Fotheringay - Banks Of The Nile

Oh hark! the drums do beat, my love, no longer can we stay.
The bugle-horns are sounding clear, and we must march away.
We're ordered down to Portsmouth, and it's many is the weary mile
To join the British Army on the banks of the Nile.

Oh Willie, dearest Willie, don't leave me here to mourn,
Don't make me curse and rue the day that ever I was born.
For the parting of our love would be like parting with my life.
So stay at home, my dearest love, and I will be your wife.

Oh my Nancy, dearest Nancy, sure that will never do.
The government has ordered, and we are bound to go.
The government has ordered, and the Queen she gives command.
And I am bound on oath, my love, to serve in a foreign land.

Oh, but I'll cut off my yellow hair, and I'll go along with you.
I'll dress myself in uniform, and I'll see Egypt too.
I'll march beneath your banner while fortune it do smile,
And we'll comfort one another on the banks of the Nile.

But your waist it is too slender, and your fingers they are too small.
In the sultry suns of Egypt your rosy cheeks would spoil.
Where the cannons they do rattle, when the bullets they do fly,
And the silver trumpets sound so loud to hide the dismal cries.

Oh, cursed be those cruel wars, that ever they began,
For they have robbed our country of manys the handsome men.
They've robbed us of our sweethearts while their bodies they feed the lions,
On the dry and sandy deserts which are the banks of the Nile.

(traditional, arr. Fotheringay)

From: 'Fotheringay', Island, 1970

Fotheringay were:
Sandy Denny - vocals, piano, guitar
Trevor Lucas - vocals, guitar
Jerry Donahue - lead guitar, backing vocals
Pat Donaldson - bass, backing vocals
Gerry Conway - drums, backing vocals

[geofflloyd]

Sandy had the voice of an angel, she still brings tears to a 75 year old, sheer perfection

[davidobrien]

In my humble opinion this is one of the greatest "folk" songs ever. O.K. no great instrumental involvement (not needed) but the clarity of Sandys' lyrics is so beautiful. R.I.P Sandy and all deceased Fairport players. We still love you all.

[peterbenson]

Quite simply one of the greatest vocal performances of all time.

[nicholassimons]

This track and this wonderful singer have been such an important part of my life; there are tears in my eyes as I'm taken back in time

[visiondigital]

it is hard to know what to say about this Lady. people more precise with words have already said all. as a teen she was my 1st love, knowing we would never meet. i did meet Richard and i asked about her, he withdrew. now later in life i find he praises her and if i understand correctly his wife Linda was a buddy of Sandy. i only wish as another human i could have comforted and been supportive of her, as one would do for a true love. this song well shows the depth of her talent, can't think of another who brings me to tears of pure appreciation and awe more than this Lass.

[russcohen]

Sandy Denny deserved so much more recognition and tons of awards and a place in the rock and roll hall of fame what a travesty

[MrDutchuk]

So sad she left us so early she was a great folksinger so missed !!

[alanr]

Such a beguiling song I've been listening to this one track all afternoon and am still beguiled by it all.

[jesmarluk]

Sandy's voice - always compelling.

[russcohen]

This wonderful women deserved so much more recognition what a travesty

[davidholiday]

One of Sandy's greatest masterpieces she left us, Her voice is magnificent - the instruments are also so subdued and subtle. I just love this so much!!!

[stevechristensen]

Always loved this, and Fairpoint Convention in general, this folk song is about war, love and British Imperialism of the day.

[MikeSladeMusic]

Here it is... The zenith of the British Folk Revival.

[Giselle]

"while their bodies they feed the lions"

[anthonyburke]

This one always hits the spot; this and Fairport's Sailors Life and Farewell, farewell, both with Sandy's sublime vocals at the helm. It doesn't get much better than this.

[stevenshearer]

The best voice england had folk given.

[sendanor]

Anypne thinking that playing folk music is pretty simple job: better think twice when you try to play this tune! It has shuffling time signatures which still make me struggle on my guitar.

[illmindofme]

Lyrics

Oh hark! the drums do beat, my love, no longer can we stay
The bugle-horns are sounding clear, and we must march away
We're ordered down to Portsmouth, and it's many is the weary mile
To join the British Army on the banks of the Nile

Oh Willie, dearest Willie, don't leave me here to mourn
Don't make me curse and rue the day that ever I was born
For the parting of our love would be like parting with my life
So stay at home, my dearest love, and I will be your wife

Oh my Nancy, dearest Nancy, sure that will never do
The government has ordered, and we are bound to go
The government has ordered, and the Queen she gives command
And I am bound on oath, my love, to serve in a foreign land

Oh, but I'll cut off my yellow hair, and I'll go along with you
I'll dress myself in uniform, and I'll see Egypt too
I'll march beneath your banner while fortune it do smile
And we'll comfort one another on the banks of the Nile

But your waist it is too slender, and your fingers they are too small
In the sultry suns of Egypt your rosy cheeks would spoil
Where the cannons they do rattle, when the bullets they do fly
And the silver trumpets sound so loud to hide the dismal cries

Oh, cursed be those cruel wars, that ever they began
For they have robbed our country of manys the handsome men
They've robbed us of our sweethearts while their bodies they feed the lions
On the dry and sandy deserts which are the banks of the Nile

[luckyspurs]

The most beautiful anti-war song ever.

[fredmila]

I wonder if they used to say yellow hair instead of blonde in those days