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Duke of Marlborough
The Duke of Marlborough / Lord Melbourne
[
Roud 233
; Master title: The Duke of Marlborough
; Ballad Index WT161
; GlosTrad
Roud 233
; Wiltshire
99
, 786
; DT LORDMARL
; Mudcat 27509
; trad.]
Lucy E. Broadwood: English Traditional Songs and Carols Karl Dallas: The Cruel Wars John Morrish: The Folk Handbook Roy Palmer: Songs of the Midlands Frank Purslow: The Constant Lovers
George Wray sang Lord Melbourne on Unto Brigg Fair, from a cylinder recorded in 1908 by Percy Grainger. The LP sleeve notes commented:
It is a great pity that the quality of the cylinders of this stirring ballad do not permit the inclusion of more of this song or more particularly of this fine singer. The manner in which he switches from a terraced style, stark and strident, to a gently fluid and ornamented style for the last verse is potent evidence of his creative ability and marks strongly his insistence on the narrative rather than Joseph Taylor’s predominate concern with the tune. Other versions are found in: BTSC, BF, SEF and FSJ 4 p. 156, 20 p. 266 and importantly Grainger’s transcription in FSJ 12. Also on many broadsides, eg. C, F, Bl, Dl, P, Ph, Fo, W, HP, HW, WL, WB - all in the Madden Collection at the University Library, Cambridge.
Nic Jones sang this song as The Duke of Marlborough in 1970 on his first solo album, Ballads and Songs. This track was also included in 1076 on the Transatlantic anthology Folk Festival. Jones noted on his album:
In addition to The Outlandish Knight, Cecil Sharp also very kindly supplied me, through the aid of his book, with The Duke of Marlborough. Versions of this have been collected in Lincolnshire, Sussex, Norfolk and Somerset, all having probably derived from a printed broadside copy. The tune used here is the only major one collected, and very fine is it too.
Fairport Convention sang Lord Marlborough on their 1971 album Angel Delight. This track was also included on the anthologies Electric Muse: The Story of Folk Into Rock (1975) and New Electric Muse (1996) and on the Fairport Convention anthologies Come All Ye: The First Ten Years (2017). An alternate recording was released in 1971 on the Island Records anthology El Pea and was included in 2002 on Fairport’s Free Reed anthology Fairport unConventioNal. A BBC “Folk on One” live recording first broadcast on 27 March 2971 was included in 2007 on their anthology Live at the BBC. A live recording from a Cropredy warm-up at The Mill, Banbury, was included in 2017 on Fairport’s album 50:50@50. The New Electric Muse album notes commented:
Fairport V, according to the numeration employed by Pete Frame, was a four-piece with the three Daves—Mattacks, Pegg and Swarbrick—and Simon Nicol playing on Angel Delight (1971), an album of mixed quality but with some contemporary and traditional songs still deserving of a place in their repertoire, including this one. The lord of the title was Col. Churchill, created Duke by William of Orange in 1688, after his victory over the rebellious Duke of Monmouth. The earliest printed version we know appeared some 100 years later, though it seems to have originated as a broadside. Hammond collected a version with a similar sprung rhythm (in 5/4, this is in 5/8) from a man in Dorset in June 1906.
Walter Pardon sang Generals All in 1977 on his Leader album Our Side of the Baulk.
Kityske Will sang Lord Marlborough on the 1978 anthology Mrs Casey’s Choice.
Drinkers Drouth sang Lord Marlborough on their 1984 album Bound to Go and on their 2001 compilation A Tribute.
Home Service played Lord Melbourne as part of Percy Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy suite on their 1986 Making Waves album Alright Jack.
Cross o’th Hands sang Lord Marlborough on their 1996 album Handmade.
John Roberts & Tony Barrand sang Lord Melbourne in 1998 on their CD of English folksongs collected by Percy Grainger, Heartoutbursts. They noted:
In Lincolnshire Posy this is categorised as ‘Lord Melbourne’ (War Song), where it is given a fanfare-like, almost arrhythmic treatment. The song is better known as Lord Marlborough, to whom it properly refers. John Churchill (1650-1722), 1st Duke of Marlborough, soldier and statesman, is perhaps best known for his “glorious victories” against the French at Blenheim and Ramillies. He was a meticulous planner, and was also known for his consideration of the welfare of his soldiers, which is perhaps why he became so popular in balladry. He was also an ancestor of Winston Churchill, whose elder brother Charles became the 9th Duke of Marlborough in 1892.
Maddy Prior recorded The Duke of Marlborough in 2001 for her Park CD Arthur the King. This track was also included in 2004 on her Park anthology Collections. She noted:
The first Lord Marlborough, John Churchill, was on able general and an adroit politician who dodged his way through several changes of monarchy and their religions with great success, hence establishing Blenheim Palace and the wealth and power of the Churchill family. This is probably a Victorian song, at the height of Empire, given the gung-ho style of the lyrics.
Danny Spooner sang Marlborough on his 2008 CD Brave Bold Boys. He noted:
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, was the son of Sir Winston Churchill, an English MP and the forebear of Sir Winston Churchill the British Prime Minister during WW2. The hero of this piece of jingoism, he was regarded as one of England’s greatest ever army commanders and strategists. Entering the army in 1667 he quickly rose through the officer ranks, enjoying a spectacular career until, due to some questionable dealings, he fell from royal favour in spite of his spectacular victories at Blenheim and Ramillies. He was re-instated by George I, one of his greatest admirers, but in 1718 was incapacitated by a stroke and resigned. While staying at Windsor Lodge he suffered another stroke and died on 26 June 1722. There are versions of this song in many collections. I got it from the singing of an English mathematician, Eric Gooding.
The Wilson Family sang The Duke of Marlborough on their 2009 CD A Grey Lock or Two. They noted:
Though produced on numerous broadsides during the mid 1800’s, this song is either another example of gross obsequiousness or rose-tinted hero worship. The Marlborough referred to was a certain John Churchill and the broadsides don’t seem to have appeared until about a century after his death! Hero to some, he appears to have been a Machiavellian character who, in spite of being knighted by James II, when the wind started coming from the continent he jumped ship and sided with William of Orange but continued to be ‘Jimmy’s’ pen-pal. There are stories of further manoeuvring and accusations of corruption, which may suggest that the line ‘but ne’er was bribed by gold’ may have been a bit ‘tongue in cheek’.
Chris Sarjeant sang Lord Marlborough in 2012 on his WildGoose album Heirlooms. He noted:
John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722) was a pre-eminent military and political figure during the reigns of Queen Anne and George I, in fact, to some historians, he is the greatest British military commander to have ever lived. He died of a stroke at his still unfinished, Blenheim palace in Oxfordshire. This song is a highly romanticised eulogy imagined as Marlborough’s final words.
James Delarre and Saul Rose sang Lord Marlborough on their 2014 album Cabin Fever. They noted:
A song brought to the duo by James. It’s more widely known as The Duke of Marlborough and was collected throughout the South and Southwest of England by Lucy Broadwood, Cecil Sharp, the Hammond Brothers et al. Saul didn’t like the tune so he wrote another and changed a few words.
Lyrics
George Wray sings Lord Melbourne
I am an Englishman born by birth, Lord Melbourne is my name;
In Devonshire I first drew breath, that place of noble fame.
I was beloved by adell my men, by kings and princes likewise,
𝄆 I never faideld in anything but one great victory. 𝄇
Then good Queen Anne sent us on board, to Flanders we did go.
We left the banks of Newfoundland to face our daring foe.
We climbed those lofty bidells away, with broken guns, shields likewise;
And all those famous towns we took, to all the wordells surprise.
[King Charles the second we did preserve, to face our foemen French.
And to the battle of elements we boldly did advance.
The sun was down, the earth did shake and I so loud did cry,
“Fight on me lads for old Eng-e-lands sake, we’ll join the field or die.”
And now the glorious victory’s won, so boldly keep the field.
When pris’ners in great numbers took, which forced our foe to yield.
That very day my horse was shot, all by a cannon ball;
As soon as I got up again, my head in camp did fall.
Now on a bed of sick-e-ness lie, I am resigned to die.
You gen’rals all and champions bold, stand true as well as I;
Stand to your men, take them on board and fight with courage bold.
I’ve led my men through smoke and fire but now to death must yield.
Nic Jones sings The Duke of Marlborough
You generals all and champions bold who take delight in the field,
Who knock down palaces and castle walls and fight until they yield:
Oh I must go and face the foe without my sword and shield.
I always fought with my merry men, but now to death I must yield.
I am an Englishman by my birth, and Marlborough is my name;
In Devonshire I drew my breath, that place of noted fame.
I was belovèd by all my men, by Kings and Princes likewise,
Though many towns I often took, I did the world surprise.
Well, good Queen Anne sent us abroad, to Flanders we did go;
And we left the banks of Newfoundland, for to face the daring foe.
We climbed those lofty hills so high where guns stones broke, likewise,
And all those famous towns we took and we won great victory.
King Charles II I did serve to face the foes in France,
And at the battle of Ramillies we boldly did advance.
The sun was down and the moon did shine; so loudly did I cry:
“Fight on, me lads, for Fair England! We’ll conquer or we’ll die!”
Now we have gained the victory and bravely held the field,
We took a number of prisoners and forced them to yield,
That very day my horse got shot, all by a musket ball,
And ’ere I mounted up again, my second man did fall.
Now on a bed of sickness prone, I am resigned for to die;
You generals all and champions bold, stand true as well as I.
Unto your colours stand you true and fight with courage bold;
I’ve led my men through fire and smoke but ne’er was bribed by gold.
(repeat first verse)
Walter Pardon sings Generals All
You generals all and champions bold
who take delight in the field
Have knocked down palaces and castle walls
you all to death must yield
In Devonshire I first drew breath
that place of noted fame
I am an Englishman by birth
and Marlborough is my name
Now I must go and face the foe
without my sword and shield
Though many’s the battle I’ve fought and won
I now to death must yield
I was beloved by all my men
kings and princes likewise
And every city and town I took
I did the world surprise
King Charles the second I did serve
when I fought my foes in France
Twas at the battle of Ramillies
we boldly did advance
The sun was down the moon did shine
and loudly I did cry
Fight on fight on for old England’s sake
we conquer or we die
Now we had gained the victory
and bravely held the field
And many prisoners there we took
and we forced them to yield
That very day my horse got shot
all by a musket ball
And as I mounted up again
my aid de camp did fall
So you generals all and champions bold
who take delight in the field
Have knocked down palaces and castle walls
you all to death must yield
Take you no bribes
stand true to your men
and fight with courage bold
I led my men through smoke and fire
but never was bribed with gold
John Roberts and Tony Barrand sing Lord Melbourne
I am an Englishman to my birth, Lord Melbourne is my name;
In Devonshire I first drew breath, that place of noble fame.
I was beloved by all my men, by kings and princes likewise.
I never failed in anything, but won great victories.
Then good Queen Anne sent us on board, to Flanders we did go,
We left the banks of Newfoundland to face our daring foe.
We climbed those lofty hills straightway, with broken guns, shields likewise,
And all those famous towns we took, to all the world’s surprise.
King Charles the Second we did reserve, to face our foemen French,
And to the battle of Ramillies we boldly did advance.
The sun was down, the earth did shake, and I so loud did cry,
“Fight on, my lads, for old England’s sake, we’ll gain the field, or die.”
And now this glorious victory’s won, so boldly keep the field,
When prisoners in great numbers took, which forced our foe to yield.
That very day my horse was shot all by a cannonball,
As soon as I got up again, my aide-de-camp, he did fall.
Now on a bed of sickness lie, I am resigned to die,
You generals all and champions bold, stand true as well as I.
Stand to your men, take them on board, and fight with courage bold,
I’ve led my men through smoke and fire, but now to death must yield.
Maddy Prior sings The Duke of Marlborough
You generals all and champions bold that take delight in the field
That knock down palaces and castle walls, and straight to death must yield
I am an English man by birth, Lord Marlborough is my name
In Devonshire I drew my breath, a place of noted fame
I was beloved of all my men, kings and princes likewise
It’s many a town I often took, and did the world surprise
King Charles the Second I did serve to face the foe in France
And at the battle of Ramillies I boldly did advance
The sun went down, the earth did shake, how loudly did I cry
Fight on my lads for England’s sake, we conquer or we die
That very day my horse got shot, ’twas by a musket ball
And as I mounted up again, my aide-de-camp did fall
Now on a bed of sickness lie, I am resigned to die
You generals all and champions bold stand true as well as I
Stand true my lads and take no bribe but fight with courage bold
I led my men through smoke and fire and never was bribed by gold
Acknowledgements
George Wray’s lyrics were copied from the liner notes of Unto Brigg Fair.