The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #49767   Message #756872
Posted By: McGrath of Harlow
30-Jul-02 - 08:48 AM
Thread Name: 24 July 2002 Day of Action - PELs
Subject: Lyr Add - A Licence to Sing
Great - I'll be very happy to have you sing it. Or pass it on as well. See you at Sidmouth.

Here is a link to it on my songs website, with a streaming RealAudio file as well.

But just in case that doesn't work, here are the words anyway:

Well I went into a public house, and ordered up my beer,
and the barman says, I'm sorry mate, you cannot sing in here.
A fellow from the council, he came on very strong,
says I haven't got the licence that will let you sing your songs.
Sing a song of freedom, sing it while you may,
rules and regulations are taking it away
So sing a song of freedom, better sing it very quiet,
If anyone joins the chorus, then a licence is required.

One of you or two of you, well that could be allowed -
But if anyone joined the chorus, well, three would make a crowd. If I let you sing your songs, then I 'd be sorry if I did, For that could mean a fine for me of twenty thousand quid. Sing a song of freedom, sing it while you may,
rules and regulations are taking it away
So sing a song of freedom, better sing it very quiet,
If anyone joins the chorus, then a licence is required.


Football on the telly that can make the rafters ring -
But if you want to sing a song, that's quite a different thing.
Folk or Jazz or Rock and Roll, any old kind of sound,
Reggae, punk, or Mozart, they do not want us round.
Sing a song of freedom, sing it while you may,
rules and regulations are taking it away
So sing a song of freedom, better sing it very quiet,
If anyone joins the chorus, then a licence is required.

Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free
If you keep your head down, they just might let you be.
Land of Hope and Glory - excuse me if I laugh.
If you want to sing a song, best sing it in the bath.
Sing a song of freedom, sing it while you may,
rules and regulations are taking it away
So sing a song of freedom, better sing it very quiet,
If anyone joins the chorus, then a licence is required.

Sing a song of freedom, sing it while you may,
Though their rules and regulations may be standing in the way,
Sing a song of freedom, sing it loud and clear,
Sing a song of freedom, let them know that you are here.

Sometimes I do it with the chorus every four lines, sometimes every eight, or varied. The tune varies a bit. Sort of in between Click Go the Shears and Morningtown Ride.