Martin Carthy & Eliza Carthy - Grand Conversation on Napoleon lyrics

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It was over that wild beaten track 'twas said a friend of Bonaparte's

Did pace the sands & the lofty rocks of St Helena's shore

& the wind it blew a hurricane, the lightnin' fierce around did dart

The seagulls were a-shriekin' & the waves around did roar

Ah hush, rude winds, the stranger cried, while I range the spot

Where alas the gallant hero did his weary eyelids close

& though at peace his limbs do rest, his name will never be forgot

This grand conversation on Napoleon arose

Oh, alas, he cried, why England did you persecute that hero bold?

Much better had you slain him on the plains of Waterloo

For Napoleon he was a friend 2 heroes all, both young & old

He caused the money for 2 fly wherever he did go

When plans were formin' night & day, the bold commander 2 betray

He said, I'll go 2 Moscow & there I'll ease my woes

& if fortune smiles on me that day, then all the world shall me obey

This grand conversation on Napoleon arose

Oh his men in thousands then did rise 2 conquer Moscow by surprise

He led his troops across the Alps oppressed by frost & snow

& bein' near the Russian land, he then began 2 open his eyes

For Moscow was ablazin' & the men drove 2 & fro

Napoleon dauntless viewed the plain & then in anguish at the same

He cried, Retreat me gallant men, for time so swiftly goes

Ah what thousands died in that retreat, some forced their horses for 2 eat

This grand conversation on Napoleon arose

At Waterloo they bravely fought, commanded by this Bonaparte

Field Marshall Ney did him betray, but he was bribed by gold

& when Blucher led the Prussians, it nearly broke Napoleon's heart

He cried, my thirty thousand men are lost, & I am sold

He viewed the plain & cried, all's lost, & then his favorite charger crossed

The plain was in confusion with blood & dyin' woes

& the bunch of roses did advance & boldly entered into France

This grand conversation on Napoleon arose

Oh, this Bonaparte was planned 2 be a prisoner across the sea

The rocks of St Helena, oh, it was his final spot

& as a prisoner there 2 be till death did end his misery

His son soon followed 2 the tomb: it was an awful plot

& long enough have they been dead, the blast of war around us spread

& may our shippin' float again 2 face the darin' foes

& now my boys when honour calls we'll boldly mount those wooden walls

This grand conversation on Napoleon arose