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General Taylor

[ Roud 216 ; Ballad Index Hugi078 ; trad.]

This capstan shanty is known as either Walk Me Along Johnny, Walk Him Along John or General Taylor. British Genral Taylor beat the Mexican General Santa Aña at the battle of Molina del Rey (Buena Vista) in February 1847.

Steeleye Span sang General Taylor Tim Hart in lead during the recording sessions for Ten Man Mop or Mr Reservoir Butler Rides Again but the track not included in this album. It was first released on the compilation album Individually and Collectively, and therefore subsequently on the 2 LP set Time Span which contains this album as its second LP. It was also added as bonus track to the 2 CD collection The Lark in the Morning, a compilation of the first three Steeleye Span LPs. And it was finally included in the 2006 reissue of Ten Man Mop.

And Steeleye Span sang General Taylor live for the BBC radio programme “Peel's Sunday Concert” on September 15, 1971. This programme was included as bonus CD on the 2006 reissue of Ten Man Mop.

General Taylor was also in the repertoire of Fairport Convention; a live performance from the University of Chicago in 1970 leading into The Mason's Apron was included in 2003 on the Dave Swarbrick anthology Swarb!. They finally recorded it in 1977 for their album The Bonny Bunch of Roses.

Lyrics

General Taylor gained the day
Chorus: Walk him along, John, carry him along
Oh, General Taylor gained the day
Chorus: Carry him to his burying ground

Chorus (after each verse):

To me way hey, you Stormy
Walk him along, John, carry him along
To me way hey, you Stormy
Carry him to his burying ground

Oh I wish I was old Stormy's son
I'd build a ship ten thousands tons

I'd load her down with ale and rum
And every shellback should have some

Oh we dig his grave with a silver spade
And his shroud of the softest silk is made

And we lower him down on a golden chain
On every link we'll carve his name

General Taylor's dead and gone
General Taylor's dead and gone