And Shall Trelawny Die? - Classic Text | Alexandria
"And Shall Trelawny Die?" - A Patriotic Cornish Anthem
"And Shall Trelawny Die?" stands as one of Cornwall's most stirring patriotic songs, composed by Reverend Robert Stephen Hawker (1803-1875) in 1824. While often mistaken for an ancient folk ballad, this poetic work masterfully reimagines a historical Cornish battle cry from the 17th century, demonstrating how literary artifice can transform into authentic cultural heritage.
The song's origins lie in the 1688 imprisonment of Jonathan Trelawny, Bishop of Bristol, who, along with six other bishops, faced charges of seditious libel against James II. The original rallying cry, "Here's twenty thousand Cornishmen will know the reason why!" became a powerful symbol of Cornish resistance and solidarity. Hawker, serving as vicar of Morwenstow, crafted his version while still a student at Oxford, brilliantly capturing the spirit of Cornish nationalism in verses that would later be mistaken for a genuine medieval ballad.
The poem's journey from literary creation to cultural touchstone represents a fascinating example of invented tradition becoming authentic heritage. Hawker's verses were so convincing that they were collected as genuine folk songs, appearing in various Victorian anthologies of traditional music. The refrain, "And shall Trelawny die? / Here's twenty thousand Cornish men / Will know the reason why!" became embedded in Cornish identity, serving as an unofficial anthem and rallying cry for regional pride.
Today, "And Shall Trelawny Die?" continues to resonate as a powerful expression of Cornish cultural identity. Performed at gatherings, sporting events, and cultural festivals, it exemplifies how literary creation can transcend its origins to become genuine folklore. The song's enduring popularity raises intriguing questions about the nature of authenticity in cultural traditions and the role of artistic interpretation in shaping regional identity. Hawker's legacy lives on not only in this beloved anthem but in the broader discourse about how cultural symbols are created, adopted, and transformed through time.