Lyr Req: song challenge - EU Separation Blues

Subject: Lyr Req: song challenge - EU Separation Blues
From: Felipa
Date: 01 Jul 16 - 01:10 PM

In the aftermath of the so-called "Brexit" referendum in the U.K., I think it an opportune time to write new verses for "Separation Blues". The challenge is out to write either a set of verses or just a verse or two, as you prefer. I think if we pool our resources together for mutual benefit, our output will be bountiful. Individual members of the Mudcat Community may pick and chose which verses to comply with and in what order.

I suggest that you maintain the lightheared, tongue in cheek attitude of the original Separation Blues. You may wish to name names and/or make use of the acronyms and abbreviations at your disposal.

(from version in Mudcat DT:)
The last words that John the Baptist said,
The last words that John the Baptist said,
The last words that John the Baptist said,
Just before he lost his head,
"This gives me, gives me the separation blues."

I'll start a separate thread for people who have composed or will compose other EU and Brexit songs; let's keep this one just for Separation Blues.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song challenge - EU Separation Blues
From: Felipa
Date: 01 Jul 16 - 05:00 PM

I'd better start the ball rolling. I've some verses here and a couple more in the pipeline, not too great at the humour however.

Will we stay or will we go
to buy and sell via the WTO?
Maybe we can join the EFTA,
stay in the single market
but without much say
You know we've got, got the indecision blues.

Farage says "We're British, we do as we please;
You never ever worked", he told the MEPs
That made the Europeans hiss and boo
"You don't like us; hell, we sure don't like you
You can go and get, get the separation blues."

"It's time," Farage says, "to put Britain first,
Get out from under Europe's thumb.
It's better to go then be besieged by the migrant scum"

"Leave the union, better leave it quick
Leave the union, better leave it quick,
Leave the union, leave it quick
If you voted for Brex-it.
It's time to get, get the separation blues."

"We're better off out," said Johnson to Gove
But when Leave won the vote, Mike gave Boris the shove.
We thought they were the best of friends
But Boris hesitated and that was the end
And now they've got, got the separation blues.

Which only goes to show, since it all began
The referendum was a power game
Leave or stay, the people are sold,
Politicians act the same.

"Leave the union, better leave it quick
Leave the union, better leave it quick,
Leave the union, leave it quick
If you voted for Brex-it.
It's time to get, get the separation blues."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song challenge - EU Separation Blues
From: Felipa
Date: 02 Jul 16 - 07:39 AM

maybe the last chorus should be "leave the party"...

so far I'm disappointed that this song challenge hasnt captured anyone else's imagination, but maybe someone is working on verses and isnt in a rush to publish or perhaps the slowness of the Mudcat site has a lot to do with the dearth of participation.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song challenge - EU Separation Blues
From: Felipa
Date: 08 Jul 16 - 07:40 AM

As this song challenge didnt capture anyone's imagination or attention, I went it alone. This is the present version of my adaptation, as sung by me at a local writers group and a singing circle. As the singing circle is mostly devoted to Irish traditional song, Separation Blues sat strangely among "P Stands for Paddy", "The Lambs in the Green Hills", "Cearc agus Coilleach" and so on.

EU SEPARATION BLUES

Will we stay or will we go
To buy and sell via the WTO?
Maybe we can join the EFTA,
Stay in the single market
but without much say
You know we've got, got the indecision blues.

Farage says "We're British, we do as we please;
You never ever worked", he told the MEPs
That made the Europeans hiss and boo
"You don't like us; hell, we sure don't like you
You can go and get, get the separation blues."

~"It's time," Farage says, "to put Britain first,
Get out from under Europe's thumb.
It's better to go than be besieged by the migrant scum"

(they say) "Leave the Eunion, better leave it quick
Leave the Eunion, better leave it quick,
Leave the European union, leave it quick
If you voted for Brex-it.
It's time to get, get the separation blues."

[See that fly, crawling up the wall (3x)
He don't speak to Mrs Spider at all
Cos you know they've got, got the separation blues]

"We're better off out," said Johnson to Gove
But when Leave won the vote, Mike gave Boris the shove.
We thought they were the best of friends
But Boris hesitated and that was the end
And now they've got, got the separation blues.

~ Which only goes to show, since it all began
The referendum was a power game
Leave or stay, the people are sold, [or - Win or lose, whatever you choose]
Politicians act the same.

Gove says "Leave the competition,leave it quick
Leave the party race, better leave it quick,
You can leave the party, leave it quick
If you're lukewarm about Brex-it.
It's time to go and the separation blues."

[The last words that poor John the Baptist said (2x)
Last words John the Baptist said, before he went and lost the head was
This gives me. gives me the separation blues]

~In case you need reminding the decision isnt binding
but it's clear its time for change
We need negotiation not recrimination
whether we leave or remain

Labour and Tory are in a terrible fix
Since the vote in favour of Brexit
Jostling for position, every woman and man
When they need to get together and sort out a plan
Cos everybody's got, got the separation blues

Should we stay, or should we go?
Don't ask me, 'cos I really don't know
Got to get our heads together, or before you know
The UKIP will run the show
When we get, get the EU separation blues.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song challenge - EU Separation Blues
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 10 Jul 16 - 06:04 AM

Sounds quite authentic and interesting, Felipe! Blues and Rap are about feelings, not analysis, and in this sense you seem to grasp the mood of many Brits.

What keeps surprising me, is that those who worship the Referendum, or at least concede that it has democratic authority, are rarely heard to campaign for a system of proportional representation - the logical consequence in my opinion. Perhaps because the word does not sound sexy enough in political Raps?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song challenge - EU Separation Blues
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 10 Jul 16 - 06:07 PM

We had a referendum on introducing proportional representation. The existing first-part-the-post system suits the two biggest parties very well, so they spent fortunes on propaganda about how wonderful it is. The propaganda worked.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song challenge - EU Separation Blues
From: Felipa
Date: 11 Jul 16 - 06:48 AM

I thought we should have had a preferendum re EU membership. But this is a song thread. There is room for political discussions in the (not so well-named) bs section.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song challenge - EU Separation Blues
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 11 Jul 16 - 08:43 AM

Political emotions have always been a topic of music. Your topic, Felipa, is a prime example for the predominance of emotions over material considerations. An mind you, those in power may be slightly less emotional than the average voter, but still a lot more than they like to admit to themselves or to others.

Richard, these are revolutionary times; the former distribution of power is no longer in power. The Iron Lady Reborn may or may not restore the old glory - presumably not. Until then, political songs are particularly welcome, so that people can make up their minds about what they do want, not only what they don't. (I am not a British citizen and no longer live in the UK, but I discuss with expats - all Remainers, of course - and listen to BBC etc.)