Glad to see from the comments that people are still listening to, comprehending and interpreting great lyrics! I don't think the version of this on "LIve At Last" was so long...
Fantastic! A great lyrical and musical tribute to James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose, covenanter, defender of king, liberty and Scotland. Montrose was less than perfect, the massacre at Aberdeen was a great and unforgivable on his honour, but otherwise he was undoubtedly brave and loyal to both Charles I and Charles II, although both were undeserving of such devoted service. Montrose tried to fight for constitutional monarchy, better by far than the tyranny of the estates! [The tyrannical Scottish aristocracy] Montrose fought to resist the extreme, dour and joyless Presbyterian dictatorship of Argyll or 'King Campbell' the would be dictator of Scotland! He whose deserts are small; who dares not to fight and risk it all!
For the first time, I understand Scotland's role in "The English Civil War." Cromwell (damn him) was a capable commander, but he was greatly aided by a divided opposition. A corps of fanatics, and lenders who would only be repaid (plus interest) if he won was enough money and muscle to hold the rest of the population hostage.
My favourite band - have played this and many other Steeleye tracks many times - saw them live at the Odeon in Brum in the 70's. Youngsters from the 80's onwards haven't got a clue about their British heritage - it's all rap, boy bands, Robbie williams, will-i-am and lots of other sub-standard musical crap. The Irish treasure their musical heritage (as do the Scots) - English people (in the main) don't even realise they have one. I know this is about a Scot but most Steeleye tracks are about our English past - and I fear that it will be as important as dust to most English people. I'm not far away from my lifes end - I feel a great pity for those who are ignorant of our great English past.
My favorite English Civil War song. And it would still be my favorite, even if I knew others. John Kirkpatrick is here a living refutation of the idea that accordions can't rock. There's one passage that always reminds me of a warship crashing through heavy waves (around 11:43to 11:55). Great work, congratulations to all involved.
Thank you for posting this, been trying to find the lyrics for a long time, saw them perform it once in Cardiff many years ago, Nigel was still the drummer then, and Tim of course R.I.P. Fantastic group, gave me much pleasure over many years.
Happy Birthday Nigel Pegrum born on January 22, 1949. He is a music producer and former drummer, most known for playing on many albums by English folk rock band Steeleye Span. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Pegrum
A correction or two "The dolmen drones" should read "at Old Montrose" "Paupers" I think should be "the mob" "Bold fortune did turn cold" - "Warm fortune"? and I think the last line should be: "The work of death was done" Fantastic job transcribing what I still think is the best thing Steeleye Span ever did - and great photos of the band in action as well.
Scottish outfit The Battlefield Band composed and recorded a song - a much shorter one! - on the subject of Montrose's betrayal and execution. It's on their 1986 album On The Rise. Unfortunately no-one seems to have uploaded it to TH-cam. Best one can do is a later solo version by its composer Brian McNeill, which you can find here: th-cam.com/video/UZp8BmG02as/w-d-xo.html
I loved this song so much that I decided to my post graduate degree on James Graham - his story still grips me after all these years
I would love to read it. I wrote a book on Montrose because of this song.
I was at this gig…still listening to them today
Glad to see from the comments that people are still listening to, comprehending and interpreting great lyrics! I don't think the version of this on "LIve At Last" was so long...
Classic from Steeleye, so many years of great music.
Fantastic! A great lyrical and musical tribute to James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose, covenanter, defender of king, liberty and Scotland. Montrose was less than perfect, the massacre at Aberdeen was a great and unforgivable on his honour, but otherwise he was undoubtedly brave and loyal to both Charles I and Charles II, although both were undeserving of such devoted service. Montrose tried to fight for constitutional monarchy, better by far than the tyranny of the estates! [The tyrannical Scottish aristocracy] Montrose fought to resist the extreme, dour and joyless Presbyterian dictatorship of Argyll or 'King Campbell' the would be dictator of Scotland! He whose deserts are small; who dares not to fight and risk it all!
For the first time, I understand Scotland's role in "The English Civil War." Cromwell (damn him) was a capable commander, but he was greatly aided by a divided opposition. A corps of fanatics, and lenders who would only be repaid (plus interest) if he won was enough money and muscle to hold the rest of the population hostage.
@@seandegidon4672 This being TH-cam, it was wise to put no adjective before 'lenders'.
Yes it is a really great song from a very great band.
A great song about an incredibly heroic man. Ne Oublie!
My favourite band - have played this and many other Steeleye tracks many times - saw them live at the Odeon in Brum in the 70's. Youngsters from the 80's onwards haven't got a clue about their British heritage - it's all rap, boy bands, Robbie williams, will-i-am and lots of other sub-standard musical crap. The Irish treasure their musical heritage (as do the Scots) - English people (in the main) don't even realise they have one. I know this is about a Scot but most Steeleye tracks are about our English past - and I fear that it will be as important as dust to most English people. I'm not far away from my lifes end - I feel a great pity for those who are ignorant of our great English past.
With you there, and I'm a Scot. Best wishes.
My first time hearing this and I like it very much.
My favorite English Civil War song. And it would still be my favorite, even if I knew others.
John Kirkpatrick is here a living refutation of the idea that accordions can't rock. There's one passage that always reminds me of a warship crashing through heavy waves (around 11:43to 11:55). Great work, congratulations to all involved.
Thank you for posting this, been trying to find the lyrics for a long time, saw them perform it once in Cardiff many years ago, Nigel was still the drummer then, and Tim of course R.I.P. Fantastic group, gave me much pleasure over many years.
Steeleye was an incredible live band. Thanks, spottedcow, for this beautiful video.
Epic. One of my favorites from a band that I’ve loved for years.
Happy Birthday Nigel Pegrum born on January 22, 1949. He is a music producer and former drummer, most known for playing on many albums by English folk rock band Steeleye Span. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Pegrum
Proud to say I danced with the lovely Maddy in 1974! Nothing to do with the song-just boasting!
A work of genius.
A correction or two
"The dolmen drones" should read "at Old Montrose"
"Paupers" I think should be "the mob"
"Bold fortune did turn cold" - "Warm fortune"?
and I think the last line should be: "The work of death was done"
Fantastic job transcribing what I still think is the best thing Steeleye Span ever did - and great photos of the band in action as well.
Thank you from a Montrose Graham
Absolutely brilliant! :-)
" "De'il gie you colic, the wame o' ye, fause thief; daur ye say Mass in my lug?" Jenny Geddes as she threw her prayer stool at Dean Hanney
For the first time, I understand Scotland's role in "The English Civil War."
I think the lyric is "AS never heard before" and " the work of death was DONE"
It is "was"; from Graham's own "My Dear and Only Love".
Scottish outfit The Battlefield Band composed and recorded a song - a much shorter one! - on the subject of Montrose's betrayal and execution. It's on their 1986 album On The Rise. Unfortunately no-one seems to have uploaded it to TH-cam. Best one can do is a later solo version by its composer Brian McNeill, which you can find here: th-cam.com/video/UZp8BmG02as/w-d-xo.html
The Proud Servant: Margaret Irwin
I think it's also "Now pity the Campbell's fear." Not no pity for. ^^
Great arrangement. The Scots have great ballads but it takes the English to sing them .
Well said.
"Crown and deck thee with all bays" What the hell is that? Smother you with horses? Isn't it more likely to be "Crown and deck thee with all praise"?
crowns of bay leaves, aka laurel leaves, were/are used to celebrate heroes.