The ballad below is a tale of Cornishmen telling King James to release Bishop
Trelawny, or they will march to London to set Trelawny free from the Tower.
| A good sword and a trusty hand A merry heart and true; King James's men shall understand What Cornish men can do. And have they fixed the where and when? And shall Trelawny die? Here's twenty thousand Cornish men Will know the reason why! [chorus] Out spake the captain brave and bold, A merry wight was he: "Though London Tower were Michael's hold, We'll set Trelawny free. We'll cross the Tamar, land to land, The Severn is no stay. then one and all and hand in hand And who shall bid us nay?" [chorus] "And when we come to London wall, A pleasant sight to view; Come forth, come forth, ye cowards all, Here's better men than you. Trelawny he's in keep and hold, Trelawny he may die; But twenty thousand Cornish Bold Will know the reason why!" [chorus] |
Chorus: And shall Trelawny live? |
You Can Hear Trelawny!
The Jelbert Society site
have an audio file