The band is one of the few outfits still burning with the fire of punk, but managing to combine it with the ideals and knowledge of English folk music - a balancing act they've made into a fine art over the years. And they have deep roots in the U.K. folk scene, emerging from both the Whitstable Oyster Co. Ceilidh Band, which formed in 1975, and Fiddler's Dram, a group put together in 1973 by Dave Arbus, whose fiddle work had graced releases by East of Eden and the Who.
Prosser, Telfer, and Taylor were also in Fiddler's Dram, whose moment of fame arrived in 1979 with the British hit single "Day Trip to Bangor" - released after they'd split up. They reconvened for a last album when Kearey joined them. He also became part of the band's alter ego, the roots-oriented Oyster Ceilidh Band, as they'd now become. With Fiddler's Dram no longer extant, the members put their energies in the newly renamed Oyster Band in 1981, playing gigs around England and self-releasing albums on their own Pukka label.
The band returned in 2003 after the longest recording layoff of its career with Rise Above, which included eight originals and two English traditional numbers, and featured the work of Irish piper James O'Grady throughout.
In 1990, the band collaborated with renowned folk singer June Tabor for the album Freedom and Rain and a tour.
Current Lineup:
Chopper - bass guitar, cello, vocals
John Jones - melodeon, lead vocals
Alan Prosser - guitars, viola, vocals
Ian Telfer - fiddle, English concertina, vocals
Dil Davies - drums
http://www.oysterband.co.uk/
Diamond for a Dime
Oysterband Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to make a pitch, trying to pull a crowd
People hurry past him, they will not give him time
He's holding out a diamond and the price is just one dime
He isn't selling Jesus, he isn't selling coke
Board-boys are muttering, "Is this some kinda joke?"
All these travellers, all this passing time
CHORUS
Well, he's a crook or he's crazy
So the story goes
But the diamond is real
And only one man knows
And if I say I love you
Do you want to buy a diamond for a dime?
And if I say I love you
Do you want to buy a diamond for a dime?
Night falls on the station and on your heart's desire
The diamond in the darkness, a messenger of fire
Don't throw that stone away, you better understand
It's my whole life you're holding in the palm of your hand
CHORUS
Love might be a miner digging in the dark
Love might be a hustler hunting for a mark
Love might be a singer looking for a rhyme
Love might be priceless but the price is still one dime
CHORUS
The song "Diamond for a Dime" by Oysterband tells the story of a man on a street corner trying to sell a diamond for just one dime. Despite his efforts, people hurry past him and ignore him, assuming he must be either a crook or crazy. Throughout the song, the man is compared to various types of seekers in life such as hustlers, miners, and singers, all searching for something priceless. The diamond in the darkness is referred to as a "messenger of fire," representing the passion and intensity of love that the song speaks about.
The chorus poses the question "if I say I love you, do you want to buy a diamond for a dime?" symbolizing the idea that love may be valuable, but it is difficult to put a price on it. The song may also be interpreted as a commentary on the value society places on material possessions versus the intangible value of love and passion.
Overall, "Diamond for a Dime" is a thought-provoking and poetic song that challenges listeners to reflect on the meaning of love and the value we place on material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
On a corner by the station a man is talking right out loud
A man is standing on a street corner, speaking loudly to passers-by.
Trying to make a pitch, trying to pull a crowd
The man is attempting to persuade people to join him.
People hurry past him, they will not give him time
People ignore him and refuse to listen.
He's holding out a diamond and the price is just one dime
He offers a diamond for an incredibly cheap price.
He isn't selling Jesus, he isn't selling coke
He isn't selling religion or drugs.
Board-boys are muttering, "Is this some kinda joke?"
Spectators wonder if it's a prank.
All these travellers, all this passing time
People are in a hurry, rushing to their destinations.
CHORUS
Refrain of the song.
Well, he's a crook or he's crazy
People doubt the validity of the man's offer.
So the story goes
As rumors suggest.
But the diamond is real
The diamond is genuinely precious.
And only one man knows
The man selling the diamond is the only one who truly knows.
And if I say I love you
If I profess love to you
Do you want to buy a diamond for a dime?
Will you take the chance on this cheap diamond if I express love?
Night falls on the station and on your heart's desire
As evening arrives, so does your deepest wish.
The diamond in the darkness, a messenger of fire
The diamond appears bright and hot in the dark.
Don't throw that stone away, you better understand
Don't dismiss this opportunity, you should comprehend.
It's my whole life you're holding in the palm of your hand
The diamond is a representation of the seller's life.
Love might be a miner digging in the dark
Love may seem like a treasure that requires hard work to find.
Love might be a hustler hunting for a mark
Love may feel like a slick scam run by the unscrupulous.
Love might be a singer looking for a rhyme
Love may be elusive, like trying to find the perfect words of a song.
Love might be priceless but the price is still one dime
Even though love is invaluable, it can still be found in unexpected places for a small price.
Contributed by Leah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.