The project started in 2004 and led to the release of an eponymous album in 2007 on Real World Records. Some of the tracks on the album are modern re-interpretations of traditional folk songs.
While primarily the project of Simon Emmerson, the band includes contributions from: The Copper Family, Sheila Chandra, Benjamin Zephaniah, Martin Carthy, Eliza Carthy, Paul Weller, Transglobal Underground, Tunng, Chris Wood, Billy Bragg, Tiger Moth, The Gloworms and Dhol Foundation.
The Imagined Village E.P. was released earlier in 2007, and is a remix of the album tracks. The 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards voted "Cold, Hailey, Rainy Night" as best traditional track of the year.
In 2009, the project moved to a new record label, ECC Records, and a second album, Empire & Love was released in January 2010. In 2012 they released the album, Bending The Dark.
Official website: www.theimaginedvillage.com
New York Trader
The Imagined Village Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
she was built for sea both stout and strong
well rigged, well manned and fit for seas
she was bound for New York and Americi.
the captain in his cabin lay
neptune came to him and this did say
prepare yoursel for mutiny
The captain woke up all in a fright
it was the first watch of the night
for the bosun he an alarm did cry
he telled a story that plagued his mind
I killed my wife and my children three
through strong and violent jealousy
on my best friend I laid the blame
and I watched him hang on the gallows frame
At these words at great storm did rise
which did the mariners all surprise
the sea rose up above our heads
which filled those mariners hearts with dread
The bosun then he did declare
our captain was a murderer
the storm enraged the frightened crew
that overboard the murderer threw
and all around a great calm was there
our wounded ship for the the man did steer
the wind did drop and calm the sea
and we sailed safe for Americi
The Imagined Village's song "New York Trader" is a narrative tale of a sea journey, with the first verse introducing the ship and its journey to New York. The second verse introduces a foreboding presence in the form of Neptune, who informs the captain of an impending mutiny. The third verse sees the ship caught in a storm, with the bosun confessing to having murdered his family out of jealousy and blaming a friend who was hung for the crime. The storm reaches a climax, the frightened crew accuse the captain of being a murderer, and they throw him overboard. The final verse describes how the storm subsides and the ship sets sail safely to America.
The song conjures up imagery of a time long gone, with tall ships, sailors, and treacherous sea journeys. It's a reminder of the danger that sailors faced in a world without modern technology and the consequences of greed, jealousy and betrayal. The use of the sea and Neptune as recurring motifs are also effective in creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and danger.
Line by Line Meaning
To a new york trader I did belong
I was part of a ship that was headed for New York
she was built for sea both stout and strong
The ship was designed to withstand the rough and unpredictable seas
well rigged, well manned and fit for seas
The ship was well equipped with a competent crew
she was bound for New York and Americi.
The ship was destined to reach America through New York
the captain in his cabin lay
The captain was resting in his quarters
neptune came to him and this did say
The captain experienced some sort of supernatural intervention - in this case a vision of Neptune, god of the sea
prepare yoursel for mutiny
The vision warned the captain of a possible mutiny on board the ship
for tomorrow night you shall lay with me
The captain was given a forewarning of his eventual death
The captain woke up all in a fright
The captain woke up startled and afraid
it was the first watch of the night
It was the beginning of the night shift
for the bosun he an alarm did cry
The bosun raised an alarm
he telled a story that plagued his mind
The bosun confessed to a story that had been weighing on his conscience
I killed my wife and my children three
The bosun confessed to having murdered his wife and three children
through strong and violent jealousy
His motivations for this act were intense jealousy and possessiveness
on my best friend I laid the blame
The bosun had falsely accused his best friend of the murder
and I watched him hang on the gallows frame
As a result of this false accusation, the best friend was hanged
At these words at great storm did rise
The confession of the bosun was followed by a sudden storm at sea
which did the mariners all surprise
The storm was unexpected and caused panic among the sailors
the sea rose up above our heads
The sea became exceptionally rough and dangerous, with high waves threatening the ship
which filled those mariners hearts with dread
The sailors were terrified, with their hearts filled with fear
The bosun then he did declare
The bosun went on to disclose another startling revelation
our captain was a murderer
The bosun accused the captain of a past crime
the storm enraged the frightened crew
The revelation made the already panicked crew even more angry and afraid
that overboard the murderer threw
In their fury and desperation, the crew threw the captain overboard, accusing him of murder
and all around a great calm was there
After the captain was thrown overboard, the sea suddenly became calm and peaceful
our wounded ship for the the man did steer
Despite the events that had just transpired, the crew managed to steer the ship - which had been damaged in the storm - to safety
the wind did drop and calm the sea
The sea and weather conditions became favorable once again
and we sailed safe for Americi
The ship and its crew ultimately made it safely to America
Writer(s): Alistair Bruce Henry Friend Copyright: Chester Music
Contributed by Mia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.