June Tabor - Plains of Waterloo 1976

 As I rode out one fine summer's morning

Down by the gay banks of a clear pearling stream There I spied a handsome fair maid making sad lamentations Oh, I threw myself in ambush to hear her sad strains Through the woods she marched along, caused the valleys to ring-o The fine feathered songsters around her they flew Saying, "The wars they are all over and peace it is restored again But yet my Willie's not returning from the plains of Waterloo." Well, I stepped up to this fair maid and said, "My fond creature Oh, may I make so bold as to ask your true love's name? For it's I've been in battle where the cannons around rattle And by some strange fortune I might have known the same." "Willie Smith me true love's name is, hero of great fame He's gone and he's left me in sorrow, it's true No one shall me enjoy but me own darling boy But yet he's not returning from the plains of Waterloo." "Well, if Willie Smith's your true Love's name, he's a hero of great fame He and I have been in battle through many's the long campaign Through Italy and Russia, through Germany and Prussia Oh, he was me loyal comrade through France and through Spain." "Until at length by the French we were surrounded Like the heroes of old we did them subdue We did fight for three days until we did defeat him That brave Napoleon Boney on the plains of Waterloo." "Now the eighteenth day of June, it is end of that battle Leaving many's the bold hero to sigh and to mourn Oh, the war drums they did beat and the cannons around did rattle It was by a French soldier your Willie he was slain." "And as I passed by there where he lay a-bleeding Oh, I scarcely had time for to bid him adieu In a faltering voice these words he was repeating Fare the well, me lovely Annie, you are far from Waterloo." Now when this lovely fair maid heard this sad acclamation Oh, but her rosy cheeks turned pale and wan And when I saw this fair maid making sad lamentations Oh, I said, "Me lovely Annie, I am that very one." "And here is the ring that was broken between us In the midst of all danger, love, to remind me of you." And when she saw the token, she fell into me arms crying "You're welcome, dearest Willie, from the plains of Waterloo

Martin Carthy sings "The Eighteenth of June" in "The Battle of Waterloo" (1983)

 Here are a couple of brief clips of Martin Carthy singing "The Eighteenth of June" from the 1983 BBC production of Keith Dewhurst's "Battle of Waterloo". This TV play was transmitted live from BBC Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham on 13 February 1983.

Waterloo (1970) Full movie

 Happy Waterloo Day

Confection Drouot

 210 years ago, Napoleon led his army through the congested streets of Genappe towards, what the maps told him was the hamlet of Mont Saint Jean. As lighting slashed the evening sky, torrential rain. The dawn brought Napoleon his last battle.

How those fateful battles were fought, and what those men wore on the fateful morn, has been a research obsession of mine for twenty years. If you have not been tempted to read my books on the Waterloo Campaign, perhaps now is the perfect time to look at some of my books from my back catalogue.

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Eine Marschkolonnne französischer Infanterie im März 1814 während des Frühjahrfeldzuges.

 

From the National Army Museum

 A veteran of the Napoleonic Wars captivates a tavern audience, pointing to a print of the battle with his Waterloo Medal proudly displayed on his chest.
Painted by John Cawse, May 1821 — you can view this artwork and many more on display in our Soldier Gallery.

NA at Fort Amherst Chatham

 

''This weekend, a contingent of the 95th will be joining comrades from the @napoleonicassociation at Fort Amherst for our first major event of 2025!''

The Napoleonic Association proudly presents a historic takeover of Fort Amherst in Kent on May 10th and 11th, 2025. Get ready to immerse yourself in the life and duties of soldiers and their families from the armies of Wellington, Blucher, and Napoleon. This unforgettable event will unfold against the fantastic backdrop of the Napoleonic fort, offering an authentic experience like never before!

More information: https://napoleonicassociation.org/event.../fort-amherst-2/

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If you are in the area, why not come and say hi!