Like their peers The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and Jefferson Airplane they were blessed with several considerable individual talents and produced music that -at least initially- was eclectic, as well as exploratory. This side of the band may best be heard on Heyday, a collection of tracks broadcast by the BBC. The move to a more British form of folk rock came primarily as a result of the enthusiasm of bassist Ashley Hutchings and producer Joe Boyd. Original singer Judy Dyble was replaced on their second LP What We Did On Our Holidays by Sandy Denny, an experienced folk singer and excellent composer in her own right. Fiddle virtuoso Dave Swarbrick joined, initially as sessioneer, on their third, Unhalfbricking. That LP has arguably their first two bona fide masterpieces. One is their version of the Sandy Denny song, Who Knows Where the Time Goes, popularized by Judy Collins, but characterised on their version by a perfect balance between Denny's vocals and the exquisite support of the group as a whole, and lead guitarist Richard Thompson in particular. The other is A Sailor's Life, the first to demonstrate the potential power of folk rock, the song exploding in an improvised and sophisticated instrumental coda that reaches beyond the words through the impassioned interplay of the whole band, led by the virtuosity of Thompson and Swarbrick in particular. Thompson also soon showed that he could create his own distinctive songs, notably the anthemic Meet on the Ledge, on Holidays.
The following LP Liege and Lief is perhaps Fairport's finest hour. Liege and Lief is generally remembered for its virtuoso versions of traditional folk songs but it also contains beautiful originals by Thompson and Denny. However the next, Full House -deliberately rockier in tone- has its particular gems, most notably Sloth, for its extended guitar/ fiddle duel and Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman, a perfect expression of Thompson's mordant humour; along with the sleeve notes, surely amongst the strangest and funniest ever.
The band continued with a series of personnel changes and albums, all with at least some high points, until it was temporarily disbanded in 1979, but played annual reunion concerts until it reformed in 1985. Since then, it has enjoyed stability and continues to tour and record regularly.
In part, the continuing success of Fairport Convention is due to the annual music festival it organizes. Cropredy Festival has been held every year since 1974 near Cropredy, a village five miles north of Banbury, Oxfordshire and can attract upwards of 20,000 fans.
In 2002 the band was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. In 2006 Radio 2 listeners voted their 1969 album Liege & Lief as the Most Influential Folk Album of All Time. A mass reunion of living Fairport members performed at the ceremony.
Jewel In The Crown
Fairport Convention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
we've got the franchise, on how to lead them
we've got the history, and books to prove it
give us the mountain, and we will move it
we rule the waves, and, the seven seas, we
bring the mighty, to thier knees
we offer hope, and inspiration
we are Britania, jewel in the crown
we brought a system, to the masses
divide a nation, into classes
it's in our breeding, and on our faces,
at least we're all born, knowing our places
we stay within our, social borders
we only take what, our class affords us
it doesn't matter, that it's not even
this is the nature, of the demon
we are Britania, jewel in the crown
[chorous]
we are Britania
we crowned an empire
we came and conqured
we tore thier borders down
we need no conscience
god is on our side
we are Britania
jewel in the crown
[short bridge]
we are your friendly, liberators
we'll free you countries, from your dictators
for a small slice, of your oil wells
we'll send our boys in, with thier bombshells
we are a refuge, for the needy
always caring, never greedy
whatever gesture, could be finer
we've given Hong Kong, back to China
we are Britania, jewel in the crown
[chorous]
jewel in the crown
jewel in the crown
jewel in the crown
The song "Jewel In The Crown" by Fairport Convention is an ironic commentary on British imperialism and the country's sense of superiority over other nations. The opening lines are a boastful assertion of Britain's power and influence in the world, with references to the franchise (the right to vote) and the country's history and literature. The chorus reinforces this sense of superiority by declaring Britain to be the "jewel in the crown," a reference to the British Empire and its dominance over other nations.
However, the verses of the song reveal a darker side to Britain's history. The lyrics describe how the country's social structure is based on class divisions and how these divisions are maintained through a system of privilege and exclusion. This theme is reinforced by the references to the British Empire and its legacy of exploitation and oppression, such as the reference to Hong Kong being "given back to China" as if it were Britain's possession to give.
Line by Line Meaning
We are a proud land, we stand for freedom
We consider ourselves to be a nation with high self-esteem and uphold the principle of liberty
we've got the franchise, on how to lead them
We possess the knowledge and authority to conduct governance
we've got the history, and books to prove it
We have evidence in writings and chronicles that testify our past and achievements
give us the mountain, and we will move it
We possess the determination and skills to surpass difficulties and obstacles
we rule the waves, and, the seven seas, we
We hold influence and dominance over the oceans and trade routes
bring the mighty, to thier knees
We have the power to defeat and subdue even the strongest of rivals
we offer hope, and inspiration
We provide optimism and encouragement to others
a fine example, to lesser nations
We serve as a model of excellence and success for other countries to follow
we are Britania, jewel in the crown
We are Great Britain, the most valuable possession of our empire
we brought a system, to the masses
We introduced a way of life to the general population
divide a nation, into classes
We implemented a social hierarchy that stratifies society
it's in our breeding, and on our faces,
Our social status and class are determined by birth and appearance
at least we're all born, knowing our places
We have an inherent understanding of our social rank and position
we stay within our, social borders
We adhere to the social boundaries and expectations set upon us
we only take what, our class affords us
We only obtain what is within our social and financial means
it doesn't matter, that it's not even
Equality and fairness don't concern us as long as our privilege is maintained
this is the nature, of the demon
This is the inherent flaw and danger of our society
[chorous]
Repetition of the chorus
we crowned an empire
We formed and declared an imperial domain
we came and conqured
We arrived and defeated those in our path
we tore thier borders down
We removed any territorial limitations of nations we conquered
we need no conscience
We don't require a moral compass to guide our actions
god is on our side
We believe that divine power supports our cause
we are your friendly, liberators
We present ourselves as helpful liberators
we'll free you countries, from your dictators
We offer to free nations from oppressive governments
for a small slice, of your oil wells
In exchange for a portion of a nation's oil reserves
we'll send our boys in, with thier bombshells
We will send our military forces with their artillery
we are a refuge, for the needy
We serve as a sanctuary for the less fortunate
always caring, never greedy
We claim to be compassionate and altruistic
whatever gesture, could be finer
There's no act of kindness that could surpass ours
we've given Hong Kong, back to China
We returned the sovereignty of Hong Kong to China
[short bridge]
A brief interlude between verses
[chorous]
Repetition of the chorus
jewel in the crown
Phrase used to describe Great Britain's importance and value to the empire
Contributed by Samuel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ronno
on Book Song
Beautiful song, even if I can't understand what's going on: she's reading a book, he's writing one (and playing) .. I wanted it to be abouth former FC singer Judy Dyble , who would knit on stage if she wasn't singing. The girlfriend theory makes some sense, but if Ian said it was about his daughter...