DEATH OF NELSON by Richard Grainger

Song composed in 1975 and first recorded on FE038 Herbs On The Heart Fellside LP 1985. Now available on Richard Graingers 'Hard Road to Prospect Hill' featuring Chris Parkinson ( accordion and harmony vocal)) and Helen Lancaster (Fiddle) with vocal support from Steve Dawes & Helen Pitt. It has become a firm favourite amongst folk and shanty singers.
''Folk Musician Richard Grainger breathes new life into some old lyrics by subtly re-writing and adding to the original text. However its the addition of a rousing original tune and chorus that sets the song apart from others in the genre''

[hopefulguitarist]

On board a man of war On the Twenty-First of October, before the rising sun
We formed a line for battle and at twelve o clock begun
Old Nelson to his men did say
The Lord will prosper us this day
Set fire the broadside, fire away
On board a man of war
Let him die in peace, God bless you all
On board a man of war
From broadside to broadside the cannon balls did fly
Like hailstone the small shot across our decks did fly
Our main mast was blown away
Besides some hundreds on that day
Were killed or wounded in the fray
On board a man of war
And then our brave commander, with grief he shook his head
There’s no reprieve, no relief, oh Nelson he is dead
It was a fateful musket-ball
That caused old Nelson for to fall
Let him die in peace, God bless you all