Born James Alan Hull in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne on 20th February1945, he became a member of the band The Chosen Few alongside keyboard player Mick Gallagher in 1962. He supported himself one year by working as a nurse at a mental hospital while appearing as a folk singer and guitarist in local clubs before helping to form Brethren and Downtown Faction, which evolved into Lindisfarne in 1970. He also released a one-off solo single, "We Can Swing Together", which was re-recorded with the group on their first album, Nicely Out of Tune, and became a regular favourite in their stage performances.
As the group's most prolific songwriter and joint lead vocalist, Hull came to be regarded as its leader. In 1972, dissatisfied with the sound and critical reception of their third album Dingly Dell, he considered leaving the group, but instead he and joint lead vocalist Ray "Jacka" Jackson formed a new six-piece Lindisfarne the following year, leaving the three other original members to form Jack the Lad. He also released a first solo album, Pipedream, in the same year, and published a book of poems, Mocking Horse.
Lindisfarne disbanded in 1975, and Hull released a second solo album, Squire, then formed the short-lived Radiator, which also included drummer Ray Laidlaw of Lindisfarne and Jack the Lad. At the end of 1977 the original line-up of Lindisfarne reformed after a well-received Christmas show at the Newcastle City Hall which was broadcast on local radio. Thereafter he combined his musical career as front man of the group with a solo career. He was also a staunch Labour Party activist.
In 1994, he recorded Back to Basics, a live all-acoustic survey of the best of his songwriting from 1970 onwards. On 17th November 1995 whilst working on a new album, Statues & Liberties, Hull died suddenly of a heart thrombosis, at the age of fifty.
Fog On the Tyne
Alan Hull Lyrics
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Sickly sausage rolls.
Slippin' down slowly, slippin' down sideways,
Think I'll sign off the dole.
[Chorus]
'Cause the fog on the Tyne is all mine all mine.
The fog on the Tyne is all mine.
The fog on the Tyne is all mine.
Could a copper catch a crooked copper maker,
could a copper comprehend.
That a crooked copper maker's,
Just an undertaker,
A one it takes to be your friend.
[Chorus]
Tell it to tomorrow,
Today will take its time,
To tell you what tonight will bring.
Presently we'll have a pint or too together,
Everybody do their thing.
[Chorus]
We can swing together,
We can have a wee wee,
We can have a wet on the wall.
If someone slips a whisper,
That its simple sister,
Slap em down and saliver on their smalls.
[Chorus]
Alan Hull's "Fog on the Tyne" opens with a sombre image of someone sitting alone in a dingy snack bar, eating sickly sausage rolls, and contemplating his life. The imagery of the slippery sausage rolls, slipping down slowly and sideways, reflects the singer's mood, as he feels stuck, without direction, and unable to make progress in life. The song, however, takes a lighter and more upbeat tone in the chorus, where the singer claims ownership of the fog on the Tyne, a river in England. The phrase "all mine" is repeated, underscoring the singer's sense of personal fulfillment in the midst of the fog.
The second verse speaks about the relationship between a crooked copper maker and a copper, raising questions about who can catch the other. The verse ends, however, with the realization that the crooked copper maker is really just an undertaker, someone who "takes" people from the living world to the beyond. The singer notes that the undertaker is "one it takes to be your friend," suggesting that death unites us all in the end.
The final verse seems to be an invitation to enjoy life in the present moment. The singer suggests that they will have a "pint or two" together and urges everyone to "do their thing." The verse ends with a humorous reference to the possibility of mischief, as the singer assures everyone that they can "have a wee wee" and even "a wet on the wall" before asserting their dominance by threatening to slap down anyone who suggests otherwise.
Overall, "Fog on the Tyne" paints a picture of the struggles and joys of everyday life, exploring themes of friendship, mortality, and the importance of living in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' in a sleazy snack bar sucking,
I am currently seated in a cheap, low-class cafe eating poor quality food.
Sickly sausage rolls.
The sausage rolls that are being served are unhealthy and taste strange.
Slippin' down slowly, slippin' down sideways,
The food I am eating is going down my throat with difficulty and I feel as if I am going to be unwell.
Think I'll sign off the dole.
I am contemplating accepting a job offer to support myself financially.
'Cause the fog on the Tyne is all mine all mine.
The thick fog on the Tyne River is causing me to feel isolated and alone.
The fog on the Tyne is all mine.
The fog is making me feel like I am the only one in the world right now.
Could a copper catch a crooked copper maker,
Would a police officer be able to catch another corrupt police officer.
could a copper comprehend.
Would a police officer be able to understand the situation they find themselves in.
That a crooked copper maker's,
The corrupt police officer is really just an undertaker.
Just an undertaker,
Their corruption could lead to a funeral home business after being caught.
A one it takes to be your friend.
Despite wrongdoings, a person may still be a good friend and companion.
Tell it to tomorrow,
Put off discussing something until another time.
Today will take its time,
Live in the present and enjoy each moment as it comes.
To tell you what tonight will bring.
Don't try to predict what will happen later; life is unpredictable.
Presently we'll have a pint or too together,
For now, let's have a few drinks together in the moment.
Everybody do their thing.
Each person should act how they want and enjoy themselves in their own way.
We can swing together,
We can enjoy life together, in harmony and together.
We can have a wee wee,
In the words of the musician, they suggest the running of the waist, such as urinating.
We can have a wet on the wall.
It could mean either spitting or peeing as both can be referred to as having a wet on the wall.
If someone slips a whisper,
If one person gossips and spreads rumors about another person,
That its simple sister,
That the situation is uncomplicated and does not deserve to be gossiped about.
Slap em down and saliver on their smalls.
Give that person a stern warning and embarrass them by humiliating them in conversation.
'Cause the fog on the Tyne is all mine all mine.
The thick fog on the Tyne River is causing me to feel isolated and alone.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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