Bingen on the Rhine

DESCRIPTION: "A solider of the legion lay dying in Algiers, There was lack of woman's nursing, there was dearth of woman's tears." The soldier asks that messages be taken home, "For I was born at Bingen, at Bingen on the Rine." He recalls his history and died
AUTHOR: Words: Caroline Norton
EARLIEST DATE: 1847 (broadside cited by Jim Dixon)
KEYWORDS: death soldier farewell
FOUND IN: US(MW,So)
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Abrahams/Riddle-ASingerAndHerSongs, pp. 72-74, "A Soldier of the Legion" (1 text, 1 tune)
Dime-Song-Book #10, pp. 48-51, "Bingen on the Rhine" (1 text)
MidwestFolklore, Ivan H. Watson, "Folk Singing on Beaver Island," Volume 2, Number 4 (Winter 1952), p. 248, "Bingen on the Rhine" (reference only)
Roud #3517
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 20(48), "Ehren on the Rhine," J. Harkness (Preston), 1840-1866; also Johnson Ballads 2469, "Ehren on the Rhine," unknown, n.d.
NLScotland, L.C.1269(174)a, "Bingen on the Rhine" ("A soldier if the Legion lay dying in Algiers"), Poet's Box (location obliterated), 1867
SAME TUNE:
Just from Dawson (Deadwood on the Hills) (File: LxA440)
Strike Breaker's Lament (File: LDC174)
NOTES [31 words]: Although most versions of this stick close to the original text, it seems to have been set to music many times. Perhaps someone should undertake a history of the music to this piece. - RBW
Last updated in version 6.8
File: Abrr072

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