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Henry Martin / Lofty Tall Ships

from Role Call by Jan and Paul Ramsey

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(Trad, Roud 104, Child 250)
This is a traditional Scottish folk song about Henry Martin (formerly Andrew Barton), a seafarer who turned to piracy to support his two older brothers. The song is also known as Henry Martyn or The Lofty Tall Ship. The first known printed version dates from the early 17th century and consisted of as many 82 verses describing the exploits of Sir Andrew Barton and his two brothers. Barton was a privateer who carried a letter of marque issued by James IV, king of Scotland, giving him the right to arrest and seize Portuguese ships.

As sung here, it is only half of the tale. The rest of the story is dramatically told in another Child Ballad (167), entitled “Sir Andrew Barton”. In this ballad, London merchants complain to King Henry VIII that the Scottish pirate Sir Andrew is ruining their trade. The king dispatches a force to take the Captain. In a fierce battle, Sir Andrew is mortally wounded and his ship sunk.

lyrics

There were three brothers in merry Scotland
In merry Scotland there were three
And they did cast lots which of them should go, should go
And turn robber all on the salt sea

The lot it fell first upon Henry Martin
The youngest of all the three
That he should turn robber all on the salt sea, salt sea
To maintain his two brothers and he

Beware of Henry Martin all on the deep salt sea

They had not been sailing but for a night
And part of a short winter's day
When he did espy a stout lofty ship, lofty ship
Come abibbing down on him straight way

Hullo! Hullo! cried Henry Martin
What makes you sail so nigh
I'm a rich merchant ship bound for fair London Town, London Town
Would you please for to let me pass by

Oh no! Oh no! cried Henry Martin
This thing it never could be
For I have turned robber all on the salt sea,salt sea
To maintain my two brothers and me

Come lower your tops'l and brail up your mizz'n
And bring your ship under my lee
Or I will give to you a full cannon ball, cannon ball
And your bodies will drown in the sea

Then broadside and broadside and at it they went
For fully two hours or three
Till Henry Martin gave to them the deathshot, the deathshot
And straight down to the bottom went she

Bad news, bad news, to old England came
Bad news to fair London Town
There's been a rich vessel and she's cast away, cast away
And all of her merry men drown'd

credits

from Role Call, released January 11, 2023
Traditional

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Jan and Paul Ramsey Grimsby, UK

Jan and Paul first began singing together when they were students. Jan plays guitar and sings lead vocals, and Paul plays single reed harmonica and vocals. They are renowned for their close harmonies. Over the years they have performed extensively in the UK and overseas. They have held various residencies in UK folk clubs and are currently residents at Grimsby Folk Club. ... more

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