From the singing of Bob Copper of Rottingdean & Peacehaven, Sussex, and from the recording that he made of Ned “Wintry” Adams in Hastings in 1954 for the BBC [BBC recording 22742]. The text is mainly taken from Bob’s family’s version, the tune from Ned Adams.
Andrew King – Vocals.
Brown Sierra – Electronics.
Vocals recorded by Tony Wakeford at FurFeather Studio, London, 2006.
Electronics recorded, and mixed with vocals, by Brown Sierra at West Bank Studios, London, 2006.
Recording salvaged from the only known – damaged – trial copy, by Lloyd James at Wooden Lung Studios, London, 2009.
Post-recording editing by Andrew King at Epiphany West, Somerset, 2023.
lyrics
(Trad., Roud 528, Laws K29)
[5:11]
On the fourteenth of February, we sailed from the land,
On the bold Princess Royal, bound for Newfoundland
We had forty bright seamen for our ship’s company
And so boldlỳ from the east’ard to the west’ard bore we.
Now we ’ad not been a-sailing scarce days two or three,
When a man from our top-mast strange sails he did see
Come a-tearing down on us to see where we bore
And under her mizzen, black colours she wore.
Oh no, cried our Captain, what shall we do now?
Here comes a bold pirate for to rob us, I’m sure.
Oh no, cried our chief mate, that shall not be so,
We shall shoot out our reef, me boys, and away from him we’ll go.
Now it was that next morning, at the dawning of day
That lofty large pirate shot under our lee
Whence came’st you? Cried that pirate, we answered him so
We are out of fair London, bound for Calais-O
Then back your main top-sail, and ’eave your ship to
I ’ave a long letter that I will give to you
If I back me main top-sail, and ’eave me ship to
It will be for some Royal Pilot, O not alongside of you
O he chased us to the east’ard all that livelong day,
He chased us to the wast’ard but he could make no way
He firèd shots after us but none could prevail
And the bold Princess Royal soon showed him her tail.
O thank God, cried our Captain, for that pirate is gone,
Go you down to your grog, my boys, go you down everyone,
Go you down to your grog, my boys, and be of good cheer,
For whilst we have sea-room, O brave boys, never fear.
supported by 11 fans who also own “Andrew King & Brown Sierra - The Bold Princess Royal [unadorned version]”
❤️Somehow, this compilation manages to be even more impressive than the first. A great introduction to dark ambient for the uninitiated, and a must-have for longtime fans. Plushie Fanatic
supported by 10 fans who also own “Andrew King & Brown Sierra - The Bold Princess Royal [unadorned version]”
❤️My original plan was to go through and buy individual tracks like I do with most compilation albums, but honestly there are just so many good ones that I wound up buying the whole thing. More than simple drones (though there are plenty of those, too), this album collects many of the best and most innovative dark ambient artists in one place, including many who are new to me. A must-have for any dark ambient fan's collection. Plushie Fanatic
Made over the course of four dark months, Reece Thomas’s new record features synth compositions that are both beautiful & unsettling. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 30, 2022
In the music of Paul Jordan, digitally manipulated field recordings become striking electronic songs that feel eerie and surreal. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 7, 2020
supported by 9 fans who also own “Andrew King & Brown Sierra - The Bold Princess Royal [unadorned version]”
The first track suits me exactly. When told to immoral, unethical things the best a person can do is say no, even if it means going to jail. Micah J. Rodriguez