Get all 5 Alex Cumming releases available on Bandcamp and save 10%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Homecoming, The Fox, Isolation Sessions: The Songs, Clean Up Party, and Short Sharp Show: EP.
1. |
Boston Harbour
05:55
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From Boston Harbour we set sail,
The wind was blowing a devil of a gale,
With our ringtail set abaft the mizzen peak
And our Rule Britannia ploughing up the deep.
Big bow-wow! Tow-row-row!
Fol de rol de ri do day! x2
Up comes the skipper from down below,
He looks aloft, he looks alow,
He looks alow, he looks aloft,
And its “Coil up your ropes there, fore and aft!”
Then down to his cabin he quickly crawls,
And unto his steward he loudly calls,
“Go, mix me a drink that’ll make me cough,
For it’s better weather here than it is up aloft.”
While we poor sailors standing on the deck,
With the blasted rain all a-pouring down our necks;
Not a drop of grog would he to us afford,
But he damned our eyes at every other word
Now the beggar is dead and gone,
But darn his eyes, he’s left a son;
And if to us he doesn’t prove frank,
We’ll very soon make him walk the plank
And one thing which we have to crave,
That he may have a watery grave,
We’ll heave him down into some dark hole,
Where the sharks’ll have his body and the devil have his soul.
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2. |
Singer's Request
04:00
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Now the sun it doth decline,
Pour the beer and pour the wine;
Let us lead your thoughts astray
From the world and from the day.
Dark the night and long till day,
Do not bid us further stray. x2
We bring songs from history,
Love and war and mystery.
We can lead you from despair
Or can chill the darkening air.
You can choose to pass us by
With a cruel or scornful eye.
We will see the ending through;
Then we’ll turn and say to you …
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3. |
Homecoming
06:09
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4. |
Polly Vaughan
04:36
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Come all of you fellows that carry a gun,
I will have you sent home by the light of the sun,
For young Jimmy was a fowling, and a fowling all alone,
When he shot his own true love, his own Polly Vaughan
She was walking through the green fields, when a storm it came one,
And she hid in the green bush, the shower to shun.
With her apron around her, he mistook her for a swan,
And he shot his own true love, his own Polly Vaughan
When first he came to her and found it was she,
A shakin’, a tremblin’, his eyes scarce could see.
“Oh well now that you are dead love, and your sorrows are all o’er,
Farewell my dear Polly, I will see you no more”.
Then off ran young Jimmy with his dog and his gun,
Saying “Uncle, dearest Uncle, have you heard what I have done?
Oh cursed be that gun smith that made my own gun,
For I shot my own true love, in the room of a swan”
Then out came old uncle with his locks hanging grey,
saying “Jimmy, dearest Jimmy, don’t you run away,
With her apron around her, he mistook her for a swan,
and they never will hang you for the crime that you have done”.
Well the trial it did come on, and Polly appeared,
crying “uncle, dearest uncle, let Jimmy go clear,
With my apron around me, he mistook me for a swan,
and his heart still lies bleeding for Polly, his own”.
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5. |
Green & Pleasant Land
03:10
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And did those feet in ancient time
walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
on England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
among these dark satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
till we have built Jerusalem
in England's green and pleasant land.
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6. |
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7. |
Young Beichan
04:38
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There was a man who lived in England
And he was of some high degree
He became uneasy, discontented,
Some fair land, some land to see.
He sailed east, and he sailed west
And he sailed o’er the Turkish shore
Till he was caught and put in prison,
Never to be released any more
The Turk he had but one lone daughter
And she was of some high degree
She stole the keys from her fathers dwelling
And declared Lord Batesman she’d set free
She led him down to the lower cellar
And drew him a drink of the strongest wine
Every moment seemed an hour
Oh Lord Batesman if you were mine!
Let’s make a vow, let's make a promise,
Let’s make a vow, let’s make a stand;
You vow you’ll marry no other woman
I’ll vow I’ll marry no other man
They made that vow, they made a promise
They made a vow yes they made a stand
He vowed he’d marry no other woman
She vowed she’d marry no other man
When seven long years had rolled around
It seemed as if it were twenty-nine
She bundled up her finest clothing
And declared Lord Batesman she’d go find
She went till she came to the gate, she tingled
It was so loud but she wouldn’t come in
Is this your place she cried Lord Batesman
Or is that you’ve bought your new bride in?
Go remember him of a piece of bread
Go remember him of that glass of wine
Go remember him of that Turkish lady
Who freed him from the iron, cold bonds
He stamped his foot upon the floor
He burst the table in pieces three,
Saying I’ll forsake both land and dwelling
For the Turkish lady that set me free
She went till she came to the gate, she tingled
It was so loud but she wouldn’t come in
She’s got more gold on her little finger
Than your new bride and all your kin.
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8. |
Bold Nelson
03:23
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On the Twenty-First of October, before the rising sun,
We formed the line for action, my 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 the man of war x2
Then broadside to broadside our cannon balls did fly,
Like pale stars, their small shots all round our deck did lie.
Our mast and rigging they were shot away, Besides some thousand in that fray
Were killed and wounded on that day
On board the man of war x2
And then our brave commander in grief he shook his head:
There is no relief , there is no reprieve, Great Nelson he is dead.
It was a fatal musket-ball, That caused our hero for to fall
But he died in peace, God bless you all
On board the man of war x2
When the merchants of Yarmouth, when they did hear it so,
They said: “Come brother sailors, to church now let us go.
And there we’ll build a noble pile, All for the hero of the Nile
Who gave his life for England’s isle
On board the man of war.” x2
Our soldiers and sailors many noble deeds have done
While fighting in foreign, many battles they have won.
If the Nile it could witness there, Or the Capes of Trafalgar declare:
There is none to Nelson can compare
On board the man of war x2
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9. |
Watchet Sailor
04:48
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As I was a-walking down Watchet Swain Street
A jolly old ship mate I chanced for to meet.
Said I, “Hello sailor and welcome to home;
In season to Watchet I think you have come.”
“You remember once courting a pretty young maid,
Well, you’ve been so long gone now she’s going to be wed.
In Bristol, tomorrow, the wedding’s to be
And I am invited for that thing for to see.”
Jack went a got a licence that very same night.
And he travelled up to Bristol as soon as t’was light,
He sat in the Temple church yard for a while
And he saw the bride coming which caused him to smile..
And he took that fair maid by the lily white hand,
“You’re going to be married so I understand.
Well if you’re to marry then you must be mine
So I have come here for to baulk your design.”
“Well alas,” cried the maiden, “oh what can I do?
I know I was solemnly promised to you.
But the sailor’s my true love and I’ll be his bride,
There’s none in the world I can fancy beside.”.
Well the man he roared like a man that was mad,
“I’m ruined, I’m ruined, I’m ruined.” he said.
So all of you fellah’s, get wed while you may,
Or all those Jack Tars they will take them away.
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10. |
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My life goes on in endless song
Above earth´s lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off call
That hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness 'round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is all of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging,
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?
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Alex Cumming Brattleboro, Vermont
Alex Cumming is a traditional Singer, Accordionist, Pianist and dance caller hailing from England, now living in Brattleboro VT, USA. He performs songs and tunes from around the United Kingdom and America with a great depth of knowledge of the tradition. Alex has made his mark on the folk scene with his rhythmic dance-able accordion style, strong voice and his fun and engaging stage presence. ... more
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