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/
The Generals Are Born Again
Oysterband Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The generals are born again, they're going to save the world
Their armament is seeing right, doing right, being right
Their armour of righteousness is going to save the world
They're sending in the cavalry, cavalry, cavalry
The bugles and the banner-boys are waiting for the word
The captain is a blind man, blind man, blind man
Born again: the generals are born again to save the world
I'll never get to heaven no matter what I do
I'll never be a blue eyed boy although my eyes are blue
And I will not work and I will not work and I will not work for you
They'll put a stop to history, history, history
Cut through this confusion with the purity of steel
For time is just a can of worms, can of worms, can of worms
They'll blow away corruption when they break that seal
Born again: the generals are born again to save the world
A star is in the firmament, firmament, firmament
A new star in the firmament Wormwood is its name
Everyone will see the light, see the light, see the light
And though my eyes are shut I'll have to see it just the same
For peace to last a thousand years, thousand years, thousand years
Prophecy has struck a match and held it to the fuse
They're wheeling up the cameras, cameras, cameras
They're timing Armageddon for the evening news
Born again, the generals are born again to save the world
The lyrics of "The Generals Are Born Again" by Oysterband convey a sarcastic and skeptical view of the concept of messianic leaders and their purported ability to save the world through military action. The song starts by repeating the phrase "the generals are born again" in a chant-like manner, suggesting the repetition of propaganda and the deification of military leaders. The generals' supposed "armament" is not physical weapons, but a moral and ideological superiority, which is presented as naïve and dangerous to the point of being blind.
The lyrics then portray a scenario in which the cavalry, represented by the traditional symbols of bugles and banners, is ready to charge into battle under the command of a blind captain wielding a "terrible swift sword." This imagery conveys a sense of recklessness and irrationality, as well as questioning the competence of military leaders. The lyrics continue to describe the generals' mission as "cutting through confusion" and "blowing away corruption," implying that the military can single-handedly solve complex geopolitical problems and bring about a utopian world order.
The lyrics then take a turn toward more eschatological themes, introducing the concept of a new star in the firmament named Wormwood, which is traditionally associated with disaster and judgment. The song implies that the generals' actions will lead to a cataclysmic event, perhaps even the biblical Armageddon, which will be covered by the evening news as a spectacle. In contrast to this apocalyptic vision of the future, the song's protagonist expresses a sense of personal resignation and refusal to comply with authority: "I'll never get to heaven no matter what I do / I'll never be a blue-eyed boy although my eyes are blue / And I will not work and I will not work and I will not work for you."
Overall, "The Generals Are Born Again" can be interpreted as a critique of militarism, authoritarianism, and the delusions of grandeur that often accompany political leaders. It suggests that the messianic promise of salvation through military might is misguided, dangerous, and ultimately futile.
Line by Line Meaning
The generals are born again, born again, born again
The idea of powerful and influential leaders being reborn with a new purpose and determination to make a difference in the world.
The generals are born again, they're going to save the world
The generals are convinced they have the ability to save the world from whatever is negatively impacting it.
Their armament is seeing right, doing right, being right
The generals believe that their actions and words are guided by righteousness and moral goodness.
Their armour of righteousness is going to save the world
The generals believe that their profound sense of righteousness will protect them and bring about salvation for the world.
They're sending in the cavalry, cavalry, cavalry
The generals are dispatching a group of soldiers on horseback who will likely engage in battle.
The bugles and the banner-boys are waiting for the word
The instruments that announce the beginning of battle and the soldiers who carry flags as symbols of unity and pride are ready to act.
The captain is a blind man, blind man, blind man
The leader is blind to the consequences of their actions and stubborn in their pursuit of victory.
A blind man is reaching for a terrible swift sword
Despite not being able to see the full context of the situation, the leader is willing to make drastic and potentially devastating decisions.
I'll never get to heaven no matter what I do
The singer is acknowledging that they will never be deemed good enough to enter heaven.
I'll never be a blue eyed boy although my eyes are blue
The singer recognizes that they cannot buy their way to success, regardless of their inherent privileges.
And I will not work and I will not work and I will not work for you
The singer is resisting being put into a position of subservience and refusing to be oppressed by others' expectations of them.
They'll put a stop to history, history, history
The generals are attempting to end the patterns and events that continue to negatively impact the world and its people.
Cut through this confusion with the purity of steel
The generals believe wielding weapons, as opposed to diplomacy, will bring clarity and order to a world in chaos.
For time is just a can of worms, can of worms, can of worms
The idea that time is messy and unpredictable, and the generals believe they can bring about order through their leadership.
They'll blow away corruption when they break that seal
The generals are determined to destroy corruption and establish fairness and justice in their actions.
A star is in the firmament, firmament, firmament
Emphasizes an event of astronomical importance - a star appearing in the sky.
A new star in the firmament Wormwood is its name
The name of the star, Wormwood, can have interpretive meanings. It may symbolize bitterness or sorrow.
Everyone will see the light, see the light, see the light
The idea that even in the midst of perceived darkness, there is still hope for redemption and positive change.
And though my eyes are shut I'll have to see it just the same
Despite not wanting to witness the changes occurring, the singer is unable to avoid the consequences of them.
For peace to last a thousand years, thousand years, thousand years
The concept of long-term peace and prosperity, with no conflict or war.
Prophecy has struck a match and held it to the fuse
The prophecy has been lit, and something major will be happening soon because of it.
They're wheeling up the cameras, cameras, cameras
Media coverage is present, and people are watching these world-altering events unfold.
They're timing Armageddon for the evening news
Everything is set up in a way that evil's overthrow and destruction can be filmed for public entertainment.
Born again, the generals are born again to save the world
The generals believe they have a higher calling to save the world and are proud of this new second chance at making a difference.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN PROSSER, IAN TELFER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind