First a little background on the song itself. Harlech Castle was built in northern Wales by Edward I of England in the late 1200’s after he put down a Welsh rebellion against his rule. Harlech then became embroiled in the Wars of the Roses that raged between the houses of Lancaster and York in the 1400’s. From 1461 to 1468 the Lancastrians managed to hold onto the castle even as other strongholds fell to the Yorkists. Edward IV finally got fed up and ordered a huge army to besiege the castle, which surrendered after a month. This siege is often described as lasting for seven years, which is, we will charitably say, a slight exaggeration. The song originates from these events, but there are several versions and none of them was written before the 1800’s. It’s interesting to note that this stirring paean to freedom and bravery is actually about a civil war. One version includes the words “Now the Saxon flees before us . . . Britain wins the field!” So the Yorkists were seen as equivalent to the Saxon invaders of centuries before, but it’s fair to point out that the Lancastrians were being helped out by the French. Hmmm. Anyway, howe’er it was, the song itself is stirring and dramatic, and it’s very popular as a regimental march and is used in an adapted form by several Welsh football (er, rugby) teams.
Now for the 9/11 connection, about a true hero of that terrible day, a British-American man named Rick Rescorla. He had gotten into security work after a long career in both the British and US military. After the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center he lobbied for Morgan Stanley, his security client, to move out of the towers because he feared that there would be another attack, this time possibly by means of an airplane crashing into the towers. Fascinating, isn’t it? Rescorla and a friend with a security background had warned the New York Port Authority in 1990 about the possibility of a bombing in the underground parking garage of the WTC; no one listened then. After they were proven right in 1993 they then gamed out what a future terrorist attack might look like, thus coming up with the airplane attack idea. But Morgan Stanley disregarded his warnings, not wanting to break their lease that wouldn’t expire until 2006. If ever there was an example of false economy, this is it. MS occupied over 20 floors in the South Tower. Well, Rescorla said, if you’re not willing to listen to my recommendations you’re at least going to be prepared if there indeed is an attack. He instituted surprise drills every three months during which all employees had to evacuate down the stairs, marching two by two. Rescorla would time the drills and give evaluations, insisting that they continue even though top-level executives complained about the interruptions and loss of time.
On the morning of September 11 Rescorla was in his office when the first plane hit the North Tower. Even though the Port Authority was announcing over the PA system that all employees should stay at their desks, Rescorla instituted his evacuation plan. Taking his cell phone, walkie-talkie and bullhorn, he went from floor to floor systematically clearing out the offices and sending people down the stairs. He stood in the stairwell and kept them going even when the second plane hit that building and it lurched violently. And one way that he kept their spirits up was to sing them rousing songs from his youth in Cornwall, England, including a version of our selection titled “Men of Cornwall.” Can’t you just see it? I certainly can. 2,687 employees and 250 visitors who were there for a stockbroking class all managed to get out safely; only 13 died. Rescorla was one of them. He was last seen heading back up the stairs to check on those who were unaccounted for. The tower collapsed soon after, and his remains were never found. Today there is a memorial to him in his native town of Hayle, Cornwall.
So, in honor of Rescorla, here are the words that he would have sung:
Men of Cornwall stop your dreaming,
Can’t you see their spearpoints gleaming?
See their warriors’ pennants streaming, To this battlefield.
Men of Cornwall stand ye steady, It cannot be ever said ye
For the battle were not ready. Stand and never yield!
And here’s a performance of the version usually sung–may I emit a small woo-hoo? (I must admit ignorance about who Charlotte Church is, but man! She’s really something!)
Hark, I hear the foe advancing, barbed steeds are proudly prancing,
Helmets, in the sunbeams glancing, glitter through the trees.
Men of Harlech, lie ye dreaming? See ye not their falchions gleaming?
While their pennants gaily streaming, flutter in the breeze.
From the rocks rebounding, let the war cry sounding
Summon all at Cambira’s call, the haughty foe surrounding.
Men of Harlech, on to glory, see your banner, famed in story,
Waves these burning words before ye, “Britain scorns to yield.”
Mid the fray see dead and dying, friend and foe together lying,
All around the arrows flying scatter sudden death.
Frightened steeds are wildly neighing, brazen trumpets hoarsely braying,
Wounded men for mercy praying with their parting breath.
See they’re in disorder. Comrades, keep close order.
Ever they shall rue the day they ventured o’er the border.
Now the Saxon flees before us, vict’ry’s banner floateth o’er us.
Raise the loud exulting chorus, “Britain wins the field”.
© Debi Simons
