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17 Jan 03 - 06:27 PM (#869133) Subject: Lyr Add: PEL Song (Julie Berrill) From: Julie B Here's a "protest song" I've written about the PEL proposals. I sang it for the first time at Bedford (UK) Folk Club last night (Kings Arms - 8.30pm Thursdays). It seemed to strike a chord with everyone, so I promised to "publish" it on Mudcat so that anyone else who might feel like singing it at their club can do so (to help get the message across to people who might be unaware of what's happening). My local Mudcat technical adviser (Steve Parkes) has nipped away for the weekend, so I can't ask him how/whether it is possible to post Midi or Noteworthy Composer files here. So, in the meantime, I'll just paste in the lyrics. If anyone wants the Midi and/or NW format files, with the tune, then send me a personal mail with your e-mail address and I can forward. I haven't posted a song here before, so apologies if I'm inadvertently breaking any netiquette rules. Here's it is: PEL Song 1. Well the country's in a state, there's no denying There's a lot to be dismayed about it's true The price of houses, crime and immigration Well at least we have our music, me and you But the politicians say they have the answers They've looked around and think they know the score And they've come up with some brand new legislation To make our world a better place once more. So if you want to sing a song you'll need a licence If you want to play a tune, fill out a form If you want to Morris Dance then you really take a chance If you don't complete the paperwork that's needed in advance Don't think that what I'm saying couldn't happen Oh believe me, I'm telling you no lie For if they go and change the P E L laws Then that'll be the day the music dies. 2. Well you might think this law will make life quieter Yet pre-recorded music is alright 'Cause it's only live performers are affected But pop CDs can play both day and night Yes shops and bars can all turn up the volume On speakers you can hear a mile away But if you want to sing a Christmas Carol Then for a P E L you must pay. So if you want to sing a song you'll need a licence If you want to play a tune, fill out a form And if these rules you mock Then they'll have you in the dock And before you even know it, You'll be playing "Jailhouse Rock" Don't think that what I'm saying couldn't happen Oh believe me, I'm telling you no lie For if they go and change the P E L laws Then that'll be the day the music dies. 3. No more evenings in the pub with songs and laughter It's a plan I cannot understand Do they think we'll sit at home and watch "East-Enders" like the rest When they've killed off all the folk clubs in the land? No Maypole dancing, Mummers plays or Morris For these we hear the tolling of the bell 'Cause even if you just sing "Happy Birthday" The law will say "You need a P E L". So if you want to sing a song you'll need a licence If you want to play a tune, fill out a form Well you can burgle people's houses and get no custodial sentence But do it while you're singing and they'll hound you with a vengeance Don't think that what I'm saying couldn't happen Oh believe me, I'm telling you no lie For if they go and change the P E L laws Then that'll be the day the music dies. Copyright 2003 Julie Berrill, Milton Keynes, All Rights Reserved Click for more PEL Protest Songs |
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17 Jan 03 - 06:37 PM (#869140) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Larkin Fantastic Julie- Spot on! |
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17 Jan 03 - 06:40 PM (#869141) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: McGrath of Harlow Or you could do a RealAudio version of it and stick it on a website, and then we could all hear it. It's easier than you might think. (Here is a page I wrote about how to do it.) |
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17 Jan 03 - 06:51 PM (#869144) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Alice Bravo, Julie. |
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17 Jan 03 - 08:03 PM (#869181) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Nemesis Wow! Coming to the Demo on 27th? Then after the silent bit is over we can hear it in person!! |
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19 Jan 03 - 02:28 PM (#870026) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Julie B - Thanks for the feedback :) I'm still tinkering with little bits of the song, to get it just right, but it's still 99% as it appears above. I am hoping to take the day off work and travel down to London on 27th (trains from Milton Keynes permitting). McGrath: Thanks for that info. With help from Steve Parkes I may be able to get a recording online in a week or two. Are the bits of software you mention freely available or do they cost very much? (i.e. Goldwave, Real Producer) Ta, Julie B |
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20 Jan 03 - 02:08 PM (#870720) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: McGrath of Harlow They were all free when I wrote it. That link for Real Producer doesn't work now, I've just found. I think the comoany wants peopel to buy the newer versions. But this link should do it - http://www.realnetworks.com/products/producer/basic.html Generally if you look around there's a free basic version of most things you need, but somretimes, in small print, because they'd like you to buy the one with bells on it, which often aren't particularly usreful bells. (I can't edit that page I wrote for the time being, because I'm having temporary problems loading stuff to that site.) |
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20 Jan 03 - 07:21 PM (#870956) Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAWS THEY ARE A-CHANGING (C Andrews) From: The Shambles Passing on wonderful parody by Colin Andrews of Dylan's Times they are a'changing THE LAWS THEY ARE A-CHANGING Colin Andrews (with apologies to Bob Dylan) Come all you folksingers throughout the land Dancers, musicians who play in a band Take note your activities soon could be banned If unlicensed performance intending New regulations gone way out of hand In a Bill that needs amending The fine it is set, the penalty's cast It's in the new law but the law is an ass That song in the bar, well, it might be your last And six months in jail you'll be spending Or thousands of pounds if the bill it is passed For the Bill it needs amending All mothers and fathers with kids at a school Sing carols at Christmas and tidings of Yule That nativity play could be breaking the rule And criminal charges pending Bureaucracy gone mad yet we'll pay for it all This Bill it needs amending People of England please heed the call In church, school and pub and community hall Or soon you will have no live music at all Traditional customs all ending Red tape & taxes imposed by Whitehall This Bill does need amending ! Come good honest citizens take up your pen Write to your M.P. and tell Number Ten That the Minister for Culture should go think again Our traditions he should be defending ! Let's play music free so let's sing it again This Bill does need amending ! Colin is happy for this to be distributed as widely as possible and it seems like a great way to keep momentum without having to verbally repeat your plea at your folk club or session!! Let the songs speak for themselves!! |
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23 Jan 03 - 11:15 AM (#872884) Subject: Tune Add: THE PEL SONG (Julie Berrill) From: Julie B Steve Parkes (who is accepting all blame if this doesn't work!) has shown me how to convert Noteworthy Composer files to ABC format, and has said it should be ok to simply cut n' paste the results here. Note: Song title is "If you want to sing a song..." Julie B X:1 T:The PEL Song C:Julie Berrill Q:1/4=140 I:abc2nwc M:12/8 L:1/8 K:G D2D|G2A B2c d2A F2A|A G2-G3-G3-G2G|e2e e2e d2G c2B|A3-A3-A3-A2G|e2e e2e e2e d2c|d B2-B3-B3B2B|A2A A2A A2B A2G|F3-F3-F3D2D|G2A B2c d2A F2A|A G2-G3-G3-G2G|e2e e2e d2G c2B|A3-A3-A3G2G|e2e e2e e2e d2c|d B2-B3-B3-B2B|A2A A2A B2A B2^c|d3-d3-d2D D2D|G2A B2c d2A F2A|A G2-G3-G3G2G|e2e e2e d2G c2B|A3-A3-A3G2G|e2^d e2d e3c2e|d2^c d2c d3B2d|A2A A2B ^c2A B2c|d2d d2^c =c3-c2D|G2A B2c d2A F2A|A G2-G3-G3G2G|e2e- e2f g2g f2e|d3-d3-d3-d2G|e2e e2f g2g f2e|d B2-B3-B3-B2B|A2A A2B c2F B2A|G3-G3-G3-G w:Well the coun-try's in a state, there's no de-ny-ing___There's much to be con-cerned a-bout it's true___The price of hou-ses, crime and imm-i-gra-tion__Well at least we have our mu-sic, me and you__But the pol-i-ti-cians say they have the an-swers___They've looked a-round and think they know the score__And they've come up with some brand new le-gi-sla-tion___To make our world a bet-ter place once more.__So if you want to sing a song you'll need a li-cence__If you want to play a tune, fill out a form__If you want to Mor-ris Dance then you rea-lly take a chanceIf you don't com-plete the pa-per-work that's need-ed in ad-vance_Don't think that what I'm say-ing could-n't hap-pen__Oh be-lieve me,_ I'm tell-ing you no lie___For if they go and change the P E L laws___Then that-'ll be the day the mu-sic dies.___ w:Well_ you might think this law will make life quiet-er___Yet pre-re-cor-ded mu-sic is al-right___'Cause~it's on-ly live per-for-mers are aff-ect-ed__But_ pop C-Ds can play both day and night__Yes_ shops and bars can all turn up the vo-lume___On speak-ers you can hear a mile aw-ay__But_ if you want to sing a Christ-mas Ca-rol___Then for a P E L_ you must pay.__So if you want to sing a song you'll need a li-cence__If you want to play a tune, fill out a form__And_ if these rules you mockThen they'll have you in the dockAnd be-fore you ev-en know it,You'll be play-ing "Jail-house Rock"_Don't think that what I'm say-ing could-n't hap-pen__Oh be-lieve me,_ I'm tell-ing you no lie___For if they go and change the P E L laws___Then that-'ll be the day the mu-sic dies.___ w:No more eve-nings in the pub with songs and laugh-ter___It's~a plan_ I_ can-not un-der-stand___Do they think we'll sit at home and watch "East-enders" like theWhen they've killed off all the folk clubs in the land?__No_ May-pole dan-cing, Mum-mers plays or Mor-ris___For these we hear the toll-ing of the bell__'cause_ ev-en if you just sing "Hap-py Birth-day"___The law will say you need a P E L.__So if you want to sing a song you'll need a li-cence__If you want to play a tune, fill out a form__Well~you can bur-gle peo-ples houses and get no cus-to-dial sentenceBut_ do it while you're sing-ing and they'll hound you with a vengeance_Don't think that what I'm say-ing could-n't hap-pen__Oh be-lieve me,_ I'm tell-ing you no lie___For if they go and change the P E L laws___Then that-'ll be the day the mu-sic dies.___ |
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24 Jan 03 - 09:33 AM (#873736) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Steve Parkes I do all the work, and this is the thanks I get! ALl yo did waswrite the words and the tune, Julie! You guys had better start singing this, after all my trouble!! Steve |
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24 Jan 03 - 11:53 AM (#873866) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: GUEST,richard cox stroud Great song Julie. I was working on some ideas of my own which sort of chime in with yours. Could I humbly suggest the following additional verses. (If this is a heinous sin please ignore it.) When you toddle down the pub on Sat'day evening To have a pint and sing a song or shoot the breeze, It's not the French we ought to blame, not Al Quaeda nor Hussein It's all the folkies bringin' the country to it's knees. But sport on tele in the pub is unaffected. They see no threat to public order from football But I'd say a pub to miss was where the lads are on the piss And England just went down 4-0 to Senegal. Ch So if you want to sing a song you'll need a license. And if you want to play a tune fill out a form. He's on a mission killing music in the north and in the south, When someone mentions 'Culture' Kimmy reaches for his mouth. Don't think that what I'm saying couldn't happen. Please believe me 'cos I'm telling you no lies. If Mr Howells gets a chance he'll make a crime of song and dance And that'll be the day traditional music dies. V4 And on a lovely summers ev'ning in your garden, You're quietly strumming, not a thought for Mr Howells. Just singing songs your family's sung for generations, But have a care, the thought police are on the prowl. Is it the tele you can hear at number seven Or the pounding Drum and Base at twenty two. No it's not what you might think, you're risking six months in the clink Because the one the buggers have come to get is you! Ch So if you want to sing a song you'll need a license, If you want to play a tune fill out a form. All you lovers of the arts beware New Labour's Fascist thugs, You'd do better burgling houses, you'd be safer dealing drugs So don't think that what I'm saying couldn't happen. And before they come to march us all away. There's just one thing I might suggest, another time it might be best If we decided all to vote another way. So on the 27th gather in Westminster And as the noble protest banners are unfurled. Though they belabour us with clubs, just-think-in-a-week or two The Scrubbs Could have the finest f--kin' folk club in the world. |
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26 Jan 03 - 05:27 AM (#875050) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: The Shambles PEL Song |
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26 Jan 03 - 05:30 AM (#875053) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: The Shambles 'Freedom to sing' song |
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26 Jan 03 - 06:35 AM (#875071) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: The Shambles Robb Johnson has kindly agreed for his new song to be circulated. The song arose out his appearence on R3 Music matters with The Bishop of London and Kim Howells. I did ask but Robb is NOT dedicating the song to Howells.......... Robb Johnson on R3 A New Song (Have You Got A License?) Have you got a license for that song, sir, Is it one the quaint old people used to sing, That we've collected stuffed & mounted in a museum, Like a butterfly with pins stuck through each wing. But if you want the very latest culture we promise you big screens in every bar & you can watch the latest entertainment & sing along la la la la la la. But a new song… that could be dangerous… something might go wrong… Have you got a license for that song? No, we've no objection to you talking, But the things the quaint old people used to say, We keep them safe & sound in universities Though you can't afford to go there nowadays. But if you want the very latest wisdom, we promise you a media filled with stars & you can learn the art of being famous: the secret is you just go blah blah blah. But a new song might start you thinking there's more to life than sport… Have you got a license for that thought? No, we've no objection to you dreaming But the dreams the quaint old people used to share Have all been topped & tailed to fit the adverts & the chance you might become a millionaire. Now if you want the very latest model, Now if you want the very latest style, repeat this after me now, all together: I am not a number, & don't forget the smile.. But a new song might start you singing in your own voice, & that would never do. Have you got a license to be you? Words and music by Robb Jonhson 2003 |
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27 Jan 03 - 05:13 AM (#875618) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Clean Supper Fantastic. And don't forget - at least you can sing in jail (what more can they do?). |
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27 Jan 03 - 06:27 AM (#875643) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Steve Parkes If the authorities don't like it, they can make life uncomfortable; and if the inmates don't like it, they can make life even more uncomfortable! |
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27 Jan 03 - 06:39 AM (#875649) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Mr Happy more evidence that 'the word' is spreading and increasingly gaining support. last night at Frodsham session, Colin Andrews' great song was performed by one of the participants [we can't use the term 'performer' or under present pel it would be illegal!] |
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29 Jan 03 - 09:33 AM (#877553) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Micca I was bored on the train down to the protest meeting at Parliament square on Monday so sketched this out and finished it this morning, Well, it amused me. KimPel Song (Tune,, Thousands or more) By Micca Life here in England has turned darker grey Since Kim brought in an Act to drive music away music away, music away, music away, Since Kim brought in an Act to drive music away So Now to the pub if you go to unwind If there's no P-E-L leave your Music behind Music behind, Music behind ,Music behind If there's no P-E-L leave your Music behind Altho' we're not a juke box or Big Screen TVs An Unamplified voice needs more license than these license than these, license than these, license than these, An Unamplified voice needs more license than these You can't sway to the sounds or beat time to the band but its fine if you scream like your in a grandstand in a grandstand, in a grandstand, in a grandstand, but its fine if you scream like your in a grandstand The old Law was crappy but better by far But at least you could sing with just "2 in a bar" "2 in a bar", "2 in a bar", "2 in a bar", But at least you could sing with just "2 in a bar" But soon with the new law it will be the norm You can't sing or dance 'til they fill in the form fill in the form, fill in the form, fill in the form, You can't sing or dance 'til they fill in the form We know local Jobsworths no Music allow but a license will make us all "Safer" you know Safer you know, Safer you know, Safer you know, 'Cos a license will make us all "Safer" you know So take up your banners to keep music alive If you want to see sessions and music survive music survive, music survive, music survive If you want to see sessions and music survive So come Left–wing Muso's lets all get annoyed Is it time to make Kim and his mates Unemployed? mates Unemployed, mates Unemployed, mates Unemployed, It is time to make Kim and his mates Unemployed So come the elections don't sit on the fence Local or National, we can all Vote against all Vote against, all Vote against, all Vote against If they don't support us, we can all Vote against M.A.Patterson Jan 2003 |
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29 Jan 03 - 10:46 AM (#877602) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: JudeL Nice one Micca |
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29 Jan 03 - 12:00 PM (#877669) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Steve Parkes Trouble is, who do left-wing musos vote for now the Labour Party's gone too far to the right? (Ignoring the possibility that they've always been too far that way!) Steve |
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29 Jan 03 - 12:22 PM (#877681) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Micca Steve , the message is Dont Vote FOR!!!!! Vote Against!!!! |
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31 Jan 03 - 03:00 PM (#879337) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: The Shambles LYR ADD PEL Protest song |
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08 Feb 03 - 10:24 AM (#885462) Subject: PEL protest song ? From: Sliding Down The Bannister At My Auntie's House Some friends of mine were in a folk club im Beverley Yorks. this week. They say they heard a fantastic PEL protest song done to a Dylan tune (Times They Are A Changin' I think!). Does anybody have the lyric? I moved this message and the one below from another thread on the same topic. |
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08 Feb 03 - 12:35 PM (#885575) Subject: RE: PEL protest song ? From: The Shambles See Above. Also Lyrics PEL protest song |
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14 Feb 03 - 05:30 PM (#890600) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: McGrath of Harlow Here's a new song what I wrote today (perhaps looking forward to the day they sack the man: We'll never find a better friend than the Minister of Culture. They may say that he is round the bend, from Westmoreland to Wiltshire, But every time we sing a song, and the licence is not handy, We'll think of Kim the Minister, from the land of Tonypandy. Oh Kim we will remember you, who ever could forget you. You're the man who tried to silence us, except, we never let you. Well he promised this and he promised that, but he never could deliver, "If there's no money changing hands it's diffeent altogether Oh you can hold your sessions there's no reason for a licence." Did he think a fine of £20,000 might calm us into silence? Oh Kim we will remember you, who ever could forget you. You're the man who tried to silence us, except, we never let you. Oh the bells were ringing in the church, and the dancers on the paving, And the Minister of Culture was very close to raving. Oh he blamed it on the Union, for it's misinformation, But the Minister of Culture now is a joke through all the nation. Oh Kim we will remember you, who ever could forget you. You're the man who tried to silence us, except, we never let you. (And I know Westmoreland was officially abolished as a County years ago. But you can't abolish a County in the real world.) |
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03 Oct 03 - 07:55 AM (#1028703) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Julie B ...Just a quick note to mention two small changes to the original lyrics posted at the top of this thread. "much to be dismayed about" became "much to be concerned about" And the start of the last verse now has the word "So" on the front i.e. "So no more evenings in the pub...." The music for the song was published in issue 83 (Aug-Oct 2003, red cover) of the "Unicorn" Folk Magazine, distributed in Beds, Herts & Cambs area. If anyone wants a copy of the sheet music (or CD), PM me & I'll pop it in the post. Julie |
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03 Oct 03 - 04:24 PM (#1029138) Subject: RE: PEL: A PEL Protest Song - Lyrics From: Tyke refresh |