Most recently, Wesley has performed as sideman, guitarist/vocalist for critically acclaimed Atlantic/Roadrunner Records U.K.-based recording act Porcupine Tree, during the In Absentia, Deadwing, Fear of a Blank Planet, and The Incident world tours. Wesley's versatility shows from his diverse touring background. In recent years he has performed lead guitars and background vocals for White Lion front man Mike Tramp, subbed on lead guitar and bass for Gainsville's Sister Hazel, and as lead guitarist for Scottish neo-prog band Fish on many lengthy European, American and South American Tours and on several U.S. and European Solo dates.
In 2005, Wesley produced and recorded his fifth studio release, Shiver, co-produced by Mark Prator, and mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree.
He has an official fan website at http://www.john-wesley.com where fans can read lyrics, view photos and preview album clips.
On the 24th August 2007, John Wesley announced that he was making the majority of his solo material available for free download on his website http://www.john-wesley.com, in what he called his "Share the Wes" policy. He will still be offering certain CDs and new releases for purchase at gigs and online.
2. John Wesley was an American soul singer of the 1960s, who released most of his music on the Melic record label. Most of his recordings were credited to John Wesley & The Four Tees, except for a 1966 single called 'Love Is Such a Funny Thing', which was recorded with The Four Tees but credited to Wesley alone.
You Don't Like Me
John Wesley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know that I've not asked you to take a walk today"
"You have not asked me; well indeed, it's a tidy cheek of you
For you think that there's no more young chaps; I've got a dozen or two
Billy don't you weep for me
I'm going to St. James Park, me cousin Joe to see"
"Cousin Joe, now who is he - he's a soldier I can tell
"My Cousin Joe's a guardsman, and he is a handsome chap
"And he wears such fine moustachios and a stunning furry cap"
"Oh Billy don't you weep for me
I'm very fond of Cousin Joe, and he's very fond of me"
"We're going to the play tonight, Jack Sheppard for to see
And when that it is all over, we'll all have a jolly good spree
I've got money for a pint of stout and when we're short of tin
I'll even go and porn me smock to buy us a bottle of gin
Billy don't you weep for me
I'm going after Cousin Joe and I'll sit all on his knee"
"Whatever is the use of him? He never can keep you
You'll have to work from morn til night, that's what you'll have to do
You'll have to make shirts at a penny each, or else stand at the tub
And mark my words, there's many a day you'll go very short of grub
And then, Sally, you'll cry for me
Book it back to Cousin Joe, and sit all on his knee !"
In about a twelve months after, young Sally come back to me
She said that she was sorry that she'd ever been on that spree
Wanted me to take her back, says I, "Don't come to me
For I see you got a baby to dance all on your knee"
"Oh Billy how can you serve me so? You really drive me mad
I'll have you up before the beak and I'll swear you are it's dad
When you get before the bench they will not let you speak
And you'll have to keep the young one on 30 pence a week
So, Billy, how can you serve me so?
For I'm sure the child belongs to you, not to Cousin Joe"
Well in a week she gets this summons but she found it was no go
For the magistrate decided that the child belonged to Joe
She went up to Billy's backyard, quickly the door she shut
And when at last they found her, she'd drowned in the water butt
So young women take a warning from me
Never love a soldier or sit all on his knee
The lyrics of John Wesley's song "You Don't Like Me" tell a cautionary tale about a young woman named Sally who is infatuated with her cousin Joe, a soldier. The song begins with Sally announcing her plans to go to St. James Park to meet Cousin Joe, much to the dismay of Billy, who is seemingly in love with her. Billy expresses his concerns about Joe's inability to provide for Sally and warns her about the hardships she might face. However, Sally dismisses Billy's worries and insists on pursuing her affection for Joe.
The lyrics then reveal that Sally and Joe plan to go to the theater to watch a play together and have a good time afterward. Sally boasts about having enough money for a pint of stout, and when they run out, she would even consider pawning her clothing to buy a bottle of gin. Billy, once again concerned for Sally's well-being, questions Joe's usefulness and predicts that she may ultimately regret her decisions.
In the next verse, the story fast-forwards about a year, with Sally returning to Billy and expressing regret for her previous actions. She wants Billy to take her back, but he refuses, pointing out that she now has a baby, strongly suggesting that it is Joe's child. Sally grows angry and threatens to take Billy to court, claiming that he is the child's father. However, when the case goes before the magistrate, it is determined that the child belongs to Joe, not Billy.
Feeling defeated, Sally retreats to Billy's backyard and tragically takes her own life by drowning in the water butt. The song concludes with a warning to young women, advising them of the perils of loving soldiers and making impulsive decisions.
In summary, "You Don't Like Me" narrates a story of unrequited love, poor choices, and ultimate tragedy. It emphasizes the consequences of pursuing fleeting infatuation without considering long-term implications or the wellbeing of oneself and others involved.
Line by Line Meaning
Sally where are you going? that you do look so gay
Sally, where are you heading? You seem so cheerful.
I know that I've not asked you to take a walk today
I haven't invited you for a walk today.
You have not asked me; well indeed, it's a tidy cheek of you
You didn't ask, and it's quite audacious of you.
For you think that there's no more young chaps; I've got a dozen or two
You believe there aren't any other young men, but I have many suitors.
Billy don't you weep for me
Billy, don't cry for me.
I'm going to St. James Park, me cousin Joe to see
I'm going to St. James Park to meet my cousin Joe.
Cousin Joe, now who is he - he's a soldier I can tell
Who is Cousin Joe? Well, he's a soldier, that's for sure.
For I know that you're fond of lobsters both raw and boiled as well
Because I know you enjoy both raw and cooked lobsters.
My Cousin Joe's a guardsman, and he is a handsome chap
My Cousin Joe serves in the military, and he's quite attractive.
And he wears such fine moustachios and a stunning furry cap
He proudly sports a magnificent mustache and an impressive fur cap.
Oh Billy don't you weep for me
Oh Billy, please don't cry for me.
I'm very fond of Cousin Joe, and he's very fond of me
I have deep affection for Cousin Joe, and he reciprocates my feelings.
We're going to the play tonight, Jack Sheppard for to see
Tonight, we're going to watch the play about Jack Sheppard.
And when that it is all over, we'll all have a jolly good spree
After the play ends, we'll have a joyful celebration.
I've got money for a pint of stout and when we're short of tin
I have enough money for a pint of beer, and if we run out of cash
I'll even go and porn me smock to buy us a bottle of gin
I'll go so far as to pawn my dress to get us a bottle of gin.
Billy don't you weep for me
Billy, please don't cry for me.
I'm going after Cousin Joe and I'll sit all on his knee
I'm going to pursue Cousin Joe and sit on his lap.
Whatever is the use of him? He never can keep you
What good is he? He can never provide for you.
You'll have to work from morn til night, that's what you'll have to do
You'll have to work tirelessly all day long, that's your future.
You'll have to make shirts at a penny each, or else stand at the tub
You'll have to sew shirts for a penny each or wash clothes at a washbasin.
And mark my words, there's many a day you'll go very short of grub
Believe me, there will be many days when you'll go without enough food.
And then, Sally, you'll cry for me
And then, Sally, you'll regret losing me.
Book it back to Cousin Joe, and sit all on his knee !
You'll come running back to Cousin Joe and sit on his lap again!
In about a twelve months after, young Sally come back to me
About twelve months later, young Sally returned to me.
She said that she was sorry that she'd ever been on that spree
She apologized for ever indulging in that recklessness.
Wanted me to take her back, says I, "Don't come to me
She wanted me to take her back, but I told her not to approach me.
For I see you got a baby to dance all on your knee"
Because I see you now have a baby to entertain on your lap."
Oh Billy how can you serve me so? You really drive me mad
Billy, how can you treat me like this? It's infuriating.
I'll have you up before the beak and I'll swear you are it's dad
I'll take you to court and swear that you're the child's father.
When you get before the bench they will not let you speak
Once you face the judge, they won't allow you to defend yourself.
And you'll have to keep the young one on 30 pence a week
You'll have to provide for the child with a meager 30 pence per week.
So, Billy, how can you serve me so?
So, Billy, why do you treat me this way?
For I'm sure the child belongs to you, not to Cousin Joe
Because I'm confident that the child is yours, not Cousin Joe's.
Well in a week she gets this summons but she found it was no go
Within a week, she receives a court summons, but it didn't work out.
For the magistrate decided that the child belonged to Joe
The judge ruled that Joe was the rightful father of the child.
She went up to Billy's backyard, quickly the door she shut
She went to Billy's yard and swiftly closed the door.
And when at last they found her, she'd drowned in the water butt
When they eventually found her, she had drowned in the water barrel.
So young women take a warning from me
Therefore, young women, heed my warning.
Never love a soldier or sit all on his knee
Never fall in love with a soldier or sit on his lap.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Wesley Stace
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind