Isla Cameron was born in Scotland but was brought up in Dorset and Somerset. While trying to become an actress she joined Joan Littlewood who had co-founded the Theatre Workshop in 1945. Joan’s husband at the time, Ewan MacColl was to become Isla’s singing partner for much of the 50s.
During 1953-4, Peter Kennedy produced a series of Sunday morning BBC radio programs called “As I Roved Out”. Two of these were later issued on the Folktrax label, with Isla singing three folk songs, Seamus Ennis playing uilliann pipes and tin whistle, Ewan MacColl singing some songs and Bob & Ron Copper also singing.
In 1956 Isla Cameron appeared in another radio program “Ballads and Blues: Sea Music”. In 1960 “The Singers Club” opened in “The Princess Louise” pub in Holborn, London. It was run by Ewan MacColl and his new wife Peggy Seeger. Isla Cameron became a resident at this folk club, but by this point her film career had taken off. She acted in a number of movies, with her biggest acting role being in the 1969 version of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie where she could use her Scottish accent to advantage.
She continued singing and recording during the 1960s. In 1962, Isla Cameron and Tony Britton recorded “Songs of Love, Lust and Loose Living”. In 1963, Peter Kennedy recorded Isla singing with accompaniment by Jack Armstrong on Northumbrian pipes. She sang songs by Bob Dylan and Bertolt Brecht but rarely sang after 1966, when acting took over her life.
She died in an accident in her home in 1980.
The Fireman's Not For Me
Isla Cameron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shun all engine fireman and their company
He'll tell ya he loves ya and all kinds of lies
But the one that he loves is the train that he drives
I once loved a fireman and he said he loved me
He took me out walking into the country
He hugged me and kissed me and gazed in my eyes
He said my dear Molly oh say you'll be mine
Just give me the signal and let's clear the line
My thighs they are burning and the steam it is high
If you don't take the break off I think I shall die
I gave him this answer saying don't make so free
For no local fireman shall ever have me
He'll take all your love and then when you're in need
He races away at the top of his speed
A sailor comes home when the voyage is done
A soldier gets weary of following the drum
I collier will ? to his loved one for life
But a fireman's one love is the engine his wife
The song "The Fireman's Not For Me" by Isla Cameron is a cautionary tale for young women to avoid getting involved with firemen and their charming ways. The lyrics suggest that the firemen will deceive and manipulate women, claiming to love them while being more infatuated with the trains they operate.
The singer shares her own personal experience of falling for a fireman who professed his love for her. He would take her on romantic walks in the countryside, shower her with affection, compare her beauty to the 8:45 train, and express his burning desire for her. However, she soon realizes that his true passion lies in the locomotives he works with.
Refusing his advances, the singer tells the fireman to not take their relationship for granted, as she would never allow herself to be involved with a local fireman. She warns that firemen will consume all of a woman's love and affection, yet abandon her when she needs them most, racing away with their engines at high speed.
The song draws parallels between other professions and their dedication to loved ones. A sailor returns home after completing a voyage, a soldier grows tired of war, and a coal miner remains loyal to his partner for life. However, according to the lyrics, a fireman's true and primary love is the engine he works with, making it his figurative wife.
Overall, the song portrays firemen as elusive and unfaithful partners, emphasizing the fleeting nature of their affection and dedication. It serves as a reminder to young women to be wary of the allure of firemen and their profession.
Line by Line Meaning
Come all you young maidens take warning by me
Listen up, young women, as I share a cautionary tale
Shun all engine fireman and their company
Avoid getting involved with firemen and their crew
He'll tell ya he loves ya and all kinds of lies
He may sweet talk and deceive you with false declarations of love
But the one that he loves is the train that he drives
His true love is the locomotive he operates
I once loved a fireman and he said he loved me
I was once in love with a fireman who claimed to love me
He took me out walking into the country
He took me on romantic walks in the countryside
He hugged me and kissed me and gazed in my eyes
He embraced me, kissed me passionately, and stared into my eyes
And said you're as nice as the eight forty-five
He compared my beauty and charm to the elegance of a train departing at 8:45
He said my dear Molly oh say you'll be mine
He pleaded with me, addressing me as Molly, to be his
Just give me the signal and let's clear the line
If I give him a sign, he'll prioritize our relationship over his duties
My thighs they are burning and the steam it is high
He metaphorically expressed his desire and passion, comparing it to intense heat and steam
If you don't take the break off I think I shall die
If I don't give in to his advances, he feels he cannot go on
I gave him this answer saying don't make so free
I responded firmly, advising him not to take liberties with me
For no local fireman shall ever have me
I made it clear that I will not settle for a firefighter from our local area
He'll take all your love and then when you're in need
He will consume your affection, only to abandon you when you require support
He races away at the top of his speed
He swiftly departs, prioritizing his duty over any personal relationship
A sailor comes home when the voyage is done
A sailor returns home once his sea journey is complete
A soldier gets weary of following the drum
A soldier grows tired of constantly marching to the beat of a drum
I collier will ? to his loved one for life
A coal miner will be devoted to their loved one until the end
But a fireman's one love is the engine his wife
However, a firefighter's true love is the locomotive they operate, not their romantic partner
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MACCOLL, EWAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind