Poor Amy Beechey

from Lincs to Land and Sea by Jan and Paul Ramsey

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about

Originally from the village of Friesthorpe in Lincolnshire Amy brought up 14 children, virtually by herself as her husband died young. All 8 sons served in WWI, and 5 died, the largest loss to a British family during 1914-18. In addition she never again saw a 6th son marooned in Australia because of a war wound. Early this century her story and letters from her sons were rediscovered. As a symbolic sign of unification, 5 simple crosses made of Lincoln Cathedral limestone were placed on the grave or site where each son had died. The reply “it was not willingly” to the Queen thanking her for the sacrifice shows the character of this admirable woman.

lyrics

Poor Amy Beechey

Poor Amy Beechey, five telegrams received
It’s my duty to inform you that your son he has deceased
And, now besides his death, each son he has in common
A simple cross of Lincoln stone

Barnard was the eldest, the first son to die
A school master, a gifted man with numbers
His last letter stated I’m alright, but it was a lie
Blown to hell at Loos, somewhere, he slumbers

Frank was a teacher, legs torn off by a shell
Laid in no man’s land and bleeding for a day
His last letter to his mother said, I’m wounded but well
She got it two days after he'd already passed away

Harold was a farmer, fought in Gallipoli and France
Wounded three times, a survivor so it seemed
But with a whizz bang landing on his trench he knew he had no chance
His death was exactly as he'd dreamed

Charles, another teacher and keen naturalist
Sent to Africa he loved the fauna and flora
But machine gun bullets ripped and tore right through his chest
No butterflies taken home to mother

The last to die was Leonard, a romantic railway clerk
He was wounded, gassed and crippled at Bourlon Wood
His last words written, his name a spidery mark
“I don't feel like doing much, love Leonard”

Thanked by the Queen for all eight sons who’d gone to war
She replied bitterly “I did not give them willingly”

credits

from Lincs to Land and Sea, released May 22, 2022
Ramsey

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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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