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Description
Our entry for the Lost Songs Project - guess the artist(s) and album.
You probably thought they'd released everything by now, with all the reissues and pointless compilations, but nope. They missed this one. Which is a shame, because it's the only known collaboration between this band and another acclaimed artist whose career was just starting.
Me and Dick got it from an old reel-to-reel tape which we found stashed in a secret compartment in a toilet cistern at the Prince of Wales pub in Wimbledon.*
The story is that one of the key members of the band missed the bus and couldn't get to the studio in time for the session. In desperation they called in a guitarist who was working with his band and some session livestock in the studio next door. He was not especially well known at the time but became a legend in his own right soon afterwards. Despite a difference in genres, he did know the band slightly, having recruited their previous female singer for the early lineup of his own band.
The song was apparently dropped from its target album because of concerns over its controversial lefty political content and because a goat got loose in the studio during recording.
Full credits will be given at the grand denouement, but for now let's just say I'm very lucky indeed to have such a brilliant collaborator. Thanks Dick!
You get an extra five points if you can name the female singer (not appearing on this recording) who links the mystery band and the mystery guitarist.
* Order our new book in time for Christmas, "English Pub Toilets: The Golden Age".
You probably thought they'd released everything by now, with all the reissues and pointless compilations, but nope. They missed this one. Which is a shame, because it's the only known collaboration between this band and another acclaimed artist whose career was just starting.
Me and Dick got it from an old reel-to-reel tape which we found stashed in a secret compartment in a toilet cistern at the Prince of Wales pub in Wimbledon.*
The story is that one of the key members of the band missed the bus and couldn't get to the studio in time for the session. In desperation they called in a guitarist who was working with his band and some session livestock in the studio next door. He was not especially well known at the time but became a legend in his own right soon afterwards. Despite a difference in genres, he did know the band slightly, having recruited their previous female singer for the early lineup of his own band.
The song was apparently dropped from its target album because of concerns over its controversial lefty political content and because a goat got loose in the studio during recording.
Full credits will be given at the grand denouement, but for now let's just say I'm very lucky indeed to have such a brilliant collaborator. Thanks Dick!
You get an extra five points if you can name the female singer (not appearing on this recording) who links the mystery band and the mystery guitarist.
* Order our new book in time for Christmas, "English Pub Toilets: The Golden Age".
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Lyrics
My name is Alfie Reynolds and in 1943
I was 19 going on 20 with my life in front of me
I was sent to Porton Down, a volunteer to be
To do my national service for my king and my country
They gave us food, they gave us rooms
There's snooker darts and beer
They said no need to worry 'cos there's nothing to fear
They gave us gas masks and a gun to see if we could shoot
While they pumped us full of mustard gas and told us not to puke
Porton Down, Porton Down, now who would you believe?
They fill you full of chemicals to see if you can breathe
Porton Down, Porton Down, you bastard Porton men
Kill you once, kill you twice, and kill you once again
Now 26 years passed me by but still they're dealing pain
Although you may not know it, it's happening again
They're shooting pigs with guns we hear, and calmly taking notes
While the only pigs that should be shot are those that wear white coats
They say the drugs are harmless and the ECT is fine
They say it's just an acid test and won't control your mind
The man who died here yesterday he left us with no doubt
Just classify the papers and never let the truth come out
Porton Down, Porton Down, now who would you believe?
They fill you full of chemicals to see if you can breathe
Porton Down, Porton Down, you bastard Porton men
Kill you once, kill you twice, and kill you once again
I was 19 going on 20 with my life in front of me
I was sent to Porton Down, a volunteer to be
To do my national service for my king and my country
They gave us food, they gave us rooms
There's snooker darts and beer
They said no need to worry 'cos there's nothing to fear
They gave us gas masks and a gun to see if we could shoot
While they pumped us full of mustard gas and told us not to puke
Porton Down, Porton Down, now who would you believe?
They fill you full of chemicals to see if you can breathe
Porton Down, Porton Down, you bastard Porton men
Kill you once, kill you twice, and kill you once again
Now 26 years passed me by but still they're dealing pain
Although you may not know it, it's happening again
They're shooting pigs with guns we hear, and calmly taking notes
While the only pigs that should be shot are those that wear white coats
They say the drugs are harmless and the ECT is fine
They say it's just an acid test and won't control your mind
The man who died here yesterday he left us with no doubt
Just classify the papers and never let the truth come out
Porton Down, Porton Down, now who would you believe?
They fill you full of chemicals to see if you can breathe
Porton Down, Porton Down, you bastard Porton men
Kill you once, kill you twice, and kill you once again
ktb
I couldn't hazard a guess, but i find it thoroughly enjoyable. Your voice is in fine form and music is excellent. I esp liked the rockin end. 10's on the guitar work Dick. Cool lyrics.