Bellowhead - Roll Alabama - Official Video

[@98percentGorilla]

The Alabama visited Simon's Town in South Africa during the Civil War and inspired the song Daar kom die Alibama. Well known to many Cape Towners. Two great songs inspired by the same ship ain't bad going.

[@julistarling8382]

No kidding. Great song. I didn't realize until now that the same ship had actually inspired no less than *two* good/great songs. Thank you for mentioning that. Information much appreciated. ^___^

[@dukeofoven]

Oh wow - just seen me in the audience! The live concert sequences were filmed in Norwich. Absolutely joyful evening. Never seen a live band who seem to love playing as much as these guys do.

[@thelastgreataudit8112]

A fun song about a ship that decisively lost its only fair fight. A happy ending for us all.

[@thelastgreataudit8112]

Actually, that's not fair. The Alabama outgunned the Kearsarge *significantly* but was showed up by a much, much better crew which was used to fighting warships and raiders. Unlike the Alabamas crew.

[@RobMacKendrick]

No fan of the Southern cause on any level, but as a historian of the US Civil War and war in general, I think it's important to keep one's mind out of the Hollywood ghetto in these matters. The Alabama was part of what amounted to a privateer fleet, basically the equivalent of an American warship during the Revolution. That's a guerilla operation; it strictly never confronts military power. If it tries, annihilation is all but guaranteed. Irregulars weaponise stealth, surprise, speed, and shoot-and-run. There are no heroics in that kind of warfare. Add the fact that the US Navy was arguably the most powerful force on the planet, and what you have here is your basic "oh crap" moment for the Alabama. Anyone of average intelligence would have bet on the federal fleet. No reflection on the valour and seamanship the Alabamas; that's just what happens when resistance fighters meet constituted governmental force. I agree that the outcome was the best one for posterity, but the men who manned that raider did the best they could for their ship that day.

[@thelastgreataudit8112]

@@RobMacKendrick As a historian myself, admittedly for a different time period, I'm perfectly happy to cheer the deaths of traitors for the slavers' cause no matter how tragic. Although, personally, I'm really curious how a historian arrives at the conclusion that the US Navy was the most powerful force on the planet at any point before about 1970. I'm not *attacking* your conclusion, just really, really curious as to your sources,

[@HistoryBoy]

This is crazy! A modern band preforming a traditional Confederate song from the American Civil War! This is about a ship that was manufactured in England and outfitted in England, but used by the Confederate States of America to terrorize Union shipping. Very cool version!

[@1diverdt]

Waging war on an opponent's merchant vessels has been a practice for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Additionally, the CSN knew from Day One that a toe-to-toe engagement with the USN was fighting outside of their "weight-class." The object of the CSN was to wage asymmetric warfare & they completely succeeded.

[@kristoffershafer8798]

Not a common traditional Confederate Civil War song…

[@codswallop321]

@@kristoffershafer8798 so is singing this song an indirect support of slavery? Genuine question.

[@kristoffershafer8798]

@@codswallop321 nope. I am very confident it was an English Sea Shanty. As someone who grew up learning about both sides in the civil war and learning folk music, I never heard it until Bellowhead two years ago. And seeing how most nations had a participation in the Slave Trade, even African nations selling enemy tribes into slavery, you can't isolate on nation.

[@pintoffanta2510]

@@codswallop321 You gotta be joking. Singing Dixie and bonnie blue flag isn't supporting slavery let alone this one

[@MegaFunkybassman]

Nicest people I've worked with in my time in theaters and great memories, especially setting up the pyros for the last gig i did with these guys in Brecon, , fun times

[@senor250]

Listened to this on Radio 2 this morning on the way to work. Awesome!!!

[@mosin_boi]

I visited the museam of the battleship USS Alabama. Tucked away inside the museam is a memorial to the CSS Alabama.

[@julistarling8382]

This song cheers me up even though what happens in it is actually sort of sad. Good music. Good playing. Good singing. Good dancing/jumping/etc. Wish I could do that, but since I can't, I'll just enjoy watching and hearing them. ^_____^

[@virginiarobinson2042]

Yay.... Booked my tickets for November, Portsmouth Guildhall 2024. Cant wait !! Hope they cover Gosport Nancy, for us girls, over the water !!!!

[@justindempster4520]

me too

[@virginiarobinson2042]

@@justindempster4520 I saw them at Portsmouth last year for the reunion tour .... Never thought I'd see Bellowhead again ! 😁 Although I did see Speirs and Bowden at Diss Cornwall last summer...great venue !

[@nicolayoung9886]

Just saw them in brighton last week and they sung gosport Nancy. Xx

[@justindempster4520]

with a great tribute to Paul Sartin also

[@Gwidonponury]

Super 👍 Aż ciarki po plecach przechodzą. Ten utwór ma klimat🙂 Czuć wiatr na twarzy i zapach prochu🙂 Chwała CSS Alabama 👍🙂

[@ElvisEckardtRecruitment]

Sensational piece of music.

[@stereodreamer23]

How did I just find out about this band? WOW. I love brass, folk, and shanties, and you guys do all three--and with such style! I'm definitely subscribing...

[@MrHistorian123]

I've heard others do this song, but this version is utterly amazing. Bellowhead is one of the best bands ever.

[@aidanblake683]

so glad I got to see them a few years ago at the Shrewsbury flower show!

[@cosifantutte1071]

Miss these guys. Soooo good live.

[@tigngina9]

Me too.

[@98percentGorilla]

More Bellowhead brilliance. Can't wait to see this live in Oxford! Awesome stuff lads.

[@johns2240]

Oxford Alabama?

[@RobMacKendrick]

Heard it today on Moorlands Radio Staffordshire. Brilliant!

[@julistarling8382]

"She sank to the bottom of the ocean floor." See, I said it was sad. Such a happy song though. Nice work as always, Bellowhead. ^___^

[@justindempster4520]

this is about a real ship "CSS Alabama" which was sunk by "USS Kearsarge" in the English Channel during the American civil war

[@christopherevans7878]

Absolutely brilliant.

[@nevillelaybourne5610]

This song makes you want to jump up and down and dance. Bellowhead made you want to do that.

[@johnowen692]

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall - 24th April - can't wait.

[@dj.alfie_evanstm776]

This song is amazing

[@JohnBrown-xv7og]

Will be watching them live for the last time in Nottingham a week tomorrow

[@chrevo31]

Another great song involving my city Liverpool

[@aimeerose2833]

Only song that mentions my hometown 💪🏻😂

[@dextercochran4916]

Amazing song. Amazing ship. Roll on, Alabama!

[@julistarling8382]

Hear, hear. Lovely. 😍

[@DentedPentax]

It's a good song but I wouldn't call a raiding ship built for group that existed to preserve slavery 'amazing'.

[@dextercochran4916]

@@DentedPentax The purpose of the song is irrelevant, in my opinion. It's either a catchy tube, or it isn't. Regardless, I don't know what you mean by, "a group that existed to preserve slavery." This song is about the CSS Alabama, not the Barbary Corsairs.

[@DentedPentax]

@@dextercochran4916 The song is good, but I'm saying the CSS Alabama fought for the rebels. Rebels which were fighting against the United States to preserve slavery. I love this song, I just hate the purpose of the ship it is about.

[@Ezrawinpim]

Smashing tune well done zx

[@rebeccacoyochitllopez3730]

Nice historical song, thank you

[@lynnemakey4567]

brilliant band

[@FadingAway90]

4:19 BEST PART, means I get to restart the song and listen again

[@sirboomsalot4902]

You had us in the first half, not gonna lie

[@paulwatkins19]

How does Rachel look so elegant and yet so mischievous in everything she does? Obviously not complaining :)

[@ScottfromNP]

Please make this available again.

[@suebowden2010]

Thanks for the imfo Daniel. Bellowhead are in Sheffield tonight, and Im gutted I wont be able to see them. They are amazing. So sad they are breaking up.

[@Burningsteel]

this music is awesome thx 4 upload^^

[@guinnessfeast3418]

When the Alabama's keel was laid Roll Alabama roll She was laid in the yard of Johnathan Laird Oh roll Alabama roll She was laid in the yard of Johnathan Laird Roll Alabama roll She was laid in the town of Birkenhead Oh roll Alabama roll Roll Alabama roll She was laid in the town of Birkenhead Oh roll Alabama roll Down Mersey channel she sailed then Roll Alabama roll And Liverpool gave her guns and men Oh roll Alabama roll Out of Mersey channel she set forth Roll Alabama roll To destroy the commerce of the north Oh roll Alabama roll Roll Alabama roll To destroy the commerce of the north Oh roll Alabama roll Into Cherbourg harbour she sailed one day Roll Alabama roll To collect her share of the prize money Oh roll Alabama roll And many a sailor met his doom Roll Alabama roll When the Yankee ship hauled into view Oh roll Alabama roll Roll Alabama roll When the Yankee ship hauled into view Oh roll Alabama roll A shot from the forward pivot that day Roll Alabama roll Blew the Alabama's shearing gear away Oh roll Alabama roll Of the three mile limit in sixty four Roll Alabama roll She sank to the bottom of the ocean floor Oh roll Alabama roll Roll Alabama roll She sank to the bottom of the ocean floor Oh roll Alabama roll Oh roll Alabama roll Oh roll Alabama roll

[@olemissfuture]

Most successful raider of all time.

[@downlink5877]

So much so that the US merchant marine never really recovered properly until WW2.

[@williameaton9058]

You traitors take pride in this? Im only glad your ancestors were starved by the Union blockade.

[@olemissfuture]

@@williameaton9058 Yankees get jealous pretty easily.

[@brandondowd6470]

olemissfuture real jealous they do

[@JesusChristISTHEONETRUEGOD]

William Eaton go back to hell demon boy. You’re irrelevant and always have been. The south is again the dominant force of the USA.

[@Accipiter1138]

A great song with a happy ending.

[@Midasrip1234]

This reminds me of endurance and at school at music we heard this and then instead of Alabama we said endurance

[@lustervid]

When are you coming to Brooklyn?

[@pauliusklisevicius5902]

this piece i love. Not like, but love.

[@RichardGalli-r6i]

fantastic! the CSS Alabama & CSS Shenandoah sank over a hundred US Yankee whaling ships, saving how many whales!!! The Alabama put a great 18" shell into the Kearsarge's ass end, but the shell failed, waterlogged.

[@thesmithersy]

And Kearsarge had armour too which the captain said he'd never have engaged had he known about it

[@jamesclegg8981]

Incredible song and amazingly complicated time signatures. Has anyone heard them talking about how they wrote this or seen it written out?

[@MrHistorian123]

RIP oboeist and violinist Paul Sartin.

[@sondres6460]

Id love to make a animated music video for this! Please tell me if thats possible.

[@thisisbellowhead]

Feel free...!

[@johns2240]

Roll Tide Roll

[@suebowden2010]

Could someone tell me if there is a farewell DVD coming out please?.

[@Dan-tw5qb]

+Sue Bowden They recorded the De Montfort Hall gig so I`d assume so.

[@iankearns]

Is that a 101 Damnations - Carter USM T-shirt he is wearing at 1m07s?

[@maureenhackett5622]

RIP Paul Sartin

[@simonrowe5380]

Be Jaysus, boys and girls - mind ya don't a rock, and roll ! Slance..

[@marcodifruscio3707]

They know this song they built the Alabama

[@oliverbirch9546]

main singer hit me up🥵🥵🥵🥵

[@IndyMagicMonthly]

I so want to open with my magic show for you folks.

[@marcodifruscio3707]

Found them too late damn no new music

[@alanr547]

Karl Doenitz and Karma said 'Hello'.

[@mosin_boi]

Karl doenitz was a WWII kreigsmarine U-boat capitan, the CSS Alabama was a confederate warship.. the lives of the 2 never overlapped

[@dominiquepemberton3935]

To destroy the commerce of the north! Roll Alabama Roll!

[@jaspertickler1831]

lol

[@JesusChristISTHEONETRUEGOD]

Jasper Tickler 65 union ships were burned and sent to the bottom of waters...so yes lol all you want

[@TK-fk4po]

Well eventually she rolled over from the Kearsarge so there’s that

[@thelastgreataudit8112]

A happy ending if ever there was one

[@bigcheez5299]

My mum's in this Lol

[@bigcheez5299]

2:36

[@greyghost2212]

The very last Confederate Flag was lowered on The Mersey when CSS Shenandoah surrendered to The Royal Navy's H.M.S Donegal. 9th November 1865. Forty eight blockade runners built on the Mersey to break that Yankee blockade of The South. As well as such ships as CSS Denbigh which ran aground off Galveston at night and was destroyed by Union artillery when dawn came. My Home town of Liverpool was a Confederate city at that time, unlike now when its status as a 'city of reds' is not from merely a reference to its prominent football connection. Unreconstructed Confederate supporter.

[@JesusChristISTHEONETRUEGOD]

Sam Fondren pot and goebbels were beasts and should be considered as the worst of humanity.

[@greyghost2212]

@@JesusChristISTHEONETRUEGOD : Not really sure how your reply has any bearing on my historical comment about the Shenandoah.

[@rowaddyvash]

Hang on a minute there, lad. There are plenty of Blues in Liverpool too.

[@greyghost2212]

@@rowaddyvash I know there are; I even have relatives who are participants in supporting them. Often very disappointed, but that's only on the football interest side.

[@rowaddyvash]

Thanks for replying.

[@based_guild2401]

I like sam sweeney

[@ZheadMonkey]

:)

[@bigcheez5299]

2;37

[@davidbrantley5441]

Raise your Battle Flags Confederates. Never conceal it. Never take it down in shame. You come from proud men fighting for freedom not slavery. Roll Alabama Roll. A great Confederate ship. A great legacy of great men.

[@blixer8384]

“The Alabama’s gone, hurrah, to Davy Jones’s locker far, There’s nothing left of her to mar our commerce on the sea!”

[@dominiquepemberton3935]

Except for some people on reddit. "Roll Alabama Roll!"

[@ftargr]

soyyyyyyyyy

[@brethawkins4151]

God Bless Dixie.

[@kowens1956]

the Caliphate isn't going to allow that music bub....

[@anamendes9890]

Muto zica

[@anamendes9890]

Que bosta

[@Hail_Full_of_Grace]

not a fan its style sounds too much like modern christian music lol i prefer the origional

[@Takadananobaba1147]

OK Catholic convert

[@sailingoiesauvage5484]

you added instruments and ruined the rythmn of the original song, this would not work as a sea shantie which was the intention of the song. you should be ashamed

[@sixfootbear]

To each his own. Bellowhead gave a new generation a voice.

[@greyghost2212]

I have listened to this song since I first heard it on the British Broadcasting Corporation in 1961 at a centenary of the outbreak of the War. I have heard it in several versions and find both vocal and instrument versions fine. It is my opinion, it is a ballad and not a sea chantey (we have many of these in Liverpool) . The Chanteys are working songs for keeping time in repetitious shipboard work, such as Halyard and hauling up anchors. I don't find the timing of this fits.

[@sirboomsalot4902]

Oh shut up, songs can change genre depending on who covers them. The sea shanty versions still exist. This simply works better in concert

[@docholiday1806]

Prude

[@newenglandpatriot4069]

Worst version ever