Blue Cockade - traditional celtic ballad

Performed live in the studio by Slainte in 2002. There are seven of us now but I hope you like this version from a while ago.

This Irish rebel song is about the "press gangs" that used to roam the countryside recruiting young men. The words which Joe and Lynne sing represent in turn the man's point of view, and then the woman's. The full text is below:

-- (Joe) Twas on a Monday morning as I crossed o'er the moss / I little thought of 'listing, till the soldiers I did cross / Their company enticed me to drink their health all round / And the bounty they gave me, five guineas and a crown

-- (Joe) My head was full of drink, love, and I didn't think of you / And now I'm forced to go and join the orange and the blue / Our ship it waits at anchor, to take the flowing tide / I'll return love, in the spring time, where I'll make you my bride

-- (Lynne) So early the next morning, before the break of day / The captain gave his orders, and my love he marched away / All in your ranks and files boys, all on your native shore / Fare Thee Well love, you're the one that I adore

-- (Lynne) And I hope you never prosper, and I hope you always fail / In everything you venture, I hope you ne'er do well / And the very ground you walk on, may the grass refuse to grow / Since you've been the very cause of my sorrow, grief and woe

(Instrumental)

-- (All - chorus) Well, it's true my love has 'listed, and he wears the blue cockade / He is a handsome young man, likewise a rovin' blade / He is a handsome young man, and he's gone to serve the king / While my very heart is aching all for the love of him

-- (Joe) Twas on a Monday morning as I crossed o'er the moss / I little thought of 'listing, till the soldiers I did cross / Their company enticed me to drink their health all round / And the bounty they gave me, five guineas and a crown

Category:

Music

Tags:

• irish
• ballad
• song
• music
• harp
• guitar
• slainte
• acoustic
• celtic

[AttributelessRod]

Beautiful.

[MarkHarmer]

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.

[kevo32a]

lovely. a fine job of a song. the piece where y all sing together is just beautifal.

[MarkHarmer]

Thank you! That's one of my favourite bits too!

[silverbreezern]

Lovely ballad! You all sing wonderfully!

[picoides1]

If you ever have plans to tour the US, please consider stopping by Portland, Maine! I'd love to see you play live.

[maltavmalta]

Take a good song and make it perfect.

[LaHopey]

Absolutely cracking version. I'd only heard the Show Of Hands cut of this before, but you folks really do it justice.

Lovely!

[skylark51]

I had only heard the Show of Hands version before finding your lovely arrangement - really nicely done

[heaththepiper]

@sergaan I couldn't have improved on this arrangement so chose to sit out and enjoy this lovely song.

[NatureLover987]

What occured to Lynne?? :(

[BrokenneckYgor]

them micks was 2 dumb to be sailers

[trudilouise1]

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!

[oggiesnr]

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.

[BoudiccaBlanc]

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).