ADD: England In Ribbons (Chris Wood)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: England in Ribbons (Chris Wood)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Oct 11 - 08:33 AM

As the web site points out, it can be seen as an allegory of current events. See Death of Jean Charles de Menezes at Wikipedia.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chris Wood - England In Ribbons
From: GUEST,999
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 10:29 AM

You're welcome.

LYRIC ADD IN POST THREE

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chris Wood - England In Ribbons
From: GUEST,darling dexter
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 07:25 AM

thank you so much!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chris Wood - England In Ribbons
From: RTim
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 07:04 PM

They look complete to me. This is one of those Wonderful performances!!
Great music, great words, well sung and played!!
Trouble is, after hearing, I never want to perform again.....

Tim Radford

Subject: Lyr Add: ENGLAND IN RIBBONS (Chris Wood)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 04:14 PM

I do not know if this is complete or not.

It is from http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/chris-wood?before=1298190022


ENGLAND IN RIBBONS
Chris Wood

I am Grandfather Christmas; I've come in from the cold.
I've a story to sing to you that as new as it's old.
Such stars as I have called upon to play out their parts,
They'll dazzle your eyes; they'll quicken your hearts.

Here is rags and here's tatters; here is sweat and here's soot.
Here is England in ribbons from her head down to foot.
Here is one, two, three jolly boys all ready for a fight,
And the first that comes in is our bold Turkish knight.

I have come from the East, where the red dawn does break.
I'll stomp and I'll storm and I'll make your world shake.
I'll cut you to shreds; I'll swish and I'll swagger,
And I'll make you dance upon the very tip of my dagger.

Here is rags and here's tatters; here is sweat and here's soot.
Here is England in ribbons from her head down to foot.
Now our actors are cast in the furnace and forge,
And the next that comes in is out hero Saint George.

I have come from the West where the red sun does set.
Well met, bold Turkey; bold Turkey, well met.
I'll slit you; I'll slice you; we'll see the gore fly,
And I'll send you home in a calico pie.

Here is rags and here's tatters; here is sweat and here's soot.
Here is England in ribbons from her head down to foot.
Here is rattle and clatter; here's tumult and din.
Stand back; stand back and let battle begin.

In comes I, the bold slasher; I'm as brave as a bear.
I'll stop all their cutting and their strutting, I swear.
O, I'll bang both their heads with my hammer and tongs,
For I am the man who will right all their wrongs.

Here is rags and here's tatters, here is sweat and here's soot;
Here is England in ribbons from her head down to foot.
And bold slasher wades in, through the thin and the thick,
But he soon drops down wounded; he is cut to the grin.

Stand back, Saint George, and put down your blade,
For here on the ground lays the hero we've slayed.
He was caught in our crossfire; see what we've done:
We've killed our own brother beneath the evening sun.

Here is rags and here's tatters; here is sweat and here's soot.
Here is England in ribbons from her head down to foot.
Oh and is there a doctor in here to be found,
To cure our bold brother of his deadly wounds?

I am the physician and my name is Doctor Quack,
And if the life has gone out of him. I'll soon fetch it back.
I have potions; I've poisons; I've pills in great store,
But the fee for my services is ten pounds or more.

Here is rags and here's tatters; here is sweat and here's soot.
Here is England in ribbons from her head down to foot.
Oh, the doctor's been paid; his bottle is poised.
Now let's have some shush; hold your breath make no noise.

Three drops to his head, three drops to his heart.
Now rise up, bold slasher, and play out your part.
He stares; he rises; oh, see how he stands.
He's a front-parlour miracle; he's the best in all the land.

Here is rags and here's tatters; here is sweat and here's soot.
Here is England in ribbons from her head down to foot.
Oh and tell us, bold slasher, now where have you been?
And tell us, bold slasher, now what have you seen?

I spun once around, like the moon across the field.
I've dipped into dust and my wounds were all healed.
I have waned, I've waxed and I've danced free of death;
So that all here might sing of me as long as you've breath.

Here is rags and here's tatters; here is sweat and here's soot.
Here is England in ribbons from her head down to foot.
Oh and if we all live to see another new year,
Perhaps we might call and see who does live here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chris Wood - England In Ribbons
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 04:07 PM

It's from Tresspasser and the chorus is:

Here is rags and is tatters, here is sweat and is soot;
Here is England in ribbons from her head down to foot.

It describes the story of a mummers play and I would really like to learn it properly.

Subject: Lyr Req: Chris Wood - England In Ribbons
From: GUEST,darling-dexter
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 02:47 PM

I would be infinitely grateful!

Subject: RE: Chris Wood England In Ribbons
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 11 Nov 08 - 11:56 AM

The radio piece is wonderful -- I have it on now. There's a nice article about Chris and the project from last February in "Folkworld", here.

~ Becky in Tucson
midwinter's not exactly the same here, but I am thinking about putting on another blanket, lately

Subject: RE: Chris Wood England In Ribbons
From: GUEST,nYGEL pACKETT
Date: 11 Nov 08 - 08:49 AM

d'uh forgot I had to , add my name each time I make a post .

Subject: RE: Chris Wood England In Ribbons
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Nov 08 - 08:46 AM

er... well we have a fella called Dick Gaughan playing this Friday , if thats what you meant .lol    ;D

Subject: RE: Chris Wood England In Ribbons
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 11 Nov 08 - 08:27 AM

nything else you're looking forward to...? :D

Subject: RE: Chris Wood England In Ribbons
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Nov 08 - 07:55 AM

We are looking forward to having him come and play at The Goose Is Out next month ... so I am really looking forward to it . Looking forward to him playing England In Ribbons and many others.


www.thegooseisout.com

Subject: RE: Chris Wood England In Ribbons
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 03:41 PM

I didn't listen to it all year, because I want to save it for Christmas. Maybe I'll put it on while I'm decorating the tree...

Subject: RE: Chris Wood England In Ribbons
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 03:30 PM

Thanks for the link, Ruth. I was trying to find this after hearing the CD song on 'Late Junction'. It sends tingles every time I hear 'Old Grandfather Christmas, he's dead...'
I cannot think of a more atmospheric, philosophical piece.

Subject: RE: Chris Wood England In Ribbons
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 03:20 PM

I was just about to post that link to the original transmission of Christmas Champions. They're touring it again this year:

http://www.englishacousticcollective.org.uk/live/index.html

and the Christmas Champions CD with additional songs is available from the same site.

Subject: RE: Chris Wood England In Ribbons
From: GUEST,Rich
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 03:14 PM

Don't get me started, he is incredible. I had the good fortune of organising a gig for him in Southport last week which was just fantastic. The guys a real gentleman aswell.

If the new songs he played were anything to go by, I can't wait to hear his next album.

Subject: RE: Chris Wood England In Ribbons
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 03:08 PM

Nygel, you should listen to it in its original context:

Christmas Champions on Radio 3

Enjoy.

Subject: Chris Wood England In Ribbons
From: GUEST,Nygel Packett
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 02:59 PM

My God ! this song is astonishing . brilliant . the rest of the album is exceptional too .