We Love A Parade

"...in passing thro' the City...great attention given by the officers to see that the men carry their arms well, and are made to appear as decent as circumstances will admit."
Washington's orders, Aug. 23, 1777

On August 24, 1777, Front Street in Philadelphia was the site of a Grand Parade of the Continental Army. The troops were on their way south, to defend the city from the British who were landing along the Chesapeake. Washington decided to take advantage of the situation to flaunt his troops, hoping to win support from the citizens. He took the precaution of sending some of the sutlers and less reputable camp followers (i.e. whores) down to Delaware by another route.

The word "parade"--coined in the 17th century--originally meant to prepare and was used in a military context. Parade grounds were places for troops to practice maneuvers and eventually to display the troops abilities to superior officers and important visitors. This sort of formal, ceremonial marching came to be known in itself as a parade. If the troops were cavalry, it was called a cavalcade.

In the 18th century, "parades" were always military. Civilians held processions or promenades, for weddings, funerals, religious feasts, and holidays like May Day.

By the mid-19th century, the distinctions began to fade. After the Civil War, veterans groups and Ladies Auxiliaries joined military parades held in cities and towns for holidays. Civic bands joined in, then Temperance Leagues, Scout troops, school bands, athletes and cheerleaders. As towns acquired fancy new equipment for their fire and police departments, they'd shine them up to show off to the spectators. And, naturally, all the local politicians would be in attendance, dressed up in their best and waving flags.

Parade floats supposedly got their start in the Middle Ages, when traveling passion plays put their scenery on horse wagons. The name "float" came from the decorated barges on the Seine during the Lord Mayor's Show, a public holiday in London. And, of course, traveling circuses also used floats to arouse interest in their shows. After World War II, even the military used floats, topped by large cannons and missiles.

 This past July 4th, we in Colonial Revelers walked in our first parade. In front of us were County Sheriff Department vehicles. Behind were kids from the local Tai Kwan Do school. The parade included all the traditional participants--high school band, church groups, fire trucks--but also motorcycle clubs, and even a paranormal investigation team.

The best thing about the parade were all the spectators, people from all races, religions and walks of life, all smiling, cheering and waving American flags. We discovered that day that the parade in America had evolved into something that brought everyone together.

Looking forward to next year.

Your obedient servants,
HH

Happy Birthday, General Washington!

Ask any school child (at least, those who understand the difference between President's Day and presidents' birthdays) and you'll be told Washington was born on February 22nd.  Not true. He was actually born on February 11th.

During the Renaissance, astronomers throughout Europe discovered that the Julian calendar being used was inaccurate. Pope Gregory was finally persuaded to made adjustments, and most nations switched to the new Gregorian calendar in the 1500s. England did not.

By 1752, not only did this discrepancy make England and its colonies look hopelessly backward, it created havoc with trade relations, so King George II brought his country up to date by eliminating 11 days from the calendar. September 2, 1752 was followed by September 14, 1752. Many Britains objected to this, and in fact, it became THE major issue for the elections of 1754, with the Tory slogan "Give Back Our 11 Days!"

So, although Washington observed his 30th birthday on February 11, 1752, he would have observed his 31st birthday on February 22, 1753.

This year, Colonial Revelers will celebrate the General's birthday, along with Valley Forge National Historical Park, on President's Day. Bring your family to join us for revelry, fun activities, and free cake.

When: Monday, Februrary 20, 2012
                   10 am to 1 pm
Where: Valley Forge Welcome Center
             Route 23, Valley Forge, PA

Your servants,
HH

You Couldn't Drink the Water, or Could You?

"Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water."
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1733

Singing colonial drinking songs often leads to questions and discussions of the drinking habits of 18th century Americans, who consumed an incredible amount of beer, wine and spirits. So much so that respected persons of the time, such as Benjamin Rush and Ben Franklin, began to preach the virtues of temperance.

Beer was the everyday drink, both strong (full-strength) and small (watered down). Even children were given small beer. The traditional answer as to why this was done is "The water wasn't safe."

Lately I've heard some historians claim this is balderdash, that one reason colonists headed for America in the first place were reports of how clean the streams and rivers were. Colonial settlers didn't know about bacteria, per se, but they did often boil water and scald milk before ingestion, especially if the
liquid seemed "befouled" (smelled bad or was oddly colored or had obvious slime).

So why exactly wouldn't the water be safe? Same reason as today. Industrial pollution.

As small towns and settlements sprung up along creeks and rivers, so did mills and other businesses. Anyone who needed water or water power for his trade built as close to the streams as possible. This included grist, paper, and textile mills, tanners, blacksmiths, iron furnaces, forges, saw mills, and carpenters. All of them created waste products and many of those wastes were returned to the waterway. The water could contain  lime, lye, and metals, among other pollutants. Using a bit of beer to at least hide the bad taste made sense.

Even if the water was safe, beer was used for basic nutrition. Doing typical 18th century farmwork, each adult could easily burn 4000 calories per day. Beer provided extra calories, nutrients and carbohydrates in a fairly easy to consume form. When the Temperance Movement started to convince people to switch from small beer to tea in the early 19th century, malnutrition was noted among farmers and other more vigorous trades.

Whatever the answer, colonial Americans liked their drink, particularly beer, and wouldn't be denied it, even if that meant being creative.

If barley be wanting to make into malt
We must be contented and think it no fault
For we can make liquor, to sweeten our lips,
Of pumpkins and parsnips and walnut-tree chips.
American folk song, circa 1630

Your servants,
HH

Down with Tyrants

Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.

Benjamin Franklin, 1776

The words above were suggested by Benjamin Franklin for the motto to be placed on the Great Seal of the United States.  Six years and three committees later, in 1782, the seal we know of today was adopted, sporting the tamer motto "E Pluribus Unum" or "Out of many, one."

One month ago, most Americans might have had a difficult time bending their brains around what "rebellion to tyrants" actually involved.  Now we've seen it in Egypt, Libya and other parts of Middle East.  More than 60% of Americans polled think we're seeing it in Wisconsin.

Still, most of us are surprised to learn that in the 18th century, most folks had less notion of how to rebel against tyranny than we modern Americans do.  Sure, uprisings had occured since the dawn of time, often by the oppressed poor who got tired of being dictated to by the rich who hoarded all the wealth.  Until 1776, though, you didn't hear much about groups of wealthy, learned men who told their king, "Sorry, we've had enough of not having a say in what you're doing to us, so we're going to form our own country and a democracy at that."  Of course, their idea of a democracy didn't include the non-wealthy, non-male or non-white, but it was a step away from tyranny, at least.

People got behind the idea of democracy.  Who wouldn't?  So they wrote songs about standing up against tyranny.

We'll fear no tyrant's nod,
Nor stern oppression's rod,
'Til time's no more.
(from God Save Our Thirteen States)

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Come join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call;
No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,
Nor stain with dishonor America's name.
(from The Liberty Song)
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Let tyrants shake their iron rod,
And slavery clank her galling chains.
We fear them not, we trust in God.
(from William Billing's Chester)

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Torn from a world of tyrants,
Beneath this western sky,
We formed a new dominion,
A land of liberty.
The world shall own we're masters here,
Then hasten on the day:
Oppose, oppose, oppose, oppose
for Free America.
(from Free America)

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold

is for people of good conscience to remain silent.

Thomas Jefferson

Your humble servants,
HH

'Tis The Season

now 1787 is Ended,
it happy is if we are mended,
God grant if not we may be.
Martha Ballard's diary, December 31, 1787

Christmas in colonial America was far different from Christmas as we now know it.  Almost all of our present-day customs--Santa Claus, caroling, gift-giving, the tree and extensive decorating, and even the sacred celebration of the birthday of Christ--were Victorian innovations.

Before the 19th century, Christmas was a minor religious holiday. Many Christian sects didn't celebrate it at all, partly because the actual day wasn't specified in the Bible, and also, as the Puritans put it, the season promoted drinking and debauchery. (The Puritans, in fact, outlawed Christmas.) Most stores and markets were open on the 25th. At first, only Catholics held services. Protestant churches joined in after many of their congregants began attending the Catholic masses to hear the special music of the day.

How was the season observed?  The wealthy threw elaborate dinner parties.  Poorer classes, knowing the rich were congregating for the Yule, went door-to-door, asking for money or food and drink in return for a wassail (that is, a toast to the health of the host and his family, often sung).  Servants and workers were given coins by their employers and patrons.  Some people observed customs brought over from Europe--mistletoe, the making of mince pies, a Yule log, perhaps modest decoration of the mantel with things like leaves, pine cones, or a few apples, to be eaten during the season.  No one would have wasted food, let alone something like a pineapple, which very few could afford, by nailing it over the door.  A poor man would have stolen the fruit before the night was out, to feed his family.  In the taverns, a bowl of special punch might be prepared.  And now that the harvest was done, if the roads were frozen enough for mudless travel, visiting neighbors and relatives was common.  Time to hear stories (ghost tales were popular in the long nights), to sing and catch up on news and gossip.

Most Americans now consider Thanksgiving through December 25th as the Christmas season, but that's a recent development, defined by 20th century merchants.  Traditionally, Yuletide is December 25th through January 6th (Epiphany--the day the Magi visited Christ).  In early America, since many people were farmers whose calendars were determined by the solstices and equinoxes, Yuletide began for some on December 21.

January 6th--also called "Old Christmas"--was the 12th day of the Yuletide (you know, 12 drummers drumming?).  Both its eve and the night of Epiphany have been called Twelfth Night.  In colonial America, Twelfth Night was a traditional time for weddings, and for a final party before the Yule came to a close.

As for music, many lyrics of our traditional carols, such as Joy To The World, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, and While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night, were sung to earlier tunes.  The American composer Williams Billings wrote several fun-to-sing Christmas songs, including A Virgin Unspotted and Methinks I See A Heavenly Host.  And of course, the wassails mentioned above were very popular, most using some variation of the words

God bless the Master of this House
The Mistress also
And all the little children
That 'round the table go.

One of Historical Harmonies favorite Yuletide songs is the shape-note hymn Milford, which was published in 1802 and most often attributed to James Stephenson.  In the video, Colonial Reveler tenor Jason Gagliardi performs all 4 parts.  We hope you enjoy it.

Happy Yuletide to all!

Your humble servants,
HH

DECEMBER EVENTS

We must not omit here to thank the Publick for the gracious and

kind Encouragement they have hitherto given us.

Poor Richard's Almanack, 1737, paraphrased

Saturday, December 4, 11 am - 3 pm

The Mill at Anselma
1730 Conestoga Road
Chester Springs, PA 19425

Our Victorian Carolers ensemble will regale vistors to the mill with traditional holiday songs from Charles Dickens's England.

Anselma Mill on Pickering Creek was operated as a grist mill from 1725 to 1982 and retains its original Colonial era power train.  In 1982, the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust took over the property who did some early restoration and stabilize the buildings.  In 1998, a new organization, The Mill at Anselma Preservation and Educational Trust began a full restoration.  In 2005, the Mill at Anselma was designated a National Historic Landmark.  Today, it's the most complete known example of a custom grain mill in the United States.

For further information about the mill or this event, call them at 610-827-1906, email info@anselmamill.org or click here for their website.
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Saturday, December 4,  4-7 pm

"Deck the Alley"
Elfreth's Alley
2nd St., between Race & Arch Sts.
Philadelphia, PA
After enjoying Victorian Carolers at Anselma Mill, head down to Olde City Philadelphia, where Colonial Revelers will be strolling along Elfreth's Alley, singing 18th century holiday carols, wassail songs, and other music of the period.

Elfreth's Alley has been a residential street continuously since 1702.  The 32 houses there today were built between 1720s and 1830s.  The alley is a National Historic Landmark District.  Numbers 124 and 126 are open to the public year-round as a museum of life in early Philadelphia.  Guidebooks and cellphone tours of the alley are available.

During the "Deck the Alley" event, many of the narrow street's residents open their houses for tours.  Refreshments  will be available. For ticket information about the events, call 215-574-0560 or click here for their website.
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Saturday, December 11, 4-6 pm

Marshallton Tree Lighting
Village of Marshallton
559 Northbrook Rd
West Chester, PA 19382
Colonial Revelers will return to Martin's Tavern to provide holiday music for the lighting of the village tree.

As stated last month, Martin's Tavern, also called Center House, was built in 1764.  The inn played a prominent role during the Battle of Brandywine in 1777.  The restored ruins of the tavern form Marshallton's village square, where a large evergreen tree is decorated with lights each year.  Refreshments will be served.  Find out about Martin's Tavern events: http://taproom.martinstavern.org/
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Sunday, December 19, 6-8 pm

  

The "March-In"
Valley Forge National Historical Park
1400 N. Outer Line Dr.
Valley Forge PA 19406
Colonial Revelers will be stationed in the Visitor Center, singing 18th century wassail songs, Christmas hymns and other period music to commemorate the day the Continental Army arrived at Valley Forge in 1777.  Come for the party!

Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site of the Continental Army's winter encampment, from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778.  Park rangers and Friends of Valley Forge will be on hand for candlelight tours, a "march" up to Muhlenberg's huts, and other 18th century festivities.  Refreshments, holiday shopping and free gift wrapping will be available at the Encampment Store at the Visitor Center.  Free and open to the public. Information and directions at http://www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/events.htm

Your humble servants,
HH

Jefferson & Liberty

"Let foes to freedom dread the name;

But should they touch the sacred tree,

Twice fifty thousands swords would flame

For Jefferson and liberty."

--campaign song from the election of 1800.

In America's first two presidential elections, George Washington was the unanimous choice, both by popular vote and by the new, cumbersome Electoral College system.  But come 1796, when Washington politely but firmly stepped aside, the election wasn't quite so easy.  Thirteen men received electoral votes, including two for Washington.  The winner was John Adams with 71.  Thomas Jefferson came in a mere 3 votes behind Adams, with 68.  At the  time, the runner-up became Vice President, so Jefferson served in that office.

In 1798, the Adams administration passed four controversial acts:

1.  The Naturalization Act.  Aliens had been required to live in the United States 5 years before they could become citizens.  This act extended the period to 14 years.

2.  The Alien Friends Act gave the president the power to deport any alien considered "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States."

3.  The Alien Enemies Act gave the president power to apprehend and deport any aliens whose home countries were at war with the United States.  (This act is still in force today.)

4.  The Sedition Act made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or its officials.  (Freedom of Speech?  Who needs it?)

Vice President Jefferson and his followers argued that the acts violated the Constitution.  In November 1798, a group in Dedham, Massachusetts set up a liberty pole with the words, "No Stamp Act, No Sedition Act, No Alien Bills, No Land Tax, downfall to the Tyrants of America; peace and retirement to the President; Long Live the Vice President."  The group's leader, David Brown was arrested and tried in 1799.  When the judge wanted Brown to name everyone who'd helped him or subscribed to his writings, Brown refused.  He was sentenced to 18 months in prison (and prisons were pretty horrendous back then).

In the 1800 election, Adams' Federalist party used the Sedition Act to try to stifle the opposition, but Jefferson's Democratic-Republicans continued to publish and voice their criticisms, such as the campaign song "Jefferson & Liberty."  Here are two verses:

"The gloomy night before us flies,

The reign of terror now is o'er;

It's gags, inquisitors and spies,

It's herds of harpies are no more.
 

"Let strangers from a thousand shores

Compelled by tyranny to roam

Shall find amidst abundant stores

A nobler and a happier home."

For an idea of the mud-slinging and name-calling, watch this video, courtesy of ReasonTV:

The 1800 election was one of the hardest fought in American history.  The results?

Thomas Jefferson: 73 electoral votes
John Adams: 65
Aaron Burr (another Democrat-Republican):  73
Charles C. Pinckney (a Federalist): 64
John Jay: 1

Because Jefferson and Burr were tied for the lead, the House decided the election, giving Jefferson the presidency and Burr the vice-presidency.

"Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice!
To tyrants never bend the knee,
But join with heart and soul and voice,
For Jefferson and liberty!"

Please vote on November 2nd.

Your humble servants,
HH

The Law Against Peace

"Be at War with your Vices,

at Peace with your Neighbours..."
Poor Richard's Almanack, 1755

 

September 1777

The Redcoats were headed for Philadelphia. On August 23rd, the British ships were sighted in the Chesapeake.  They were coming from the southwest, from Maryland.  While Washington arrayed his troops in an arc across Delaware, a panicky Continental Congress debated how they might make Philadelphia (and more to the point, themselves) safe.

Therefore, on August 28th, they resolved to arrest prominent Quakers.

Say what?

What did the Quakers do to make Congress so afraid of them?  Yes, many members of the Society of Friends had loyalist leanings, but then, so did quite a few other colonists at the time.  The majority of Americans were against the war on some level, most simply wanting to be left alone.  And loyalists in some colonies formed their own militias to fight against Washington.

The Quakers, however, did literally nothing.  Unlike other colonists, they couldn't be persuaded to donate or even sell food or blankets to the American army.  They took their pacifism seriously, believing that if they gave supplies to soldiers who then went and killed human beings, the blood would be on their own hands.  Friends caught disobeying this central belief could be shunned from their meetings.  After some members left  to form the Free Quakers, who did support and fight in the Revolution, traditional Friends' Meetings communicated with each other about the necessity to stand firm and not give in.

Congress, unfortunately, viewed this with a "if you're not for us, you must be against us" attitude.  Pennsylvania had already passed a law in February 1777 that stated in part,

"...if any person or persons, within this state, shall...by
publicly and deliberately speaking or writing against our public
defense,...or shall ...discourage the people from enlisting into
the service of the commonwealth;...or oppose and endeavor to
prevent the measures carrying on in support of the freedom and
independence of the said United States; every such person...shall
be adjudged guilty of misprision of treason..."

The Supreme Council of Pennsylvania and, by extension, Congress, came to believe that the Quakers with any wealth would ride out to meet General Howe and give him support.  Not understanding the Friends' religion, they couldn't fathom that the Quakers would never give aid to either side.

So, on September 1, prominent Quaker men were arrested, placed under house arrest and all their papers plus a good percentage of their wealth seized.  On September 4, the men were imprisoned at Masonic Hall (mainly because the Third Street Jail was already full).

On September 11th (ironic, isn't it?) Washington's troops met General Howe's forces at Brandywine Creek, in what would be the largest clash of troops in the Revolution.  That same day the Quaker prisoners were being transferred by wagon over 200 miles across what was still wilderness to Winchester, Virginia, where they would be kept until the following spring, when the British finally abandoned the Philadelphia area.  Some of the prisoners were elderly.  Most were wearing summer clothes when arrested, and were not given blankets and warmer clothing for weeks, even though the weather turned suddenly cold.  One man died from the ordeal.

This earlier 9-11 marked the day that Americans created their first internment camp.  And the first time Americans persecuted a group of people for their religious beliefs.  Might do well for us to remember this at our 9-11 observances this year.

Music-wise, because of the Misprision of Treason act and others like it, you won't find Revolution era equivalents of "Blowin' in the Wind."  Protest songs did exist, however, though they were mainly sung by folks in England, protesting a war that was draining their economy, or by women, lamenting that their husbands and sons were once more being called to arms.

One such song, "Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier," can be heard on the Colonial Revelers' Revelry, Reflection & Revolution CD.  To hear a sample of it, click here.

As always, your humble servants,
HH

Williams Billings & Independence

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another...a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, July 4, 1776

Upon this both solemn and happy Occasion of the Anniversary of our Independence, Colonial Revelers is pleased to perform Music by Mr. William Billings at St. Matthews United Methodist Church of Valley Forge on July Fourth, at half past nine in the Morning.

Mr. William Billings grew up in Boston, poor and uneducated, untidy in dress, described by some as a gargoyle, due to a short leg, a withered arm, and one blind eye. He became a tanner, yet also took up music at a young age and taught choral singing by the age of 22.


At age 24, he published "The New-England Psalm-Singer," a collection of choral works, and the first book of entirely American music. His friend Paul Revere engraved the book's frontispiece. Five more volumes followed. Within 30 years, Mr. Billings's music had become vastly popular and he was able to earn his bread and butter as a composer, the first American to do so.

His music combines traditional sacred hymn and classical styles, the new American choral-singing movement, and his own political fervor. His hymn "Chester" was considered the original National Anthem.

"I think it best for every composer to be his own carver."
William Billings

Your humble servants,
HH

APRIL: Yankee Doodles

Tradition has it that, on April 18, 1775, British troops on the road to Lexington and Concord, marched to a popular tune that was later published in London as "The Lexington March." We know the song as "Yankee Doodle."

A HISTORY OF YANKEE DOODLES
by Elena Santangelo

Brother Ephraim sold his cow

And bought him a commission,
And then he went to Canada
To fight for the nation;
But when Ephraim, he came home,
He proved an arrant coward,
He wouldn't fight the Frenchmen there
For fear of being devoured.

During the French and Indian War (1754-1763), a new fiddle tune reached hit parade status when British troops put words to it that made fun of the Colonial militias fighting alongside them. The verse above has been attributed to British army surgeon Dr. Richard Schuckburg and may be the earliest rendering of the song.

Soon colonial versions of the song cropped up, this one from the early 1770s:

There is a man in our town,
I'll tell you his condition,
He sold his oxen and his cow
To buy him a commission.

(Chorus:)

Corn-stalks twist your hair off,
Cart-wheel frolic round you,
Old fiery dragon carry you off,
And mortar pessel pound you.

A few years later, a verse popular with the Tories:

Yankee Doodle's come to town
For to buy a firelock,
We will tar and feather him,
And so we will John Hancock.

Edward Bangs was a Minuteman believed to have participated in the April 1775 battles. He wrote the most widely known version of the song, though no one knows when, but it had to be before July 1775 when Washington went from Captain to General. In all, he wrote 14 verses.

Father and I went down to camp
Along with Captain Gooding;
And there we saw the men and boys
As thick as hasty pudding.

(Chorus:)

Yankee Doodle keep it up,
Yankee Doodle dandy,
Mind the music and the step
And with the girls be handy.

And there we saw a thousand men
As rich as Squire David,
And what they wasted every day,
I wish it could be saved. (chorus)

Many versions of "Yankee Doodle" were ballads commemorating battles and events. In January 1778, during the British occupation of Philadelphia, David Bushnell (the inventor of the submarine) came up with the idea of floating incendiary mines (made from powder kegs) downstream to the British warships anchored in the Delaware River. On January 9th, the New Jersey Gazette reported that the Regulars had been mustered to fire upon the kegs:

"Every chip or stick that floated by was a target for the vigor of the British arms. The action commenced about sunrise and lasted until noon, when the kegs were ... put to flight .... The British withdrew and celebrated the occasion as a great victory, receiving congratulations for their bravery and valor!"

Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, immortalized the events in a parody called "The Battle of the Kegs." (11 verses)

Gallants attend, and hear a friend
Trill forth harmonious ditty,
Strange things I'll tell, which late befell,
In Philadelphia city.
'Twas early day, as poets say,
Just as the sun was rising,
A soldier stood on a log of wood
And saw a thing surprising.

As in amaze he stood to gaze,
The truth can't be denied, sir,
He spied a score of kegs or more
Come floating down the tide, sir.
A sailor, too, in jerkin blue,
This strange appearance viewing,
First damned his eyes in great surprise,
Then said, "Some mischief's brewing."

In 1780-81, British General Cornwallis took the war into the Carolinas and Virginia, followed by American General Nathaniel Greene who used guerilla tactics to wear down the British troops. A version of Yankee Doodle titled "Cornwallis' Country Dance" resulted. (7 verses)

Cornwallis led a country dance,
The like was never seen, sir,
Much retrograde and much advance,
And all with General Greene, sir.
They rambled up and rambled down,
Joined hands, then off they run, sir,
Our General Greene to Charlestown,
The earl to Wilmington, sir.

Hundreds of other lyrics were concocted during the war, on both sides of the Atlantic. However, the one where the feather in the hat becomes "macaroni" wasn't published until 1852 and probably wasn't sung during the Revolution.

(Source: SONGS OF THE REVOLUTION, compiled and edited by Irwin Silber, Stackpole Books, 1973)

The Edward Bangs version of Yankee Doodle, with one additional verse, can be heard on Colonial Revelers's CD, REVELRY, REFLECTION & REVOLUTION.

DOWN AMONG THE DEADMEN

by Elena Santangelo

The title track in DOWN AMONG THE DEADMEN, Colonial Revelers second CD, almost sounds like it was composed for a Pirates of the Carribean movie, but actually it's 300 years old, dating from the reign of Queen Anne of Britain. (Some sources attribute the lyrics to John Dyer, and he may have contributed verses, but he would have been 14 when Queen Anne died, so chances are, some version of the song was already in circulation).

The original opening lines were

Here's a health to the Queen
And a lasting peace,
May faction end and wealth increase.

At the time, many factions were warring for control of Britain, especially since Anne had no children and did indeed die in 1714 leaving no heir to the throne. Later in the century, during the American Revolution, the song became popular with Loyalists on both sides of the Atlantic. "King" was substituted for "Queen" but the sentiments were the same--a plea for all sides to make peace and bring back prosperity instead of throwing money after costly wars (a lesson we could still learn today).

The verse goes on to urge

Come, let's drink while we have breath,
For there's no drinking after death.

But you might argue, what about the refrain? Isn't that a threat?

And they that won't with us comply,
Down among the deadmen let them lie.

Not much of one, it turns out. The "deadmen" were the empty bottles that piled up on the floor under tavern tables. The lyrics go on to toast women, food, drink and Bacchus, the god of pleasure himself. This isn't a song of war but of merrymaking.
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ELENASANTANGELO is the principal music researcher and arranger for Colonial Revelers.