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The Grand Conversation on Napoleon

[ Roud 1189 ; Ballad Index BrdGCoNa ; trad.]

A.L. Lloyd recorded The Grand Conversation on Napoleon in 1956 for his Riverside LP English Street Songs. This track was included in 2008 on his 2 CD compilation Ten Thousand Miles Away: English and Australian Folk Songs. He commented in the album's sleeve notes:

This is another of the several ballads concerning Napoleon which were extremely popular at the beginning of the 19th century. It shows peculiarities shared by most ballads about this French emperor: rather grandiloquent words, superb striding tunes, and sympathy for his downfall. (The Bonny Bunch of Roses is of course another ballad on the same theme.)

Tony Rose sang Grand Conversation on Napoleon in 1971 on his second LP, Under the Greenwood Tree. He commented in his album sleeve notes:

It is perhaps strange that in their folk song the English have seemed much more interested in their enemies than in their heroes. The victor of Waterloo hardly warrants a mention in the common muse, but the defeated Napoleon seems immediately to have acquired a Hollywood type aura of glamour around him. The song itself says, “his name will never be forgot” and this is certainly true so far among singing people. The text, as with many Napoleonic songs, is a very literary one, but the tune is a fine one and remarkably similar—as was pointed out to me recently—to the Irish Magpie's Nest although of course in a different time.

Louis Killen learned A Grand Conversation on Napoleon from the singing of Harry Boardman, and sang it on his 1989 cassette The Rose in June.

Barry Dransfield sang The Grand Conversation on Napoleon on his 2005 CD Unruly. He commented in his liner notes:

I was lucky enough to be involved with Bob Davenport's wunderful club at the Emperor of Russia, Islington, in the early 80s. Among the many performers who were Bob's personal friends was Gordon Hall, who sang this blockbuster. Without great performances like Hall's, songs would be lost forever. I would guess that this was a broadside ballad from the early to mid 19th century.

Jon Boden sang Grand Conversation on Napoleon as the June 17, 2011 entry of his project A Folk Song a Day. He noted in his blog:

One of the wordier Napoleon songs but a cracking tune and some really nice details. Interesting that the song’s sympathies seem to shift right at the end of the song—editorial perhaps? Certainly it seems pretty pro-Bonaparte in the opening verses.

Lyrics

Tony Rose sings Grand Conversation on Napoleon

It was over that wild beaten track 'twas said a friend of Bonaparte's
Did pace the sands and the lofty rocks of St Helena's shore,
And the wind it blew a hurricane, the lightning fierce around did dart,
The seagulls were a-shrieking and 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.
And 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 to heroes all, both young and old,
He caused the money for to fly wherever he did go.
When plans were forming night and day, the bold commander to betray,
He said, I'll go to Moscow and there I'll ease my woes.
And 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 to conquer Moscow by surprise,
He led his troops across the Alps oppressed by frost and snow,
And being near the Russian land, he then began to open his eyes,
For Moscow was a-blazing and the men drove to and fro.
Napoleon dauntless viewed the plain and 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 to 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.
And when Blucher led the Prussians, it nearly broke Napoleon's heart.
He cried, my thirty thousand men are lost, and I am sold.
He viewed the plain and cried, all's lost, and then his favourite charger crossed,
The plain was in confusion with blood and dying woes.
And the bunch of roses did advance and boldly entered into France.
This grand conversation on Napoleon arose.

Oh, this Bonaparte was plann'd to be a prisoner across the sea,
The rocks of St Helena, oh, it was his final spot.
And as a prisoner there to be till death did end his misery.
His son soon followed to the tomb: it was an awful blot.
And long enough have they been dead, the blast of war around us spread,
And may our shipping float again to face the daring foes.
And now my boys when honour calls we'll boldly mount those wooden walls.
This grand conversation on Napoleon arose.

Acknowledgements

Garry Gillard transcribed the lyrics based on the text from the Mudcat Café.