Lyr Add: Fool Britannia

Subject: Lyr Add: Fool Britannia
From: Jim McLean
Date: 14 Nov 18 - 04:16 PM

Fool Brittania. Tune: Cruising round Yarmouth.

69 pennies per person, we're told,
Is all that it costs for the Royal Household,
That's all that we pay for the Queen and her clan
For Charles, Camilla and Andrew and Anne.
      So stiff upper lip chaps, it's rude to complain,
      Just sing Rule Britannia and pay up again.

There's William and Catherine and kids one, two, three,
No rape clause applies, they get everything free!
Prince Harry and Meghan are ready to breed,
Austerity, taxes, we've more mouths to feed.
      So stiff upper lip chaps, it's rude to complain,
      Just sing Rule Britannia and pay up again.

But what's the real cost to keep Lizzie and Phil?
It's just a few grand over seventy mil.
Prince Charles pays taxes, he says, without fuss
But the money he uses it all comes from us.
      So stiff upper lip chaps, it's rude to complain,
      Just sing Rule Britannia and pay up again.

The poor folk are starving, the homeless sleep rough,
But Andrew and Fergie they can't get enough.
Their daughter got married and we had to pay,
We forked out two million for her wedding day.
      So stiff upper lip chaps, it's rude to complain,
      Just sing Rule Britannia and pay up again.

They're getting a rise costing millions they say,
While teachers and nurses exist on low pay.
It's time for a change in the way that were ruled,
Too long we've been sponged on, too long we've been fooled
      So up the Republic, it's time to complain
      And no British monarch shall over us reign.
      Yes! up the Republic, it's time to complain
      And no British monarch shall over us reign.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Fool Britany
From: Jim McLean
Date: 14 Nov 18 - 04:19 PM

Bleeding predictive text!!
It should read "Fool Britannia"
And the the spelling should be "Just sing Rule Britannia and pay up again",

---

Blame corrections on Joe Offer....

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Fool Britany
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 02:31 AM

Brilliant.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Fool Britany
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 12:55 PM

Flawless craftsmanship, brilliant indeed! A political song that says what it wants to say, without unnecessary invectives.

Perhaps you should not use the word "rule" for the current monarchy, which has as little power as that abstract "Britannia", or the "we" of the populists.

Another aspect: these days are not ideal for launching the song. Compared to the sheer madness in government and parliament, the monarchy looks like a harmless bargain, given its decorative value. "Pennywise and poundfoolish" now translates "millionwise and trillionfoolish" - the "Brexit bill" that comes immediately after the dinner will be only a small fraction of the overall costs, no matter what the "deal" in terms of billions.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Fool Britannia
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 01:58 PM

I think I corrected the spelling correctly, Jim. Are you the songwriter?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Fool Britannia
From: Joe_F
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 06:11 PM

Back in 1959 or so, I read, I think in _Punch_,

Fool, Britannia! It never got you much.
Learn to dwi-i-i-i-indle like the Dutch.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Fool Britannia
From: Jim McLean
Date: 16 Nov 18 - 03:42 AM

Thanks, Joe, yes I wrote it. There's just one more 'Britannia' correction, to the title.
Many thanks, Jim.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Fool Britannia
From: GUEST,Pat Cooksey
Date: 16 Nov 18 - 04:03 AM

Well done Jim, very well put together song.