“The Plains of Waterloo (VI)”
Description
The singer tells of her love, a soldier. She describes his beauty. He fights in the peninsular war. He dies at Salamanca and Waterloo. She describes his last messages, then says she will remain faithful until her own death
Notes
The Sam Henry version of this song seems to conflate the battles of Salamanca and Waterloo; the hero is fighting at the first when he dies at the second. Either the song has been strangely damaged in transmission (and it shows no other signs of damage), or it was written by someone with no real understanding of the Napoleonic Wars. My guess is the latter; I suspect this was written well after its alleged date. - RBW
Historical references
- July 22, 1812 - Battle of Salamanca
- June 18, 1815 - Battle of Waterloo
References
- SHenry H15, p. 87, "The Plains of Waterloo" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Moylan 191, "The Plains of Waterloo" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #2853
- BI, HHH015