Songs about David Oluwale-Leeds homeless black man

Subject: Lyr Req: David Oluwale - Leeds homeless black man
From: cujimmy
Date: 27 Sep 25 - 03:24 PM

I wonder if people on Mudcat know of any songs, lyrics, poems relating to David Oluwale, a black man who was murdered by 2 policemen in 1969 in Leeds England, a very disturbing case of racism. A homeless man sleeping rough who was kicked to death by 2 policemen back then. There have been several documentaries about this case and there are memorials in Leeds. A story which should never be forgotten. God Bless and RIP David.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_David_Oluwale

Subject: RE: Songs about David Oluwale-Leeds homeless black man
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 30 Sep 25 - 05:20 AM

My friend Gary Kaye wrote a excellent song in tribute

https://youtu.be/j9y8grSeJjU?si=tG3pABa-rU5_TWOQ

Subject: RE: Songs about David Oluwale-Leeds homeless black man
From: Raggytash
Date: 30 Sep 25 - 06:37 AM

Peter Bond wrote a song called Ntjilo Ntjilo/Smiling David. It is on an album called See Me Up See Me Down

Subject: RE: Songs about David Oluwale-Leeds homeless black man
From: cujimmy
Date: 30 Sep 25 - 04:06 PM

Great I found them, wish I could find the lyrics now.

Subject: RE: Songs about David Oluwale-Leeds homeless black man
From: Pappy Fiddle
Date: 30 Sep 25 - 09:46 PM

MO FE LO LE
(Gary McVeigh-Kaye)

Across the sea
To the streets of Leeds
Chasing girls
Chasing dreams

The boys in blue
Had a different view
They chased David
To a place that ?? you

Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
I want to go home

Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
I want to go home

Don't ?? feel well
No cozy bed
He is in Menston
With a shock to the head

On the streets once more
Killed in a shop door
No protection from
The long arm of the law

Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
I want to go home

Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
I want to go home

The charge-sheet read
Oluwale was dead
It wasn't our fault
Ellerker and Kitching said

Your PC Jones
We'll chill to the bone
In a moment of truth
Sent David's soul home

Ilui ti sumi
'Til the tides have turned
Ilui ti sumi
'Til the lesson's learned
Ilui ti sumi
Until we find a home
David Oluwale died alone

The law's the law
Unless you're black or poor
Half the world still turns
One thing is sure

To England's shame
It happens again
Same old crime
Just different names

Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
I want to go home

Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
Mo Fe Lo Le
I want to go home

I grabbed these lyrics off Youtube's "transcript" function at
https://youtu.be/j9y8grSeJjU
There were lots of errors, I corrected them as best I could
WB

Subject: RE: Songs about David Oluwale-Leeds homeless black man
From: cnd
Date: 30 Sep 25 - 11:36 PM

Unfortunately, there was an unanswered request for lyrics to Peter Bond's song in 2017, and I haven't been able to find anything else that would help.

Subject: RE: Songs about David Oluwale-Leeds homeless black man
From: cujimmy
Date: 01 Oct 25 - 04:45 AM

Thankyou very much, I worked helping homeless people for more than 30 years, 28 years in Bradford so I read about David murder years ago and wanted to sing about it at folk clubs etc and pass the story on as it should never be forgotten. Regards - Jimmy