The band consisted of two of the superstars of British folk guitar, Bert Jansch (3rd November 1943 - 5th October 2011) and John Renbourn (8 August 1944 - 26 March 2015) both of whom also sang, singer Jacqui McShee, bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Terry Cox. The original line-up lasted until the early 70s. They then split acrimoniously, but reformed by mutual consent around 15 years later. The original lineup worked together briefly but Renbourn left to pursue studies and other projects, leading to a succession of lineup changes and erratic output, which continued through the 80s and 90s with Jansch and McShee the only constant members. When Jansch eventually left, McShee continued to lead a distantly-related group under the name Jacqui McShee's Pentangle.
The core of the band's identity was the eclectic virtuosity of Jansch and Renbourn, who added elements of Middle Eastern music, blues, jazz and Classical to their style. At various times, they also experimented with electric guitar and sitar.
Lord Franklin
The Pentangle Lyrics
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Swinging in my hammock I fell asleep
I dreamed a dream and I thought it true
Concerning Franklin and his gallant crew
With one hundred seamen he sailed away
To the frozen ocean in the month of May
To seek a passage around the pole
Through cruel hardships they mainly strove
Their ship on mountains of ice was drove
Only the Eskimo with his skin canoe
Was the only one that ever came through
In Baffin's Bay where the whale fish blow
The fate of Franklin no man may know
The fate of Franklin no tongue can tell
Lord Franklin along with his sailors do dwell
And now my burden it gives me pain
For my long lost Franklin I'd cross the main
Ten thousand pounds I would freely give
To say on earth that my Franklin do live
The lyrics of “Lord Franklin” by The Pentangle tells the story of an expedition led by Franklin and his crew to seek a passage around the pole. The singer of the song, who is a sailor, shares his dream about the fate of Franklin and his men, who sailed away with a hundred seamen, in search of new routes. The lyrics express both the sense of adventure and the dangers that come with exploring unfamiliar territories.
The theme of this song, although set in an earlier time, still serves as a metaphor for the idea of embarking on a risky journey, with an uncertain outcome. The song’s message is clear- the sailors who embarked on this expedition knew of the perils that awaited them but still went in hopes of finding something new and better. However, the song also acknowledges the risks and dangers that come with exploring the unknown.
Overall, the lyrics of “Lord Franklin” speak to the human desire for exploration and adventure, while also recognizing the dangers that come with those pursuits.
Line by Line Meaning
It was homeward bound one night on the deep
The singer was sailing on the seas on a vessel that was returning home.
Swinging in my hammock I fell asleep
The singer was resting in a hammock and eventually dozed off.
I dreamed a dream and I thought it true
The singer had a vivid dream that he believed to be real.
Concerning Franklin and his gallant crew
The dream was about Franklin and the brave sailors who accompanied him on a voyage.
With one hundred seamen he sailed away
Franklin embarked on a journey with a crew of one hundred sailors.
To the frozen ocean in the month of May
The voyage was in May and headed towards the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean.
To seek a passage around the pole
Franklin's goal was to find a passage around the North Pole.
Where we poor seamen do sometimes go
Franklin and his crew were exploring a region that was dangerous and challenging even for experienced sailors.
Through cruel hardships they mainly strove
Franklin and his crew faced numerous difficulties and struggles during their voyage.
Their ship on mountains of ice was drove
The ship was trapped by ice and stranded on an ice-covered hill.
Only the Eskimo with his skin canoe
The only person who was able to navigate the harsh environment was an Eskimo who used a canoe made of animal skins.
Was the only one that ever came through
The Eskimo was the only person who survived the treacherous conditions.
In Baffin's Bay where the whale fish blow
The location of the shipwreck was in Baffin's Bay, where whales could be found.
The fate of Franklin no man may know
The ultimate outcome of Franklin's voyage is unknown.
The fate of Franklin no tongue can tell
The tragedy of Franklin's story is beyond words.
Lord Franklin along with his sailors do dwell
Franklin and his crew perished in the frozen wasteland.
And now my burden it gives me pain
The singer is burdened with sadness and grief.
For my long lost Franklin I'd cross the main
The singer would do anything, including crossing the ocean, to find Franklin.
Ten thousand pounds I would freely give
The singer would pay a significant amount of money to know that Franklin was alive.
To say on earth that my Franklin do live
The singer wishes that he could confirm that Franklin was alive, and not lost forever in the frozen wilderness.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TRADITIONAL, ADRIAN MAXWELL SHERWOOD, ALAN EDWARD BRANCH, CORA VENUS(CV LUNNY) LUNNY, DONAL LUNNY, PETE LOCKETT, SINEAD O'CONNOR, STEPHEN WICKHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kofemord
Pentangle
It was homeward bound one night on the deep
Swinging in my hammock I fell asleep
I dreamed a dream and I thought it true
Concerning Franklin and his gallant crew
With one hundred seamen he sailed away
To the frozen ocean in the month of May
To seek a passage around the pole
Where we poor seamen do sometimes go
Through cruel hardships they mainly strove
Their ship on mountains of ice was drove
Only the Eskimo with his skin canoe
Was the only one that ever came through
In Baffin's Bay where the whale fish blow
The fate of Franklin no man may know
The fate of Franklin no tongue can tell
Lord Franklin along with his sailors do dwell
And now my burden it gives me pain
For my long lost Franklin I'd cross the main
Ten thousand pounds I would freely give
To say on earth that my Franklin do live
Traducir al español
thomas petsas
It was homeward bound one night on the deep
Swinging in my hammock I fell asleep
I dreamed a dream and I thought it true
Concerning Franklin and his gallant crew
With one hundred seamen he sailed away
To the frozen ocean in the month of May
To seek a passage around the pole
Where we poor seamen do sometimes go
Through cruel hardships they mainly strove
Their ship on mountains of ice was drove
Only the Eskimo with his skin canoe
Was the only one that ever came through
In Baffin's Bay where the whale fish blow
The fate of Franklin no man may know
The fate of Franklin no tongue can tell
Lord Franklin along with his sailors do dwell
And now my burden it gives me pain
For my long lost Franklin I'd cross the main
Ten thousand pounds I would freely give
To say on earth that my Franklin do live
electra ruby
Dylan turns it into a lament for the lost innocence of youth.
While riding on a train going west
I fell asleep for to take my rest
I dreamed a dream that made me sad
Concerning myself and the first few friends I had.
With half damp eyes I gazed to the room
Where my friends and I spent many an afternoon
We'd want for nothing and were satisfied
Laughing and talking about the world outside
With hungry hearts through the heat and cold
We never much thought we could get very old
We thought we could sit forever in fun
And our chances really was a million to one
As easy, it was to tell black from white
It was all that easy to tell wrong from right
And our choices there was few
So the thought never hit
At the one road we travelled, we ever shatter or split
How many a year has passed and gone?
Many a gamble has been lost and won
And many a road taken by many a first friend
And each one I've never seen again
I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
That we could sit simply in that room again
Ten thousand dollars at the drop of a hat
I'd give it all gladly if our lives could be like that
James West
It was homeward bound one night on the deep
Swinging in my hammock I fell asleep
I dreamed a dream and I thought it true
Concerning Franklin and his gallant crew
With one hundred seamen he sailed away
To the frozen ocean in the month of May
To seek a passage around the pole
Where we poor seamen do sometimes go
Through cruel hardships they mainly strove
Their ship on mountains of ice was drove
Only the Eskimo with his skin canoe
Was the only one that ever came through
In Baffin's Bay where the whale fish blow
The fate of Franklin no man may know
The fate of Franklin no tongue can tell
Lord Franklin along with his sailors do dwell
And now my burden it gives me pain
For my long lost Franklin I'd cross the main
Ten thousand pounds I would freely give
To say on earth that my Franklin do live
Wayne Adams
Cruel Sister was one of the first albums I ever bought. It is long lost, but I have never forgotten the haunting beauty of this ballad. And now with the discovery of one of Franklin's ships, it comes back again. What a magnificent, enduring piece!
Lesley Vandyke
Yes I loved it then too, and it still brings a lump to the throat. When I read the news of the discovery of one of the ships I just had to revisit youtube to hear it again. Haunting beauty, you are so right :)
David Hartley Mark
It lives on, on amazon.
Rod Jones
Hi Wayne just saw your comment of 5 months ago. I agree it is a beautiful ballad, written by Lady Franklin I believe. I think the plight of Lord Franklin has again been in the news. Incidentally are you also a fan of Fairport Convention. This group is one of my all time favourite bands.
Brian Curran
Oh god, I never knew that. Thanks, I never thought of that, his wife. Even better. I want a wife like that. (rare these days.)
Gisbert Hadamitzky
Yes! Yes! Yes!
folkmusicgirl
Oh how I love this song; so very much. The beautiful haunting melody and Jacqui's wonderful sweet voice.
David Bellemare
J'ai encore ce vinyle. Et j'ai acheté aussi Cruel Sister en CD. J'ai eu la chance de les voir et entendre en spectacle à Québec il y a 20 ou 30 ans, au FEQ. Quelle richesse musicale incroyable. J'ai connu ce groupe au début des années 70, j'ai 5 ou 6 vinyles d'eux encore. ❤❤❤
Dee Westhill
Over 30 years ago I heard this sad and beautiful song on the radio on a Celtic music program, and all this time i just recalled the phrase "The Fate of Franklin no tongue can tell". I had thought "The Fate of Franklin" was the title.... I read about the findings of graves, artifacts, and finally the two ships.... This is the kind of song that instantly brings tears, as if it's a personal story of my own grief. I dare not listen to such music in a public place without a box of tissues ready to grab
Paul Camp
The title actually is Lady Franklin's Lament.