Origins: Author request-The Law In Its Wisdom

Subject: RE: Origins: Author request-The Law In Its Wisdom
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 14 Sep 16 - 01:21 PM

I'm flagging this one up from three years ago as the song is still in my repertoire, and I still have no idea who wrote it.

It is now a bit of our history as it was sung during the campaign to abolish hanging in 1964, but I don't know by whom.

Anyone else come across it?

Subject: RE: Origins: Author request-The Law In Its Wisdom
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 17 Jan 13 - 07:04 AM

An advanced recording of the song can now be heard here, track 14:

SoundCloud/Special Brew

Subject: RE: Origins: Author request-The Law In Its Wisdom
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 04 Dec 12 - 04:19 AM

Mudcat cookie re-baked. (Different 'puter.)

Lyrics as I remember them:

For the law in its wisdom and the law in its skill
Has decided that for killers the only cure is kill
It's the law of the jungle, its two blacks that make a white
For me to kill is wrong. For the law to kill is right

For the law in its wisdom and the law in its might
Says I'll walk along the passage when dawn has chased the night
As you eat your egg for breakfast or unfold your Daily Mail
Another man will hang in Her Majesty's jail

For the law in its wisdom and the law in its power
Has kept me waiting three long weeks in torment every hour
And the chaplain he will hold my hand. The hangman blind my eye
And when he pulls the lever another man will die

For the law in its wisdom and the law in its beauty
Say the hangman and the clergy, "We're only doing our duty."
For I killed another man and I know it's me to blame
For the murder done to me today, who's is the shame
For the murder done to me today.... yours.... is the blame.

I'v always felt that there ought to be a fifth verse somewhere.

As I say I'll try to record it in the studio and upload it to soundcloud this week.

Tone

Subject: RE: Origins: Author request-The Law In Its Wisdom
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Dec 12 - 09:38 PM

refresh.
Canalwheeler, can you post the lyrics, please?
I see you've lost your Mudcat cookie. If you discarded my previous e-mail with your login information, e-mail me again.
-Joe Offer-
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Origins: Author request
From: GUEST,canalwheeler
Date: 03 Dec 12 - 02:30 PM

I'm not Mike Bolton, but I have contacted him via his website! Thanks for the link. I'm in a studio this week (if I get over the screaming trots). I want to record the song for a CD project, but I would also like to credit the writer.

If it works out I'll upload the song to songcloud.

Thanks for your responses.

Tony

Subject: RE: Origins: Author request
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 03:19 PM

LOL

Subject: RE: Origins: Author request
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 03:14 PM

It might be - unless canalwheeler turn out to be Mike Bolton!

Mick

Subject: RE: Origins: Author request
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 03:08 PM

Good thinking, Mick.

Subject: RE: Origins: Author request
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 02:45 PM

Have a look at the comments on The History of Yeovill's Pubs. There's a comment and link from someone (Mike Bolton) who used to run a Yeovill Folk Club in the 60s (at the White Horse, St.Michaels Ave). The link is to this site: Mike Bolton's Welcome To Monksdale, and there's a contact page there. He may be able to point you to someone who knows the song.

Mick

Subject: RE: Origins: Author request
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 02:07 PM

cw, I didn't want you thinking your questions were being ignored. I spent some time on Google and came up with nowt. FYI. IMO, the only hope is to keep the thread above the line for a few days and hope someone can add to it.

Subject: Origins: Author request
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 06:56 AM

For years I've been singing a song entitled:

The law in its wisdom.

I learned it from a tape I recorded in Yeovil Folk Club, UK, in 1964.

The first verse goes

For the law in its wisdom and the law in its skill
Has decided that for killers the only law is kill

Can you complete it, and do you know who wrote it, please?

Tone