Thursday, September 24, 2009

WAR, WHAT IS GOOD FOR?

Absolutely Nothing.

mp3 : The Skids - And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
mp3 : The Pogues - And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda

I can forgive Richard Jobson for all his pretentions simply for the fact that his inclusion of this song on Joy, the final LP by The Skids in 1981 was the first time I ever heard it. And made me realise that folk music was nothing to be afraid of.

And the delivery of Shane McGowan over the gorgeous playing of his band, perfectly produced by Elvis Costello, brings a lump to my throat every single time.

I really dont want to say anything else today.

19 comments:

Ed said...

Oh yes...thanks to the Pogues and The men they Couldn't hang for introducing me to the wonders of Eric Bogle...

Ctelblog said...

War. What is it good for?

It's good for business.

dickvandyke said...

I wrote a little more on this once at http://lastnightanmp3savedmywife.blogspot.com/2005_04_01_archive.html

dickvandyke said...

That should read

http://lastnightanmp3savedmywife.blogspot.com
/2005_04_01_archive.html

then scroll down a bit.

Lest we forget

The Sense Collective said...

Almost perfect timing JC.
Eric Bogle was 65 yesterday!
So as a bit of a plug for him, here is the great man's own version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG48Ftsr3OI

And another of his great WWI songs this time covered by The Dropkick Murphys:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKg3RTkXIw4&feature=related

The Sense Collective said...

However, that Skids version is a bit ropey!!

JC said...

I put this together about 2 weeks ago as I'm doing all my posts in advance. I had no idea that it was going to appear so close to Eric Bogle's birthday.

atlanticjaxx said...

War what is it god for?

Well.. the freedoms we live under for a start... unless speaking German under a fascist regime is you're "bag"

The Wolfmen said...

I haven't got any Skids albums are they worth grabbing - and where should I start?

JC said...

Wolfmen...I'd suggest you grab a compilation LP and take it from there.......

Ajaxx

Fair point.
But most wars do seem to be about land/religion/oil/capital rather than genuine freedoms.

Anonymous said...

Good post.
Certainly one of my most favourite tracks from the pogues. was eric bogle originally from scotland ?
reading the first comment from Ed reminded me of a long lost fav The colours by The men they couldn't hang do you have it JC? How could you say no ?

Cheers Son of the rock

Anonymous said...

Jim I have to post again after listening to the Skids version whilst it is totally commendable to attempt this with very little backing i was desperatly lost attempting to count the amount of different accents were thrown in there if ever there was an advert to be yourself and sing in your own tongue that was it.
interesting it was thanks.

Son of the rock.

drew said...

Eric Bogle has written the 2 finest anti-war songs ever the one posted and The Green Fields Of France. He also wrote some amazing other songs, can't listen to Leaving Nancy without bawling my eyes out. He is currently giging in the UK, maybe fo the last time. He really is worth going to see.

War not good for much except maybe getting rid of Fascists. My grandfather certainly thought so after fighting in WW1 he signed up for the internationa bigade

drew said...

That should have read International Brigade

atlanticjaxx said...

JC..

Hear what you saying, Im not a war monger, its just that when I hear that statement or that song, Im like.. blimmin hell..

War aint going away anytime soon... its just Glib and Hippyish and simplistic

ah bollocks

all getting to serious innit?

look > 8-) < happy face! with sunglasses

Darren said...

June Tabor also did a wonderful version of this song.

The Sense Collective said...

Thanks for the heads up on the Eric Bogle tour Drew. Alas I've just checked this out and it finished in his hometown, Peebles, on Sep 11th. He was at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow on Sep 1st too. Aarrgghh!

adam said...

Son of the Rock...

The Men They Couldn't Hang - The Colours mp3

Anonymous said...

Adam thanks a million for that it must be over ten years since I heard that tune.

Son of the rock.