A different view of Trafalgar...

beancounter

beancounter

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I am a youthful lady
My troubles they are great
My tongue is scarcely able
My grievance to relate
Since I have lost my true love
That was ever dear to me
He's gone to plough the ocean
On board the Victory

And many a pleasant evenings
My love and I did meet
He clasped me round my slender waist
And gave me kisses sweet
I gave to him my hand and heart
And he vowed he'd marry me
But I did not know that my love
Would join the Victory

Chorus

Mourn, England, mourn and complain
For the brave Lord Nelson's men
That died upon the main

My parents could not endure my love
Because he was so poor
Therefore he never did presume
To come within the door
But had he been some noble lord
Born a man of high degree
They'd ne'er have sent the lad I love
On board the Victory

There was thirteen on the press-gang
They did my love surround
And four of that accursed gang
Went bleeding to the ground
My love was overpowered
Though he fought most manfully
They dragged him through the dark, wet streets
Towards the Victory

Chorus

Here's success unto the Victory
And crew of noble fame
And glory to the captain
Bold Nelson was his name
At the Battle of Trafalgar
The Victory cleared the way
But my love was slain with Nelson
Upon that very day

Chorus
 
Yes, I know.... I thought that when I first heard it. Also, you can probably argue as to whether the "Victory cleared the way" as Collingwood's column was engaged first (IIRC).
It's probably best not to look for too much historical accuracy in old folk songs...
 
As a LC fan, no wonder you put miserable posts... where did this one come from??

I remember it well, at the Chelsea Hotel... or I wish I did /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Also, although the press was an invidious system, and I do not claim (I have no knowledge) that there were no pressed men on the Victory, popular (and lucky) Captains had few problems recruiting crews. Nelson was very very popular with his men, and had extremely good leadership skills. I wonder how many pressed men were on Victory - does anyone know?
 
Re:Lucky Captains

I'd always thought that lucky was in the context of prize money - a good motivator when the ordinary seaman's pay was a pittance (if he ever got it at all). This would have been more likely in a frigate or other ship on detached commission (I would have thought) than in a three-decker as part of the line of battle.
Maybe it was the man himself - by all accounts Nelson seemed to have what we would now call charisma by the bucket-load.
 
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