Museum of London releases first recording of musical tribute to Nelson

The Museum of London Docklands yesterday released a recording of one of four recently rediscovered pieces of music paying tribute to Nelson. Played by musicians from Guildhall School of Music & Drama, this is the first performance of the piece in over 200 years.

The Museum of London Docklands opened in 2003. It tells the story of London through the lens of trade, migration and commerce. Museum librarian Lluis Tembleque Teres discovered the music during last year’s lockdown amongst songbooks belonging to Emma Hamilton, Nelson’s lover.

Tembleque Teres said: ‘It is fascinating how, some four years later and already a national hero, he recovers the lyrics and sends them to the Duke of Queensberry, almost as if showing off his early successes.’

The sea song is thought to originate from the battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797, when Nelson transcribed it after hearing it chanted by his crew. The only other known reference to the song is a letter from Nelson to William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry, which references its lyrics. Douglas, a personal friend of Hamilton, may have added new music and a chorus to the piece, before giving the manuscript to Hamilton.

Dr Christopher Suckling, Guildhall’s head of Historical Performance, said: ‘That [William Douglas] should choose to express himself through this least gentlemanly of arts speaks to both his strength of feeling for Nelson and his sensibility towards the Admiral’s relationship with Emma Hamilton.’ Amongst the upper classes, the domestic music was largely seen as a way to kill time and playing and composing was not held in high regard.

The release follows a one-off live performance of all four songs at the Museum of London Docklands on Saturday (11 December), which will be available to watch online from next Tuesday (21 December). You can book tickets for the digital performance at the Museum website.