Among the annals of our history,
Are episodes we’d rather not have been,
For all across the story through the ages,
We come across some very shameful pages,
An Empire that could straddle oceans wide
Held things in which we cannot boast with pride,
And profits from a trade so very vile,
Would furnish the walls of many a country pile,
But there were some campaigners good and brave,
Who said that none should ever be a slave,
And Wilberforce at last the fight has won,
And our own Elizabeth Heyrick, (she’s on Legends 1)
Rasselas Morjan was a prince so bold,
From Africa was brought and then was sold,
But landed on our shores when he was set free,
Befriended by the Palmer family,
And having cast of those infernal chains,
Could look to find a life set free from pain,
But all potential was to come to naught,
When by disease his life was cut so short,
At a tender 19 years he was to die,
In Wanlip cemetery his body lies,
So let this song a tribute be,
In honour of his memory.
lyrics
Rasselas Morjan
Rasselas Morjan who is he?
He’s the Prince of Maccabee
He set out to sail the sea,
Sweet young Rasselas Morjan,
He set out to see the world,
He’s been took by pirates bold,
Into slavery he’s sold
Sweet young Rasselas Morjan
Rasselas Morjan who is he?
He’s the King of Africay,
Wanlip town he’s come to stay
Sweet young Rasselas Morjan
At just 14 years of age,
Rasselas is how a slave
Haul away and heave away
Sweet young Rasselas Morjan.
Once a King and now a slave,
Wasting his young life away]
Wished he’d never gone away
Sweet young Rasselas Morjan
Rasselas Morjan who is he?
He’s the King of Africay,
Wanlip town he’s come to stay
Sweet young Rasselas Morjan
Now McCauley’s come and set him free,
Wilberforce’s secretary,
Brought him back across the sea,
Sweet young Rssselas Morjan
He’s come back to Rothley Court,
The place where William Wilberforce
Made the abolitionlaws
Sweey young Rasselas Morjan
Rasselas Morjan who is he?
He’s the King of Africay,
Wanlip town he’s come to stay
Sweet young Rasselas Morjan
Then he’s worked at Wanlip Hall,
There he’s bet the Palmer girl
Did she love him? Who can tell?
Only Rasselas Morjan.
Nineteen years he’s passed away
Tessa’s raised a stone to say
Here’s the Prince of Africay,
Sweet young Rasselas Morjan
Rasselas Morjan who is he?
He’s the King of Africay,
Wanlip town he’s come to stay
Sweet young Rasselas Morjan
I write both serious and comedy songs. 6 solo CDs to date and collaborations with Steve Cartwright -"Legends of
Leicester/Leicestershire". "All at Sea" shantyish album. Folk based for the most part - when people ask where the ideas come from I can say with honesty -"not drugs!!".. Currently working on a new album "Aspects of Lurve" hopefully out later in 2024....more
