The obituary in the UK's "The Independent" newspaper for Tony Rose said "A beautifully relaxed interpreter of traditional song, with rare warmth and intimacy, Tony Rose made an indelible mark on the British folk scene. Emerging during the 1970s when folk clubs were still a force to be reckoned with, he was wholly committed to the grass roots scene, eschewing the seemingly sexier terrain of folk rock bands, modern song and political material that seduced so many of his contemporaries.
He loved traditional music and while it never brought him riches – indeed he returned to his first job as a teacher when the folk clubs themselves hit a recession in the late 1980s – he saw no reason to deviate widely from it. Accompanying himself on guitar and English concertina, he established an easy style that was instantly identifiable, putting him on a par with such giants of the era as Martin Carthy and Nic Jones.
Born in Exeter in 1941, Rose was smitten by folk song at Oxford University in the early 1960s, where he had won a scholarship to study Modern Languages at Queen's College. He first heard the British folk pioneers Louis Killen, Shirley Collins, Alex Campbell and Johnny Handle at the university's Heritage Society. He was also profoundly influenced by another West Country singer, Cyril Tawney, the ex-Navy man turned songwriter. Rose cut his musical teeth at his local folk club, the Jolly Porter in Exeter, where he became an occasional member of the resident band the Journeymen.
He moved to London to become a teacher in 1965 but, offered more and more gigs on the burgeoning folk scene, he became a professional singer in 1969. His first album, Young Hunting, in 1970 had a huge impact, mixing West Country songs like "The Bellringing" and "Tavistock Goosey Fair" with comic ditties and testing ballads like "Golden Vanitee" and "Blackwater Side".
With his rich, lyrical voice, a repertoire of largely unfamiliar material and erudite introductions, the long-haired Rose swiftly became an important member of the second wave of the folk revival. The subsquent albums Under The Greenwood Tree in 1971 (with more complex arrangements and also involving Dolly Collins and Peter Knight) and On Banks Of Green Willow in 1976 enhanced his reputation further. On Banks Of Green Willow particularly confirmed his status as a great singer, tackling epic ballads like "The Bonny Hind", "Lord Randall" and "Fanny Blair". Of all his recorded work this was his tour de force.
In the late 1970s he formed a folk "supergroup", Bandoggs, with Pete and Christine Coe and his close friend Nic Jones, in which Rose played, among other things, mouth organ and performed a storming version of Loudon Wainwright's "Swimming Song". Despite acclaimed live work, the group suffered financial and logistical problems, and split up without recording.
Rose returned to his solo career, releasing the 1982 album Poor Fellows (the title track was drawn from Peter Bellamy's groundbreaking folk opera The Transports). This encompassed contemporary song for the first time with thoughtful arrangements of Bob Dylan's "Boots of Spanish Leather" and Richard Thompson's "Down Where The Drunkards Roll". While the album also featured traditional material like "The Yarmouth Tragedy" and "Clerk Saunders", Rose's sense of the absurd was illustrated by the inclusion of his grave interpretation of the kitsch pop standard "The Three Bells," a song he was even occasionally prevailed upon to sing in French as an encore at gigs.
But as the folk scene constricted, artists relying exclusively on the club circuit struggled and Rose ultimately returned to teaching. However, he remained a familiar figure on the scene, gigging occasionally and regularly turning up at West Country folk events such as the Padstow May Day celebrations and Sidmouth Folk Festival. He also worked as a folk journalist.
In 1999 he retired from teaching and made an unlikely return with a new album, Bare Bones, released on his own Boneshaker label, which largely featured new versions of old songs no longer available. Sounding as good as he ever did, he was still easing himself back into the circuit when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. He died in June 2002."
He recorded several LPs for the Trailer label in the 1970s, which outrageously have remained unavailable since Trailer's bankruptcy.
Come all you warlike Seamen
Tony Rose Lyrics
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I'll tell you of a fight, my boys, on board the Nottingham.
It was of an Irish captain, his name was Somerville,
With courage bold he did control, he played his part so well.
'Twas on the eighth of June, my boys, when at Spithead we lay,
On board there came an order, our anchor for to weigh.
Bound for the coast of Ireland, our orders did run so:
We had not sailed many lengths at sea before a ship we spied.
She being some lofty Frenchman come a-bearing down so wide.
We hailed her off France, my boys, she asked from whence we came.
Our answer was, "From Liverpool, and London is our name."
"Oh pray are you some man of war, oh pray, what may you be?"
Oh then replied our captain, "Why, that you soon shall see.
Come strike your English colours or else you shall bring to.
Since you're so stout, you shall give out, or else we will sink you."
The first broadside we gave to them, it caused them for to wonder.
Their mainmast and their rigging came a-rattling down like thunder.
We drove them from their quarters, they could no longer stay.
Our guns did roar, we made so sure we showed them British play.
So now we've took that ship, my boys, God speed us fair wind
That we might sail to Plymouth town if the heavens prove so kind.
We'll drink a health unto our captain and all such warlike souls.
To him we'll drink, and never flinch, out of a flowing bowl.
The song "Come all you warlike seamen" by Tony Rose is a traditional British ballad that recounts a battle between the British ship Nottingham and a French ship off the coast of Ireland. The song starts by addressing all warlike seamen and sets the scene by describing a fight on-board the Nottingham that was controlled by a bold Irish captain named Somerville. The ballad is told in past tense, recollecting events that took place during the battle.
The lyrics go on to describe how the Nottingham was ordered to weigh anchor at Spithead on 8th June and set sail for the coast of Ireland to cruise and not refuse against a daring foe. The ship had not sailed very far before they spotted a French ship bearing down on them. The Nottingham hailed the French ship and responded that they were from Liverpool and London when asked where they were from. The Irish captain of the Nottingham then demanded that the French ship strike their English colours, and when they refused, the Nottingham fired the first broadside.
During the battle, the Nottingham managed to take down the French ship's masts and rigging, causing them to retreat from their quarters. Eventually, the British crew captured the French ship, and in the end, they drink a toast to their captain and all warlike souls. The song is a typical British ballad that glorifies the heroism of the British Navy while denigrating the enemy.
Line by Line Meaning
Come all you warlike seamen that to the seas belong;
Calling all brave sailors who spend their lives at sea;
I'll tell you of a fight, my boys, on board the Nottingham.
Describing a battle on the Nottingham, a story worth telling;
It was of an Irish captain, his name was Somerville,
The captain in charge, named Somerville, was a bold Irishman;
With courage bold he did control, he played his part so well.
Somerville was incredibly brave and skilled, leading his men to victory;
'Twas on the eighth of June, my boys, when at Spithead we lay,
Setting the scene for the battle, the day was June 8th at Spithead;
On board there came an order, our anchor for to weigh.
An order was given to raise anchor and set sail;
Bound for the coast of Ireland, our orders did run so:
Their mission was to head to the coast of Ireland;
For us to cruise and not refuse against a daring foe.
They were expected to patrol the waters and respond bravely to any threats they encountered;
We had not sailed many lengths at sea before a ship we spied.
Soon after setting sail, they spotted a ship approaching;
She being some lofty Frenchman come a-bearing down so wide.
The ship was a large French vessel, approaching rapidly;
We hailed her off France, my boys, she asked from whence we came.
They hailed the French ship and were asked where they were from;
Our answer was, "From Liverpool, and London is our name."
They claimed to be from Liverpool and traveling under the name London;
"Oh pray are you some man of war, oh pray, what may you be?"
The French ship asked if the Nottingham was a warship and asked for more information;
Oh then replied our captain, "Why, that you soon shall see.
Somerville responded that they would find out soon enough;
Come strike your English colours or else you shall bring to.
Somerville demanded that the French ship surrender or face consequences;
Since you're so stout, you shall give out, or else we will sink you."
He said that if they didn't give up, they would be sunk;
The first broadside we gave to them, it caused them for to wonder.
The first attack surprised and startled the French crew;
Their mainmast and their rigging came a-rattling down like thunder.
The attack caused significant damage, with the mainmast and rigging falling;
We drove them from their quarters, they could no longer stay.
The attack forced the French crew to retreat from their battle stations;
Our guns did roar, we made so sure we showed them British play.
The Nottingham's weapons were loud and effective, demonstrating the strength of the British navy;
So now we've took that ship, my boys, God speed us fair wind
They successfully took control of the French ship and wished for favorable weather;
That we might sail to Plymouth town if the heavens prove so kind.
Their next destination was Plymouth, if the weather permitted;
We'll drink a health unto our captain and all such warlike souls.
In celebration of their victory, they would toast to Somerville and other brave sailors;
To him we'll drink, and never flinch, out of a flowing bowl.
They would raise their glasses without hesitation, honoring the captain and their shared patriotism.
Contributed by Mackenzie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.