The musicians of BEGGARS OPERA were Martin Griffiths (vocals), Rick Gardiner (guitar and vocals), Alan Park (keyboards), Gordon Sellar (bass, acoustic guitar and vocals), Virginia Scott (Mellotron and vocals) and Raymond Wilson (drums and percussion). BEGGARS OPERA made a lot of records but remained acting in the shade of most progressive rock bands.
Their debut-album "Act one" (’70 Vertigo) contains fluent and tasteful organ driven progrock with powerful "Sixties" sounding guitar work. The long track "Raymond’s Road" is a splendid tribute to the "classics" featuring Mozart’s A la Turka, Bach’s Toaccata in d-fuga en Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite on the Hammond organ. The second album "Waters of Change" (’71) is build around the dual keyboard play of Alan Park and newcomer Virginia Scott and the distinctive, a bit cynical vocals of Griffiths. The nine tracks are beautiful symphonic landscapes with many organ solos, some swelling and glorious Mellotron waves (like The MOODY BLUES and early KING CRIMSON) and fine electric guitarwork. On the third LP "Pathfinder" BEGGARS OPERA seems to have reached its pinnacle: strong and alternating compositions with lush keyboards (Mellotron, organ, piano and harpsichord), powerful electric guitarplay and many shifting moods (even Scottish folk with bagpipes). The band released three more albums but, in my opinion, they sounded far less captivating: "Get your dog off me" (’73), "Sagittary" (’76) and "Beggar's can’t be choosers" (’79).
Beggars Opera back catalogue including the 4 Vertigo albums: Act One, Waters of Change, Pathfinder and Get Your dog off Me, and 2 Jupiter Records Germany albums Sagittary and Beggars Can't Be Choosers, have been digitally remastered and are now available on CD by Repertoire Records Germany.
In 1976: Ricky Gardiner went on to work with David Bowie/Low album and Iggy Pop/ Lust for Life album, on which he co-wrote legendary song The Passenger with Iggy Pop.
Beggars Opera now are Ricky Gardiner Guitars( founder) and Virginia Scott (mellotron) Keys and Vox. They have released Close to My Heart ( RGS 9473) and Touching the Edge (RGS 9475) two new albums of progressive rock songs with Tom Gardiner (TommyG ) on drums and more.....
www.beggarsopera.co.uk
www.beggarsopera.eu
www.rickygardiner.com
www.virginiaaurorascott.co.uk
WORKING MAN
Beggars Opera Lyrics
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Flaps his wings and begins to crow
Cos he's telling the working man
Hey come on boys it's time to go
God help the working man
I keep on working but I never win
An extra penny for my future no
In half past seven in factories
Using all of that muscle and brain
Giving everything that we have
Hey... all for someone else's gain
God help the working man
I keep on working but I never win
An extra penny for my future no
Oh No
Suffering in your depression
If you side with your bosses somewhere
If he tells you he wants a share
You do it but with one of your laws
God help the working man
I keep on working but I never win
An extra penny for my future no
Oh no
The lyrics of "Working Man" by Beggars Opera reflect the struggles of the average, working-class individual. The song starts with an image of a rooster crowing, signaling the start of the day and the beginning of work. This represents the daily routine of most working-class individuals, who wake up early to go to work and do the same thing every day. The rooster's call also serves as a reminder that it is time to start another day of hard work.
The chorus of the song, where the singer cries out "God help the working man, I keep on working but I never win," captures the sense of futility that many working-class individuals feel. Despite their hard work, they are not able to make significant progress in life or achieve their dreams. They continue to work hard day in and day out, but they never seem to get ahead.
The lyrics also touch upon the issue of exploitation, where the workers are putting in all their effort and energy for someone else's gain. They are laboring in factories for long hours, using skills and physical abilities to create products that will benefit someone else. However, they do not have any control over how their hard work is utilized or what kind of rewards they receive.
Overall, "Working Man" is a powerful song that uses vivid imagery and poignant lyrics to reflect the struggles of working-class individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Every morning the rooster
As the sun rises, the rooster crows to signal the start of another day
Flaps his wings and begins to crow
With a flap of his wings, the rooster loudly declares the morning has arrived
Cos he's telling the working man
The rooster's crow is directed towards those who work for a living
Hey come on boys it's time to go
The rooster is urging the working men to start their day and go to their jobs
God help the working man
The artist is pleading for divine assistance for those who work hard to make a living
I keep on working but I never win
Despite their constant effort, the working man never seems to get ahead
An extra penny for my future no
The working man cannot afford to save even a small amount of money for their future
In half past seven in factories
At 7:30am, people are busy working in factories
Using all of that muscle and brain
The workers put in both physical and mental effort in their jobs
Giving everything that we have
The workers put forth their best effort in their jobs, giving it their all
Hey... all for someone else's gain
Despite their hard work, the benefits of their labors go to their employers or someone else
Suffering in your depression
The working men struggle with the challenges and hardships of their daily lives
If you side with your bosses somewhere
If the workers align themselves with their employers or those in power, they may experience some benefits
If he tells you he wants a share
If the employer demands a portion of the worker's earnings, the worker has little choice but to comply
You do it but with one of your laws
The workers obey their employer's demands, but secretly resent them and follow the rules begrudgingly
Oh No
The repeated phrase underscores the desperation and struggle of the working man
Contributed by Audrey M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.