Lowlands of Holland
Encyclopedia
The Lowlands of Holland is a British folk song which tells the story of a young man called to join the navy on his wedding night. The tune is thought to be of Scottish
origin, although variants occur throughout the British Isles. While several variants on the lyrics exist, the song generally describes how the young man is conscripted and how his wife refuses to adorn herself or marry again, and sometimes includes a verse where the wife's mother advises her to find a new partner, a description of Holland, or an account of the man's ship sinking.
depended on impressment
as a means to crew its warships. "The Lowlands of Holland" likely originated during the Anglo-Dutch Wars
in the 17th century, and enjoyed revivals in popularity during the Wars of Louis XIV and the Napoleonic Wars
. In some versions, the vegetation mentioned indicates that "Holland" may have become conflated with Dutch colonies in the West Indies, or with New Holland
, an early name for Australia.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
origin, although variants occur throughout the British Isles. While several variants on the lyrics exist, the song generally describes how the young man is conscripted and how his wife refuses to adorn herself or marry again, and sometimes includes a verse where the wife's mother advises her to find a new partner, a description of Holland, or an account of the man's ship sinking.
Background
Until well into the 19th century, the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
depended on impressment
Impressment
Impressment, colloquially, "the Press", was the act of taking men into a navy by force and without notice. It was used by the Royal Navy, beginning in 1664 and during the 18th and early 19th centuries, in wartime, as a means of crewing warships, although legal sanction for the practice goes back to...
as a means to crew its warships. "The Lowlands of Holland" likely originated during the Anglo-Dutch Wars
Anglo-Dutch Wars
The Anglo–Dutch Wars were a series of wars fought between the English and the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries for control over the seas and trade routes. The first war took place during the English Interregnum, and was fought between the Commonwealth of England and the Dutch Republic...
in the 17th century, and enjoyed revivals in popularity during the Wars of Louis XIV and the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
. In some versions, the vegetation mentioned indicates that "Holland" may have become conflated with Dutch colonies in the West Indies, or with New Holland
New Holland (Australia)
New Holland is a historic name for the island continent of Australia. The name was first applied to Australia in 1644 by the Dutch seafarer Abel Tasman as Nova Hollandia, naming it after the Dutch province of Holland, and remained in use for 180 years....
, an early name for Australia.