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50 Miles into the Main
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England and Virginia, 1587
folk celtic sca
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Folk Music for the Current Middle Ages, SCA Bards
Ken is a singer/songwriter and has been performing his brand of pop-folk for about 15 years. He has released three CDs with Raven Boy Music, and is scheduled to release the long-awaited new "Human History" in March of 2008. The CD will consist mainly of songs that view famous historical (usually medieval or older) events from the point of view of a single character who was there. The result is a series of songs that make make you think, laugh, cry while enjoying the excellent folk-pop music that brings the songs to life.
Song Info
Genre
Acoustic • Acoustic Folk
Charts
#9,322 today Peak #129
#2,097 in subgenre Peak #24
Author
Ken and Lisa Theriot
Rights
Raven Boy Music, ASCAP
Uploaded
June 26, 2008
Track Files
MP3
MP3 4.0 MB • 128 kbps • 4:19
Story behind the song
The “lost colony” of Roanoke is a mystery still being argued over, though John White, the expedition’s leader wasn’t really surprised to find his people gone on his return. Since they were never meant to land on Roanoke at all, White told the colonists that if they had any trouble, they should journey fifty miles into the mainland where the natives were friendlier and the land was better.
Lyrics
One hundred mortal souls are we Who fly from fear and strife Denied our chosen destiny New world, new land, new life Facing murder or starvation We must somehow refuge gain And we pray we find salvation Fifty miles into the main. My name is William Waters And I come from Plymouth town At Walter Raleigh’s just command We sail for Queen and Crown In Virginia we would settle English lands to challenge Spain But we’ll have to prove our mettle Fifty miles into the main. In fifteen-eighty-seven We set sail for Chesapeake To found an English colony And fortunes for to seek After ten weeks of disaster Mere ill luck could not explain We were forced to look for shelter Fifty miles into the main. A seasoned pilot steers us wrong And cannot find his way; Was he ashore in Spain too long And bought for traitor’s pay? John White feared the foes of Raleigh Might subvert our whole campaign Cursing politics and folly Fifty miles into the main. On Roanoke we light unplanned, Too late to till or sow George Howe is dead by unknown hand And stores are running low Friendly Croatoan allies Cannot spare us meat or grain So our only hope of help lies Fifty miles into the main. By God or mortal men betrayed, Our need at least was clear John White agreed to go for aid And said for all to hear, “Travel up the Chowan River Where the land can life sustain; May the Lord your souls deliver Fifty miles into the main.” Virginia Dare is six weeks old; Not all are fit to roam A few will beg a closer hold, A Croatoan home They have carved their destination In a tree to make it plain But most flee in desperation Fifty miles into the main. One hundred mortal souls are we Who fly from fear and strife Still seeking for our destiny: New world, new land, new life Plagued by savage hand or Spaniard, All our hopes may be in vain But we’ll follow promise westward Fifty miles into the main. words and music by Ken and Lisa Theriot ©2005 Raven Boy Music, ASCAP
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