© David Watts
Victoria winter 1996
Some governors were fighting men, made their name in time of war
Others were diplomats who smoothed where the fighters had gone before
Some governors were born to lands, title and rank and wealth
Richard Blanshard was just an Englishman, served the Queen all by himself.
Chorus
He didn’t make a fortune
He didn’t win much fame
Richard Blanshard paid his own way
And left us with only his name.
They said he was “a gentleman,” perhaps that wasn’t enough
In the frontier rush when push comes to shove, you gotta know how to be tough
They didn’t give him soldiers or a residence of his own
When you’re new in town with a staff of one, you have no weight to throw around.
After just a few months he decided to quit, but he waited for permission to go
While letters went by boat, he stayed at his post until his release came through
Some folks had wanted a council, a say in how things were done
Before his time to depart, Blanshard made a start with elections called and run.
Perhaps he came too early, perhaps he came to late
But when he took a look and saw how things were he decided not to wait
They didn’t need a Governor representing the Crown
In a Company shop with one boss at the top, who didn’t want another around.
Last double chorus
He was caught in the crossfire without fortune or fame
Richard Blanshard paid his own way and left us with only his name
He didn’t make a fortune, he didn’t win much fame
Richard Blanshard came West and gave of his best
and Victoria remembers that he came.