Song: "On board a Man o' War" - Nelson's Victory & Death at the Battle of Trafalgar - 1805: video free download

Sung unaccompanied by Ian Page.

The National Maritime Museum at Greenwich have this recording as the opening part of a 'soundscape' installation which accompanies Turner's huge painting of Nelson at Trafalgar.

This is a song of Nelson's victory - and untimely death - in leading the British Royal Navy against the combined fleets of France and Spain on the 21st October, 1805 off Cape Trafalgar. His dramatic victory and the resulting control of the seas guaranteed export markets for the goods produced by Britain's industrial revolution for a century.

Nelson was already a hugely popular figure by this time and his death at Trafalgar ensured his place as the most famous British naval hero of all time.

The song has a really rousing chorus that audiences always love to join in with. Both the tune and the chorus were composed by Richard Grainger and he brought together these particular verses from traditional sources. The sentiments are full of patriotic fervour and celebrate a episode of militarism (and a world-changing one) so, it's not politically correct these days - but it IS both history and popular culture of the time.

Lyrics:

On the twenty-first of October, before the rising sun

We formed a line for action, boys, at twelve o'clock begun.

Brave Nelson to his men did say "The Lord will prosper us this day.

Give them the broadside; fire away, on board a man-of-war."

Chorus:

Let him die in Peace, God bless you all, On board a man-of-war.

Let him die in Peace, God bless you all, On board a man-of-war.

From broadside to broadside our cannonballs did fly.

Like hailstones, the small shot, around the deck did lie.

Our masts and rigging were shot away, besides some thousands on that day

Were killed and wounded in the fray, on board a man-of-war.

Chorus

May heaven reward Lord Nelson, likewise protect his men.

Nineteen sails of the combined fleet were sunk and taken in.

The Achille blew up amongst them all, which made the French for mercy call.

Nelson was slain by a musket ball, on board a man-of-war.

Chorus

There's many a brave commander, with grief he shook his head

But yet their grief had no relief, for Nelson he lay dead.

It was a fatal musket ball that caused our hero for to fall.

He cried `Fight on. God bless you all', on board a man of war.

Chorus

Let's hope this glorious battle will surely bring a peace,

And that our trade in England may flourish and increase.

Our ships from port to port go free and turn the hearts of our enemy.

To Nelson's death and victory, on board a man-of-war.

Chorus

Let him die in Peace.