Whatever the origin; it's well known that the British Empire required press gangs to fill the ranks on ships and regiments for their wars of colonialism.
This is typical of empires. One of the reasons that the British celts couldn't repel the invasions of the Saxons is that The Roman legions had left the country defenceless.
The Roman Empire forcibly recruited legions from one part of the empire and sent them to another part (to avoid rebellion by trained troops in their local areas).
Nope, this is an English/Scottish folk song, usually named "The White Cockade".
There was one single version collected in the early Twentieth Century with the words "Blue Cockade". Whether this was a mistake or deliberate, who knows.
" Show of Hands" recorded this version and now other people are copying them (fine, of course), but coming up with all sorts of bizarre stuff about it being Irish or "Celtic" (whatever that is).
"Cockade" is very known in France with the name "[cocarde]." It is a piece of cloths that he one hangs to the hat or on the jacket. In France, the knownest cockard is the revolutionary cocarde (blue, white, red like the new French flag at the Revolution). In Scotland, at the battle of Culloden, the Jacobites of "Bonnie Prince Charlie" wore a white cockard on their head gear.
Great version of the song, common story of recruitment into the british army - in other versions the colour of the cockade varies - probabily dependant on the regiment in the local area where it was sung. A good irish version of what is I believe an English song (see also kate rusby and show of hands for versions)
If you ever have plans to tour the US, please consider stopping by Portland, Maine! I'd love to see you play live.
picoides1 4 months ago
Take a good song and make it perfect.
maltavmalta 10 months ago
Absolutely cracking version. I'd only heard the Show Of Hands cut of this before, but you folks really do it justice.
Lovely!
LaHopey 1 year ago
I had only heard the Show of Hands version before finding your lovely arrangement - really nicely done
skylark51 1 year ago
Where is the superb bagpiper?
sergaan 1 year ago
@sergaan I couldn't have improved on this arrangement so chose to sit out and enjoy this lovely song.
heaththepiper 1 year ago
superb
sergaan 1 year ago
What occured to Lynne?? :(
NatureLover987 1 year ago
them micks was 2 dumb to be sailers
BrokenneckYgor 1 year ago
This is a Steve Knightley song - Show of Hands - he is one of Englands greatests secrets - purely because 'folk' isnt 'fashionable' but it should be!
trudilouise1 2 years ago
It's "The White Cockade" (English/Scots) as re-written by Steve Knightley (royalties are always good). This is basically a cover version.
The "original" was well known on the folk club circuit in the 1960's and early 1970's.
It is NOT an Irish Rebel song.
oggiesnr 2 years ago
Whatever the origin; it's well known that the British Empire required press gangs to fill the ranks on ships and regiments for their wars of colonialism.
This is typical of empires. One of the reasons that the British celts couldn't repel the invasions of the Saxons is that The Roman legions had left the country defenceless.
The Roman Empire forcibly recruited legions from one part of the empire and sent them to another part (to avoid rebellion by trained troops in their local areas).
BoudiccaBlanc 2 years ago
i heard the first line.. and i'm like "oh boy i'm gonna like this one!" haha
excellent job everybubby!
NatureLover987 2 years ago
Lovely ballad! You all sing wonderfully!
silverbreezern 2 years ago 5
c'est trés beau ! beaucoup de nostalgie dans la musique !
qedmasters 2 years ago
I just discovered you. Wonderful music, great performance, especially by Lynn! Tried to navigate your website, some links are down.
All the Best!
damilla1958 2 years ago
Just found you!! great singing and song....
Plaisham 2 years ago
very nice - I'm glad I found you. I'll look for other songs of yours
blindstirring 2 years ago
btw - (for Valonaren) a cockade is a tied ribbon on a military hat. Could be white, red, blue etc depending on regiment.
Mickyfyn 3 years ago
Beautiful song and gorgeous version. Irish rebel song? hmmmmm.
Mickyfyn 3 years ago
Nope, this is an English/Scottish folk song, usually named "The White Cockade".
There was one single version collected in the early Twentieth Century with the words "Blue Cockade". Whether this was a mistake or deliberate, who knows.
" Show of Hands" recorded this version and now other people are copying them (fine, of course), but coming up with all sorts of bizarre stuff about it being Irish or "Celtic" (whatever that is).
andrewwigglesworth 2 years ago
Cockade sounds like a generic Viagra...
imnomyth 3 years ago
please tell me what's a cockade?
Valonaren 3 years ago
"Cockade" is very known in France with the name "[cocarde]." It is a piece of cloths that he one hangs to the hat or on the jacket. In France, the knownest cockard is the revolutionary cocarde (blue, white, red like the new French flag at the Revolution). In Scotland, at the battle of Culloden, the Jacobites of "Bonnie Prince Charlie" wore a white cockard on their head gear.
Gillesscott 2 years ago
Great version of the song, common story of recruitment into the british army - in other versions the colour of the cockade varies - probabily dependant on the regiment in the local area where it was sung. A good irish version of what is I believe an English song (see also kate rusby and show of hands for versions)
richc101 3 years ago
No, it's an English version of an English/Scottish song.
Check Roud (the collation of where songs were collected from) and this was never found in Ireland.
As for what "Celtic" is supposed to mean in this context I can only imagoine.
andrewwigglesworth 2 years ago
Great song! What is the name of the Band? Are you from Britian?
KernAshraven 3 years ago
Beautiful.
AttributelessRod 3 years ago 2
Thank you all! I don't know why this particular video doesn't have that many views, but I'm glad you all found it and thanks for the great comments.
MarkHarmer 3 years ago
you are great dude : D
nice harp works : )
luidbros 3 years ago
Excellent! But surely this is an English song!
Not all folk music is Irish in origin!
WOBURN77 3 years ago
Beautiful, Over here on the other side of the pond, I say you do good work. excellent, thank you for carrying on the Tradition.
I also liked your rendition of the "yew Tree"
hugh164 3 years ago
More! More! More!
Ahrlera 4 years ago
any ideas on the chords?
I play G, Em,and D, but not sure
AccordionStu 4 years ago
Absolutely beautiful! Where in the UK are you based? :)
doctortrax 5 years ago
you are great. these are the most beautiful songs i have ever heard. thank you very much.
hans1753 5 years ago
lovely. a fine job of a song. the piece where y all sing together is just beautifal.
kevo32a 5 years ago
Thank you! That's one of my favourite bits too!
MarkHarmer 5 years ago
Good job, very nice.
Cheers!
SillyWizard 5 years ago