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SONGS AND BALLADS |
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P. 177. English Courage Displayed. From the Madden collection (Slipsongs, i. 252, No. 531). For the tune, see ChappelPs Old English Popular Music, p. 109. Vernon's popularity is further attested by two little songbooks—Vernon's Glory, containing 15 New Songs occasioned by the taking of Porto-Bello and Fort Chagre. London : printed by W. Webb, 1740, price sixpence. Vernon's Glory, Part II., sold by the same publisher, contains not only new songs on the exploits mentioned, but also others on the admiral's birthday. As, for instance:
' Freeborn Britons, fill your glasses, Give this day to generous mirth; For the circling bumper passes To your Vernon's happy birth.'
P. 179. Hosier's Ghost. The version of Hosier's Ghost given on p. 179 is the usual text, viz. that which is reprinted in Percy's Reliques. It no doubt represents the final version of Glover's poem. A version published in 1740, 'printed for Mr. Webb, near St. Paul's (price sixpence),' states that it was to be sung to the tune of ' Come and Listen to my Ditty.' It supplies some various readings. Stanza 1, line 1, instead of ' our,' ' my'; stanza 4, line 7, ' yet to hear of my undoing'; stanza 5, line 7, instead of 'tale,' 'fate'; stanza 6, lines 5-8,
' Oh that, with my wrath complying,
I had cast them in the main, Then, no more unactive lying, I had lowered the pride of Spain.'
Stanza 7, line 4, instead of 'hast achieved,' 'didst achieve'; stanza 7, line 8, ' of these gallant men had been,'; stanza 9 runs as follows:
' Unrepining at thy glory,
Thy successful arms we hail, But remember our sad story,
When to Britain back you sail! All your country's foes subduing,
When your Patriot friends you see, Think on vengeance for my ruin, And for England sham'd in me.'
Stanzas 10 and n are omitted, and the form of stanza 9 seems to show that the original version of the ballad did not contain these two.
For the tune, see Chappell, Old English Popular Music, ii. 165. |
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