'Soldier sentry of the foam'
After taking part in major naval battles at Heliogland Bight, Dogger Bank and Jutland, the gifted battler cruiser HMS New Zealand returned to New Zealand after the war. This song was written in honour of her triumphant 1919 tour by Margaret Sinclair (lyrics) and Bert Rache (music).
Year:1919 (Recorded in 1987)
Location:New Zealand
'Soldier sentry of the foam'
After taking part in major naval battles at Heliogland Bight, Dogger Bank and Jutland, the gifted battler cruiser HMS New Zealand returned to New Zealand after the war. This song was written in honour of her triumphant 1919 tour by Margaret Sinclair (lyrics) and Bert Rache (music).
Year: 1919 (Recorded in 1987)
Length: 02:24
Production Company: Radio New Zealand
Credits: Original Composers: Margaret Sinclair and Bert Rache. This version was made for “Colonial Corn: Early New Zealand Songs”, 1987. Produced by Max Cryer, Vocalist: Cathie Harrop, Piano: Paul Emsley.
Source: Radio New Zealand Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Catalogue Reference: 1327 Colonial Corn
Location: New Zealand
Subject: HMS New Zealand, Music
At the time this song was composed, the Wellington newspaper The Observer reported that Margaret Sinclair, also known as “Roslyn” “has a gift of expression, [and] has produced the charming words of a song, ‘Welcome to H.M.S. New Zealand,’ and Bert Rache the excellent music. It is an eminently singable thing, and it seems rather a pity that it is merely topical and not universal, the necessity for it vanishing when Jellicoe [Admiral of the Fleet and later Governor-General of New Zealand] and his people leave the country.” (5 July 1919, p.4)
This version of ‘Welcome to H.M.S. New Zealand’ was produced for a Radio New Zealand broadcast in 1987.