Stephen James Baldwin (1873-1955) was born in Hereford, youngest son of Charles Baldwin, some of whose tunes were noted by Cecil Sharp. The family soon moved to Newent, which was his parents’ home town. He spent his working life as a railway plate layer, apart from army service in the 1st World War, from which he was invalided out after the Battle of the Somme. He played for a number of morris sides, as well as in pubs, at country dances and gypsy weddings. He ended his days at Upton Bishop, Herefordshire, where he was recorded twice. Russell Wortley’s recording (22 June 1954) was issued, very slightly shortened, by Leader Records, LED 2068, Stephen Baldwin, English Village Fiddler (nla). The original recording is held in the British Library.
Musical Traditions have re-issued both sets of recordings on MT CD 334 “Here’s one you’ll like, I think ”, with extensive information on Charles and Stephen Baldwin (see the Musical Traditions website here).
In the linked abc file this is tune number X:18
Napoleon’s (Grand) March Original Keys: C as recorded by RW and A by PK. The two versions were quite different (see X:17). X:19 is a combination from the two versions.
An excellent version was recorded from the Yorkshire accordion player George Tremain. Peter Kennedy recorded the tune from Billy Conroy on the tin whistle in County Durham, publ: FSA-30-122, nla.
notes by Charles Menteith and Paul Burgess