New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-17
MUSICAL COMMENT.
OUR WAR SONG-A BALLAD OF THE
MAINE AND AN ODE OF 1S12-NEWS

The melody OF The Tribune's ballad, printed
In the illustrated supplement to-day. Is one OF the
best known of the old songs of England II is
generally called you Gentlemen OF England" and
sometimes too. when the Stormy Winds DO
Blow" these words forming the refrain of great
many OF the old paraphrases Of the original song
We have preferred TO restore tho title as It stands
the oldest copy OF the song that has been found
"Saylers for my money: new ditty composed In
the praise OF Saylers and Sea Anaires; briefly
showing the nature Of worthy calling and
effects OF their industry" The melody not
written for this song. which Is OF the time Of
James however. but was already in use under the
title The Joviall Cobler." The melody used
for sentimental songs well. but the best OF the
verses written TO It of the sea. Ritson
gives one: "Neptune's Raging Fury; or. The Gal
LIANT Seamans Sufferings. Being relation Of their
pers and dangers and Of the extraordinary haz-
ards they undergo in their noble adventures, to-
gether with their undaunted valor and rare con-
stancy In all their extremties, and the manner OF
their rejoicing on shore at their return home.
Tune Of When the Stormy Winds DO Blow"
In the Percy Soclcty's publications. Early Naval
Ballads" the first stanza OF the song reads as
follows
You gentlemen Of England.
That live at home at ease,
How little do you mink upon
Give ear unto the mariners
And they will plainly show
All the cares and the fears
When the stormy winds do blow.
1t was upon this old song that Campbell modelled
his stirring ode EYE Mariners Of England" though
he extended the stanza with the addition OF two
lines. and It to the tune Of EYE Mariners Of
England" that the following ode sung for the
first time az a dinner given In Boston In 1872 to the
officers of the United States frigate Constitution
after her victory over the British irisate Guerrero
TIE YANKEE THUNDERs.
Britann!a's gallant streamers
Float proudly DER the tide.
And fairly wave Columbia 5 stripes
And neer did bo!der foemen meet.
Where the oceans surgcs pour.
Ger the tue now tney rae, -
While the lannon's fire 10 flashing fast.
And the BELIEVING thunders roar.
When Yankee meets the Briton.
Whose blood congcnla flows
BY fortune rendered foes
Hard then must be the battle fray
Now they ride side by side.
While the lannon's fire Is flashing fast.
While the BELIEVING thunders rodr.
sun. still for noble England
Bold Dacres's steamers NJ.
AS proudly and as high
Now, loudly rings the battle din.
Still they ride. side by side.
While the 5ell'wing thunders roar..
while the lannon's fire H. flashing fast,
And the bell wing thunders roar.
why luls Britannia's thunder
That wakd the watry war?
Why stays that gallant Guerriere,
Whose strcamers wavd 20 fair7
That streainer drinks the ocean wave;
That warriors fight Is Ger.
Still they ride side by side.
While COlumbiaS thunders roar,
While her lannon's lre ~ flashing fast.
And her Yankee thunders roar.
Hark, IT'S tho Bri;ons lee gun.
Ne'er holder warrior kneeldl
And neer to gallant mariners
Did Drawer seamcn yield.
Proud be the sires. whose hardy boys
Then fell to fight more.
With the brave, mid the wave,
When the cannOn's thunders roar,
Their spirits then shall trim the blast,
And swell the thundor's roar.
Vain were the cheers OF Britons
Their hearts did vainly swell
Where virtue skill and bravery
with gallant Morris fell.
That heart so well in battle tried
Along the Moorish Shore
Again. DER the main.
When Coumbia's thunders roar.
Shall prove It's Yankee spirit true
When Columbias thUnders roar.
Hence be our floating buiwarks.
Those oaks our mountains yield
IT'S mighty Heavens plain decree
Then take the wat'ry field
To oceans farthest barrier then
Your whining sail shall pour;
Safe they'll ride. DER the tide.
While Columtia's thundcrs roar,
While her cannOn's fire IS flashing fast
And her Yankee thunders roar.