If there is a finer, more beautiful,poignant soliloquy written to the futility of war anywhere in the English language, then I've yet to hear it. Jake, you were a genius. What a tragedy that you were never afforded the recognition in life that your extraordinary talent deserved.
"A bayonet is a weapon with a worker at both ends". A devastatingly honest & insightful song - I wish more people reflected like this on so-called Remembrance Days.
Remember the bands and the grand parades, The flags, the banners, the fine cockades, And how we all looked up to see the King upon the balcony: Who told us we were young and brave, We'd never become the foreigner's slave - If the foreigner comes off best, he said, You'll be better off dead . . . This was a couple of weeks before we got killed in the war. Remember the drums and the trumpets played When we set sail on the great crusade, And how we all looked up to see the clergyman on the quay: Who told us we were grand and good To fight for God, as good men should - If the enemy comes off best, he said, You'll be better off dead . . . And this was a couple of days before we got killed in the war. Remember the night before the raid When the guns began the cannonade, And how we all looked up to see the captain of the company: Who told us we were bold and strong, Let fame and glory spur us on - If the Enemy comes off best, he said, You'll be better off dead . . . This was a couple of hours before we got killed in the war. Remember the shock of the ambuscade, Remember the terrible fusillade, And how we all looked up to see the curious face of the enemy: Who was young, and shabby, and seemed to be About as foreign as you or me - I never did catch what the poor sod said When he made sure we were dead . . . This was a couple of shakes before we got killed in the war. www.jakethackray.com/archive/songs/the-lyrics-and-guitar-tabs/item/the-remembrance.html
Jake is a much under rated musical genius. He packs so much melody and lyrical wonder in two or three minutes I don't understand why so few people know of him. He can make you laugh, cry, feel joy, anger and poignant sadness all in the space of a single album. To me, this is one of the most heartbreaking and honest songs ever written by any artist. RIP Jake, you were a real one off treasure and very sadly missed.
Brilliant...brilliant ....brilliant !! . What a man.... what a voice ..... what a genius he was. If I ever get to heaven I will ask if I can sit at Jakes' table please. Thanks for posting this because it made my day!
During the 1970's, I heard one of Jake's songs, one time. Never forgot it. I found it recently on youtube after years of searching. It is called, "Remember Bethlehem." Posted by Barndog, you will love it. It ranks with Ralph Mctell and "Streets of London." Love this post too, I never heard it before. Thank goodness for the internet.
I'm glad you like the track, Holymowlam. I have had no success in finding a CD with this track on. It was one of the reasons I thought it was worthwhile uploading.
It is rarely available on vinyl only (forgot the title but it is now deleted and crops up on ebay) and not available on CD. Many thanks, I have been trying to get this "digitally" for about a year. What a great song and isnt Jake's guitar playing brilliant on nylon strings? Cheers indeed
Thanks for posting this. When I was lucky enough to see him he segued from this song into "The Bull". Brilliant juxtaposition of songs which worked superbly.
Thank you so much for this posting. I have lost my copy of the lyrics and the official JT site is down with hacking problems at the moment. Unfortunately, not spotted in time for Remembrance Day this year. One of the most telling songs from England's greatest wordsmith of the Twentieth Century - sadly undervalued while alive.
I'm presently getting rid of some old video tapes. Before disposing of them, I decided to view some and found a program about Jake's life that I had recorded. I know Jake still has a 'cult' following and that this track is very hard to find on his recordings. These were the prime motivations for putting the track onto this site. BTW, are you interested in Bach Bachwoman? I am: the organist Simon Preston is a favourite of mine.
@bondmatty Please upload the rest of it! I can't find anywhere to view 'Jake on the box'. It may get shown again on BBC4 or somewhere but I'm in Texas, USA... Thanks in advance!
I have almost everything that Jake ever recorded. The one I am missing, and I have seen him do it live, is the one about the 'Little Crunchy Pies'. Any chance anyone has this one?
I have found out that the song I asked about is actually called 'The Tortoise'. I don't know where to look for it. The lyrics are available but I would love to hear Jake sing this. Any chance?
The most beautiful song ever recorded.
If there is a finer, more beautiful,poignant soliloquy written to the futility of war anywhere in the English language, then I've yet to hear it.
Jake, you were a genius. What a tragedy that you were never afforded the recognition in life that your extraordinary talent deserved.
"A bayonet is a weapon with a worker at both ends". A devastatingly honest & insightful song - I wish more people reflected like this on so-called Remembrance Days.
Who else can have the room howling with laughter one minute, and silently enthralled in his poignant and sad words the next? What an amazing man.
Brilliant
devastatingly brilliant - how is it possible to condense so much truth and emotion into 2 minutes? Only a genius like Jake could do it.
Here because of Jamie Lenman
Same 👌🏻
no song makes me cry like this one, its delivery is absolutely devastating
Jake was so unique. This beautiful poignancy shows another side of Jake for me. The craft of his words were...are! phenomenal...
Just amazing.
Remember the bands and the grand parades,
The flags, the banners, the fine cockades,
And how we all looked up to see the King upon the balcony:
Who told us we were young and brave,
We'd never become the foreigner's slave -
If the foreigner comes off best, he said,
You'll be better off dead . . .
This was a couple of weeks before we got killed in the war.
Remember the drums and the trumpets played
When we set sail on the great crusade,
And how we all looked up to see the clergyman on the quay:
Who told us we were grand and good
To fight for God, as good men should -
If the enemy comes off best, he said,
You'll be better off dead . . .
And this was a couple of days before we got killed in the war.
Remember the night before the raid
When the guns began the cannonade,
And how we all looked up to see the captain of the company:
Who told us we were bold and strong,
Let fame and glory spur us on -
If the Enemy comes off best, he said,
You'll be better off dead . . .
This was a couple of hours before we got killed in the war.
Remember the shock of the ambuscade,
Remember the terrible fusillade,
And how we all looked up to see the curious face of the enemy:
Who was young, and shabby, and seemed to be
About as foreign as you or me -
I never did catch what the poor sod said
When he made sure we were dead . . .
This was a couple of shakes before we got killed in the war.
www.jakethackray.com/archive/songs/the-lyrics-and-guitar-tabs/item/the-remembrance.html
Jake is a much under rated musical genius. He packs so much melody and lyrical wonder in two or three minutes I don't understand why so few people know of him.
He can make you laugh, cry, feel joy, anger and poignant sadness all in the space of a single album.
To me, this is one of the most heartbreaking and honest songs ever written by any artist.
RIP Jake, you were a real one off treasure and very sadly missed.
I've never heard anyone underrating him. Every comment down the years has spoken highly of him.
Jake at his brilliant best! So thought provoking.
Poetry of the highest order
Loved Jake. A most gifted song writer. Very underrated. Though his songs were often funny, they were poignant as well.
A great, great talent...wordsmith, musician and humanist.
Here because I'm old enough to remember watching him on the telly all those years ago.
I think this is the finest anti war statement anyone has ever made
I have just been introduced to Jake Thackray. I can't believe I didn't know of him before. Simply wonderful stuff.
Brilliant...brilliant ....brilliant !! . What a man.... what a voice ..... what a genius he was. If I ever get to heaven I will ask if I can sit at Jakes' table please.
Thanks for posting this because it made my day!
An absolute genius of a song writer and performer who never got the credit he truly deserved
During the 1970's, I heard one of Jake's songs, one time. Never forgot it. I found it recently on youtube after years of searching. It is called, "Remember Bethlehem." Posted by Barndog, you will love it. It ranks with Ralph Mctell and "Streets of London." Love this post too, I never heard it before. Thank goodness for the internet.
Jake would be celebrated if he was French. This is an outstanding artist, all.
Trust jake to sum the brutal nature of war and are young men x women dying in such a simple ditty pure genius and so underrated...
one of the best anti war songs
That voice! Wonderful Jake.
I'm glad you like the track, Holymowlam. I have had no success in finding a CD with this track on. It was one of the reasons I thought it was worthwhile uploading.
Beautifully eccentric ❤
My favorite Jake song - You can just picture it
Priceless. I've been hoping this would be posted for years. This is my very favourite Jake song.
An amazing song and a wonderful performance. Thanks for posting. Jake RIP
It is rarely available on vinyl only (forgot the title but it is now deleted and crops up on ebay) and not available on CD. Many thanks, I have been trying to get this "digitally" for about a year. What a great song and isnt Jake's guitar playing brilliant on nylon strings?
Cheers indeed
I've got the LP...."Jake Thackray And Songs" on the Dingle's label (DIN 314).
Amazing performer, from a shout to a whisper
Thanks for posting this. When I was lucky enough to see him he segued from this song into "The Bull". Brilliant juxtaposition of songs which worked superbly.
Yes. It is beautifully heartbreaking xxx
beautiful
Best kept secret in music. Let's keep it that way 😉
Thank you so much for this posting. I have lost my copy of the lyrics and the official JT site is down with hacking problems at the moment. Unfortunately, not spotted in time for Remembrance Day this year.
One of the most telling songs from England's greatest wordsmith of the Twentieth Century - sadly undervalued while alive.
This is a truly amazing song!!!..my favourite of his. thanks for putting this up bondmatty!
Genius is such an overused word that it has lost its value. It deserves to be used here.
I'm presently getting rid of some old video tapes. Before disposing of them, I decided to view some and found a program about Jake's life that I had recorded. I know Jake still has a 'cult' following and that this track is very hard to find on his recordings. These were the prime motivations for putting the track onto this site. BTW, are you interested in Bach Bachwoman? I am: the organist Simon Preston is a favourite of mine.
It's on the 'Live at the Unicorn' DVD
The DVD of the BBC Series 'Jake Thackray And Songs' with it on, is better value.
Fucking brilliant song.
I agree with the last poster, one of the best antiwar songs ever.
Strange meeting
@bondmatty Please upload the rest of it! I can't find anywhere to view 'Jake on the box'. It may get shown again on BBC4 or somewhere but I'm in Texas, USA... Thanks in advance!
@Dartwith No it is the Playwright Alan Plater
Check out Jamie Lenmans rendition
@bondmatty Thanks mate but no need for me because I've actually seen the whole prog today! Found it and downloaded it, It's excellent.
great song. the tune sounds very similar to Blackbird by the Beatles at times
Peace
I have almost everything that Jake ever recorded. The one I am missing, and I have seen him do it live, is the one about the 'Little Crunchy Pies'. Any chance anyone has this one?
I remember seeing an Arena or something similar about Jake Thackray. Is this from that?
I have found out that the song I asked about is actually called 'The Tortoise'. I don't know where to look for it. The lyrics are available but I would love to hear Jake sing this. Any chance?
Jamie Lenman brought me here
Shuffle
@kzvxrpl I'll do my best. I think I've got rid of the vid now. I'll have a look this weekend.
Here from Jon Richardson
Sorry. Can't remember.
Is the guy in the beginning the bass player?
Yes, Alan Williams
Sorry, Alan is the bass player, don't know who the other bloke is.