Origins: When the Battle's O'er (Stewart + trad)

Subject: Need Lyrics to: When the Battle's O'er
From: Tully
Date: 19 Nov 98 - 12:45 PM

Does anyone have the lyrics to the Scottish tune, "When the Battle's O'er". I recall hearing Mary Williamnson or perhaps the Corries sing it some time ago. So far I can't locate it in any of the folksong lyric data bases.

Subject: 'The Battle's Oe'r'
From: Pukuhipi
Date: 17 May 01 - 06:32 PM

Hello Mudcatters I am very new to the Mudcat scene and I am very impressed. As yet I have not found the lyrics to the Highland Pipe tune "The Battle's Oe'r". I half remember somebody singing "Fight nae more my soldier laddie for there's peace where there once was war. Put your sword doon my soldier laddie, rest in peace now, the battle's oe'r" However, that is as much as I have. I would be very grateful for some assistance. Many thanks - Pukuhipi

Subject: Lyr Add:'WhenThe Battle's Oe'r'
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 May 01 - 06:55 PM

When the Battle's O'er

Some returned from the fields of gory,
To their loved ones who held them dear.
But some fell in that hour of glory,
And were left to their resting there.

Chorus:
March no more, my soldier laddie,
There is peace where there once was war.
Sleep in peace my soldier laddie,
Sleep in peace, now the battle's o'er.

from: https://ingeb.org/songs/someretu.html
Don't know if there is any more or not.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Battle's Oe'r'
From: Boab
Date: 18 May 01 - 04:21 AM

Could somebody confirm or refute the notion that I have that the song is actually half-inched from the Irish rebel repertoire, and originates in County Wexford? Boab

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Battle's Oe'r'
From: Pukuhipi
Date: 18 May 01 - 04:37 AM

Thank you Sorcha and Boab. I appreciate your input. As to whether the song was "appropriated" I have not got the foggiest. Cheers Pukuhipi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Battle's Oe'r'
From: GUEST,Dita (at work)
Date: 18 May 01 - 04:54 AM

This song was recorded ~1961 by Andy Stewart (not Andy M.), as a follow up to his UK hit "The Scottish Soldier". He did write and adapt a lot of his own material, but I can't say for certain about this one.
love, john.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Battle's Oe'r'
From: GUEST,Dita (at work)
Date: 18 May 01 - 08:15 AM

A quick check in a CD shop at lunchtime turned up the following credits

Trad. Words Stewart, Arr. McFadyen.

love, john

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BATTLE'S O'ER (rec by Andy Stewart)
From: GUEST,PatJoe
Date: 18 May 01 - 12:21 PM

THE BATTLE’S O’ER
As recorded by Andy Stewart

1. I returned to the fields of glory
Where the green grass and flowers grow,
And the wind softly sings the story
Of the brave lads of long ago.

CHORUS:
March no more, my soldier laddie.
There is peace where there once was war.
Sleep in peace, my soldier laddie.
Sleep in peace now the battle’s o’er.

2. In the great glen, they lie a-sleeping
Where the cool waters gently flow,
And the grey mist is sadly weeping
For those brave lads of long ago. CHORUS

3. See the tall grasses there are waving
As their banners of long ago
With their heads high were forward braving
Stepping lightly to meet the foe. CHORUS

4. Some returned from the fields of glory
To their loved ones who held them dear,
But some fell in their hour of glory
And were left to their resting here. CHORUS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T6Rj7ey5bU

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Battle's Oe'r'
From: Pukuhipi
Date: 19 May 01 - 04:20 AM

Thank you PatJoe Cheers Pukuhipi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Battle's Oe'r'
From: Little Robyn
Date: 18 Dec 09 - 02:57 PM

There's another set of words to this tune and we sang it at a funeral last Tuesday.
The family had asked for a "Scottish song" and this was considered the most suitable.
It was in a key that my Northumbrian pipes can play (C which is D on my pipes) (I didn't tell them they were English pipes).
We started with a little drumming and a pipe solo, then during the singing I just played my drones and it worked very well.
I searched the net for the words and drew a blank, although mention was made on another site that someone had seen them in a book somewhere.
So here are the alternative words if anyone else wants to sing them. I have no idea who wrote them.

Fare thee well

Fare thee well, make the journey homeward,
Strong in heart, trust in life's sweet flow,
Travel on over hill and valley
To the place where you long to go.
Travel onward, make the journey,
Carry with you the things you know,
Peace and blessing go before you,
Be your guide as you homeward go.

Robyn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Battle's Oe'r'
From: Little Robyn
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 01:46 PM

If you want to hear the tune, there is a midi version of pipes playing it here.
The piper seems to play the first and second parts twice but in the song it's just straight through once for each verse.
I've still got it stuck in my head!
Robyn

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BATTLE'S O'ER
From: GUEST,morandir
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 05:05 AM

I used to play the pipes in a marching pipe band. When we went on trips, 'The Battle's O'er' was a favourite song to sing. Here's the lyrics as they appear in my old pipe music book.

THE BATTLE'S O'ER

I returned to the hills of glory
Where the green grass and flowers grow,
And the wind softly sings the story
Of those brave lads of long ago.

Ch. March no more, my soldier laddie.
There is peace where there once was war.
Sleep in peace, my soldier laddie.
Sleep in peace now the battle's o'er.

In the Great Glen they lie a-sleeping
Where the cool waters gently flow,.
And the grey mist is sadly weeping.
For those brave lads of long ago.

Ch.

See the tall grasses there a-waving
As their banners of long ago.
With their heads high, set forward, braving.
Stepping lightly to meet the foe.

Ch.

Some return from the fields of glory
To their loved ones who held them dear.
But some fell in their hour of glory.
And were left to their resting here.

Ch.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Sep 12 - 03:28 PM

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=when%20the%20battle's%20o'er%2C%20corries&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CFkQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usahpd.com%2Fdocuments%2FPipe%2520Tune%2520Lyrics.pdf&ei=hXhXUOCBG6Pt0gHPlYHYCQ&usg=AFQjCNHALLZp_xHsT6SE4RIlTus61gsxlw

At that link, song 31--or the song that's on page 31--may be what we're looking for.

Subject: ADD: When the Battle's O'er
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 03:34 AM

From the link provided by 999 above - but is it the song that was requested?

When The Battle's O'er

WHEN THE BATTLE'S O'ER

I return to the fields of glory,
Where the green grasses and flowers grow,
And the wind softly tells the story,
Of the brave lads of long ago.

CHORUS:
March no more, my soldier laddie,
There is peace where there once was war,
Sleep in peace, my soldier laddie,
Sleep in peace, now the battle's o'er.

In the great glen they lay a sleeping,
Where the cool waters gently flow,
And the grey mist is sadly weeping,
For those brave lads of long ago.
Chorus....

See the tall grass is there awaiting,
As their banners of long ago,
With their heads high, forward threading,
Marching lightly to meet the foe.
Chorus....

Some returned from the fields of glory,
To their loved one who held them dear,
But some fell in that hour of glory,
And were left to their resting here.
Chorus....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 04:26 AM

Sung and if I remember rightly composed by the late Andy Stewart.
To the pipe tune of the same name.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Mar 19 - 01:16 PM

After Andy Stewart made his own write of new words a lot of folks do not know the story of where this song came from. My name is Joe Moyes and I am going to tell you the song's history. The tune began life as a Scots pipe tune. One day in 1903 US singer Liz Spencer heard the tune she went to the Edison record label and that time she marries Len Spencer and in 1904 the 2 record a song called Martha but using the same tune as the pipe tune. In 1961 Andy Stewart heard the pipe tune so many times but he did not no that the tune was called something else. When I talk about this song in my ways my music teacher Judith had the new 1961 words in one of her music books and played and sang the words the tune of the pipe tune was a tune called The Battle's Oe'r in 1866. Many pipers play this now as a tune. in 1903 some words got to the USA and after 1961 a new song back then was heard after then after Andy Stewart died many music teachers sing this song and even put there own words to this what was a old 1788 pipe tune and this makes lots of folks happy.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 17 Mar 19 - 07:55 PM

As an aside to this there was a mass playing of this pipe tune by pipers around the world at 6am local time on the 100th anniversary of the First World War Armistice, Nov 11th 1918.
The tune is by Pipe Major William Robb. (which has not been mentioned in previous posts)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Mar 19 - 11:33 PM

Though the lyrics are modern (C) 1961 by Andy Stewart, the melody would appear to be 18th century. There is a direct crossing over from an Irish song, the Last Rose of summer (based on a poem), the music had earlier origins. "The Last Rose of Summer" is a poem by the Irish poet Thomas Moore. He wrote it in 1805, while staying at Jenkinstown Park in County Kilkenny, Ireland, where he was said to have been inspired by a specimen of Rosa 'Old Blush'.[1] The poem is set to a traditional tune called "Aislean an Oigfear", or "The Young Man's Dream",[2] which was transcribed by Edward Bunting in 1792, based on a performance by harper Denis Hempson (Donnchadh Ó hÁmsaigh) at the Belfast Harp Festival.[3] The poem and the tune together were published in December 1813 in volume 5 of Thomas Moore's A Selection of Irish Melodies. The original piano accompaniment was written by John Andrew Stevenson, several other arrangements followed in the 19th and 20th centuries," From Wiki.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 18 Mar 19 - 03:43 PM

I can definitely see/hear the similarity, Guest. But whether it's one of those situations where a partly remembered tune impacts subconsciously on someone composing what he/she thinks is a new tune, or whether pure chance that it has some similarities, who knows? I sometimes write tunes myself, but would always run a "new" tune past a few musically knowledgeable friends to make sure I have not copied someone else's tune.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,#
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 10:24 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nz_aU2AhLs

Song sung there by Andy Stewart.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 02:39 PM

The late Andy Stewart is the lyricist of the work above, which is known as The Battle's O'er, and he should have been credited - as its his copyright work reproduced. The tune is traditional, but re-arranged by Iain Macfadyen. If I remember there is a separate discussion elsewhere on Mudcat about the other lyrics to the tune and its origins. It is also known in its earlier form (not the Andy Stewart title), as 'When the Battle's O'er.

https://pipingpress.com/2016/06/07/is-famous-song-source-of-when-the-battles-oer/

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: Jack Campin
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 03:05 PM

Great tune but those words are like something created by a computer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 08:23 PM

Jack, whilst its Andy's usual looking back at war Scottish Soldier type of lyric, he does sing it with feeling - especially on the original 1960's orchestrated Top Rank recording. It also has a big ending. My brother recently covered it on his latest album. Sadly later re-recordings by Andy Stewart himself for other record labels are totally dire, as his voice was shot to hell by illness, and the awful backings he was given. Listeners should always go for the original EMI/Top Rank tracks, and not the second rate self-covers he made.

The Battle's O'er used to be frequently used at funerals, particularly those of cancer sufferers or other long term illness sufferers. So from a song which was about a soldier, it transferred to those who had fought their battles with illness, and were now at peace. In the right hands, and setting it is very moving.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 11:21 AM

I understand that the tune is not "traditional" in the sense of composer unknown, but is attributed to Pipe Major William Robb - 1863 - 1909. See: William Robb

It is the tune that was played by many pipers around the world at 6am (local time wherever they were) on 11th November 2018, on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice agreement.
It is a fine tune.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 03:38 PM

The tune is itself which Robb adapted, is based on an earlier Irish tune/song 'The last Rose of Summer' discussion I think has taken place elsewhere.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 03:53 PM

Sorry I mangled that last sentence while typing! I meant to say "The tune which Robb adapted, is itself based on an earlier Irish tune/song - the Last Rose of Summer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 09:03 PM

Ok, I can see the resemblance there. Presumably adapted to fit the pipe scale.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 22 Sep 23 - 09:39 AM

I remember singing this song when my friend Martin had a band called Braveheart and I played the accordion while he sang. I also remember him saying that the words were written and first recorded in 1964 by Andy Stuart. I have never seen earlier songs set to this tune. Thank you very much from Joe moyes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When the Battle's O'er
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 22 Sep 23 - 09:39 AM

I remember singing this song when my friend Martin had a band called Braveheart and I played the accordion while he sang. I also remember him saying that the words were written and first recorded in 1964 by Andy Stuart. I have never seen earlier songs set to this tune. Thank you very much from Joe moyes.