Oh hark! The drums do beat, my love,
no longer can we stay.
The bugle-horns are sounding clear,
and we must march away.
We're ordered down to Portsmouth,
and it's many is the weary mile.
To join the British Army
on the banks of the Nile.
Oh Willie, dearest Willie,
don't leave me here to mourn,
Don't make me curse and rue the day
that ever I was born.
For the parting of our love would be
like parting with my life.
So stay at home, my dearest love,
and I will be your wife.
Oh my Nancy, dearest Nancy,
sure that will never do.
The government has ordered,
and we are bound to go.
The government has ordered,
and the Queen she gives command.
And I am bound on oath, my love,
to serve in a foreign land.
Oh, but I'll cut off my yellow hair,
and I'll go along with you.
I'll dress myself in uniform,
and I'll see Egypt too.
I'll march beneath your banner
while fortune it do smile,
And we'll comfort one another
on the banks of the Nile.
But your waist it is too slender,
and your fingers they are too small.
In the sultry suns of Egypt
your rosy cheeks would spoil.
Where the cannons they do rattle,
when the bullets they do fly,
And the silver trumpets sound so loud
to hide the dismal cries.
Oh, cursed be those cruel wars,
that ever they began,
For they have robbed our country
of many's the handsome men.
They've robbed us of our sweethearts
while their bodies they feed the lions,
On the dry and sandy deserts
which are the banks of the Nile.
(Copyright © exists)
Click to play, and sing along
Sandy Denny lyrics for Banks Of The Nile, from the original Sandy Denny music website.
About the song
"Banks Of The Nile"
Banks Of The Nile is a traditional song, adapted by Sandy Denny and featured on the albums Fotheringay and No More Sad Refrains.
Banks of the Nile is the only traditional song on Fotheringay's self-titled album, Fotheringay. It was recorded at Basing Street and Sound Techniques Studios in Spring 1970.
Produced by Joe Boyd.
Sandy Denny - lead vocals.
Trevor Lucas – guitar, vocals.
Jerry Donahue – lead guitar, vocals.
Pat Donaldson – bass, vocals.
Gerry Conway – drums.
Linda Thompson – backing vocals.
Todd Lloyd – backing vocals.
Song length - 8m 03s.
Banks Of The Nile is on the albums
Fotheringay
No More Sad Refrains
Who Knows Where the Time Goes : Box set of 3 discs
The Best of Sandy Denny
The Collection
Sandy Denny (Box Set)
Buy Sheet Music for Sandy Denny songs at Sheet Music Plus and Musicroom.
