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.
Mother Russia
Alan Hull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lenin lies so stately, Karl's a forgotten man,
Joseph played his cards wrong, 'cos he couldn't understand.
History is bunkum, I heard some American said,
If you can't deal with the living, you might as well be with the dead.
Mother Russia, your sons have left you crying in the rain,
Your sadness tears my heart out, but it isn't easy to explain.
The rat race is coming to get you, is boney hands reach long,
You might as well forget you, ever played a different song.
No Tolstoy no Tchaikovsky, gonna get you out of this,
Just close your eyes and turn your cheek, get ready for the Judas kiss.
Chorus:
Mother Russia, your sons have left you crying in the rain,
Your sadness tears my heart out, but it isn't easy to explain.
I walk your fields in wonder, as I softly call your name,
Mamma, Mamma, Mamma, isn't it a shame, isn't it a shame.
Isn't it a shame, isn't it a shame, isn't it a shame.
In war your sons were taken, in peace they built a wall,
Their future's now forsaken, who'll be there to break your fall ?
Chorus:
Mother Russia, your sons have left you crying in the rain,
Your sadness tears my heart out, but it isn't easy to explain.
I walk your fields in wonder, as I softly call your name,
Mamma, Mamma, Mamma, isn't it a shame, isn't it a shame.
Isn't it a shame, isn't it a shame, isn't it a shame.
Mamma, Mamma, Mamma, isn't it a shame, isn't it a shame.
Mamma, Mamma, Mamma, isn't it a shame, isn't it a shame.
The song "Mother Russia" by Alan Hull is a poignant commentary on the state of the Soviet Union or Russia at the time. The first verse references the leaders of the Soviet Union and their failures, with Lenin being described as "stately" and Karl Marx as "forgotten". Joseph Stalin is mentioned as having "played his cards wrong" and being unable to "understand" the situation. The second verse is more critical of the situation, with a quote from an American saying "History is bunkum" and the suggestion that those who cannot deal with the present might as well be with the dead. The chorus speaks directly to Mother Russia, lamenting the fact that her sons have left her and she is now suffering. The rat race is referenced as coming to get her, with the suggestion that there is no rescue in sight in the form of great writers or artists.
The bridge starts with a line about how Russia's sons were taken in war and then went on to build a wall in peace. The future is described as being forsaken and the question is asked, "who'll be there to break your fall?" The chorus repeats with the same melody and lyrics, a potent reminder of the sadness of the situation. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "Mamma, Mamma, Mamma, isn't it a shame", emphasizing the pity of the situation and the helplessness of those who see it.
Line by Line Meaning
Lenin lies so stately, Karl's a forgotten man,
Lenin is remembered with great respect, while Karl Marx is no longer given the same level of attention.
Joseph played his cards wrong, 'cos he couldn't understand.
Joseph Stalin made missteps because he failed to grasp certain aspects of the situation.
History is bunkum, I heard some American said,
I overheard someone saying that history is meaningless.
If you can't deal with the living, you might as well be with the dead.
If you are unable to connect with people who are alive, then being around dead people would be just as meaningful.
Mother Russia, your sons have left you crying in the rain,
Russia, personified as a mother, has been abandoned and is suffering the consequence.
Your sadness tears my heart out, but it isn't easy to explain.
The singer is deeply affected by Russia's pain, but it is difficult to put into words.
The rat race is coming to get you, is boney hands reach long,
The competitive nature of modern life is encroaching on Russia, and it has a far-reaching impact.
You might as well forget you, ever played a different song.
Russia has adapted to the present situation and cannot go back to a different era.
No Tolstoy no Tchaikovsky, gonna get you out of this,
The works of famous Russian artists and intellectuals cannot solve Russia's current problems.
Just close your eyes and turn your cheek, get ready for the Judas kiss.
Russia must prepare itself for betrayal and can only stoically endure whatever is coming.
I walk your fields in wonder, as I softly call your name,
The singer is exploring and admiring Russia's natural beauty while expressing affection.
Mamma, Mamma, Mamma, isn't it a shame, isn't it a shame.
The repetition emphasizes the singer's sorrow over Russia's troubles and lost potential.
In war your sons were taken, in peace they built a wall,
Russia has suffered great losses in war and, in times of peace, has focused on building barriers.
Their future's now forsaken, who'll be there to break your fall ?
Russia's future seems bleak, and it is unclear who can help it in a moment of crisis.
Contributed by Vivian B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.