How to Play Roll the Old Chariot Along on the Harmonica

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This tutorial is for a Diatonic Harmonica
LEARN HOW TO BEND with Liam Ward:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT7Pkjts7YA&t=30s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UANJ8OZPOP0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw0Zfwy_XGU

"A Drop of Nelson's Blood" is a sea shanty, also known as "Roll the old chariot along" (Roud No. 3632) The origins are unclear but the title comes from the first line: A drop of Nelson's blood wouldn't do us any harm. Often described as a "walkaway" or "runaway chorus" or "stamp and go" sea chanty. The song features on the soundtrack of the 2019 film Fisherman's Friends.[1] The chorus comes from the 19th century Salvation Army hymn, 'Roll the old chariot'. This song developed into a shanty.

The verses are things the sailors would miss while at sea for a long time with each line being repeated three times. The last line is always "And we'll all hang on behind", although some versions say "we won't hang on behind".

Following his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson's body was preserved in a cask of brandy, or rum, to allow transport back to England. ‘Nelson's blood' became a nickname for rum, but it can also mean Nelson's spirit or bravery.[2]
The shanty was sung to accompany certain work tasks aboard sailing ships, especially those that required a bright walking pace.

Traditional verses:
A drop of Nelsons blood,
wouldn't do us any harm,
A drop of Nelsons blood,
wouldn't do us any harm,
A drop of Nelsons blood,
wouldn't do us any harm,
An we'll all hang on behind

chorus

So we'll roll the old chariot along,
So we'll roll the old chariot along,
So we'll roll the old chariot along
,An we'll all hang on behind!

Additional verses:

Oh, a plate of Irish stew,
wouldn't do us any harm
Oh, a nice fat cook,
wouldn't do us any harm
Oh, a roll in the clover,
wouldn't do us any harm
Oh, a long spell in the gaol

Oh, a nice watch below
Oh, a night with the gals
Oh, we'd be alright
if we make it 'round the horn
Oh, we'd be alright
if the wind was in our sails
Well, a night on the town
wouldn't do us any harmIf
the Devil's in the way, We'll roll right over him!
We'll be all right when the skipper's in his grave


Tune Basics is the popular music education series created by #musician/content creator Kerin Gedge (That's Me). It's purpose is to teach anybody who wants to learn the very basics of how to play Musical Instruments which includes DiatonicHarmonica, TremoloHarmonica with 24 holes, Tremolo Harmonica with 16 holes, Tremolo Harmonica with 20 holes, ChromaticHarmonica, kalimba with ten keys, recorder and PennyWhistle (also known as TinWhistle).
Tune Basics aims to introduce he student with clear animated instructions for how to play basic and recognisable songs. Tune Basics avoids delving into technique or styles but will, where possible, provide relevant links to professional musicians who can take the learner deeper when they want to move on from basic lessons.
TuneBasics also provides HarmonicaTabs TinWhistleTabs /PennyWhistleTabs and KalimbaTabs on the Tune Basics blog, link provided above. Please be sure to browse my harmonica TABS list as there may be harmonica tabs there that haven't yet been made into a tutorial for this channel!
TuneBasics believes that ANYONE can learn to play harmonica (or whatever instrument for that matter!). It doesn’t matter how old you are or what you don't know about music. If you can follow the this how to video then you’re well on your way to becoming a musician. But don’t expect to “get it” over night. Practicing your instrument will always make perfect. Sometimes you may need to watch these tutorials a few times to get the hang of a song. Most melodies on Tune Basics are broken up into simple manageable phrases so learn one phrase at a time! Pause, practice and then continue. And when you’re ready to move onto more complicated lessons check out Liam Ward at learntheharmonica.com or Tomlin Lecki at tomlinharmonicalessons.com. Did I mention they're awesome? And way better harmonica players than me!
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