A Drop of Nelson's Blood

"A Drop of Nelson's Blood" is a sea shanty, also known as "Roll the old chariot along" (Roud No. 3632) The origins are unclear, but the title comes from the first line: "A drop of Nelson's blood wouldn't do us any harm". Often described as a "walkaway" or "runaway chorus" or "stamp and go" sea shanty, the song features on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Fisherman's Friends.[1] The chorus comes from the 19th century Salvation Army hymn, 'Roll the old chariot'. This song developed into a shanty.

Composition

The verses are things the sailors would miss while at sea for a long time with each line being repeated three times. The last line is always "And we'll all hang on behind", although some versions say "we won't drag on behind".

Nelson's blood

Following his victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson's body was preserved in a cask of brandy, or rum, to allow transport back to England. ‘Nelson's blood' became a nickname for rum, but it can also mean Nelson's spirit or bravery.[2]

The shanty was sung to accompany certain work tasks aboard sailing ships, especially those that required a bright walking pace. Although Nelson is mentioned in the title, there is no evidence that the shanty dates from the time of Nelson, who died in 1805.

Song text

Refrain:

Traditional verses:
A drop of Nelsons blood, wouldn't do us any harm,
A drop of Nelsons blood, wouldn't do us any harm,
A drop of Nelsons blood, wouldn't do us any harm,
An we'll all hang on behind

chorus
So we'll roll the old chariot along,
So we'll roll the old chariot along,
So we'll roll the old chariot along,
An we'll all hang on behind!

Additional verses:
Oh, a plate of Irish stew, wouldn't do us any harm
Oh, a nice fat cook, wouldn't do us any harm
Oh, a roll in the clover, wouldn't do us any harm
Oh, a long spell in the gaol
Oh, a nice watch below
Oh, a night with the gals
Oh, we'd be alright if we make it 'round the horn
Oh, we'd be alright if the wind was in our sails
Well, a night on the town wouldn't do us any harm
If the Devil's in the way, We'll roll right over him!
We'll be all right when the skipper's in his grave
Oh, a sticker on the face wouldn’t do us any harm

Origins
Sheet music for Roll de Ole Chariot Along (1901 version)

The term 'Roll the chariot' was used by religious groups in the 19th century in England. The Primitive Methodist preacher William Clowes mentions the phrase several times in his journals (1810 to that of 1838) describing his work spreading the word of God.[3] In the 1880s, 'Roll the old Chariot' was used by the Salvation Army as a campaign hymn. At around the same time Gospel singers from America were touring in the UK, singing gospel songs.[4]

‘Roll the old chariot along'

Refrain:
Roll the old chariot along
And we'll roll the old chariot along
And we'll roll the old chariot along
And we'll all hang on behind.

If the devil's in the way, We'll roll it over him x 3
And we'll all hang on behind.

Early recordings (Gospel version)

One of the oldest known recordings, dates from the early 1920s and is held by the Library of Congress. The wax cylinder was donated by Robert Winslow Gordon[5][6]

In print
  • An early publication of the song in America was published in 'Cabin and plantation songs' (1901).[8]
  • Alec John Dawson in an article that was published in The Standard in 1906.[9]
  • The song is mentioned by James Madison Carpenter in his collection of songs published in 1920.
  • According to John Greenway in his book Folk Nation: Folklore in the Creation of American Tradition, it became a protest song for the coal miners.

Notable recordings (shanty version)

References
  1. "Roud Folksong Index". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  2. Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham. "A brief history of battlefield boozing". Spectator Life. Spectator. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  3. Holliday Bickerstaffe Kendall · (23 December 2010). History of the Primitive Methodist Church. Cambridge University Press. p. 85. ISBN 9781108024846. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  4. Ward, Andrew (2000), "Dark Midnight When I Rise: The Story of the Jubilee Singers Who Introduced the World to the Music of Black America".
  5. "Audio Recording - Roll the Old Chariot Along and Haul the Woodpile Down". Library of Congress. Library of Congress. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  6. Gordon, Robert Winslow. "Folk-Songs of America: The Robert Winslow Gordon Collection, 1922-1932". Folk-Songs of America: The Robert Winslow Gordon Collection, 1922-1932. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  7. "Rev. T.T. Rose And Singers – Roll The Old Chariot Along / See The Sign Of Judgement (Shellac)" – via www.discogs.com.
  8. Fenner, Thomas P. (1901). Cabin and Plantation Songs (3rd ed.). G. P. Putnam's sons. pp. 106, 107. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  9. Dawson, A. J. (17 November 1906). "The Folklore of the Sea. Chanties and their uses". The Standard: 7.
  10. "Roll the Old Chariot Along / A Drop of Nelson's Blood". Mainly Norfolk: English Folk and Other Good Music. MainlyNorfolk. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  11. David Coffin - "Roll the Old Chariot", retrieved 23 November 2021
  12. Drop of Nelsons Blood | The Longest Johns Music, retrieved 17 July 2023

Sources
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