Fantasia on British Sea Songs

Fantasia on British Sea Songs or Fantasy on British Sea Songs is a medley of British sea songs arranged by Sir Henry Wood in 1905 to mark the centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. For many years it was seen as an indispensable item at the BBC's Last Night of the Proms concert.

The Fantasia on British Sea Songs was first performed by Henry Wood and the Queen's Hall Orchestra at a Promenade Concert on 21 October 1905. It comprises nine parts which follow the course of the Battle of Trafalgar from the point of view of a British sailor, starting with the call to arms, progressing through the death of a comrade, thoughts of home, and ending with a victorious return and the assertion that Britain will continue to 'rule the waves':

The opening series of six naval bugle calls and their responses are taken from the calls traditionally used to convey orders on a naval warship. The first call is Admiral's salute, followed by Action, General Assembly, Landing Party, Prepare to Ram and finally Quick, Double, Extend and Close.

Wood scored the fantasia for one piccolo, three flutes, two oboes, one English horn, three clarinets in B-Flat, one bass clarinet in B-Flat, two bassoons, one contrabassoon; six horns in F, four trumpets in B-Flat, three trombones, one bass trombone, one euphonium, two tubas; a percussion section with timpani, tambourine, glockenspiel, side drum, tenor drum, bass drum, triangle and cymbals; organ; two harps and strings. Wood also included an offstage horn on the left, as well as four offstage trumpets and a side drum on the right.

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