Lyr Add: PEL Song: A PEL Protest (Julie Berrill)

Subject: Lyr Add: PEL Song (Julie Berrill)
From: Julie B
Date: 17 Jan 03 - 06:27 PM

Here's a "protest song" I've written about the PEL proposals. I sang it for the first time at Bedford (UK) Folk Club last night (Kings Arms - 8.30pm Thursdays). It seemed to strike a chord with everyone, so I promised to "publish" it on Mudcat so that anyone else who might feel like singing it at their club can do so (to help get the message across to people who might be unaware of what's happening).

My local Mudcat technical adviser (Steve Parkes) has nipped away for the weekend, so I can't ask him how/whether it is possible to post Midi or Noteworthy Composer files here. So, in the meantime, I'll just paste in the lyrics. If anyone wants the Midi and/or NW format files, with the tune, then send me a personal mail with your e-mail address and I can forward.

I haven't posted a song here before, so apologies if I'm inadvertently breaking any netiquette rules. Here's it is:

PEL Song

1.
Well the country's in a state, there's no denying
There's a lot to be dismayed about it's true
The price of houses, crime and immigration
Well at least we have our music, me and you

But the politicians say they have the answers
They've looked around and think they know the score
And they've come up with some brand new legislation
To make our world a better place once more.

So if you want to sing a song you'll need a licence
If you want to play a tune, fill out a form

If you want to Morris Dance then you really take a chance
If you don't complete the paperwork that's needed in advance

Don't think that what I'm saying couldn't happen
Oh believe me, I'm telling you no lie
For if they go and change the P E L laws
Then that'll be the day the music dies.


2.
Well you might think this law will make life quieter
Yet pre-recorded music is alright
'Cause it's only live performers are affected
But pop CDs can play both day and night

Yes shops and bars can all turn up the volume
On speakers you can hear a mile away
But if you want to sing a Christmas Carol
Then for a P E L you must pay.

So if you want to sing a song you'll need a licence
If you want to play a tune, fill out a form

And if these rules you mock
Then they'll have you in the dock
And before you even know it,
You'll be playing "Jailhouse Rock"

Don't think that what I'm saying couldn't happen
Oh believe me, I'm telling you no lie
For if they go and change the P E L laws
Then that'll be the day the music dies.

3.
No more evenings in the pub with songs and laughter
It's a plan I cannot understand
Do they think we'll sit at home and watch "East-Enders" like the rest
When they've killed off all the folk clubs in the land?

No Maypole dancing, Mummers plays or Morris
For these we hear the tolling of the bell
'Cause even if you just sing "Happy Birthday"
The law will say "You need a P E L".

So if you want to sing a song you'll need a licence
If you want to play a tune, fill out a form

Well you can burgle people's houses and get no custodial sentence
But do it while you're singing and they'll hound you with a vengeance

Don't think that what I'm saying couldn't happen
Oh believe me, I'm telling you no lie
For if they go and change the P E L laws
Then that'll be the day the music dies.


Copyright 2003 Julie Berrill, Milton Keynes, All Rights Reserved

---

Click for more PEL Protest Songs

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Larkin
Date: 17 Jan 03 - 06:37 PM

Fantastic Julie- Spot on!

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Jan 03 - 06:40 PM

Or you could do a RealAudio version of it and stick it on a website, and then we could all hear it.

It's easier than you might think. (Here is a page I wrote about how to do it.)

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Alice
Date: 17 Jan 03 - 06:51 PM

Bravo, Julie.

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Nemesis
Date: 17 Jan 03 - 08:03 PM

Wow!

Coming to the Demo on 27th? Then after the silent bit is over we can hear it in person!!

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Julie B
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 02:28 PM

- Thanks for the feedback :) I'm still tinkering with little bits of the song, to get it just right, but it's still 99% as it appears above. I am hoping to take the day off work and travel down to London on 27th (trains from Milton Keynes permitting).

McGrath: Thanks for that info. With help from Steve Parkes I may be able to get a recording online in a week or two. Are the bits of software you mention freely available or do they cost very much? (i.e. Goldwave, Real Producer)

Ta,
Julie B

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 02:08 PM

They were all free when I wrote it. That link for Real Producer doesn't work now, I've just found. I think the comoany wants peopel to buy the newer versions. But this link should do it - http://www.realnetworks.com/products/producer/basic.html

Generally if you look around there's a free basic version of most things you need, but somretimes, in small print, because they'd like you to buy the one with bells on it, which often aren't particularly usreful bells.

(I can't edit that page I wrote for the time being, because I'm having temporary problems loading stuff to that site.)

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAWS THEY ARE A-CHANGING (C Andrews)
From: The Shambles
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 07:21 PM

Passing on wonderful parody by Colin Andrews of Dylan's Times they are
a'changing

THE LAWS THEY ARE A-CHANGING Colin Andrews (with apologies to Bob
Dylan)

Come all you folksingers throughout the land
Dancers, musicians who play in a band
Take note your activities soon could be banned
If unlicensed performance intending
New regulations gone way out of hand
In a Bill that needs amending

The fine it is set, the penalty's cast
It's in the new law but the law is an ass
That song in the bar, well, it might be your last
And six months in jail you'll be spending
Or thousands of pounds if the bill it is passed
For the Bill it needs amending

All mothers and fathers with kids at a school
Sing carols at Christmas and tidings of Yule
That nativity play could be breaking the rule
And criminal charges pending
Bureaucracy gone mad yet we'll pay for it all
This Bill it needs amending

People of England please heed the call
In church, school and pub and community hall
Or soon you will have no live music at all
Traditional customs all ending
Red tape & taxes imposed by Whitehall
This Bill does need amending !

Come good honest citizens take up your pen
Write to your M.P. and tell Number Ten
That the Minister for Culture should go think again
Our traditions he should be defending !
Let's play music free so let's sing it again
This Bill does need amending !

Colin is happy for this to be distributed as widely as possible and it seems like a great way to keep momentum without having to verbally repeat your plea at your folk club or session!! Let the songs speak for themselves!!

Subject: Tune Add: THE PEL SONG (Julie Berrill)
From: Julie B
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 11:15 AM

Steve Parkes (who is accepting all blame if this doesn't work!) has shown me how to convert Noteworthy Composer files to ABC format, and has said it should be ok to simply cut n' paste the results here.

Note: Song title is "If you want to sing a song..."

Julie B


X:1
T:The PEL Song
C:Julie Berrill
Q:1/4=140
I:abc2nwc
M:12/8
L:1/8
K:G
D2D|G2A B2c d2A F2A|A G2-G3-G3-G2G|e2e e2e d2G c2B|A3-A3-A3-A2G|e2e e2e e2e d2c|d B2-B3-B3B2B|A2A A2A A2B A2G|F3-F3-F3D2D|G2A B2c d2A F2A|A G2-G3-G3-G2G|e2e e2e d2G c2B|A3-A3-A3G2G|e2e e2e e2e d2c|d B2-B3-B3-B2B|A2A A2A B2A B2^c|d3-d3-d2D D2D|G2A B2c d2A F2A|A G2-G3-G3G2G|e2e e2e d2G c2B|A3-A3-A3G2G|e2^d e2d e3c2e|d2^c d2c d3B2d|A2A A2B ^c2A B2c|d2d d2^c =c3-c2D|G2A B2c d2A F2A|A G2-G3-G3G2G|e2e- e2f g2g f2e|d3-d3-d3-d2G|e2e e2f g2g f2e|d B2-B3-B3-B2B|A2A A2B c2F B2A|G3-G3-G3-G
w:Well the coun-try's in a state, there's no de-ny-ing___There's much to be con-cerned a-bout it's true___The price of hou-ses, crime and imm-i-gra-tion__Well at least we have our mu-sic, me and you__But the pol-i-ti-cians say they have the an-swers___They've looked a-round and think they know the score__And they've come up with some brand new le-gi-sla-tion___To make our world a bet-ter place once more.__So if you want to sing a song you'll need a li-cence__If you want to play a tune, fill out a form__If you want to Mor-ris Dance then you rea-lly take a chanceIf you don't com-plete the pa-per-work that's need-ed in ad-vance_Don't think that what I'm say-ing could-n't hap-pen__Oh be-lieve me,_ I'm tell-ing you no lie___For if they go and change the P E L laws___Then that-'ll be the day the mu-sic dies.___
w:Well_ you might think this law will make life quiet-er___Yet pre-re-cor-ded mu-sic is al-right___'Cause~it's on-ly live per-for-mers are aff-ect-ed__But_ pop C-Ds can play both day and night__Yes_ shops and bars can all turn up the vo-lume___On speak-ers you can hear a mile aw-ay__But_ if you want to sing a Christ-mas Ca-rol___Then for a P E L_ you must pay.__So if you want to sing a song you'll need a li-cence__If you want to play a tune, fill out a form__And_ if these rules you mockThen they'll have you in the dockAnd be-fore you ev-en know it,You'll be play-ing "Jail-house Rock"_Don't think that what I'm say-ing could-n't hap-pen__Oh be-lieve me,_ I'm tell-ing you no lie___For if they go and change the P E L laws___Then that-'ll be the day the mu-sic dies.___
w:No more eve-nings in the pub with songs and laugh-ter___It's~a plan_ I_ can-not un-der-stand___Do they think we'll sit at home and watch "East-enders" like theWhen they've killed off all the folk clubs in the land?__No_ May-pole dan-cing, Mum-mers plays or Mor-ris___For these we hear the toll-ing of the bell__'cause_ ev-en if you just sing "Hap-py Birth-day"___The law will say you need a P E L.__So if you want to sing a song you'll need a li-cence__If you want to play a tune, fill out a form__Well~you can bur-gle peo-ples houses and get no cus-to-dial sentenceBut_ do it while you're sing-ing and they'll hound you with a vengeance_Don't think that what I'm say-ing could-n't hap-pen__Oh be-lieve me,_ I'm tell-ing you no lie___For if they go and change the P E L laws___Then that-'ll be the day the mu-sic dies.___

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 09:33 AM

I do all the work, and this is the thanks I get! ALl yo did waswrite the words and the tune, Julie!

You guys had better start singing this, after all my trouble!!

Steve

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: GUEST,richard cox stroud
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 11:53 AM

Great song Julie.
I was working on some ideas of my own which sort of chime in with yours.
Could I humbly suggest the following additional verses.
(If this is a heinous sin please ignore it.)

       When you toddle down the pub on Sat'day evening
       To have a pint and sing a song or shoot the breeze,
       It's not the French we ought to blame,
                                     not Al Quaeda nor Hussein
       It's all the folkies bringin' the country to it's knees.

       But sport on tele in the pub is unaffected.
        They see no threat to public order from football
        But I'd say a pub to miss was where the lads are on the piss
        And England just went down 4-0 to Senegal.

Ch        So if you want to sing a song you'll need a license.
        And if you want to play a tune fill out a form.
        He's on a mission killing music in the north and in the south,
        When someone mentions 'Culture' Kimmy reaches for his mouth.

       Don't think that what I'm saying couldn't happen.
       Please believe me 'cos I'm telling you no lies.
       If Mr Howells gets a chance he'll make a crime of song
                                                         and dance
       And that'll be the day traditional music dies.

V4        And on a lovely summers ev'ning in your garden,
        You're quietly strumming, not a thought for Mr Howells.
        Just singing songs your family's sung for generations,
        But have a care, the thought police are on the prowl.

        Is it the tele you can hear at number seven
        Or the pounding Drum and Base at twenty two.
        No it's not what you might think, you're risking
                                        six months in the clink
        Because the one the buggers have come to get is you!

Ch           So if you want to sing a song you'll need a license,
       If you want to play a tune fill out a form.
       All you lovers of the arts beware New Labour's Fascist thugs,
       You'd do better burgling houses, you'd be safer dealing drugs

        So don't think that what I'm saying couldn't happen.
       And before they come to march us all away.
        There's just one thing I might suggest,
                               another time it might be best         
       If we decided all to vote another way.

        So on the 27th gather in Westminster
       And as the noble protest banners are unfurled.
       Though they belabour us with clubs,
                        just-think-in-a-week or two The Scrubbs
       Could have the finest f--kin' folk club in the world.

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: The Shambles
Date: 26 Jan 03 - 05:27 AM

PEL Song

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: The Shambles
Date: 26 Jan 03 - 05:30 AM

'Freedom to sing' song

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: The Shambles
Date: 26 Jan 03 - 06:35 AM

Robb Johnson has kindly agreed for his new song to be circulated.

The song arose out his appearence on R3 Music matters with The Bishop of London and Kim Howells. I did ask but Robb is NOT dedicating the song to Howells..........

Robb Johnson on R3

A New Song (Have You Got A License?)

Have you got a license for that song, sir,
Is it one the quaint old people used to sing,
That we've collected stuffed & mounted in a museum,
Like a butterfly with pins stuck through each wing.
But if you want the very latest culture
we promise you big screens in every bar
& you can watch the latest entertainment
& sing along la la la la la la.
But a new song…
that could be dangerous…
something might go wrong…
Have you got a license
for that song?

No, we've no objection to you talking,
But the things the quaint old people used to say,
We keep them safe & sound in universities
Though you can't afford to go there nowadays.
But if you want the very latest wisdom,
we promise you a media filled with stars
& you can learn the art of being famous:
the secret is you just go blah blah blah.
But a new song
might start you thinking
there's more to life than sport…
Have you got a license
for that thought?

No, we've no objection to you dreaming
But the dreams the quaint old people used to share
Have all been topped & tailed to fit the adverts
& the chance you might become a millionaire.
Now if you want the very latest model,
Now if you want the very latest style,
repeat this after me now, all together:
I am not a number, & don't forget the smile..
But a new song
might start you singing
in your own voice,
& that would never do.
Have you got a license
to be you?

Words and music by Robb Jonhson 2003

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Clean Supper
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 05:13 AM

Fantastic. And don't forget - at least you can sing in jail (what more can they do?).

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 06:27 AM

If the authorities don't like it, they can make life uncomfortable; and if the inmates don't like it, they can make life even more uncomfortable!

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Mr Happy
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 06:39 AM

more evidence that 'the word' is spreading and increasingly gaining support.

last night at Frodsham session, Colin Andrews' great song was performed by one of the participants

[we can't use the term 'performer' or under present pel it would be illegal!]

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Micca
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 09:33 AM

I was bored on the train down to the protest meeting at Parliament square on Monday so sketched this out and finished it this morning, Well, it amused me.

KimPel Song (Tune,, Thousands or more)
By Micca

Life here in England has turned darker grey
Since Kim brought in an Act to drive music away
music away, music away, music away,
Since Kim brought in an Act to drive music away

So Now to the pub if you go to unwind
If there's no P-E-L leave your Music behind
Music behind, Music behind ,Music behind
If there's no P-E-L leave your Music behind

Altho' we're not a juke box or Big Screen TVs
An Unamplified voice needs more license than these
license than these, license than these, license than these,
An Unamplified voice needs more license than these

You can't sway to the sounds or beat time to the band
but its fine if you scream like your in a grandstand
in a grandstand, in a grandstand, in a grandstand,
but its fine if you scream like your in a grandstand

The old Law was crappy but better by far
But at least you could sing with just "2 in a bar"
"2 in a bar", "2 in a bar", "2 in a bar",
But at least you could sing with just "2 in a bar"

But soon with the new law it will be the norm
You can't sing or dance 'til they fill in the form
fill in the form, fill in the form, fill in the form,
You can't sing or dance 'til they fill in the form

We know local Jobsworths no Music allow
but a license will make us all "Safer" you know
Safer you know, Safer you know, Safer you know,
'Cos a license will make us all "Safer" you know

So take up your banners to keep music alive
If you want to see sessions and music survive
music survive, music survive, music survive
If you want to see sessions and music survive

So come Left–wing Muso's lets all get annoyed
Is it time to make Kim and his mates Unemployed?
mates Unemployed, mates Unemployed, mates Unemployed,
It is time to make Kim and his mates Unemployed

So come the elections don't sit on the fence
Local or National, we can all Vote against
all Vote against, all Vote against, all Vote against
If they don't support us, we can all Vote against


M.A.Patterson Jan 2003

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: JudeL
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 10:46 AM

Nice one Micca

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 12:00 PM

Trouble is, who do left-wing musos vote for now the Labour Party's gone too far to the right? (Ignoring the possibility that they've always been too far that way!)

Steve

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Micca
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 12:22 PM

Steve , the message is Dont Vote FOR!!!!! Vote Against!!!!

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: The Shambles
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 03:00 PM

LYR ADD PEL Protest song

Subject: PEL protest song ?
From: Sliding Down The Bannister At My Auntie's House
Date: 08 Feb 03 - 10:24 AM

Some friends of mine were in a folk club im Beverley Yorks. this week. They say they heard a fantastic PEL protest song done to a Dylan tune (Times They Are A Changin' I think!). Does anybody have the lyric?

---

I moved this message and the one below from another thread on the same topic.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: PEL protest song ?
From: The Shambles
Date: 08 Feb 03 - 12:35 PM

See Above.
Also Lyrics PEL protest song

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 05:30 PM

Here's a new song what I wrote today (perhaps looking forward to the day they sack the man:

We'll never find a better friend than the Minister of Culture.
They may say that he is round the bend, from Westmoreland to Wiltshire,
But every time we sing a song, and the licence is not handy,
We'll think of Kim the Minister, from the land of Tonypandy.
Oh Kim we will remember you, who ever could forget you.
You're the man who tried to silence us, except, we never let you.

Well he promised this and he promised that, but he never could deliver,
"If there's no money changing hands it's diffeent altogether
Oh you can hold your sessions there's no reason for a licence."
Did he think a fine of £20,000 might calm us into silence?
Oh Kim we will remember you, who ever could forget you.
You're the man who tried to silence us, except, we never let you.

Oh the bells were ringing in the church, and the dancers on the paving,
And the Minister of Culture was very close to raving.
Oh he blamed it on the Union, for it's misinformation,
But the Minister of Culture now is a joke through all the nation.
Oh Kim we will remember you, who ever could forget you.
You're the man who tried to silence us, except, we never let you.

(And I know Westmoreland was officially abolished as a County years ago. But you can't abolish a County in the real world.)

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Julie B
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 07:55 AM

...Just a quick note to mention two small changes to the original lyrics posted at the top of this thread.

"much to be dismayed about" became "much to be concerned about"

And the start of the last verse now has the word "So" on the front i.e. "So no more evenings in the pub...."

The music for the song was published in issue 83 (Aug-Oct 2003, red cover) of the "Unicorn" Folk Magazine, distributed in Beds, Herts & Cambs area. If anyone wants a copy of the sheet music (or CD), PM me & I'll pop it in the post.

Julie

Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics
From: Tyke
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 04:24 PM

refresh