Wardlaw's Dragoones

[Gruff]

After much discussion and a slightly lacklustre singalong at Stratton, it was felt by several of us that a Wardlaw's songbook is needed.

To that end I thought it would be good if we could submit songs that we would like included.

My paltry contribution is as follows (and I appreciate that I don't necessarily know the correct title for these songs):

The Rochester Recruiting Sargeant
Babylon Is Fallen
Landlord fill my Flowing Bowl
Pass me the Punch Ladle
Martin Said to His Man
The Taking of Calais
Over the Hills and Far Away
Cadgwith Anthem
Hot Sex Madrigal in My tights*
The Clean Contrary Way (not its proper title)
Hard Times of Old England
Cold, Haily, Windy Night
Bring me My Yellow Hose
My Love is like a Prick (on a Tudor Rose)*
Bold Sir Rylas
The World Turn'd Upside Down (Yes, the Billy Bragg song!)
When Cannons are roaring
Spanish Ladies
Haul away

There's loads more that I can't think of right now, but I'm sure you all have a much longer list - please share it with us!

* These may not actually exist - I just wish they did!

[bigmartin]

I'll have to give this some thought. I've got the words a number of songs (Fathom the Bowl etc.) already on a disc that I can print off from a start to write down all the songs I know. As it runs it to large numbers I've not got too far with it but it could for the starting point for a Song Book.
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Martin

[Gruff]

I had a feeling, Mr Crates, that your knowledge of folk songs would be compendious to say the least!

A full songbook would be fantastic, although from what you say it would be a big ask to have it ready for this weekend.

How about we put together a song sheet for Bovey with a few old favourites just to get people into the mood?

[bigmartin]

Will do.
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Martin

[bigmartin]

Had some stuff with me but it wasn't really a night for it at Bovey.

I can do words to most of Gruff's list (except the couple he's not sure exist). I assume the Billy Bragg song is the one written by Leon Rosselson that Dick Gaughan did so well years ago - if so I've got that one as well.

I'd like to add:

Ale, Ale, Glorious Ale
Ye Mariners All
I Likes A Drop Of Good Beer
Oh Good Ale
Good Luck To The Barley Mow (or whatever it's called in various versions I've heard)
Thousands Or More

(can you see a theme developing here)

I could go on for ages but it's making the book small enough to go in your snapsack!

Anyone else got any "must include" suggestions?
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Martin

[The Huntsman of Soest]

Having emerged from beneath a mountain of nappies and soiled babygrows (not my own), I would like to propose the song 'Lord Willoughby's welcome home', which has some great lyrics and an easy tune. I will post them up as soon as I can.

I plan to get to Basing if I can wriggle out of the bank holiday work rota, which at present does not look hopeful
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"...I've seen a lot fierce battles in my time, but I've seldom seen a pikeman actually kill someone." - Johann Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen

[The Huntsman of Soest]

Yer tis', the version I have is on a CD by The Musicians of Swanne Alley. Peregrine Bertie Lord Willoughby d'Eresby was a valiant cove who gave the Dons a bloody nose at the Battle of Bergen-op-Zoom (I think 1591). If you need the tune there are loads of you-tube videos of various lutenists playing it.

Lord Willoughby's welcome home

The fifteenth day of July
with glistening sword and shield
A famous fight in Flanders was foughten in the field
the most courageous officers were English captains three
But the bravest in the battle was brave Lord Willoughby

repeat last 2 lines

Stand to it noble pikemen and look you round about
and shoot you right you bowmen and we will keep them out
you musket and caliver men, do you stand true to me
I'll be the foremost man in fight says brave Lord Willougby

The sharp steel pointed arrows and bullets thick did fly
Then did our valiant soldiers charge on most furiously
which made the Spaniards waver, they thought it best to flee
they feared the stout behaviour of brave Lord Willoughby

Then quoth the Spanish general "Come let us march away
I fear we shall be spoiled if we here longer stay
For yonder comes Lord Willoughby with courage fierce and fell
He will not give one inch away for all the devils in hell!"

And then the fearful enemy was quickly put to flight
our men pursued courageously and caught their forces quite,
but at last they gave a shout which echoed through the sky
"God and Saint George for England!" the conquerors did cry.

To the soldiers that were maimed and wounded in the fray
The Queen allowed a pension of fifteen pence a day
and from all costs and charges she quit and set them free.
And this she did all for the sake of brave Lord Willoughby.

Then courage noble Englishmen and never be dismayed
If that we but one to ten, we will not be afraid
to fight with foreign enemies, and set our nation free
and thus I end the bloody bout of brave Lord Willoughby.
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"...I've seen a lot fierce battles in my time, but I've seldom seen a pikeman actually kill someone." - Johann Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen

[bigmartin]

That takes me back - someone I used to know in the ECWS used to do this one as his party piece.
I've got the Swanne Alley album - will have to give it a listen.
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Martin

[The Huntsman of Soest]

Excellent Martin, I look forward to hearing it in the pub at Basing (The Mill is it?).. I expect the soprano singing as on the album.
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"...I've seen a lot fierce battles in my time, but I've seldom seen a pikeman actually kill someone." - Johann Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen

[bigmartin]

Soprano I can just about manage counter-tenor at times - mostly it has to be tenor.
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Martin

[Gruff]

The Mill? Bleurgh! Overpriced and generic last time we went. The Kings Arms (is that what it's called?) was much better. Although this time we will have the option of the beer tent and the new Wardlaw's party tent.

[The Huntsman of Soest]

Well it's fifteen years since I was last there, but then the other pub (the white one with the raised beer garden at the back), wouldn't let ECWS members in. I expect the prospect of several hundred thirsty Knotters with bulging wallets may change things.

Another cracker which we must have in the songbook is The Boatwains call, from the Strawhead album Fortunes of War, the one that starts, "Stout seaman come away, never be daunted..." In fact if you do requests Martin there is a pint ready if you can sing this one
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"...I've seen a lot fierce battles in my time, but I've seldom seen a pikeman actually kill someone." - Johann Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen

[Lizwardo]

[The Huntsman of Soest]

Huzzah, that's the place for us then.
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"...I've seen a lot fierce battles in my time, but I've seldom seen a pikeman actually kill someone." - Johann Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen

[bigmartin]

Looks like I've got my work cut out then. Good job they don't want me in Milton Keynes any more.
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Martin