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!!