The Song of the Western Men

"The Song of the Western Men" was written by Robert Stephen Hawker, and is better known in Cornwall, and overseas, by the title of "Trelawny".

Hawker wrote the song in 1824, telling of events that took place in 1688. When the song first appeared many thought it to be a contemporary record of events in fact the song contains one or two inaccuracies. The march on London described in this song only reached as far as Bristol when Trelawny was released. Many people have erroneously supposed the song to be ancient, among them, Sir Walter Scott, Lord Macaulay, and Charles Dickens.

The Trelawny in Hawker's song was Jonathan Trelawny (1650–1721), who was one of the seven bishops imprisoned in the Tower of London by James II in 1688. Born at Pelynt into an old Cornish family, his father, the 2nd Baronet of Trelawne, was a supporter of the Royalist cause during the English Civil War.

Despite its inaccuracies the song has become a symbolic anthem of Cornish unity and is a regular favourite sung at Cornish rugby union matches and other Cornish gatherings.

Lyrics

'Trelawny'

A good sword and a trusty hand!
A faithful heart and true!
King James's men shall understand
What Cornish lads 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

And shall Trelawny live?

And shall Trelawny die?

Here's twenty thousand Cornish men

Will know the reason why!

Out spake their 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:
With "one and all," and hand in hand;
And who shall bid us nay?

Chorus

And shall Trelawny live?

And shall Trelawny die?

Here's twenty thousand Cornish men

Will know the reason why!

And when we come to London Wall,
A pleasant sight to view,
Come forth! come forth! ye cowards all:
Here's men as good as you.
'Trelawny he's in keep and hold;
Trelawny he may die:
Here's twenty thousand Cornish bold
Will know the reason why

Chorus

And shall Trelawny live?

And shall Trelawny die?

Here's twenty thousand Cornish men

Will know the reason why!

Notes

• The original words were written about Sir John Trelawny (Grandfather of the Bishop) who was leader of the King's party in Cornwall and on May 13th 1627 was committed to the Tower by the House of Commons for certain "offences against the liberty of free election" and comtempt of the House.

• It is known by some Cornish groups as the unofficial Cornish anthem. Other Cornish anthems are Hail to the Homeland and Bro Goth Agan Tasow.

• "Michael's Hold" refers to Archangel Michael, commander of the legions of Heaven. Some sources say the line refers to a hold on St Michaels Mount, (i.e.- a prison or cell).

• There is some doubt as to whether the work was entirely original or an adaptation of an earlier tune, perhaps referring to the 'an gof' Cornish rebellion. However, there should be no doubt — see [1]

• "Trelawny" is often referred to as the "unofficial" Cornish anthem and the most popular which is heard at Cornish rugby union matches and other Cornish gatherings, but the Cornish anthem that has been used by Gorseth Kernow for the last 75 plus years is "Bro Goth Agan Tasow" ("The Land of My Fathers", or, literally, "Old Country of our Fathers") with a similar tune to the Welsh national anthem ("Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau") and the Breton national anthem. "Bro Goth Agan Tasow" is not heard so often, as it is sung in Cornish). Those who prefer an anthem in English often use "Hail to the Homeland".

See also

• List of topics related to Cornwall

External links

• The Life and Letters of R. S. Hawker from The Internet Archive
• Words in Cornish from the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies website
• Trelawny's Army with notes by R.S. Hawker:
• The Song of the Western Men from the Everything₂ website