Lyr Req: It's about creativity

Subject: It's about creativity
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 10:13 PM

I hope that someone can help me with this. Years ago I herad a song written by Leon Rosselson (I'm not sure that I"ve spelled that right). I've been looking for the tune and lyrics ever since. It's about a guy who works nights in a sausage factory and spends his days building a preposterous sculpture in his back yard. He absorbs no end of grief from family and neighbors for the latter activity. It is the only song I've ever heard which explores the nature of that wretched/beloved demon we call "creativity".

All I remember is the chorus:

Press screw. Turn. Lift.
Early shift and late shift
Every day the same routine.
Turning little piggies into plastic packaged sausages
To sell in the heliport canteen.

Could somebody help me to find this song, please?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's about creativity
From: Pene Azul
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 03:38 AM

I couldn't find lyrics, but I did find that the title of the song is "Barney's Epic Homer."

Jeff

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's about creativity
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 05:18 AM

Thankyou. That, at least, gives me a workable jumping off point for the search.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's about creativity
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 11:01 AM

"Barney's Epic Homer" is sung by Chris Foster on "Traces" (Green Man, 1999). A review contains the following quote:

"Barney's Epic Homer" is by Leon Rosselson and concerns Barney, a young man who marches to his own drummer and who seems doomed to a job on an assembly line "Turning little piggies into / Plastic packaged sausages / To sell in the heliport canteen." One day, he finds a means of expression, which, sadly, is deemed unacceptable. Still, you cheer for Barney and perhaps resolve to try to see the world a little more through his eyes.

...and another review of the same album says

Of the two Leon Rosselson songs, my favourite is "Barney's Epic Homer" - a daft, but underlyingly sad and haunting tale of a disaffected schoolboy doomed to a production-line job, "turning little piggies into plastic-packaged sausages". Barney rebels by building a giant, scrap-metal sculpture in his parents' garden. When this is demolished, he sinks back into despair and anonymity. Chris Foster gets the perfect balance of jaunty silliness in the story and pathos as it reaches its sad end.

It's also on Leon Rosselson's album "Guess What They're Selling at the Happiness Counter."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's about creativity
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 11:17 AM

Thanks, Jim. now the search can begin in earnest.

Subject: Leon Rossellson : "Life, Loneliness & Laundry" cd
From: GUEST,Glynis
Date: 31 Oct 03 - 05:14 AM

I'm looking for lyrics and ideally midi for a track on the above CD. It's something about a woman whose husband doesn't notice her any more - hence the loneliness. Can anyone help please?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's about creativity
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 31 Oct 03 - 06:12 AM

Glynis

This would be easier followed up if it had been started as a fresh thread since it may get lost under the original thead title. Somebody (Joe ?) may do this for you but I'm not sure how it can be done. If not re-post as a new thread.

However, that being said, I have the Vinyl, "Love Loneliness & Laundry" is I believe the correct title but I'll have to dig it out and check, by Leon Rosselson, Roy & Val Bailey. Leon wrote the song, Val sings it, title is IIRC "Without looking at me" and the words may be in the booklet (if I can find that).

Otherwise I'll play it and see if I can transcribe the words easily.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's about creativity
From: Stewie
Date: 31 Oct 03 - 09:02 PM

'Barney's Epic Homer' appeared also on Roy Bailey/Leon Rosselson 'If I Knew Who The Enemy Was ...' Fuse LP CF 284 [1979]. Unfortunately, there was no lyric sheet with the album and I don't have a stylus at the moment.

Kevin, the title of the song Glynis is after is 'Invisible Married Breakfast Blues'. If you can't find yours, I'll be happy to post the lyrics from the insert.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's about creativity
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 01 Nov 03 - 05:15 AM

Cheers Stewie. I was guessing the title as my vinyl isn't too convenient, I was thinking of the chorus. Even if I get to the vinyl I may not have the insert inside, sometimes they end up in other places.......

As for Barney's Epic Homer I have a wonderful video taped from air from a series called Folk and Poetry which I think was done by BBC Wales. One of the shows (the one presented by John Hegley IIRC) has Leon and Martin Carthy performin it going round a food processing factory dressed in white coats and wearing those silly hair covering hats. They look quite manic, great stuff.

Good series actually, I think more programmes were made but only 3 aired in England. Must dig them out and watch them again.

Subject: Lyr Add: INVISIBLE MARRIED BREAKFAST BLUES
From: Stewie
Date: 01 Nov 03 - 08:08 PM

Glynis, hopefully this is what you want. You are dead right about inserts, Kevin, I have had many disappear, sometimes with the albums as well.

INVISIBLE MARRIED BREAKFAST BLUES
(Leon Rosselson)

Nobody looking at me
He puts the spoon in the sugar and the sugar in the tea
And he unfolds the paper methodically
And he stirs his tea
And he sips his tea
Without looking at me

He sips his tea without looking at me
With an automatic gesture he taps his knee
And he looks at his watch mechanically
And he smiles at me
Absentmindedly
Without looking at me

He smiles at me without looking at me
And his smile is as heavy as gravity
And it falls on the table and the cups of tea
And inevitably
He kisses me
Without looking at me

He kisses me without looking at me
Then he turns at the door as if to see
If there's something he's forgotten, but there's only me
And he looks at me across an empty sea
Without looking at me

Without looking at me, without looking at me
Alone with my own invisibility

And the tablecloth stained and staring at me
And the sugar bowl floating in an empty sea
And an empty cup where my heart ought to be
And nobody
Nobody
Looking at me

Source: copied from lyric sheet accompanying Roy Bailey/Leon Rosselson 'Love Loneliness Laundry' Fuse LP CF 271 [1976].

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's about creativity
From: Barbara
Date: 01 Nov 03 - 09:21 PM

Now, before anyone blows any more time, I know I transcribed the words to Barney's Epic Homer at least once, because we had an extended discussion about "Belisha beacons" which I thought was a fashion model "Felicia Beacon", so hang on and let me search, guys.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's about creativity
From: Barbara
Date: 01 Nov 03 - 09:28 PM

Here's the link:Barney's Epic Homer
'Course, why should I stand in anyone's way if they want to spend a few hours transcribing this 20 verse song? If you want a choice, however, I would strongly recommend putting songs through the search engine (the box at the top right hand side of the page that says "Lyrics and Knowledge Search) before transcribing it.
Blessings,
Barbara