Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?

Subject: Ewan macoll
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 01:45 PM

Did Ewan ever write any Humourous songs.

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 02:04 PM

He did a few Dick - The Second front song is not deadly serious , and I have one he wote at the time of The Red Guard in China which is a hilarious dig at the politics of the time ! its a bit long for a casual post though !

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll
From: GUEST,The Bald Prima Donna
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 02:12 PM

I'm not sure about 'macoll' writing 'humourous' [sic] songs, but Ewan MacColl did occasionally turn his hand to a witty ditty.

Why is it that so many people who post to Mudcat misspell names and song titles?

This isn't a flippant point. Correct spelling ensures that links are enabled between threads.

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 02:25 PM

The Manchester Rambler has elements of humour. The Ballad of Joe Stalin, not so much.

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl - any Humourous songs?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 02:38 PM

BPD, I'd PM you, but can't, as you're guesting it. Not everyone was raised at the keyboard: it's hard to compose well when you're typing with one or two fingers. As to spelling, that topic has been addressed on this forum before...! A non-critical post added to the thread, with the correction in the subject line, should be sufficient to facilitate future searches.

Also, Dictionary.com gives: Humourous adj : full of or characterized by humor; "humorous stories"; "humorous cartoons"; "in a humorous vein" [syn: humorous]

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Joe_F
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 09:30 PM

At this distance in time & space, I find "The Second Front Song" amusing because it is hard on us Yanks -- like that 18th-century song in which the English lady laments that her man is off fighting "the wicked rebels in the North Americay". But I gather that in Britain in 1943 it was indeed deadly serious -- it was banned because singing it was a good way to start a riot.

However, browsing thru the table of contents of _The Essential..._, I find "The Devil and Ganger McGlynn" & "Browned Off" arguably humorous.

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 03:04 AM

The Space Girsl Song:

My Mama told me never venture into space
But I did I did I did,
She said no teran girl could trust the Martian race
But I did I did I did,
A rocket pilot asked me on a voyage to go
And I was so romantic I just couldn'y say no
That he was just a servo robot, how was I to know?
So I did I did I did

No perhaps he didn't?

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 03:27 AM

He did a satirical one about Margaret Thatchers relationship with Ronald Reagan. Can't re

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 03:28 AM

Sorry pressed to soon. Can't remember the title

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 03:36 AM

Getting in digs at McColl seems to be in season at the moment. But I don't think there's anything wrong with not writing funny songs. Leonard Cohen's no Tom Lehrer, either.

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 03:57 AM

Ewan did a bitter diatribe about Mrs Thatcher called ' The Grocer '
I suppose there is some humour in it.

eric

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 04:05 AM

to GregStephens . I am not getting at Maccoll,I have asked an innocent question in an attempt to further my knowledge. Ihave already said that i think Maccoll was a fine songwriter. If you wish to read things into my question ,thats your problem.
you owe me an apoology.

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: eddie1
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 04:13 AM

I remember the chorus of a song
"LBJ looks after me
With Uncle Harold, Georgie Brown and Marshall Ky
He keeps me well protected
From the mean and disaffected.
He's my buddy and he's looking after me."

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 05:18 AM

Catain Birdseye: sorry, just enjoying some mild fun at the expense of Messrs McColl and Cohen, both of whom I much admire.

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 06:16 AM

If the Pope were to pass an opinion on MacColl, what would he say and what would the follow up appology be?

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 06:33 AM

I'd like to see the pope trying to deal with an angry Jim Carroll.

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 07:46 AM

If you equate humour with political satire then the answer is yes. All the stuff that he wrote for "Festival of Fools" was satirical of that era as was the afoementioned "LBJ Looks After Me" and later the likes of "Thatcheroo The Vampire" and "The Android". "China Rag" was full of satire too but that ceased to be amusing after the events of Tiananmen Square brougt things round full circle. His amusing songs may not rank among his better, or better known efforts but they were bang in the broadside tradition and plenty satrical broadsides over the centuries would have endured a short shelf life.

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 12:27 PM

Satire was Ewan's forte,
One of the better ones was in co-operation with John Faulkner (I think); can't remember it all;

Tune Cosher Baley's Engine
Now philosophers and sages have been dreaming down the ages
How to make the working classes work more hours for lower wages

Did you ever - etc

In the days of Britain's might before we landed in - a mess
It was traditionally Tories had the job of screwing prolies

But a Labout chap named Harold in his Gannex mac apparelled
Said 'Labour's a go-getter and can screw the workers better.

He said, 'I'll save the nation from the menace of inflation.
And sure it will be no hassle with the help of Barbara Castle

Harold went and he surprised her playing with her breathyliser

cant remember any more.

I Don't get angry any more Greg - too old for such indulgences
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: CeltArctic
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 05:24 PM

No one has mentioned MacColl's "Browned Off". I certainly find it funny. As I understand it, it was written during the Second World War and it spread over the front lines, becoming naturally popular amongst the men. Then later, when MacColl was collecting songs for his album of songs of the 2 World Wars, he 're-discovered' the song, having supposedly forgotten that he had written it.

The lyrics are in DT - Browned Off

The first line in the DT is incorrect, I think. It should read, "I used to be a civvy chum", not 'silly'.

Moira

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Mr Fox
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 11:07 AM

'The Androids', implying that the Thatcher government were alien robots:

"They are made of wire and things,
Little wheels and bits of string......."

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 01:09 PM

Didn't he write "The Pill Song"?

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 01:11 PM

No. You're thinking of Brian Pearson.

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 02:42 PM

Exactly Jim, I was thinking of that particular one "The P.M Cut Down In His Prime" but I was concentrating on his solo efforts.
If you want the rest it goes:-
He cried I'll save the nation with an act of legislation,
With this problem I will wrassle, helped by Mrs Barbara Castle

So he called and he surprised her, playing with her brethyliser,
He stood there pipe in hand ans said we'll have to make a stand

And when he told her what was pending, she cried "let's catch them bending,
And we'll win the next election with a corporate erection"

So in the interest of the Nation they began the operation,
They were at it there for days trying all the different ways

And the outcome of this caper was a government white paper,
Like the Beano or the Dandy but much funnier and more handy

Harold said In Place of Strife I will fix it with my knife,
If I chance to hear you cough I'll have the both of them right off

Harold called for arbitration and compulsory castration,
After Barbara's stiletto you'll be singing in falsetto

But the TUC cried "nark it, Harold take your Bill and park it
We've a voluntary structure fit to give the workers rupture"

"Harold lad" said Victor Feather "we must learn to pull together,
For at double crossing sure we are twice as good as you are"

So if you're a union member you better had remember,
The concilliation pause or you will get your penal clause

As for Hrold it is time that he was cut down in his prime,
And that Mrs Barbara Castle got her bill shoved up her asshole

Written to lampoon the industrial relations bill In Place of Strife

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: curmudgeon
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 04:49 PM

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned "No Agents Need Apply" -- Tom

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Forsh
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 07:10 PM

When I joined the army a few weeks ago, I left a good home to come here, I just couldn't eat any breakfast at all, my stomach was feelin so quer, the sight of those brown ham & eggs on the plate, filled me with loathing & fear, but if I'd known then chum, just what I know now, I'd have eaten enough for a tear! TELLLLLLL ME BOYS HAVE YOU ANY COMPLAINTS! (Etc)

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: CeltArctic
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 07:33 PM

Didn't Leon Rosselson write a 'Pill' song - maybe not the one mentioned above. The chorus goes:

Pills, pills, pills and pills
Pills to take the pain away,
Just swallow 3, 4 times a day,
You'll be as good as new.
There are pills to make you happy,
Pills to pep you up or calm you down -
It's magic what a pill can do.

1. It was on a Monday morning, I was tired, my head was turning
And I couldn't face the thought of going back to work, and so,
I paid a visit to the doctor
And he gave me the once over,
Said, "Don't worry, we'll soon have you on the go. You need,

Pills, pills, pills etc.

2. So I took the dose as ordered
And my energy was restored,
But I was twitching, I was itching,
Couldn't keep my body still.
So I twitched right back to see the quack,
"Ah, yes," he says, "We'll soon cure that,
I'll just prescribe another little pill. You need…"

3. Well the twitching soon subsided,
Then I couldn't open my eyelids,
I was dozy, droopy, drowsy,
So I asked the doctor why.
He just took another look at
His new multi-coloured booklet,
Then he shook me from my slumber with a cry: "You need…"

4. Now my cupboard's overflowing
With the pills that keep me going.
I have yellow, pink and orange ones—
I can't think what they're for.
But they look so reassuring,
I suppose the must be curing me.
I wonder how I ever coped before, without…

5. Now the drug firms are delighted
And they say I should be knighted,
'Cause I keep their profits healthy
And they've got a super plan
To launch a major operation
To present me to the nation
As a fully working model of a well-adjusted man. You need…

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 08:27 PM

A lot of what Ewam MacColl composed was what I'd describe as satirical, using humor to deflate the establishment.

A good example is "Legal-Illegal."

I can't think of any more purely humourous songs.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 04:02 AM

Thanks Dave S; I couldn't even remember the title - loss of grey cells you know.
On the subject of humourous songs when I lived in Manchester in the late sixties somebody wrote a song about a body being found in a shop doorway and the policemen who found it moved it on to another beat so he wouldn't have the hassle of filling in the paperwork. This continues to happen and it ends with a note being pinned on it reading -
'Not wanted on beats three and five'.
Does anybody remember it or who wrote it?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: eddie1
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 04:50 AM

Jim Carroll
The Song was recorded by Hamish Imlach (RIP) and was called Invertotty. If you want the lyrics I shall try to dredge them from the sludge of what I laughingly call a memory.

Eddie

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Snuffy
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 09:18 AM

It's here in the Mudcat, Jim THE COPPERS' SONG (Hamish Imlach)

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 08:37 AM

Sorry, the one I was thinking of was by Matt Magin.

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: GUEST,Tam
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 02:31 PM

He was as funny as a broken leg. His 'satire' was so concrete it made you squirm but to confuse his writings with Matt McGinn's, that IS funny!

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 04:40 AM

Eddy1
Yes please
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: GUEST,Tight Fisted Jock
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 05:31 AM

How could that miserable plastic scotch c*nt write anything humorous?

In fact it's doubtful if he wrote anything at all. His material was stolen from the very people he pretended to champion.

Subject: RE: Ewan macoll - any Humourous songs?
From: webfolk
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 06:25 AM

There are some humourous lines in 'Champion at keeping them rolling'
I'm sure Mary and Blondie would agree.

Geoff