I was in a black country band called Giggetty and worked with Jake during the seventies. He is probably the most genuine soul I've ever had the privlige to meet. A Genuine, and a modest man in his own unique way. We miss him and I can't help wondering what else he may have wrtten had he still been with us. I raise my glass to the greatest trubadour of unique songs about the human condition that ever was or ever will be. His songs will echo down the generations for a very long time to come.
Well said pal. I just found jake about a year ago i have missed out on a lot. National treasure right there. No frills just pure talent. His lyrics are amazing he really does have a way with words lol. Absolute legend
steviebsurfs so lucky to be taught by Jake, unfortunately I was 50 years too late to be taught by him, and on the wrong side of the country, but yeah! Still my favourite!!
This shit crosses generations. I thank my deceased father for introducing me the wordsmithery of Mr Thackray. And I, in turn have gifted it to my children.
I saw Jake at the Tramshed Woolwich back in the 70's.He arrived 20 mins late as he passed by me I said "you're late" he said "yes but i'm worth waiting for"😊 diamond faceted talent sadly missed😎
I was very interested to read your comments. I was the same age as Jake when I first met him in the late sixties at a folk night in a pub, always his preferred venue. I am very fortunate to still be performing his unique songs, to the best of my own humble ability, in the beautiful countryside of South Shropshire. Forever is a long time, but that's how long I believe his songs will last. Thank you again. Ray.
I loved him. A one off. His music was like a blend of folk and jazz, and great for late night listening--or any time. I loved his accent too. It's great to find him on youtube. Many thanks for putting him on.
Genius - some of his lyrics are incredible here and on Sister Josephine, Brother Gorilla, etc etc. My favourite is the Ballad of Billy Kershaw. Sublime.
I saw posters at Stourbridge Town Hall'..But never took the to opportunity to see him.To my eternal shame'..But I've been a fan of jakes' for at least 35 years.I have all his recordings...But Strangely'..This song wasn't amongst them?..ILove this one..Total Genius was Jake Thackray..R.I.P.
Thank you so much whoever posted this. I was lucky enough to see Jake in concert twice, a wonderful entertainer and lyricist. I suppose it's too much to hope that a DVD will be issued of any of his live performances. Thank you Jake for your wonderful legacy, I miss your wit and wisdom so much.
The word 'Genius' is over-used and too easily applied ....but when I hear Jake sing like this then it is the most apt way to describe a uniquely talented but mostly forgotten man. He is the Boss because he is big ...and we are so very small.
Brilliant!!! Thank you so much for uploading it. This song is one of my absolute faves. I have what I'm sure is the same performance on a very scratched old vinyl record. I was privileged to see Jake live twice around 1980. When I heard he'd died it felt like a personal bereavement.
On my farm, the bull is the king of the yard; He's big and bad and fast, he's strong he's . . . hard. All my other animals would readily concur That he is the one you salute, he's the one you call "Sir". But my hens, a noisy, flighty flock - Led, of course by my unsubmissive cock - Whenever His Majesty the bull importantly goes by They dance along behind him and they cry: "Beware of the bull!" The bull, the bull is the biggest of all. He is the boss, he is, because he's big and we are small. But the bigger the bull, bigger the bull, bigger the balls. The bigger the bull, the bigger and quicker and thicker the bullshite falls. Beware of the bull! The dancing cock is right: Beware of whoever looks down upon you from a height. Beware of His Honour, His Excellence, His Grace, His Worshipful, Beware of His Highness, because of the bull. For if the boss, the chief, the chap at the top Should let a single lump of claptrap drop, The greater the weight and the height he is, the harder it will go With a grander splat! on the bleeders below. Beware of the bull! The bull, the bull is the biggest of all. He is the boss, he is, because he's big and we are small. But the bigger the bull, bigger the bull, bigger the balls. The bigger the bull, the bigger and quicker and thicker the bullshite falls. The hero arrives, we hoist him shoulder-high. He's good and wise and strong, he's brave, he's . . . shy. And how we have to plead with him, how bashfully he climbs Up the steps to the microphone - two at a time. Then down it comes: slick, slithery pat! If you must put people on pedestals, wear a big hat. The tongue he's got is pure gold, the breast is pure brass, The feet are pure clay - and watch out for the arse. Beware of the bull! The bull, the bull is the biggest of all. He is the boss, he is, because he's big and we are small. But the bigger the bull, bigger the bull, bigger the balls. The bigger the bull, the bigger and quicker and thicker the bullshite falls. At long last, the revolution comes And in no time at all we're erecting podiums. Comrades with chests of medals by the balcony-full; After the Red Flag, the galloping bull. The Saviour came especially from on high To face up to the punters eye-to-eye. No sooner is he dead and gone, there's blessed pulpits-full; Bestride the holy lamb, behold the bull. Beware of the bull! The bull, the bull is the biggest of all. He is the boss, he is, because he's big and we are small. But the bigger the bull, bigger the bull, bigger the balls. The bigger the bull, the bigger and quicker and thicker the bullshite falls. These well-known men, so over-glorified - There's one of them here his name's on the poster outside - And he's up here like this, and you are all down there. Remember his cock and his bull and mutter: "Beware!" For when they've done, we clap, we cheer, we roar: "For he is a jolly good fellow! Encore! More, more!" How glorious it would be if before these buggers began We all stood up together and solemnly sang: "Beware of the bull!" The bull, the bull is the biggest of all. He is the boss, he is, because he's big and we are small. But the bigger the bull, bigger the bull, bigger the balls. The bigger the bull, the bigger and quicker And the bigger and quicker and thicker And the bigger and quicker and thicker and slicker the bullshite falls.
Not every prophet is received in his own land....not every genius is recognised ...not every person is touched in the same way by what another achieves. The dictionary defines 'Genius' as a 'Person with exceptional ability in a particular subject, or activity'. When you know more of the man you will know what a genius he was and is.
I never really appreciated Jake Thackray during his heyday, but having recently discovered that the band Wild Beasts cite him as an influence, I gave him a fresh listen. Maybe because I'm such a big fan of Wild Beasts, and can definitely see similarities in the two acts' styles, I can now better appreciate Thackeray's indisputable genius. If you like Jake Thackray, give Wild Beasts a listen (and vice versa).
Hi inspired86, I was lucky enough to have recorded it on bt vision. If you know how I can transfer that to a video player, please let me know and consider it done. Techi I am not. However, as a huge admirer of one of this countries greatest songwriters, I would be more than happy to help. I was lucky enough to have met Jake Thackray in 1990.......A true gentleman.
Has anyone got footage of Jake's argument with Cyril "cross-eyed smug twat" Fletcher on That's Life? Please post it! Jake's lyrics appear in so many songs today in bits & bods...just goes to prove he was a massive, if very quiet Influence! Love Ya Jake! Hope yer givin them hell in heaven!
yes i agree sheer genius. very anxious man about being on stage and you can see that. but you get a real taste of his humbleness here and what used to be called socialism but lets call community spiritedness...
I was in a black country band called Giggetty and worked with Jake during the seventies. He is probably the most genuine soul I've ever had the privlige to meet. A Genuine, and a modest man in his own unique way. We miss him and I can't help wondering what else he may have wrtten had he still been with us. I raise my glass to the greatest trubadour of unique songs about the human condition that ever was or ever will be. His songs will echo down the generations for a very long time to come.
I remember Giggety You were good.. Didn't you come to the Bell and Pump one time ?
Well said pal. I just found jake about a year ago i have missed out on a lot. National treasure right there. No frills just pure talent. His lyrics are amazing he really does have a way with words lol. Absolute legend
He was my uncle God bless Giggetty
Had the pleasure of seeing him every day at school a true gent funny, entertaining and a great English Teacher!
+steviebsurfs Would love to have met him, brilliant person
+steviebsurfs I am so jealous - Jake is an unsung genius
I was lucky enough to see Jake in concert in Loughborough in 1977 ... and I'm still smiling 40 years later!
You were a lucky lad.I wish he had been my teacher instead of the thick wankers I had to put up with.Jim.Liverpool.
steviebsurfs so lucky to be taught by Jake, unfortunately I was 50 years too late to be taught by him, and on the wrong side of the country, but yeah! Still my favourite!!
This shit crosses generations. I thank my deceased father for introducing me the wordsmithery of Mr Thackray. And I, in turn have gifted it to my children.
"If you must put people on pedestals, wear a big hat" - wise words.
more wisdom contained within this one song than can be gained with a phd in Philosophy 🤣
Thanks for sharing this; he lives on...I'm blessed to have seen him 3 times
This guy is a hidden gem , smart funny and if you look closely a really unique guitar style.
I saw Jake at the Tramshed Woolwich back in the 70's.He arrived 20 mins late as he passed by me I said "you're late" he said "yes but i'm worth waiting for"😊 diamond faceted talent sadly missed😎
Fantastic. I hope he won't be forgotten. Hope the BBC shows Jake On The Box again so more people can see him.
Simply a "one off" no one came, or will ever come near the genius of the man and his songs. Cheers Jake.
I was very interested to read your comments. I was the same age as Jake when I first met him in the late sixties at a folk night in a pub, always his preferred venue. I am very fortunate to still be performing his unique songs, to the best of my own humble ability, in the beautiful countryside of South Shropshire. Forever is a long time, but that's how long I believe his songs will last. Thank you again. Ray.
Great man. Great songs. Great poetry. A true master of the English language Thanks Jake
Songwriting excellence and a fabulous performer of his own fabulous work. I salute you Mr Thackeray. A true musical genius. ❤
A song with a wonderful message. Sad to think that there are few, if any, songwriters of Jake's calibre any more.
The musical accompaniments are wonderful but the language itself creates so much of the rhythm itself. Beautifully crafted.
I absolutely agree that Jake Thackray was a genius. Unique and absolutely brilliant. Very sadly missed.
I loved him. A one off. His music was like a blend of folk and jazz, and great for late night listening--or any time. I loved his accent too. It's great to find him on youtube. Many thanks for putting him on.
Genius - some of his lyrics are incredible here and on Sister Josephine, Brother Gorilla, etc etc. My favourite is the Ballad of Billy Kershaw. Sublime.
Happy Heavenly Birthday Jake.
Great stuff. You will always be remembered Jake. RIP
Legend, since 70s TV.
Absolutely brilliant..he was a very talented man!!
I saw posters at Stourbridge Town Hall'..But never took the to opportunity to see him.To my eternal shame'..But I've been a fan of jakes' for at least 35 years.I have all his recordings...But Strangely'..This song wasn't amongst them?..ILove this one..Total Genius was Jake Thackray..R.I.P.
amzing talent ... i think i have had to play this about 20 times in a row a true lyrical genius
Thank you so much whoever posted this. I was lucky enough to see Jake in concert twice, a wonderful entertainer and lyricist. I suppose it's too much to hope that a DVD will be issued of any of his live performances.
Thank you Jake for your wonderful legacy, I miss your wit and wisdom so much.
Apart from Steely Dan Jake's albums are the only records I can be bothered to listen to all the way through these days! Lyrics are spellbinding!
Unique talent at work
That guy on the stand up wants to laugh his head off. lol
I loved him on the Bernard Braden show years ago and have done ever since.A clever man and a unique guitarist to boot.Jim.Liverpool.
Genius? Oh yes! Great to see this again - great song, great performance.
The genius of Jake. What a man.
Such a beauty of a Yorkshire man poet.
Brilliant!! So glad to see this clip back on.
A great song by a great performer.
Hair of the widow
The word 'Genius' is over-used and too easily applied ....but when I hear Jake sing like this then it is the most apt way to describe a uniquely talented but mostly forgotten man. He is the Boss because he is big ...and we are so very small.
Unique talent
Great wordsmith
Absolutely brilliant. I've only just started to appreciate what a great songwriter he was. Thanks for posting this.
Truly extraordinary.
Thanks for posting this. I saw this programme a few years back and I've been looking for this song ever since. Brilliant!
Brilliant!!! Thank you so much for uploading it. This song is one of my absolute faves. I have what I'm sure is the same performance on a very scratched old vinyl record.
I was privileged to see Jake live twice around 1980. When I heard he'd died it felt like a personal bereavement.
On my farm, the bull is the king of the yard;
He's big and bad and fast, he's strong he's . . . hard.
All my other animals would readily concur
That he is the one you salute, he's the one you call "Sir".
But my hens, a noisy, flighty flock -
Led, of course by my unsubmissive cock -
Whenever His Majesty the bull importantly goes by
They dance along behind him and they cry:
"Beware of the bull!"
The bull, the bull is the biggest of all.
He is the boss, he is, because he's big and we are small.
But the bigger the bull, bigger the bull, bigger the balls.
The bigger the bull, the bigger and quicker and thicker the bullshite falls.
Beware of the bull! The dancing cock is right:
Beware of whoever looks down upon you from a height.
Beware of His Honour, His Excellence, His Grace, His Worshipful,
Beware of His Highness, because of the bull.
For if the boss, the chief, the chap at the top
Should let a single lump of claptrap drop,
The greater the weight and the height he is, the harder it will go
With a grander splat! on the bleeders below.
Beware of the bull!
The bull, the bull is the biggest of all.
He is the boss, he is, because he's big and we are small.
But the bigger the bull, bigger the bull, bigger the balls.
The bigger the bull, the bigger and quicker and thicker the bullshite falls.
The hero arrives, we hoist him shoulder-high.
He's good and wise and strong, he's brave, he's . . . shy.
And how we have to plead with him, how bashfully he climbs
Up the steps to the microphone - two at a time.
Then down it comes: slick, slithery pat!
If you must put people on pedestals, wear a big hat.
The tongue he's got is pure gold, the breast is pure brass,
The feet are pure clay - and watch out for the arse.
Beware of the bull!
The bull, the bull is the biggest of all.
He is the boss, he is, because he's big and we are small.
But the bigger the bull, bigger the bull, bigger the balls.
The bigger the bull, the bigger and quicker and thicker the bullshite falls.
At long last, the revolution comes
And in no time at all we're erecting podiums.
Comrades with chests of medals by the balcony-full;
After the Red Flag, the galloping bull.
The Saviour came especially from on high
To face up to the punters eye-to-eye.
No sooner is he dead and gone, there's blessed pulpits-full;
Bestride the holy lamb, behold the bull.
Beware of the bull!
The bull, the bull is the biggest of all.
He is the boss, he is, because he's big and we are small.
But the bigger the bull, bigger the bull, bigger the balls.
The bigger the bull, the bigger and quicker and thicker the bullshite falls.
These well-known men, so over-glorified -
There's one of them here his name's on the poster outside -
And he's up here like this, and you are all down there.
Remember his cock and his bull and mutter: "Beware!"
For when they've done, we clap, we cheer, we roar:
"For he is a jolly good fellow! Encore! More, more!"
How glorious it would be if before these buggers began
We all stood up together and solemnly sang:
"Beware of the bull!"
The bull, the bull is the biggest of all.
He is the boss, he is, because he's big and we are small.
But the bigger the bull, bigger the bull, bigger the balls.
The bigger the bull, the bigger and quicker
And the bigger and quicker and thicker
And the bigger and quicker and thicker and slicker the bullshite falls.
brilliant thanx for posting
so funny
Not every prophet is received in his own land....not every genius is recognised ...not every person is touched in the same way by what another achieves. The dictionary defines 'Genius' as a 'Person with exceptional ability in a particular subject, or activity'. When you know more of the man you will know what a genius he was and is.
Unique and fantastic.
Genius.
Wonderfully eccentric ❤
Fabulous.. miss him xx
He is a jolly good fellow on call no more.
I never really appreciated Jake Thackray during his heyday, but having recently discovered that the band Wild Beasts cite him as an influence, I gave him a fresh listen. Maybe because I'm such a big fan of Wild Beasts, and can definitely see similarities in the two acts' styles, I can now better appreciate Thackeray's indisputable genius. If you like Jake Thackray, give Wild Beasts a listen (and vice versa).
Love love love it
Legendary!!
Absolutely!!!
Ole Jake! Just beautiful! An amazing talent. x (:-)
Yes Abe! i never noticed!
brilliant
I missed the first half of this programme when it was shown the other night and guess what, it is not available to view on BBC iPlayer!
marvellous! good guitaring too!
This defines genius
Not just funny and a great writer but what a brilliant guitarist he was!
yes i don't know of a song so clever in france he'd be a legend he is in my house anway
My favorite ,,xx
Hi inspired86, I was lucky enough to have recorded it on bt vision. If you know how I can transfer that to a video player, please let me know and consider it done. Techi I am not. However, as a huge admirer of one of this countries greatest songwriters, I would be more than happy to help. I was lucky enough to have met Jake Thackray in 1990.......A true gentleman.
Cleva song! Great
Just got tickets to a Jake Thackray event at the Edinburgh Fringe from edfringe.com looks like it's going to be good.
@TonyMarco1948 How right you are!
Brilliant...remember this the first time round...hadn’t remembered David Soul playing on the Double Bass though 😉
Re Soul- and for wages all he's after is Black Bean Soup
@Raythack1 I'm glad to see this comment because I have a ton of songs in almost every genre. Please let me show you some of them,
genius
wow what calibre...........
Has anyone got footage of Jake's argument with Cyril "cross-eyed smug twat" Fletcher on That's Life? Please post it! Jake's lyrics appear in so many songs today in bits & bods...just goes to prove he was a massive, if very quiet Influence! Love Ya Jake! Hope yer givin them hell in heaven!
Hadn't heard of him until today - what a find. Where is he from? Any biographical facts?
I'm here because I heard the name on Jon Richardsons show. Good call.
Great number. Who's the bass player - I know it's not Sting!
yes i agree sheer genius. very anxious man about being on stage and you can see that. but you get a real taste of his humbleness here and what used to be called socialism but lets call community spiritedness...
near leeds
David soul on bass!
The late Alan williams
The English counterpart of French chansonnier,Goerge Brassens.
Hate that there's a bit cut out
Must be damaged tape, such a nuisance
can ya post the doc?
The bass player keeps things going nicely! Anyone know who he is?
His name was Alan Williams, but it seems not a lot is known about him!
David Soul
whos the guy on the bass
No, the late Alan Williams.
:-D if you want to put people on pedestals wear a big hat!
The sound is bad.
coisa mais tosca
Genius isn't an epithet reserves for scientists, but yeah I wouldn't say genius to this guy, it's pretty funny but not genius.
trump should hear this....No fake news here.