Napoleon Boneparte’s reputation as a brilliant military commander was dealt a lethal blow by his disastrous campaign in Russia in 1812. He invaded Russia in June of that year with an enormous force of 680,000 men. With the Emperor himself in charge what could possibly go wrong? What went wrong was that the Russians did not behave as the French expected them to behave. Instead of assembling a large army to defend the motherland in pitched battle, they adopted a scorched earth policy, falling back before the invaders and leaving burnt villages and smouldering crops behind them. The French were unable to live off the land and their supply lines stretched to breaking point. Even Moscow was burnt to the ground and Napoleon took possession of a charred ruin.
Eventually, as winter set in, Boneparte had no choice but to beat a hasty retreat, his straggling, starving troops being picked off by Cossack bands making hit and run attacks all the way to the border. The Russians were understandably pleased with the outcome and Tchaikovsky composed the 1812 Overture while Tolstoy made it the climax of his epic novel, War and Peace. Britain too, was rather pleased at Boney’s downfall but only managed this modest song, discovered by Nic Jones in the Harkness collection and subsequently recorded by him with his own tune and a few changes to the words.
My good friend Chris Algar (proprietor of Barleycorn Concertinas) joined me for this one, playing a mean bouzouki and adding extra vocals on the chorus. Thanks Chris.
Eventually, as winter set in, Boneparte had no choice but to beat a hasty retreat, his straggling, starving troops being picked off by Cossack bands making hit and run attacks all the way to the border. The Russians were understandably pleased with the outcome and Tchaikovsky composed the 1812 Overture while Tolstoy made it the climax of his epic novel, War and Peace. Britain too, was rather pleased at Boney’s downfall but only managed this modest song, discovered by Nic Jones in the Harkness collection and subsequently recorded by him with his own tune and a few changes to the words.
My good friend Chris Algar (proprietor of Barleycorn Concertinas) joined me for this one, playing a mean bouzouki and adding extra vocals on the chorus. Thanks Chris.
 |
| Chris Algar (Photo: J Shepherd) |