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Lyr Req: The Deserter (from Fairport Convention)

20 Jan 05 - 02:52 PM (#1383475)
Subject: The Deserter Fairport Convention query
From: Rasener

Fairport Convention: The Deserter
[Trad. arr. Fairport Convention]

"Although we learned this song from a faded Victorian broadside, it is much older in origin. It was the habit of broadside printers to bring older songs up to date - in this case by including the name of Prince Albert." [Ashley Hutchings in "A Little Music"]

This is a tune that was played by Luke Kelly (according to Swarbrick), and is in 3/4 time. Sandy felt that this was the best song on the album Liege and Lief. The Island CD version of this record was mastered without a break between this song and the instrumental medley following it.

The question is

Does anybody know if Luke kelly sang on this version or just played.
Its said that he sung on a version of it for maybe 15 seconds or so.

Anybody got any idea

Cheers

20 Jan 05 - 04:55 PM (#1383604)
Subject: RE: The Deserter Fairport Convention query
From: Richard Bridge

Is that the one also known as Radcliffe HIghway? I'd often felt that Albert verse intrusive, and stopped using it because of that.

21 Jan 05 - 01:57 AM (#1383992)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE DESERTER (from Fairport Convention)
From: Rasener

It is indeed Richard
Les


THE DESERTER (2)
(DT Lyrics)

As I was a-walking down Radcliffe highway
A recruiting party came a-beating my way
They enlisted me and treated me till I did not know
And to the Queen's barracks they forced me to go

When first I deserted, I thought myself free
Until my cruel comrade informed against me
I was quickly followed after and brought back with speed
I was handcuffed and guarded, heavy irons put on me

Court martial, court martial, they help upon me
And the sentence passed upon me, three hundred and three
May the Lord have mercy on them for their sad cruelty
For now the Queen's duty lies heavy on me

When next I deserted, I thought myself free
Until my cruel sweetheart informed against me
I was quickly followed after and brought back with speed
I was handcuffed and guarded, heavy irons put on me

Court martial, court martial, then quickly was got
And the sentence passed upon me, that I was to be shot
May the Lord have mercy on them for their sad cruelty
For now the Queen's duty lies heavy on me

Then up rode Prince Albert in his carriage and sticks
Saying "Where is that young man whose coffin is fixed?
Set him free from his irons and let him go free
For he'll make a good soldier for his Queen and country"		 THE DESERTER
As recorded by Fairport Convention on "Liege and Lief" (1969)

As I was a-walking along Ratcliffe Highway
A recruiting party came a-beating my way.
They enlisted me and treated me 'til I did not know
Unto the Queen's barracks they forced me to go.

When first I deserted, I thought myself free
Until my cruel comrade informed against me.
I was quickly followed after and brought back with speed,
I was handcuffed and guarded, heavy irons put on me.

Court martial, court martial, they held upon me
And the sentence passed upon me, three hundred and three.
May the Lord have mercy on them for their sad cruelty,
For now the Queen's duty lies heavy on me.

When next I deserted, I thought myself free
Until my cruel sweetheart informed against me.
I was quickly followed after and brought back with speed
I was handcuffed and guarded, heavy irons put on me.

Court martial, court martial then quickly was got
And the sentence passed upon me, that I was to be shot.
May the Lord have mercy on them for their sad cruelty,
For now the Queen's duty lies heavy on me,

Then up rode Prince Albert in his carriage and six,
Saying, "Where is that young man whose coffin is fixed?
Set him free from his irons and let him go free,
For he'll make a good soldier for his Queen and country."




Recorded by Fairport Convention on Liege and Lief and by the
Young Tradition as "Ratcliff Highway"
@soldier @Army @deserter @recruit
filename[ DSERTER2
TUNE FILE: DSERTER2
CLICK TO PLAY
JY

Popup Midi Player




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDf8vAIb1As

21 Jan 05 - 02:32 AM (#1384005)
Subject: RE: The Deserter Fairport Convention query
From: Malcolm Douglas

Yes, that's the text in the DT at The Deserter, though you do give correctly the word "six" in the final verse, which somebody with a tin ear has put in the DT as "sticks". No need to quote the whole thing, though; a simple link would have sufficed.

The song was still quite widespread when collectors were out looking for songs at the beginning of the 20th century; most examples were found in England, with some in Scotland too. The Roud Folk Song Index lists many of these at number 493; at present none, so far as I can see, from Ireland. If the tune came from Luke Kelly, I've no idea where he got it, or whether it belonged to this song or to another.

As for "much older": not really. It certainly pre-dates Albert, but probably not by a great deal. See, for example, a number of broadside editions at Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads:

The new deserter

Some name Albert (the later ones include Ratcliffe Highway), others, only a few years earlier, name (a) Duke of York.

21 Jan 05 - 06:33 AM (#1384111)
Subject: RE: The Deserter Fairport Convention query
From: GUEST,Per Jappée

On the documentary "LUKE" you can hear Luke singing half a verse of "The deserter" in the background while John Faulkner is talking. It`s probably another recording than the one he did with Swarbrick.

21 Jan 05 - 07:26 AM (#1384141)
Subject: RE: The Deserter Fairport Convention query
From: pavane

Ratcliffe Highway no longer exists it got so notorious that it was renamed as just 'The Highway'

You may be interested in this old map of London, which shows how much the area has changed. Only a few of the street names seem to be still present (Pennington Street, Wapping Lane, Cannon Street)

If you want to search for other streets, you will have to wait for the placename index to download, this takes a while as it is 900kb, then you can find any street name on the maps.

Ratcliffe Highway

21 Jan 05 - 01:42 PM (#1384495)
Subject: RE: The Deserter Fairport Convention query
From: samundcandy

Interesting trail of guest Per Jappée. Does anybody know where to get any bootleg recording of the "Deserter" sung by Luke Kelly? Or does anybody know other unreleased songs of Luke?

22 Jun 18 - 12:27 AM (#3932537)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Deserter (from Fairport Convention)
From: Tony Rees

I know this thread is a little old, but I too was looking for a reference to Luke Kelly performing "The Deserter", perhaps with Swarb... Came across this item:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/6afb8dae-8760-4277-a8e6-91530fa5eefc

but no easy way to hear it of course...

05 Sep 18 - 12:43 AM (#3948154)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Deserter (from Fairport Convention)
From: Tony Rees

Just reading Swarb's "corrections to Fairport by Fairport by Nigel Schofield" in which he says that he never performed "The Deserter" with Kelly, merely used Kelly's idea which was to perform the song in 3/4 time.

05 Sep 18 - 06:47 AM (#3948202)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Deserter (from Fairport Convention)
From: Nigel Paterson

In the spirit of completeness, 'The Halliard' were singing their version of 'The Deserter' (interestingly in 3/4 time too) at least two years earlier than the 1969 release date of 'Liege and Lief'. Words & music published in 'The Halliard Broadside Songs' (Mollie Music) & recorded on the CD of the same name. Book & CD are available from nicjones.net
                                                   Nigel Paterson (mandolin, 'The Halliard')

24 Jan 21 - 04:22 PM (#4089751)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Deserter (from Fairport Convention)
From: GUEST,Guy Lambert

Does anybody know what "three hundred and three" means. I can't find any useful reference to it!

24 Jan 21 - 04:31 PM (#4089752)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Deserter (from Fairport Convention)
From: Steve Gardham

Lashes of the cat presumably.