm left wondering what the phrase "Ease the bowspring" in the first line means. I'm not aware of any line on a vintage ship of that era called a "bowspring." It's true that such ships anchored to defend themselves in a harbor were often attached by "springlines" to various anchors so that they could be maneuvered, shifted around to maintain a broadside to the enemy. I don't think that kind of "bowspring" makes sense in this song. Another thought is that "bowspring" is supposed to be a mooring line, i.e., cast off from the wharf. Or maybe it's another word for anchor cable but one either "slips the cable" or hauls in the cable with the anchor.

So do any of the more knowledgeable nautical Mudcatters care to clarify "bowspring" in this song?

One of my bandmates is quite taken with this song and he'd prefer to be singing something that makes nautical sense.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

30 Jun 11 - 09:08 PM (#3179425)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Rumncoke

The second line is perhaps describing backing the fores'l to turn away from the wind if the vessels was unfortunate enough to find itself facing directly into the wind on a mooring, despite being moored both fore and aft.

As a stick and rag sailor I do sometimes wince when hearing or reading things suposedly about ships.

Anne Croucher

01 Jul 11 - 05:18 AM (#3179591)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Micca

Charley, the bowspring is a mooring line between the ship and the jetty.The onboard end is at the bow (usually) and the jetty end is towards the midships and when heaved against it pulls the ships head towards the jetty, if reversed it has the opposite effect (as in this case) and the ship is "backing the jib" to get her head off the jetty then it helps a lot, Hence the name It "Springs the bow off the mooring". In conversation with Mike O'Connor last year we were discussing this and he told me that the land breeze at Gibraltar blows onto the Jetty (still the same since Trafalgar)and tends to keep vessels pinned against the quay, and you HAVE to "back the jib" to get off if using sail alone, in fact the song idea came from Mikes own experiences of doing just this while sailing from Gibraltar! which started him thinking how they managed in the days of "Sail only" powered ships.

01 Jul 11 - 09:42 AM (#3179684)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,Liz

Alas Richard Grainger?? I dont know if you have heard the Wilsons singing the Death of Nelson recently, but far from destroying the power of the song I think they bring it to life. However the thread has brought up some other interesting versions of the song.
L. x

01 Jul 11 - 10:01 AM (#3179700)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Charley Noble

Micca-

Exactly what I wanted to know and my bandmates will be very pleased.

Some misguided folks have been singing "ease the bowsprit" instead of "ease the bowspring" which conjures up nautical disaster in setting out.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

01 Jul 11 - 10:51 AM (#3179721)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Micca

Charlie, Having seen the bowsprit on HMS Victory, (and speaking as an ex Sailor) it is NOT something I would like to get out on even with the ship firmly in drydock!!!

01 Jul 11 - 02:29 PM (#3179848)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: The Sandman

GUEST LIZ , I Prefer the version that does not have the wilsons' verse, mind you they are great singers

01 Jul 11 - 04:59 PM (#3179945)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Rumncoke

The only situation which fits the description is if the ship is facing into the wind and away from the direction it needs to go. The wind would have to be blowing parallel to the jetty.

You would remove the mooring ropes and use a spring (looped around a bollard so it could be released from the ship) to turn the bow away from the land, back the jib and use the spring so the ship is rotated around almost in its own length.

You would then have the wind behind you so you could sail full and by, but it requires good coordination to get just the right amount of turning and foreward motion plus the release from the dock so you set off smartly and under control.

Anyone setting the foresheets gently to the windward side when I had the con would soon find that it was not the way to get into my good books.

I like the song, but couldn't sing it -

Anne Croucher

01 Jul 11 - 06:29 PM (#3179968)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: The Sandman

Heaven reward Lord Nelson and protect his men
Nineteen of the combined fleets were sunk and taken then
The Achilles blew up among them all
Which made the French for mercy call
But Nelson was slain by a musket ball
On board a man of war
this is badly written, it has a feel to it of mcgonagle, then we have all call and ball all rhyming with one another ,jesus christ.
richard graingers version is much better and doesnt need this peice of doggerel added to it.
Death of Nelson

On the 21st of October before the rising sun
We formed a line for battle and at twelve o clock begun
Old Nelson to his men did say t he lord will prosper us this day
Set fire the broadside fire away on board a man of war

Chorus
Let him die in peace, God bless you all
On board a man of war. ( Repeated)

Fromroadside to broadside the cannon balls did fly
Like hailstone the small shot across our decks did fly
Our main mast was blown away besides some hundreds on that day
Were killed or wounded in the fray on board a man of war

Chorus

And then our great commander with grief he shook his head
Theres no reprieve no relief old Nelson he is dead
It was a fateful musketball that caused old Nelson for to fall
Let him die in peace god bless you all on board a man of war

23 Mar 12 - 06:14 PM (#3327915)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: schlimmerkerl

With all due respect to Richard Grainger, I was impressed by the Wilsons' singing, am learning that version (with Grainger's verses), and am sorry they didn't credit him properly. I'm researching his recordings, etc., and hope to fill that particular gap in The Collection soon. Great song, in any case.

"Never mind maneuvers— go straight at 'em"
-Admiral Lord Nelson

26 Mar 12 - 07:07 PM (#3329364)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)

I've just put up my version of The Death of Nelson/Nelson's Monument ( posted above at Nelson's Death) on my youtube channel: MickPearceMusic.

Mick

28 Mar 12 - 08:24 AM (#3330062)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,Tom Wilson

I rarely get involved with this site (or the web in general) but felt, in this instance, that I should clarify some misinformation.

To all intents and purposes, the tune and short, but brilliant, chorus ARE Richard Grainger's (with our arrangement) and we have always credited him with this. We invariably acknowledge this whenever we sing it live and mentioned him, among others, in the credits on the recording 'The Wilson Family Album' in 1991 on which this song is included.

The words of the 5 verses of our version of Nelson's Death and Victory are, virtually all, from Roy Palmer's - The Valiant Sailor in which he gives his sources as "George Dunn collated with a broadside by Kendrew of York".
However, the 5th line of verse 4 is missing and Richie's - 'let him die in peace God bless you all' - fit very well, so we used that.

Richie's version doesn't have verses 3 or 5 of the original Palmer version which are, of course, used in ours.

Other than the above, we haven't added or removed anything and most of our audiences seem to think we've got it about right. I hope this clarifies things.

16 Apr 12 - 11:05 AM (#3339058)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Jess A

Wow, seven and a half years on from starting this thread and I find it still running... and I find it stirred up a bit of controversy for the Wilsons - sorry guys, not my intention!

Now planning on recording a version of this with the Melrose Quartet in June using Bellamy's tune rather than Richard Grainger's, we're chuffed to bits with the arrangement but nobody except us has heard it yet... :)

and, I was amused to discover that James, not knowing that I'd been interested in this one in the past, suggested it completely independantly and then found the words here as posted by Mick back on 19 Oct 2004, without realising I'd started the thread! Hehe that is what Mudcat is for! Thanks all!

17 Apr 12 - 11:10 AM (#3339540)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE VOLUNTEER'S TESTIMONY
From: Sugwash

Here's a song I wrote about Nelson from the point of view of a volunteer in the Royal Navy. I had the idea when I asked our first lieutenant (who was very upper class, but a nice bloke despite that) why the wardroom celebrated Trafalgar Night, but for the lower deck it was just another day in the navy. "That's because I'm descended from a line of gentlemen whilst you, Sugden, come from a shower of pressed men!" He was joking, I think, but being a keen naval historian, I knew his assertion to be wrong.

The Volunteer's Testimony

Here I sit, I cannot stand
Born to the sea, beached on the land
A veteran of the wars against the French
When First I went to sea
Bold Nelson commanded me
The finest man who ever sailed the waves

Ch.
I wasn't pressed, I volunteered
And I sailed with 'Our Nel'
From St Vincent to Trafalgar
And through many part of hell
We fought the French, the Dons, the Danes
We were masters of the seas
Then a chain-shot at Trafalgar
Cut me short below the knees

Against the Spanish on Valentine's Day
Admiral Jarvis led the way
His orders came to tack about in line
Nelson saw there wasn't time
So without orders, broke the line
His actions, Jarvis said, saved the day

Against the shore at Aboukir
Brueys thought his fleet secure
But Foley found a way around
From both sides our guns did pound
And Napoleon's dreams of the orient
Went up in a ball of flames

Against those 'Brothers of Englishmen'
And their fleet at Copenhagen
Broadside we fought it out
Through wreaths of smoke
When Hyde-Parker saw the pall
He flew the signal for recall
A signal Nelson said he did not see

And Nelson's final throw
Saw the combined fleet's over throw
The French and Spanish fleets put to rout
But with victory in his grasp
Bold Nelson breathed his last
Even the pressed men cried into their grog

So now you see me here
But I pray, don't shed a tear
For I volunteered for country
And for king
But now the wars are o'er
We're left to rot upon the shore
Nelson would have grieved to see us here

17 Apr 12 - 12:43 PM (#3339574)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Reinhard

I'm looking forward to hear you singing The Death of Nelson, Jess! When is the Melrose Quartet's CD planned to appear?

And do you know that there is an old VHS tape of Peter Bellamy singing The Death of Nelson on YouTube?

18 Apr 12 - 03:21 AM (#3339875)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Sugwash

Oops, an ammendment to verse three:

Against the shore at Aboukir
Brueys thought his fleet secure
A bulwark for Napoleon's Eastern dreams
But Foley found a way around
From both sides our guns did pound
And Napoleon's Orient
Went up in a ball of flames

18 Apr 12 - 06:28 PM (#3340116)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: Jess A

Cheers Reinhard - we start recording in June, so it will be a while yet.... hopefully before this time next year but no promises exactly when!

I haven't heard the Bellamy recording so I'll check it out - thanks for that!

22 Sep 17 - 10:29 AM (#3878153)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Death of Nelson
From: GUEST,Chris N

I do like the Melrose Quartet version. Learning it ready for this Oct 21st!