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10 Nov 20 - 10:44 PM (#4079119) Subject: We Work The Black Seam re-write ? From: GUEST,Wellsy The above Sting song was unforgettably covered by Swan Arcade, and my current vocal trio wants to reprise it. But it's out-of-date, and we'd like to re-write it for the modern age, where the issue is not so much coal vs nuclear, as coal vs renewables. This is particularly the case in our country [ Australia], where the debate is a national issue. And where climate change annihilation by wildfires has begun. We've done a partial re-write, but I'm wondering if anybody else has adapted the song to the changed energy landscape. Thanks |
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10 Nov 20 - 11:20 PM (#4079121) Subject: ADD: We Work The Black Seam (Gordon Sumner) From: Joe Offer For the record, here's the original. It would be nice to see your version, Wellsy. WE WORK THE BLACK SEAM (Gordon Sumner - Sting) This place has changed for good Your economic theory said it would It's hard for us to understand We can't give up our jobs the way we should Our blood has stained the coal We tunneled deep inside the nation's soul We matter more than pounds and pence Your economic theory makes no sense One day in a nuclear age They may understand our rage They build machines that they can't control And bury the waste in a great big hole Power was to become cheap and clean Grimy faces were never seen Deadly for twelve thousand years is carbon fourteen We work the black seam together We work the black seam together The seam lies underground Three million years of pressure packed it down We walk through ancient forest lands And light a thousand cities with our hands Your dark satanic mills Have made redundant all our mining skills You can't exchange a six inch band For all the poisoned streams in Cumberland Your economic theory makes no sense One day in a nuclear age They may understand our rage They build machines that they can't control And bury the waste in a great big hole Power was to become cheap and clean Grimy faces were never seen Deadly for twelve thousand years is carbon fourteen We work the black seam together We work the black seam together And should the children weep The turning world will sing their souls to sleep When you have sunk without a trace The universe will suck me into place One day in a nuclear age They may understand our rage They build machines that they can't control And bury the waste in a great big hole Power was to become cheap and clean Grimy faces were never seen But deadly for twelve thousand years is carbon fourteen We work the black seam together We work the black seam together 1985 Sting recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmC61VHVZAM Recording by Swan Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcYZImD0ETI Battlefield Band recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOfoVphAUTk |
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11 Nov 20 - 01:05 AM (#4079126) Subject: RE: We Work The Black Seam re-write ? From: Klavdivs Thanks Joe. The re-write is taking shape. We're not as good lyricists as Sting, but if we come up with something worthy, I'll post it. It has a very relevant theme [ the demise of coal]. Just needs to be tweaked for the climate change crisis, rather than the nuclear threat. |
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11 Nov 20 - 03:53 AM (#4079132) Subject: RE: We Work The Black Seam re-write ? From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler For acccuracy's sake it is better to have "three hundred million years have packed it down" , and "says. Carbon 14" Robin |
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11 Nov 20 - 11:38 AM (#4079203) Subject: RE: We Work The Black Seam re-write ? From: Joe Offer Yeah, Robin, that would be scientifically accurate, but it doesn't scan... (Grin) I'll stand by the accuracy of my transcription above. |
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12 Nov 20 - 05:21 AM (#4079334) Subject: RE: We Work The Black Seam re-write ? From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler I can get it to scan OK. Swan arcade only sang half of the last verse. The full verse is: Our conscious minds run deep. You cling on to your mountain while you sleep. This way of life is part of me, There is no price so only let me be. And should our children weep This turning world will spin their souls to sleep. When you're sunk without a trace The universe will suck me into place. Robin |
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12 Nov 20 - 05:36 AM (#4079337) Subject: RE: We Work The Black Seam re-write ? From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler An even more challenging song to alter would be "History and Prophecy", a real earworm with an instrumental section after each verse. HISTORY AND PROPHECY. They're coming down to Williamstown With their faces full of worry For so we're told they want miners bold And they want them in a hurry. They want coal again and they want men To go down the hole and cut it, But the miners' lads have asked their dads And they've told them where they can put it. Our government friends are at their wits ends. For fuel they're in trouble, For they've sunk their brass in North Sea gas And that was a North Sea bubble. The lands of oil are on the boil And the tankers, they have stopped sailing, And the stupid swines who closed the mines Are wringing their hands and wailing. But from underground there comes no sound, In seams that have been forgotten, And the pithead gear stands gaunt and drear Over towns that were left to go rotten, And there's many a louse in Tolgarth house Who's wishing that he had heeded All the men who said, "Before you're dead Those pits are going to be needed". But they've treated with scorn the best men born, No land ever bred men finer. So serve them right, in their sorry plight, For doing the dirt on the miner. Recorded from Mick Tems and Pat Smith. Robin |