Redcoat's Blues
Lyrics
My name is William Warrener, I am a simple working man
To support my loving family was my only plan
But my name was drawn one cold hard dawn in a random lottery
For we were at war and by the law I was forced into duty
They called it a ballot but we called it conscription
A militia force was called upon to deal with insurrection
For the ‘Seven Years War’ had stretched the British Army thin
From America to India, to France and into Spain
So they dressed me in a coat of red and stuck a musket in my fist
For with other workers of the land I had been forced to enlist
We were lined up in the corner of Hexham town square
To face our very own kind, I was riddled with despair
And the yellow sun beat down from a sky so blue
In my tunic red, so full of dread what was I supposed to do?
I felt so blue, that was all I knew
And as I felt the sunlight on my face my bowels loosed with fear
I sensed the tension in that place as the rioters drew near
Our good officers Allgood and Reed in the height of all their folly
Gave the order casually to let loose a fearsome volley
Then the cry went up to charge and my bayonet knew its sting
He bobbed just like a rag doll hanging from a string
Then our two brave loyal officers upped sticks and fled
To hide inside a hayloft as Hexham wept and bled
And the yellow sun beat down from a sky so blue
In my tunic red, so full of dread what was I supposed to do?
I felt so blue, that was all I knew
I wish I’d had the courage to step forward and say no
But I was afraid and far too small to break the status quo
The townsfolk called us butchers, and I suppose that is our lot
But if that’s a title I must bear it’s something that I’m not
Released from the militia, I work at my normal trade
And though I did my duty I cannot help but feel betrayed
I draw courage from my wife and the son sat on my knee
I nurse my wounds but my mental scars will not so quickly heal
And the yellow sun beat down from a sky so blue
In my tunic red, so full of dread what was I supposed to do?
I felt so blue, that was all I knew
And the yellow sun beat down
(Gary Miller)
© 2003 Whippet Records
Copyright Control MCPS/PRS

Notes
One of several songs Gary was commissioned to write for Hexham Riot, 1761.
Other songs from the 'Hexham Riot, 1761' project include : -
'Bloody Monday', 'The Horrific Execution of Poor Peter Patterson', 'Insurrection', 'Stand Fast, Stand Steady.
Currently Unreleased
Video Clips
Gary performing 'Redcoat's Blues' at Whippet Records HQ,
Belle Vue House, Ferryhill, County Durham, England, on 8th March 2017.
Belle Vue House, Ferryhill, County Durham, England, on 8th March 2017.