Neil and Roger had been singing together as a duo in West Yorkshire since 1966 whilst John burst upon the folk scene a little later in 1972 as a member of Hebric. John, who has a voice similar to Paul Robeson also sings with the local operatic society in Halifax and is a member of The Bradshaw Mummers who can be seen in quaint outfits throughout most summers at various festivals acting out the important chapters of English history. John sang lead bass with Northern Ballet at Leeds Playhouse for the winter season of Mozart’s Requiem. Meanwhile Joe Stead had begun a professional career in London in 1966 which eventually took him to various parts of the world and more recently the first Valparaiso Festival of the Sea in Chile. Joe has performed in concert in America with Pete Seeger twice and also sung at a garden party with Paul Robeson in London in 1958. Neil also sang in concert with Pete Seeger when he and Joe crossed the Atlantic with Paul Downes to perform in a concert in New Jersey to raise funds for the Delaware Valley River Project.
There are now two new members in the group. David Buckley joined Kimber's Men at the end of April 2006. David is an actor and a singer who has performed in musicals and with the Halifax Operatic Society. They found him playing the part of Captain Smith in 'Titanic the Musical'. David sings tenor harmony. He has recently written a song called 'I will always be there' which may become as popular as 'Don't take the heroes'.
In June 2007 Kimber's Men increased their number to 5 when 'Gaz' joined the quartet.
DON'T TAKE THE HEROES
Kimber's Men Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They've heard that the Soloman Browne has gone down
The Union Star wrecked in the swell
With all lives lost, eight heroes as well
But don't take the heroes who answer the call
Don't take the heroes return them to shore
You're winning the battle for lives lost at sea
They're fathers and brothers and sons just like me.
He stands alone, was it God's design?
We shall not take fathers and their sons this time
Trevelyan's words still ring in his ears
The salty spray meets his salt tears
But don't take the heroes who answer the call
Don't take the heroes return them to shore
You're winning the battle for lives lost at sea
But don't take the heroes, don't take the heroes
They're fathers and brothers and sons just like me.
There on the shelf his photograph stands
She's holding a medal instead of his hands
But medals can't grasp and wipe away tears
Can't care for a mother in her golden years
But don't take the heroes who answer the call
Don't take the heroes return them to shore
You're winning the battle for lives lost at sea
But don't take the heroes, don't take the heroes
They're fathers and brothers and sons just like me.
Small boy he said, "What did Daddy do?"
And why do I live here all alone with you
She showed him the medal, said "Stand proud and tall
And when you're a man you'll answer the call."
But don't take the heroes who answer the call
Don't take the heroes return them to shore
You're winning the battle for lives lost at sea
But don't take the heroes, don't take the heroes
They're fathers and brothers and sons just like me.
But gifts can't mend families all torn apart,
And ease the pain in each grieving heart
But although you've taken Trevelyan's men
We won't be beaten we'll fight you again.
The lyrics of Kimber's Men's song, "Don't Take the Heroes," is a tribute to the eight heroes who lost their lives during the Union Star's wreck in the swell. These casualties affected Penzance town deeply, and the song captures the struggle to come to terms with the loss of life. The lyrics imply that it is important to acknowledge the bravery of those who go to sea to help others, and that their sacrifices must not be in vain.
The singer's emotional response to the loss is highlighted by the line, "Trevelyan's words still ring in his ears/The salty spray meets his salt tears." Trevelyan, the former UK minister of ships and aircraft, praised the efforts of the Lifeboat crews to save lives, but his statement also highlighted the dangers associated with such work. The song implies that despite the dangers, the heroes should still be sent out to rescue others when needed.
Line by Line Meaning
They can't believe it in Penzance town
The people in Penzance town cannot believe the news that the Soloman Browne has sunk.
They've heard that the Soloman Browne has gone down
The news that the Soloman Browne has sunk has reached Penzance town.
The Union Star wrecked in the swell
Another ship, the Union Star, was wrecked in the sea’s powerful movements.
With all lives lost, eight heroes as well
Sadly, all eight crew members, who are considered heroes, lost their lives.
But don't take the heroes who answer the call
Please do not take the brave heroes who answer the call of sea rescue missions.
Don't take the heroes return them to shore
Bring the heroes back to shore instead of taking them away.
You're winning the battle for lives lost at sea
Rescue missions can save lives lost at sea.
They're fathers and brothers and sons just like me.
The heroes are also fathers, brothers, and sons like myself and others.
He stands alone, was it God's design?
The hero who stands alone may be left to wonder if it was God’s plan.
We shall not take fathers and their sons this time
We must protect fathers and sons from being lost in sea tragedies like this.
Trevelyan's words still ring in his ears
The words that Trevelyan spoke still resonate with the hero.
The salty spray meets his salt tears
Amidst the salty sea spray, the hero sheds tears of sadness.
There on the shelf his photograph stands
The photo of a hero stands on a shelf somewhere.
She's holding a medal instead of his hands
A medal has been awarded posthumously to the hero’s family, instead of the hero’s own hands.
But medals can't grasp and wipe away tears
Medals cannot comfort the family, wipe away their tears, or bring back the lost hero.
Can't care for a mother in her golden years
Medals cannot take care of the hero's mother in her final years.
Small boy he said, "What did Daddy do?"
A young boy asks what his father did as a hero.
And why do I live here all alone with you
The boy wonders why he must live alone with his mother.
She showed him the medal, said "Stand proud and tall
The boy’s mother shows him the medal and tells him to be proud of his hero father.
And when you're a man you'll answer the call."
She inspires the boy to be like his father and answer the call of rescue missions when he is older.
But gifts can't mend families all torn apart,
Gifts cannot bring back lost family members and heal broken families.
And ease the pain in each grieving heart
Nothing can soothe the pain in the hearts of those grieving for their lost loved ones.
But although you've taken Trevelyan's men
Even though the sea has taken Trevelyan's men or heroes like them, it will not defeat them for they will fight again.
We won't be beaten we'll fight you again.
The heroes will not accept defeat and will fight again for those lost at sea.
Contributed by Mia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.