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Lyr Req: Seige of Lathom House

28 Mar 06 - 08:16 AM (#1704531)
Subject: Lyr Req: Seige of Lathom House
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)

1644 English Civil war song about Charlotte, the Countess of Derby defense of her home. (link here for history buffs: http://www.theteacher99.btinternet.co.uk/ecivil/lathom.htm )

Anyone have the lyrics? I have not found them or heard the song since attending a play in Bolton 1963.


29 Mar 06 - 11:26 PM (#1706230)
Subject: Lyr Add: THEY CALLED HER BABYLON (Steeleye Span)
From: Jim Dixon

The title track to Steeleye Span's 2004 album "They Called Her Babylon" is about this siege, but I doubt it's the song you want.

Lyrics copied from The Albion Chronicles:

THEY CALLED HER BABYLON
Steeleye Span/Ken Nicol

To the halls of Lathom House the king he did proclaim
That the seventh Earl of Derby, James Stanley was his name,
Should resist the Scottish force bound for the Isle of Man,
So he gathered up his fighters and obeyed the king's command.

The Countess was of noble blood, though not of royalty,
Yet brave and as intrepid as any man was she.
So the house became a fortress, with her good Lord now gone.
Her name was Lady Charlotte but they called her Babylon.

CHORUS: So put yourselves in line against Babylon.
All ye that bend the bow against the crown.
And train the gunner's sights against Babylon
Till the Eagle Tower does fall and the walls they are thrown down.

Both the puritans and Fairfax, together they did call
For this one last royal stronghold in Lancashire to fall.
So the garrison she strengthened and the Eagle Tower was manned
And refusing all conditions, it was then the siege began. CHORUS

'Twas in two good months when those rebels did retreat
They were cast out from the earthworks and driven to defeat.
With dishonour and in shame, their siege came to an end.
They were routed by a lady and two hundred loyal men. CHORUS


30 Mar 06 - 12:58 PM (#1706762)
Subject: RE: Req: Seige of Lathom House
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)

Thanks Jim, I'm not sure if this is the song but it is possible. I don't have that album but do like Steeleye Span. I will have to look for a copy of that Cd. The reason I asked for the song lyrics is for a couple of people who were researching the story. They asked me if I knew anything about the house.

Yours,Aye. Dave