The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #4352   Message #1585272
Posted By: Fergie
18-Oct-05 - 09:46 AM
Thread Name: ADD: The Captains and the Kings (Brendan Behan)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS (Brendan Behan
Hi I thought that I might add the lyrics as I know them, some of Ezio's version is a little suspect.

The song is probably best sung in an exaggerated and very plumey upperclass "oldboy" English accent (that's how Brendan used sing it). People that are familiar with the works of Brendan Behan will understand what this song is about. In my opinion it is one of the best political songs ever penned, it captures a certain attitude to perfection.

THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS

Brendan Behan

I remember in September, when the final stumps were drawn,
And the shouts of crowds now silent when the boys to tea had gone.
Let us, oh Lord above us, remember simple things,
When all are dead who love us, Oh the Captains and the Kings,
When all are dead who love us, Oh the Captains and the Kings.

We have many goods for export, Christian ethics and old port
But our greatest boast is that the Anglo-Saxon is a sport
When the darts game they are finished, & the boys their game of rings
And the drafts and chess relinquished Oh the captains and the kings
And the drafts and chess relinquished Oh the captains and the kings

Far away in dear old Cyprus, or in Kenya's dusty land,
We bear the white man's burden in many a strange land.
As we look across our shoulder, in West Belfast the school bell rings,
And we sigh for dear old England, and the Captains and the Kings.
And we sigh for dear old England, and the Captains and the Kings.

In our dreams we see old Harrow, and we hear the crow's load caw
At the flower show our big marrow takes the prize from Evelyn Waugh
Cups of tea and some dry Sherry, vintage cars, these simple things
So let`s drink up and be merry, for the captains and the kings
So let`s drink up and be merry, for the captains and the kings

As I wandered in a nightmare all around Great Windsor Park,
Now what did you think I found there as I wandered in the dark?
It was an apple half-bitten, and sweetest of all things,
Five baby teeth had written of the Captains and the Kings.
Five baby teeth had written of the Captains and the Kings.

By the moon that shines above us in the misty morning light
Let us cease to run ourselves down and praise God that we are white
And better still are English, tea and toast and muffin rings
And old ladies with stern faces and the captains and the kings
And old ladies with stern faces and the captains and the kings