A Drop of Nelson's Blood facts for kids
A Drop of Nelson's Blood is a famous sea shanty. It's also known as "Roll the old chariot along". A sea shanty is a type of folk song that sailors used to sing while working on large sailing ships. These songs helped them work together and keep a steady rhythm for tasks like raising sails or pulling ropes.
The song's title comes from its first line: "A drop of Nelson's blood wouldn't do us any harm." People often call it a "walkaway" or "stamp and go" shanty. This means it was sung for tasks that needed a steady walking pace. The song was even featured in the 2019 film Fisherman's Friends.
Contents
The Story Behind the Name
The "Nelson" in the song refers to Horatio Nelson, a famous British admiral. After he won the Battle of Trafalgar, his body was preserved in a barrel of brandy or rum. This was done so his body could be transported back to England.
Because of this, "Nelson's blood" became a nickname for rum among sailors. However, it can also mean Nelson's brave spirit. The song suggests that a little bit of that courage or spirit would be good for everyone.
What Sailors Sang About
The verses of "A Drop of Nelson's Blood" talk about things sailors missed while they were away at sea for a long time. Each line is usually repeated three times. The last line is often "And we won't drag on behind" or "we won't hang on behind."
Here are some of the traditional words:
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 well 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 well 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
Where the Song Came From
The phrase "Roll the chariot" was first used by religious groups in England in the 1800s. For example, a preacher named William Clowes (Primitive Methodist) mentioned it in his journals.
Later, in the 1880s, The Salvation Army used "Roll the old Chariot" as a hymn for their campaigns. Around the same time, American gospel singers were touring the UK, sharing their songs. This religious hymn eventually developed into the sea shanty we know today.
Here's an example of the gospel version:
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 Gospel Versions
Some of the oldest recordings of the gospel version date back to the early 1920s. One such recording is kept at the Library of Congress.
- An African-American spiritual version was recorded by Paul Robeson in the 1920s.
- In 1930, Rev. T.T. Rose recorded "Roll the Old Chariot Along."
- Fela Sowande recorded his version, "Roll de ol chariot," in the 1950s.
The Song in Books
The song also appeared in print early on.
- An early version was published in America in a book called Cabin and plantation songs (1901).
- Alec John Dawson wrote about the song in an article for The Standard newspaper in 1906.
- James Madison Carpenter included the song in his collection of songs published in 1920.
- According to folklorist John Greenway, the song even became a protest song for coal miners.
Famous Shanty Recordings
Many artists have recorded the shanty version of "A Drop of Nelson's Blood."
- In 1978, American folksinger Mary Benson included it on her album Sea Songs Seattle.
- In 1983, Jim Mageean and Johnny Collins sang "Roll the Old Chariot" on their album, Strontrace!.
- Jarvis Cocker appeared on the album Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys in 2006.
- In 2013, The Wellington Sea Shanty Society released their version on the album Now That's What I Call Sea Shanties Vol. 1.
See Also
- Waltz, Robert B.; David G. Engle. "Roll The Old Chariot". The Traditional Ballad Index: An Annotated Bibliography of the Folk Songs of the English-Speaking World, hosted by California State University, Fresno, Folklore, 2007.
- "Roll the Old Chariot" Roud Folksong Index, hosted by the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (VWML)
