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Cadgwith Anthem / The Robbers' Retreat

This song was included as Robbers' Retreat in the The Naval Song Book, ca. 1906, probably compiled by Chaplain to the Fleet, Rev. G. Goodenough.

Peter Kennedy recorded this song from the Cadgwith Fishermen's Choir in 1953 as Cadgwith Anthem. It is not clear when the song changed its titles and was thus annexed as an “Old Cornish folksong”. Steeleye Span apparently based their 1976 recording on this version, but they did not explain their source either. The song appeared in 1976 on their album All Around My Hat, and it was also one of the alternative B-sides of their single Hard Times of Old England. It is one of Steeleye Span's best harmony tracks, with a subtle brass section creeping in on the unaccompanied singing.

Robin Dransfield sang The Cadgwith Anthem in 1980 on his Topic LP Tidewave. He commented in the sleeve notes:

A fine Cornish song still sung, I believe, by the fishermen of Cadgwith. I learned it several years ago from Dick Gaughan who heard it while living in nearby Devon.

Lyrics

Robbers' Retreat in The Naval Song Book

We come from yonder mountains, our pistols are loaded
For to rob and to plunder it is our intent

Chorus (after each verse): As we roam through the valleys
Where the lilies and the roses
And the beautiful Cashmere lies drooping its head
Then away, then away, then away, away,
To the caves in yonder mountain
To the robbers' retreat

Hark, hark! In the distance there's footsteps approaching
Stand, stand and deliver! Shall be our watchword.

Your gold and your jewels,—Your life if resisted!
We shall laugh at your agony, and scorn at your threats.

Come fill up your glasses and let be a-drinking,
For the moonbeams are shining all over our heads.

Steeleye Span sing Cadgwith Anthem

Come fill up your glasses and let us be merry,
For to rob bags of plunder it is our intent.

Chorus (after each verse): As we roam through the valleys
Where the lilies and the roses
And the beauty of Kashmir lay drooping his head
Then away, then away, then away
To the caves in yonder mountain
Where the robbers retreat

Hush, hush! In the distance there's footsteps approaching
Stand, stand and deliver! It is our watch cry.

Robin Dransfield sings Cadgwith Anthem

Come fill up your glasses and let us be merry,
For to rob bags of plunder it is our intent.

Chorus (after each verse): As we roam through the valleys
Where the lilies and the roses
And the beauty of Kashmir lay drooping his head
Then away, then away, then away
To the caves in yonder mountains
Where the robbers retreat

But hark! In the distance there's footsteps approaching
And it's, Stand and deliver! It is our watch cry.

Links

See also the Mudcat Café thread Origins: Cadgwith Anthem.