Eliza & Martin Carthy - Grand Conversation On Napoleon lyrics

It was over that wild beaten track 'twas said a friend of Bonaparte's Did pace the sands & the lofty rocks of St Helena's shore & the wind it blew a hurricane, the lightnin' fierce around did dart The seagulls were a-shriekin' & 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 & 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 2 heroes all, both young & old He caused the money for 2 fly wherever he did go When plans were formin' night & day, the bold commander 2 betray He said, I'll go 2 Moscow & there I'll ease my woes & 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 2 conquer Moscow by surprise He led his troops across the Alps oppressed by frost & snow & bein' near the Russian land, he then began 2 open his eyes For Moscow was ablazin' & the men drove 2 & fro Napoleon dauntless viewed the plain & 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 2 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 & when Blucher led the Prussians, it nearly broke Napoleon's heart He cried, my thirty thousand men are lost, & I am sold He viewed the plain & cried, all's lost, & then his favorite charger crossed The plain was in confusion with blood & dyin' woes & the bunch of roses did advance & boldly entered into France This grand conversation on Napoleon arose Oh, this Bonaparte was planned 2 be a prisoner across the sea The rocks of St Helena, oh, it was his final spot & as a prisoner there 2 be till d**h did end his misery His son soon followed 2 the tomb: it was an awful plot & long enough have they been dead, the blast of war around us spread & may our shippin' float again 2 face the darin' foes & now my boys when honour calls we'll boldly mount those wooden walls This grand conversation on Napoleon arose