Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)

Subject: Lyr Req: Lyrics and Chords req. 'Tommy's Lot'
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 12:09 PM

I believe this may have been recorded by Dick Miles, 'tho I don't know who wrote it.

First Line:- All for the uniform, three square meals a day,

Chorus:- Blame it on the king, blame it on Lloyd George,
         But spare a thought for Tommy's Lot.

HELP PLEASE?

Don T.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics and Chords req. 'Tommy's Lot'
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 12:37 PM

It sounds vaguely like Kipling's charachter, Tommy Atkins. I would look up Kipling if nobody else comes up with the right answer quickly.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics and Chords req. 'Tommy's Lot'
From:
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 01:03 PM

This is all I have, hope this helps. Susu
All for a uniform and three square meals a day
We marched off on in the Grand Parade;
Across the sea to France and up the lines to death,
Like we were on our holiday.
But where's your land fit for heroes?
Promises that you forgot?
You can blame it on the king,
You can blame it on Lloyd-George,
But spare a thought for Tommy's Lot.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics and Chords req. 'Tommy's Lot'
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 05:26 AM

Susu, thankyou. That is the complete first verse. I believe there are two more at least, but at least we now know we're all looking for the right song.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics and Chords req. 'Tommy's Lot'
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 09:30 AM

All I could find was that it was recorded on "Cheating the Tide      " by Dick Miles   -- (Greenwich Village GVR 227 (LP, UK, 1984)

Linn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics and Chords req. 'Tommy's Lot'
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 10:45 AM

Armistice Day

All for a uniform and three square meals a day
We marched off on in the Grand Parade;
Across the sea to France and up the lines to death,
Like we were on our holiday.
But where's your land fit for heroes?
Promises that you forgot?
You can blame it on the king,
You can blame it on Lloyd-George,
But spare a thought for Tommy's Lot.

found here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics and Chords req. 'Tommy's Lot'
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 09:00 PM

refrsh

Subject: Lyr Add: TOMMY'S LOT (Dominic Williams)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 11:33 AM

Written by Dominic Williams, it has also been recorded by Geoff Higginbottom, the words are

All for a uniform, three square meals a day
We marched off in the grand parade
Across the sea to France, up the lines to death
Like we were off on holiday
But where's your land that's fit for heroes?
What happened to the promises you forgot?

Blame it on the king, blame it on Lloyd George
But spare a thought for Tommy's lot

At Passendale, through the gas and shell
We stumbled through the jaws of hell
How can a mother say "Your father fell"
In a town she can't even say?
If these men died for a reason
Did anybody ever tell them what?

Call if an act of God, call it insanity
But spare a thought for Tommy's lot

Whatever happened to the war to end all wars
Where did that grand illusion go?
We've left it buried in the bloody fields of France
Beyond the lines of Marginot
And from the poppy fields of Flanders
The ghosts that never heard the final shot

Sing "Jerusalem will be built again"
But spare a thought for Tommy's lot

All for a uniform ...

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 01:52 PM

Hi Guest,

Many many thanks. It's a lovely song, which will now join some some dozen or so particularly evocative anti war songs in my repertoire.
Once again thank you.

I wasn't sure from the heading whether or no you are actually Dick Miles. If yes, I remember with pleasure having booked you for a gig at a club I ran more years ago than either of us would like to admit, and it's a pleasure I would like to repeat at my present club.
Please confirm if it's you.

Once again thankyou
Don T.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 06 Jan 05 - 01:57 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 06 Jan 05 - 07:13 PM

Just being a little pedantic but the version I sing has some slightly different words. Like

" it's buried somewhere in those bloody fields of France" and "how can a mother say that your father fell in a town that she can't even spell"

Just the way I have sang it for years. It is probably not definitive.

Spot

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 06 Jan 05 - 07:39 PM

Spell works better for me too

Don T.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 01:55 AM

Passendale, Passchendale and other forms = Paschendael (near Ypres).
The third stanza is far from WWI: The Maginot line was passed by the French Parliament in 1930.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 07:26 AM

I noticed that too, Wilfried. Poetic License! I think the composer must have bought one.

Don

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: captainbirdseye
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 05:57 PM

But i am Dick Miles, tommys lot was written by Dominic WilliamsIwas only playing it this very morning,if you want the song send me a personal message.Captain Birdseye.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 May 12 - 05:42 AM

Hello,

Thanks for your interest. You and others are right to note that the Maginot line does indeed postdate the First World War. However, when I wrote the lyric, I had in mind a ghost from the 'poppy fields of Flanders' looking back from a position 'beyond the lines of Maginot' and reflecting on the tragic fact that the 'war to end all wars' did not do so.

It is pleasing to see the song still has a life of its own and is still generating interest. In response to a few requests, here are the words as I originally wrote them:

'TOMMY'S LOT'

All for a uniform and three square meals a day
We marched off in the Grand Parade
Across the sea to France and up the line to death
Like we were off on holiday,

But where's your land that's fit for heroes,
And the promises that you forgot?
Blame it on the King, blame it on Lloyd George,
But spare a thought for Tommy's Lot.

At Passchendaele, through the gas and shell,
We stumbled through the jaws of Hell,
But how will a mother say,"Your father fell…"
In a town that she can't even spell?

And, if these men died for a reason,
Did anybody tell them what?
Call it an act of God, call it insanity,
But spare a thought for Tommy's Lot.

Whatever became of the war to end all wars?
Where did that grand illusion go?
We left it buried in the bloody fields of France
Beyond the lines of Maginot.

Now, from the poppy fields of Flanders,
The ghosts who never heard that final shot
Sing, "Jerusalem will be built again!"
But spare a thought for Tommy's Lot.

"There is a corner of a foreign field that is forever England."


Tommy's Lot
© P.R.S. and M.C.P.S. Copyright Controlled.
Words and music: Dominic Williams

Best wishes,

Dominic.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 May 12 - 12:57 PM

and here is Dick Miles,on an off day,hi dominic, hope you are well thanks for the song.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ5xZQVkhak

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 May 12 - 01:00 PM

i clearly sang a town that she cant even SPELL

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST,D.W.
Date: 30 Oct 20 - 11:28 AM

Just to settle a query about the inclusion of 'Maginot lines' in the lyric. This was no accident or oversight and was, in fact, very deliberate. The song is supposed to represent the voice of the ghost of a dead soldier ('We left them buried in the bloody fields of France...') Looking back in time beyond the time of the Maginot line he wonders what became of the dream they had all had of the 'war to end all wars'.

And, yes, it is 'spell' rather than 'say'.

One funny sideline. I was once asked to sing 'the song about the unicorn' and racked my brains wondering was meant. I eventually realised they had misheard the line 'All for a uniform...'

TOMMY’S LOT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0ZreQkoUBc


All for a uniform and three square meals a day 
We marched off in the Grand Parade 
Across the sea to France and up the line to death 
Like we were off on holiday, 

But where’s your land that’s fit for heroes, 
And the promises that you forgot? 
Blame it on the King, blame it on Lloyd George, 
But spare a thought for Tommy’s Lot. 

At Passchendaele, through the gas and shell, 
We stumbled through the jaws of Hell, 
But how will a mother say,”Your father fell…” 
In a town that she can’t even spell? 

And, if these men died for a reason, 
Did anybody tell them what? 
Call it an act of God, call it insanity, 
But spare a thought for Tommy’s Lot. 

Whatever became of the war to end all wars? 
Where did that grand illusion go? 
We left it buried in the bloody fields of France 
Beyond the lines of Maginot. 

Now, from the poppy fields of Flanders, 
The ghosts who never heard that final shot 
Sing, “Jerusalem will be built again!” 
But spare a thought for Tommy’s Lot. 

“There is a corner of a foreign field that is forever England.”

Words and music © 1980 Dominic Williams

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 31 Oct 20 - 04:18 PM

a fine song .Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 05:49 AM

I first heard this about 1980 or 81 at the ring of bells folk club middleton, the new bracken band,of which dominic was a member sang it as a floor spot. i recently met dominic again at whitby and sang it for him at the brewery folk club in whitby

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: Brian Peters
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 12:55 PM

I was there that night at the Ring O' Bells, and remember Dominic singing it - and you being impressed, Dick!

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 12:59 PM

O yes its coming back to my memory now Brian
ken and mags whiting ran the club ,what lovely people

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: Brian Peters
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 01:54 PM

They are indeed. We're still in touch, and they're doing okay, though they've slowed down a bit. Ken's over 90, after all!

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 02:18 PM

I remember Ken and Mags! They had about five sons as I remember. The pub had a collection of butterflies on the wall in cases, and was rumoured to be haunted. Peter Bond used to live up the road, we went round for a meal before the gig. Wow I had not thought about that in donkey's years.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 03:30 PM

give them my regards, brian

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Nov 20 - 01:35 AM

what a wonderful way to describe ones audience, a collection of butterflies.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 02 Nov 20 - 03:44 AM

Got me!

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Nov 20 - 12:43 AM

i once played to an audience of Fifers , that was an experience

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Nov 20 - 03:53 AM

Sunday
, 8 November
Remembrance Sunday 2020 in United Kingdom

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Nov 20 - 04:03 AM

I could be getting mixed up but were the New Bracken Band a 3 piece?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Nov 20 - 02:31 AM

Yes.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Nov 20 - 03:46 AM

I think I then that they won the trophy for worst song of the night at a very early Swinton folk club night by playing the same song in 3 different keys. On purpose of course! They were awarded the "Polshaw Plate", an enamel plate that I donated and had painted specially for the occasion. Coming back to the title of the thread they changed their name just for the occasion to "Most Motley" which is an anagram of Tommy's lot :-)

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Nov 20 - 10:24 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ5xZQVkhak here it is on remembrance sunday

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Nov 20 - 03:13 PM

i am trying to remember the names of the other members of the new bracken band i can picture the girl singer but cannot remember her name of the other male members name

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Nov 20 - 07:11 AM

refrsh for 11 nov

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST,D.W.
Date: 24 Apr 21 - 02:16 PM

Thanks for your interest.

The song is sung from the viewpoint of a ghost ('we left it buried in the bloody fields of France') reflecting that the 'war to end wars' did not end wars at all. Hence the reference to the Maginot line ('beyond the lines of Maginot'). More a reference to time than to space.

The idea is that the 'grand illusion' of the song has been left buried beyond the lines of Maginot.

The main point of the lyric at this point was to stress that, against all hope and idealism, there was a Second World War.

Rather than an oversight, the reference to the Maginot line was highly conscious.

I hope that's helpful.

Thank you for your interest.

Best wishes.

P.S. Glad to see my song still has a life of its own.
.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 24 Apr 21 - 03:23 PM

Tommy's Lot sung by Dick Miles. Nice take, Dick.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Apr 21 - 05:03 AM

Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Nov 21 - 05:52 PM

Joe - do cleanup

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Nov 21 - 04:48 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST,Dave Howard
Date: 14 Nov 21 - 07:59 PM

It was in my studio in Salford that the song was originally recorded, along with Desi Friel, The New Bracken Band. Great song, I'll be singing it at a club tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 Nov 21 - 03:27 AM

I have sung this song for a long time, early 1980s , i have sung it at clubs and festivals i even sang it with the new mexborough concertina quartet, so i think i have contibuted to spreading or carrying the song.it was particularly satisfying to sing it with dominic williams in the audience.
I also feel that my concertina arrangement gives the song an atmospheric colour and works well with the lyrics.to misquote mandy rice davies, i would say that wouldnt I
Incidentally i know when perfomers have learned the version from me, because my version misses a couple of lines from the original

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST,Dominic Williams
Date: 18 Oct 23 - 05:36 PM

Hello. The other members were Desi Friel (Anna's dad) and Chrissie Waldron. Wonderful voices, both of them. Sadly, Chrissie died last year. Much missed by many family and friends and, I guess, those who had the pleasure of hearing her singing with her heart felt voice.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Oct 23 - 09:41 AM

REFRESH

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 25 Oct 23 - 03:41 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ5xZQVkhak

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST,Dominic Williams
Date: 18 Oct 23 - 05:36 PM

Hello. The other members were Desi Friel (Anna's dad) and Chrissie Waldron. Wonderful voices, both of them. Sadly, Chrissie died last year. Much missed by many family and friends and, I guess, those who had the pleasure of hearing her singing with her heart felt voice.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Oct 23 - 09:41 AM

REFRESH

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Tommy's Lot (from Dick Miles)
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 25 Oct 23 - 03:41 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ5xZQVkhak