HMHS Rohilla Melody
I have been quite lucky in finding many unique
finds on the internet and in 2005 I came across a website that seemed
to have a song dedicated to the loss of the hospital ship. I was instantly
drawn to the website and read with interest the lyrics of the song.
The website was attributed to a folk group
called "Now Then" based in Barnoldswick and Earby.
I was quite intrigued about the song and contacted one of the singers,
about obtaining a CD. When it arrived I put into the player and marvelled
at the one song which was dedicated to the men of the St. John Ambulance
Brigade. The track was captivating, if not moving, especially when the
names of the Barnoldswick men are read out towards the end of the song.
For anyone like me who has an interest in the Rohilla the CD is a must
have item. I have regular contact with Heather and she recently told
me that she was considering reworking the lyrics, although I feel it
would be hard to beat the original song which is a classic for a Rohilla
enthusiast. I have added the lyrics here and am hoping to be allowed
to host the track itself, in the meantime I have added just a snippet
to wet your appetite just click the music icon.
A stormy night in Whitby Bay
A biting north east wind and swirling rain
A coastguard shelters from the storm
He keeps a watch in the darkness before dawn
And through the wind and waves he hears a sickening sound
And his blood runs cold – a ship has run aground
Chorus
So come on bonny lads, we can’t let ’em down
We've got to pull them from the wreck of the Rohilla
So come on lads, we can’t let ’em down
We've got to pull them from the wreck of the Rohilla
But the tide is high and she’s rammed into the Scar
If we launch our lifeboat now, it won’t get far
This war will end all wars, or so they say
The fighting men will still be killed or maimed
For this hospital ship the crew all volunteered
So from Leith to Dunkirk the SS Rohilla steered
But with no guiding lights the ship is way off course
And she’s hit the rock with a terrible force
Chorus
So come on bonny lads, we can’t let ’em down
We've got to pull them from the wreck of the Rohilla
So come on lads, we can’t let ’em down
We've got to pull them from the wreck of the Rohilla
But the rocket lines we fired are falling short
There the rescue lines on jagged rocks are caught.
As she hits the rock, the hull is broken in two
And the end comes quickly for many of the crew
Some brave souls they try to swim ashore
We see them struggle then we see them no more
But the wreck is just 600 yards away
Surely we can save them before break of day
Chorus
So come on bonny lads, we can’t let ’em down
We've got to pull them from the wreck of the Rohilla
Yeah come on lads, we can’t let ’em down
We've got to pull them from the wreck of the Rohilla
But the Rohilla's lifeboats have all been swept away
And all we can do is watch and pray.
Fifteen lads from a cotton weaving town
Were called up to serve their country and their crown
Some people said those lads would have it good
They’d never face the trenches, the bullets or the mud
Oh what an easy way to spend this bloody war!
No one could have guessed what lay in store
Chorus
So come on bonny lads, we can’t let ’em down
We've got to pull them from the wreck of the Rohilla
Yeah come on lads, we can’t let ’em down
We've got to pull them from the wreck of the Rohilla
Tell their folks in Barlick we’ll do our best
But to God and fate we’ll have to leave the rest.
- William Anderson
- Harry Barter
- Milton Birtwistle
- William Daley
- Frank Dunkley
- Buck Eastwood
- Albert Elsworth & Harry Hodgkinson
- Thomas Horsfield
- Walter Horsfield
- Arthur Petty and his brother Thomas Petty
- John Pickles
- Fred Reddiough
- Anthony Waterworth
I saw a new heaven and earth
And there was no more sea
So come on bonny lads, we can’t let ’em down
We've tried to save them from the wreck of the Rohilla
The folk group have since disbanded, but I would imagine that copies
of the CD still exist. I have added a further page with contains the
contents of CD-ROM and at the bottom of the page I have also added some
avenues that might yet still hold a copy of the CD, please try the link
below
Copyright © Heather Sheldrick 1999 - 2012
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