Popular Songsters and the British Military : The Case of 'The Girl I Left Behind Me'

Abstract

During the nineteenth century, and into the present day, bands of the British military adapted popular songs for use in particular ceremonies. Many of these songs are featured in contemporary songsters, including a number of collections dedicated specifically to soldiers’ or sailors’ songs. This chapter will explore the British military's use of popular song through one song in particular, ‘The Girl I Left Behind Me’. It was used in farewell ceremonies for soldiers and sailors from the late eighteenth century until the early twentieth century. It was played when ships left home ports, and on the departure from any long-term posting. It was used in this context across the armed services at a ..