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about

People on the folk scene have often joked that we must do a version of the ballad Henry Martyn; and finally getting around to an arrangement proved to be the beginning of this record. We used Baring-Gould's version from Songs and Ballads of the West as our starting point. He collected the song several times in Devon, from Roger Luxton at Halwell, Matthew Baker of Lew Down, J. Masters of Bradstone, and someone sadly listed only as “a cripple on Dartmoor”. Baring-Gould tells us the ballad is based on real historical events - the life of Andrew Barton, in the reign of Henry VIII. Once we saw that Andrew Barton had morphed into Henry Martyn, we had no qualms at changing the spelling of “Martin” to suit us!

lyrics

In merry Scotland, in merry Scotland
There lived brothers three
And they all did cast lots which of them should go
A robbing all on the salt sea

The lot it fell upon young Henry Martin
The youngest of the three
That he should go rob on the salt sea
To maintain his brothers and he

He had not sailed a long winter's night
Nor yet a short winter's day
Before he espied the king's gallant ship
Come sailing along that way

How far, how far, cried Henry Martin
How far are you going? Said he
For I am a robber upon the salt salt sea
To maintain my brothers and me

Stand off, stand off, the captain he cried
The lifeguards are aboard
My cannons are loaded with powder and shot
And every man hath a sword

For three long hours they merrily fought
For hours they fought full three
And many a blow it dealt many a wound
As they fought on the salt sea

Twas broadside against broadside then
And at it, the which should win
A shot in the gallant ship bored a hole
And the water did rush in

Bad news! Bad news for old England
Bad news has come to the town
The king his vessel is wrecked and lost
And all his brave soldiers drown

Bad news! Bad news through the London street
Bad news has come to the King
The lives of his guards they all be lost
O the tidings be sad that I bring

Oh had I a twisted rope of hemp
A bowstring strong though thin
I'd soon hang him up to his middle yard arm
And have done with Henry Martin

credits

from Henry Martin, released December 11, 2020

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Edgelarks: Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin image

Edgelarks: Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin UK

Edgelarks fly in on the tailwind of BBC award winning duo Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin. Combining soulful original songwriting with deep folk roots and influences as diverse as Indian classical and American blues, this duo produce a sound like no other. ... more

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