Author Topic: Add: The Duke of Marlborough


dmcg

Posted - 07 Mar 03 - 04:36 pm

Duke of Marlborough, The [Lord Marlborough]

Ye generals all and champions bold,
That takes delight in the field,
That knocks down palaces and castle walls,
But now to death must yield:
I am an Englishman by birth,
Lord Marlborough is my name,
In Devonshire I drew my breath,
That place of noted fame.

I was beloved by all my men,
Kings and princes likewise
Its many a town I've often took,
I did the world surprise.
King CHarles the Second I did serve,
To face our foes in France
And at the battle of Ramilles
We boldly did advance.

The sun was down, the earth did shake,
So loudly did I cry:
"Fight on, my boys, for England's sake,
We'll conquer or we'll die!"
That very day my horse was shot,
'Twas by a musket ball,
And as I mounted up again,
My aide-de-camp did fall.

Now I on a bed of sickness lie,
I am resign'd to die;
You generals all and champions bold,
Stand true as well as I.
Stand tur, my lads, and take no bribe,
But fight with courgae bold,
I led my men through smoke and fire,
But never was brib'd by gold.



Source: Purslow, F, (1972), The Constant Lovers, EDFS, London


Notes:

Collected from William Chubb, Beaminster, Dorset on June 1906 by Hammond (Dt. 515)

Database entry is here.




Abby Sale

Posted - 07 Mar 03 - 11:42 pm

Sure! Give the Roud number & Child number & all but don't pay no nevermind to the Happy! file entry. Sure!

John Churchill, duke of Marlborough b May 26, 1650 (d6/16/1722). One of England's greatest generals, who led British and allied in the War of the Spanish Succession (same guy as in "Marching Through Rochester" by Peter Coe (based on "The Gay (Bold) Fusillier.")




dmcg

Posted - 08 Mar 03 - 08:54 am

Sorry, sorry, sorry!

I entered the song last thing before leaving work and didn't have time to make the entry from Purslow's notes then. They are now shown in the database entry.

Also noteworthy is that Winston Churchill was a direct decendent of John Churchill.



Edited By dmcg - 08/03/2003 10:59:07




Malcolm Douglas
Posted - 08 Mar 03 - 02:41 pm

Roud 233

Most of the early 20th century collectors seem to have found examples in tradition, though it doesn't appear to have spread beyond England. It may still persist; certainly, it was in the repertoire of the late Walter Pardon of Knapton in Norfolk.

There are a good few broadside editions, under a number of titles, at  Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads. All appear to be of the 19th century.

Lord Marlborough

The duke of Marlborough

Duke of Marlboro

Duke of Marlbrough


Edited By Malcolm Douglas - 08/03/2003 14:51:01




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