Wolfe (One Last Time)

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The boast of heraldry the pomp of power, And all that beauty and all that wealth ere gave, Awaits alike the inevitable hour the paths of glory lead but to the grave…..
Thomas Gray -  Elegy Written On a Country Church Yard

 
from the recording Light Shining (1983)
 
The Albion Band are:
 
Cathy Lesurf, vocals.
Jean-Pierre Rasle. vocals, bagpipes, crumhorn, recorder, Northumbrian pipes.
Simon Nicol. vocals, guitar, dulcimer, keyboards;
Dave Whetstone. vocals, melodeon, concertina, acoustic guitar;
Ashley Hutchings. vocals, bass guitar;
John Maxwell. vocals, drums, percussion;
with:
Mary Miller. speaking the lines of Thomas Gray.
 
notes:
 
Wonderful song "dug up" (read, written by) by Ashley Hutchings and sung here by Cathy Lesurf of the (1980's) Albion Band. I always felt the song should have the title One Last Time instead of Wolfe. Wolfe was the British general who captured Quebec in 1759 during the "French and Indian War (Seven Years War) Clues in the song: "till the comet came" and "war in the west" - the rarity of Halley's comet puts it in 1758. Bravo "Guv'nor"! And thanks Szantana for posting this sparkling but little known gem.
 
massive thanks go out to szantanas for this audio, we may not understand each other language-wise, but it's a song  like this that bridges all.
 
and many thanks to failur2communicate  for these notes

The Albion Band
Ashley Hutchings, Cathy Lesurf, Simon Nicol

Wolfe (One Last Time)
(Ashley Hutchings/trad)
 
The fleet was a floating forest spread before me on the Thames
And Greenwich bells saluted all her fine departing sons
I stood upon the hillside, my spyglass misted o'er and I
Turned to make my way to home once more

Chorus
Oh to cross the line and defy the time forever
To take the paths of happiness and walk away the pain
If for one last time you could hold these hands together
Content to scale the heights of home again

It's hard to lose your loved one to a nation's grateful heart
For now you are her sweetheart and you never more shall part
Your virtue she may trade on and your likeness she may buy
But she'll not hold you any more than I

Oh to cross the line and defy the time forever
To take the paths of happiness and walk away the pain
If for one last time you could hold these hands together
Content to scale the heights of home again

Last night I dreamt you lay with me with your head upon my breast
You had no thought of trading me for glory in the west
The park was then our Eden and the stars our guileless game
We charted them until the comet came

Oh to cross the line and defy the time forever
To take the paths of happiness and walk away the pain
If for one last time you could hold these hands together
Content to scale the heights of home again

This land may want you for a hero
She can call her very own
To glory you in battles and to honour you in stone
I have no need of gratitude and praise and nothing more
I want my love beside me as before

Oh to cross the line and defy the time forever
To take the paths of happiness and walk away the pain
If for one last time you could hold these hands together
Content to scale the heights of home again
 
Content to scale the heights of home again........

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