Sax Octets

Three Sea Songs

Henry Wood, arr. Gwyn Seymour, Ben Tordoff

Composed:
1905 Arranged:
2015 & 2021 Grouping:
sSAATTBb Duration:
04:05

Henry Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs was first performed at one of the summer "promenade" concerts in London in 1905. It has been a highlight of the "Last Night of the Proms" most years since. The original version was written for the centenary of the battle of Trafalgar. It has nine movements that tell the story from the point of view of a British sailor, from the opening bugle "call to arms", the death of a comrade ("Tom Bowling") and ultimately the victorious return ("Rule Britannia").

This arrangement, originally for cello choir and soloists was created by Gwyn Seymour. It takes three of the central movements that are often performed together: "The Saucy Arethusa" (a French-built Royal Navy ship that was used in battles against the French!); "Tom Bowling" (lamenting a dead sailor); and finally "Jack's the Lad" (the best known of all sailor's hornpipes).

With thanks to Gwyn Seymour for making her cello arrangement freely available, and to Craig John for his amazing artwork.

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This music is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Licence.