After being a member of the amateur group Dramatis Personae while still at school, Jona started in the music business as a session pianist, before joining the cult pub rock band, Brett Marvin & the Thunderbolts, in the late 1960s. The group was a popular live act for several years, but their only mainstream hit single was "Seaside Shuffle" in 1972, released under the one-off nom de disque Terry Dactyl & The Dinosaurs. Borrowing heavily from Mungo Jerry's 1970 chart-topper "In The Summertime," "Seaside Shuffle" was an unashamedly commercial disc quite at odds with the Thunderbolts' usual style, but reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart.
However, Lewie looked likely to remain a one-hit wonder until he was signed up by Stiff Records in 1977. Following appearances on the Stiff package tours, he finally scored a solo hit in 1980 with the humorous synthpop number, "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties,"which made the British Top 20. Although his next single "Big Shot - Momentarily" failed to make any impact, by the end of the year he was back in the charts with what became his biggest (and, to date, last) UK hit, "Stop The Cavalry." He was, however, to reach No. 2 on the Australian charts in 1981 with "Louise (We Get It Right)"
Although now one of Britain's (and, incidentally, Germany's) most familiar Christmas singles, "Stop The Cavalry" was not originally intended as a Christmas song – it was released in late November after the record company spotted the line referring to the festival: "I wish I was at home, for Christmas," Not only this, but the specific style of the brass instruments and bells in the chorus are very noticeable as a Christmas style theme.
Lewie has since been able to live comfortably on the continuing proceeds which Christmas airplay of "Stop The Cavalry" has annually brought him, as well as the proceeds from some wise property investments.
The tune and style of "Stop The Cavalry" was later parodied for a series of catchy and humorous TV adverts for John Smith's beer.
In December 2005, Jona was recruited by Channel 4 to record a new Christmas record with other old stars who had Christmas hits, on Bring Back The Christmas Number One.
Stop the Calvary
Jona Lewie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To say we're doing splendidly
But it's very cold out here in the snow
Marching to and from the enemy
Oh I say it's tough, I have had enough
Can you stop the cavalry?
I have had to fight, almost every night
That is when I say, oh yes yet again
Can you stop the cavalry?
Mary Bradley waits at home
In the nuclear fall-out zone
Wish I could be dancing now
In the arms of the girl I love
(Dub a dub a dumb dumb)
(Dub a dub dubadum dubadum dub a dub dubadum)
(Dub a dub a dumb dumb)
(Dub a dub dubadum dubadum dub a dub dubadum)
Wish I was at home for Christmas
Bang! That's another bomb on another town
While the Tsar and Jim have tea
If I get home, live to tell the tale
I'll run for all presidencies
If I get elected I'll stop, I will stop the cavalry
(Dub a dub a dumb dumb)
(Dub a dub dubadum dubadum dub a dub dubadum)
(Dub a dub a dumb dumb)
(Dub a dub dubadum dubadum dub a dub dubadum)
Wish I was at home for Christmas
Wish I could be dancing now
In the arms of the girl I love
Mary Bradley waits at home
She has been waiting two years long
Wish I was at home for Christmas
Jona Lewie's song "Stop the Calvary" is a poignant anti-war song that laments the futility and senselessness of war. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a soldier who is fighting in a war and is tired of the harsh conditions, cold weather, and constant fighting. The soldier calls out to Mr. Churchill, who is the British Prime Minister, to ask if he can stop the cavalry and end the war. The soldier is tired of fighting every single night and is longing to be reunited with the girl he loves, Mary Bradley.
The soldier also speaks of the devastating impact of war on civilians. He mentions that Mary Bradley is waiting at home in the nuclear fall-out zone, which suggests that there has been a nuclear attack. The soldier wishes that he could be dancing with Mary Bradley and longs to be at home for Christmas. The song takes a political turn in the final verse, where the soldier mentions another bomb being dropped while the Tsar and Jim have tea. The soldier vows that if he gets elected, he will stop the cavalry and put an end to war for good.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the cost of war, both in terms of human life and the impact on civilians. It highlights the senselessness of war, the longing for peace and the desire to be with loved ones during the festive season.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Mr. Churchill comes over here
The British Prime Minister visits the troops to express how well they are doing.
To say we're doing splendidly
He's congratulating the troops for their hard work and acknowledging their success.
But it's very cold out here in the snow
The weather conditions are harsh and unbearable as they march to and fro the enemy lines.
Marching to and from the enemy
The soldiers are moving back and forth towards the war zone or enemy territory.
Oh I say it's tough, I have had enough
The difficult war conditions have taken a toll on the soldiers, and they can no longer bear it.
Can you stop the cavalry?
Can someone put an end to the fighting?
I have had to fight, almost every night
The soldier has to fight almost every night, throughout the war.
Down throughout these centuries
The wars and conflicts have been ongoing for centuries, causing continuous violence and destruction.
That is when I say, oh yes yet again
The soldier has already experienced the brutality of war but is forced to relive it again and again.
Can you stop the cavalry?
Can someone put an end to the fighting?
Mary Bradley waits at home
The soldier has a loved one waiting for them back home.
In the nuclear fall-out zone
The area is subject to radioactive fallout from a nuclear explosion.
Wish I could be dancing now
The soldier would prefer to be doing something enjoyable, like dancing, rather than fighting in the war.
In the arms of the girl I love
The soldier would love to be reunited with their girlfriend, who they are emotionally attached to.
Bang! That's another bomb on another town
The bombings and killings continue, and the soldier is carrying out their orders despite the human cost.
While the Tsar and Jim have tea
The people responsible for the war may not even be present while the soldiers are fighting and dying on the front lines.
If I get home, live to tell the tale
If the soldier survives and makes it back home, they can share their experiences of war.
I'll run for all presidencies
The soldier will try to become a political leader to put an end to these unnecessary wars and conflicts.
If I get elected I'll stop, I will stop the cavalry
The soldier is determined to stop the fighting once they gain political power.
She has been waiting two years long
The loved one waiting at home has been without their soldier partner for two long years.
Wish I was at home for Christmas
The soldier wishes to spend the festive holidays with their loved ones instead of fighting in the war.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jona Lewie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kennymccormick4733
Here are the lyrics to this Christmas Classic:
Hey, Mr. Churchill comes over here to say we're doing splendidly
But it's very cold out here in the snow marching to and from the enemy Oh I say it's tough I have had enough can you stop the cavalry?
I have had to fight almost every night down throughout these centuries That is when I say, oh yes yet again can you stop the cavalry?
Mary Bradley waits at home in the nuclear fall-out zone Wish I could be dancing now In the arms of the girl I love
Wish I was at home for Christmas
Bang! That's another bomb on another the town While the Tzar and Jim have tea If I get home, live to tell the tale I'll run for all presidencies
If I get elected, I will stop, I will stop the cavalry
Wish I was at home for Christmas
Wish I could be dancing now in the arms of the girl I love Mary Bradley waits at home She has been waiting two years long
Wish I was at home for Christmas
@selene007
Merry Christmas 🎄
[Verse 1] 🎶
Hey, Mr. Churchill comes over here
To say we're doing splendidly
But it's very cold out here in the snow
Marching to win from the enemy
Oh I say it's tough, I have had enough
Can you stop the cavalry?
[Verse 2]
I have had to fight, almost every night
Down throughout these centuries
That is when I say, oh yes yet again
Can you stop the cavalry?
[Chorus]
Mary Bradley waits at home
In the nuclear fall-out zone
Wish I could be dancing now
In the arms of the girl I love
[Intermission]
Dub a dub a dumb dumb
Dub a dub a dumb
Dub a dumb dumb dub a dub
Dub a dub a dumb
Dub a dub a dumb dumb
Dub a dub a dumb
Dub a dumb dumb dub a dub
Dub a dub a dumb
Wish I was at home for Christmas
[Verse 3]
Bang! That's another bomb on another town
While the Tsar and Jim have tea
If I get home, live to tell the tale
I'll run for all presidencies
If I get elected I'll stop - I will stop the cavalry
[Intermission]
Dub a dub a dumb dumb
Dub a dub a dumb
Dub a dumb dumb dub a dub
Dub a dub a dumb
Dub a dub a dumb dumb
Dub a dub a dumb
Dub a dumb dumb dub a dub
Dub a dub a dumb
Wish I was at home for Christmas
[Chorus]
Wish I could be dancing now
In the arms of the girl I love
Mary Bradley waits at home
She's been waiting two years long
Wish I was at home for Christmas
@oskarostermann4734
It was never meant to be a Christmas song but it turned into one. And it's still great.
Don't let us forget what this song is really about.
@josephleahy8280
This has always been a Christmas song. The lyrics say, "wish I was at home for Christmas".
@neilduncan6645
Anti war song at its finest. Hijacked as a christmas song because of that jingle. Still awesome.
@Burgerboy118
@neil duncan its about wanting to be at home for christmas with their family instead they are abroad fighting in a war
@legiregi1567
The song is about Christmas, it's about Christmas in ww2 and how they longed to come home for christmas
@ellepant
@Legi Regi ww1 not ww2
@danielconsidine3863
Most underrated Christmas song.ever.
@darrenturner8913
Agreed
@ashe7762
agreed
@cumorsomething8119
Yeah