NELSON WAS A NORFOLK BOY
Greg Freeman's "Duty" reminded me of some old lines I penned about Lord Nelson.
...................................................................................................................................
Lord Nelson was a Norfolk boy,
A Norfolk boy was he,
And he sailed into our English hearts
Aboard the "Vic-tor-ee"!
Lord Nelson was a parson's son,
A parson's son who swore...
To serve the England that he loved
From far beyond her shore.
He gave an eye down Corsica way,
And an arm by Tenerife,
But he gave his all on Trafalgar Bay
To our glory and our grief.
Immortal now - just like the words
Of his famous farewell text,
So we'll know whenever tyrants rise.
Just what England expects.
Lord Nelson was a Norfolk boy,
A Norfolk boy was he,
And he sailed into our English hearts
Aboard the "Vic-tor-ee"!
M.C. Newberry
Sat 21st Apr 2012 16:08
J.C. - I don't refute Alfred's rightful place as a hero. But Horatio Nelson had the advantage of living in more recent times when the threat was even greater -
with France seeking domination all over the place - and what is astonishing is that in an age when communication was so poor and news of war victories was carried by the coaching trade around the nation, this man became so famous among the ordinary people. It is this that undoubtedly created jealousy among his peers -some of whom may well have been very able and dedicated professionals... others less so in an era when commissions were bought rather than earned. Nelson was probably seen as a parvenu by them...more suitable for the tradesmen's door. As for naval punishments: I guess they were just the norm. for the times - accepted rather than questioned until more enlightened views took precedence. Slavery has a similar history in terms
of what was considered acceptable for its time.