BLOW, BOYS, BLOW is a… Read Full Bio ↴The artist name is Ewan MacColl & A.L. Lloyd.
BLOW, BOYS, BLOW is a full and rousing selection from folk heroes Ewan McColl (whose resume included author, playwright, actor, street singer, and laborer) and A.L. Lloyd (who, among other things, sang as the "Shantyman" in the movie version of MOBY DICK). Sung to ease the back-breaking work and fill up the long and lonely nights with rowdy and profane entertainment, the songs are fierce, rough, sublime and full of longing
A Hundred Years Ago
Ewan MacColl and A.L. Lloyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ho, yes, ho!
A hundred years is a very long time,
A hundred years ago.
They used to think that pigs could fly
Ho, yes, ho!
I don't believe it, no, not I.
They thought he moon was made of cheese.
Ho, yes, ho!
You can believe it if you please.
A hundred years ago.
They thought the stars were set a-light,
Ho, yes, ho!
By some good angel every night,
A hundred years ago.
They hung a man for making steam,
They cast his body in the stream.
A hundred years ago.
A hundred years is a very long time,
Ho, yes, ho!
A hundred years is a very long time,
A hundred years ago.
The song "A Hundred Years Ago" by Ewan MacColl and A.L. Lloyd is a nostalgic reflection on how much the world has changed over the course of a century. The lyrics reference various beliefs and practices that were common a hundred years ago but are now either disproven or obsolete. The first stanza sets the tone, effectively stating that a hundred years is a long time, and serves to highlight the vast difference between then and now.
The following stanzas address specific beliefs that were once widely held, such as the idea that pigs could fly or that the moon was made of cheese. These are presented in a playful manner, with the refrain "Ho, yes, ho!" emphasizing the absurdity of such notions. The lyrics also touch on more serious topics, such as the harsh treatment of inventors and innovators. The last stanza serves as a reminder that, despite all the changes that have occurred, a hundred years is still a significant period of time.
Overall, "A Hundred Years Ago" is a wistful reflection on the evolution of society and the passing of time. The playful tone and catchy refrain make it an entertaining and memorable piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
A hundred years is a very long time,
100 years is a significant period.
Ho, yes, ho!
An expression of agreement or affirmation.
A hundred years ago.
Referring to the time period of 100 years prior to the present day.
They used to think that pigs could fly
In the past, people believed that pigs had the ability to fly.
I don't believe it, no, not I.
The artist does not accept the idea that pigs could fly.
They thought the moon was made of cheese.
In former times, there was a belief that the moon was made of cheese.
You can believe it if you please.
The singer suggests that others are free to believe in the idea if they wish.
They thought the stars were set a-light,
The belief of people in the past was that the stars were lit up by angels.
By some good angel every night,
Presumably, a benevolent angel was responsible for the shining of the stars every evening.
They hung a man for making steam,
It used to be considered a serious crime to create steam.
They cast his body in the stream.
As a punishment, the man's corpse was thrown into a river.
A hundred years is a very long time,
Reiteration of the idea that a century is a long period of time.
Ho, yes, ho!
Reiteration of the expression of agreement or affirmation.
A hundred years ago.
Reiteration of the idea that the song is referring to events from 100 years prior to the present day.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOE YOUNG, NED WASHINGTON, VICTOR POPULAR YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Oh yes, oooo