In 2004, Old Blind Dogs won the Folk Band of the Year award at the Scots Trad Music Awards. At the same time, Jim Malcolm was named Songwriter of the Year. In 2001, the UK’s Association of Independent Music selected their album "Fit?" as a finalist for the Celtic Album of the Year award.
The band have toured extensively, performing in Britain, the USA, Denmark, Germany and Spain, with further tours of the USA, Britain, Russia, Italy and Germany scheduled for 2006.
Bedlam Boys
Old Blind Dogs Lyrics
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Maudlin clothes for dirty toes, just to save her shoes from gravel
Oh, will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, and they want no drink or no money.
I went to Pluto's kitchen, just to break my fast one morning
Oh, will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, and they want no drink or no money.
My staff has murdered giants, and my pack a long knife carries.
To cut mince pies from children's thighs, with which to feed the fairies
Oh, will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, and they want no drink or no money.
Spirits white as lightning, did on my journey guide me.
The sun did shake, the pale moon quake, when e'er she did espy me.
Oh, will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, and they want no drink or no money.
No gypsy, slut nor doxy, can take my Mad Tom from me.
I'll dance all night and with stars fight, the fray it shall become me.
Oh, will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, and they want no drink or no money.
To see Mad Tom of Bedlam, ten thousand miles I traveled
Maudlin clothes for dirty toes, just to save her shoes from gravel
Oh, will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, they want no drink or no money.
The song "Bedlam Boys" by Old Blind Dogs tells the tale of a journey to visit the infamous Mad Tom of Bedlam, highlighting the singer's devotion and affection for this apparently mad character. The singer claims to have traveled ten thousand miles just to visit Mad Tom, wearing old clothes to protect their shoes from gravel. The chorus repeats multiple times and praises the "bedlam boys" for their carefree nature, saying they live in the air and want for nothing.
The second verse describes the singer's journey to Pluto's kitchen, where they dine on souls that were being cooked on a spit. The third verse is the most gruesome, with the singer using their staff to murder giants and carrying a knife to cut mince pies from children's thighs to feed the fairies. The fourth verse speaks of the ghostly spirits that guide the singer on their journey and frighten the sun and moon. The final verse is a declaration of the singer's love for Mad Tom, claiming that no one can take them away and that they are ready to fight for their love.
Line by Line Meaning
To see Mad Tom of Bedlam, ten thousand miles I traveled
I traveled an extraordinary distance to see Mad Tom of Bedlam
Maudlin clothes for dirty toes, just to save her shoes from gravel
I wore old and worn clothes and went barefoot to spare my good shoes
Oh, will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys
I will sing a song about the beautiful crazy boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
The crazy boys of Bedlam are beautiful
For they all go bare and they live in the air, and they want no drink or no money.
They live free and do not require material possessions or money
I went to Pluto's kitchen, just to break my fast one morning
One morning I went to the underworld to get a meal
And there I got souls piping hot, that on the spit were turning
I ate hot souls roasting on a spit
My staff has murdered giants, and my pack a long knife carries.
I carry a staff that has defeated giants, and a pack with a large knife for cutting meat
To cut mince pies from children's thighs, with which to feed the fairies
I cut meat pies from the thighs of children to feed the fairies
Spirits white as lightning, did on my journey guide me.
Light spirits guided me on my journey
The sun did shake, the pale moon quake, when e'er she did espy me.
The sun and moon trembled when they saw me
No gypsy, slut nor doxy, can take my Mad Tom from me.
No one can take Mad Tom away from me
I'll dance all night and with stars fight, the fray it shall become me.
I will dance through the night and fight with the stars and become part of the chaos
Contributed by Kennedy N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lathyrus Loon
My childhood lullaby! the tempo is different but I love it.
Karen Varian
One of my favorite bands and songs! It doesn't get much better than this. Thank you for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
"My staff has murdered giants
My pack the long knife carries
To cut mince pies from children's thighs
With which to feed the fairies"
Sloth Demon
For those wondering what this song is about. Its an old folk song about a certain madhouse in London.
"Tom of Bedlam is one of the earliest songs about madness that was first introduced in 1618. Bedlam was a common name for St. Mary Bethlehem hospital in London (now called Bethlem Royal Hospital) which housed the insane. During the 18th century it was a popular diversion to visit the hospital to watch the antics of the poor inmates. Admission was one penny and it is said the hospital realized an income of four hundred pounds a year from visitors."
Fiddling while Rome burns
There's a complete history of the song here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2c3nSXKb6E
Josh Kendrick
Walking with a staff, and carrying a long knife, I often get this song stuck in my head. I have no giants to murder here, unfortunately.
Cyndi Fallon
No question this version "rocks" the senses!
Josh RisArch
Fantastic rendition, best one out there. This song is taken from the album "Four on the Floor" which is worth a listen!
Karen Varian
Love this band and this song. Thanks!
Feylan Winters
Needs more comments. Frankly, this song is quite the amazing piece of you ask me. I can't get enough of it.
redjameskidd
Been looking for this song, thanks for the upload. Very unique, never heard this tune with lyrics.