Their original act was called Lennie Peters and Melody until their management International Artists suggested the name: Peters and Lee. Their first performance was with Rolf Harris on 30 April 1970 at a concert in Bournemouth.
Early success
They entered the TV talent show Opportunity Knocks, which they won for a then record of seven times with such songs as "All Change Places", "I'm Confessin'", "Let It Be Me" and "All I Ever Need is You". Following their TV success, a record contract was soon signed with Philips Records. They were produced by Philips' A&R man Johnny Franz and their management company was International Artists, run by showbiz professionals Phyllis Rounce and Laurie Mansfield. Franz found the song which suited them well and their recording quickly led to a number one hit, "Welcome Home" - which sold over 800,000 copies in Britain. A successful first album, "We Can Make It", followed which also reached the number one position, selling over 250,000 copies. Further single hits followed with "Don't Stay Away Too Long" and "Hey Mr Music Man".
TV appearances
The duo was top of the bill at the Royal Variety Performance in 1973.[1] They were also resident guest stars on The Des O'Connor Show,[2] had slots on Golden Shot, Mike and Bernie Winters' Show, Presenting Nana Mouskouri, Seaside Special and David Nixon's show.
Peters and Lee had a popular TV series of their own Meet Peters & Lee,[3] including several Christmas specials made by ATV. "The Peters and Lee Story" was one Christmas special made for 27 December 1975 which starred Mike and Bernie Winters, Cleo Laine and Aiden J Harvey who won New Faces in 1974. Their success made them household names and frequent appearances on Top of the Pops also kept their record sales steady.
Their last TV appearance before their split was London Night Out in November 1980, in which they performed four songs from their farewell album.
Solo and reunion
Lee went on to perform mainly in theatre and acting roles, whilst Peters pursued a solo singing career. He recorded his only solo album Unforgettable in 1981 and released three singles, "Record of My Love" in 1981, "Why Me" for Christmas 1982 and "Key Largo" in 1985. Peters also appeared on a few small TV slots and appeared briefly as a crime boss in the 1984 film The Hit, but without a huge success. Despite their fame, neither Peters nor Lee could repeat the success they enjoyed whilst together.
The pair reunited in 1986 with a new single, "Familiar Feelings", to perform on the nostalgia circuit. They also made some TV appearances, performing their new single. The duo went on to record two new albums, one in 1989 and the last in 1992 for their 21st anniversary, before Peters' death from bone cancer in 1992 at age 60. Their final TV appearance was Pebble Mill in February 1992 with a short interview and a performance of the hit "Hey Mister Music Man". Sporting a broken arm, Peters' illness was apparent. Lee went on to marry Rick Price of Wizzard and recorded a solo album Chemistry in 1994. She continues to tour with Price as a duo, performing hits and new material.[4]
Rainbow
Peters & Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Performer：Peter, Paul & Mary
Composer ：Peter Yarrow / Mary Travers / Noel Paul Stookey / Milton Okun
Lyricist ：Peter Yarrow / Mary Travers / Noel Paul Stookey / Milton Okun
Shule shule shule-a-roo
Shule-a-rak-shak shule-a-ba-ba-coo
Come bibble in the boo shy lorey
Shule shule shule-a-roo
Shule-a-rak-shak shule-a-ba-ba-coo
When I saw my sally babby beal
Come bibble in the boo shy lorey
Here I sit on buttermilk hill
Who could blame me cry my fill
Every tear would turn a mill
Johnny's gone for a soldier
Shule shule shule-a-roo
Shule-a-rak-shak shule-a-ba-ba-coo
When I saw my sally babby beal
Come bibble in the boo shy lorey
I sold my flax I sold my wheel
To buy my love a sword of steel
So it in battle he might wield
Johnny's gone for a soldier
Shule shule shule-a-roo
Shule-a-rak-shak shule-a-ba-ba-coo
When I saw my sally babby beal
Come bibble in the boo shy lorey
Oh my baby oh my love
Gone the rainbow gone the dove
Your father was my only love
Johnny's gone for a soldier
Shule shule shule-a-roo
Shule-a-rak-shak shule-a-ba-ba-coo
When I saw my sally babby beal
Come bibble in the boo shy lorey
Shule shule shule-a-roo
Shule-a-rak-shak shule-a-ba-ba-coo
When I saw my sally babby beal
Come bibble in the boo shy lorey
The lyrics to Peters & Lee’s song “Rainbow” are a blend of Irish folk verses and American civil war poetry. The song is about a woman named Sally Babby Beal who is watching her lover Johnny march off to war. The lyrics are steeped in melancholic emotion, as Sally babbles incoherently in a language that is a mix of Irish and nonsensical expressions.
The song verses depict Sally sitting on Buttermilk Hill, weeping and lamenting the loss of her lover. As a sign of her love, she sells her flax and wheel to buy Johnny a sword for the battle. However, despite her efforts, Johnny is gone, and Sally is left to grieve the loss of their love, represented by the rainbow and dove, symbols of hope and peace.
The language used in the song is evocative, drawing on the Irish lullaby shule a ru, and the African American jazz scat shule-a-rak-shak to create a unique sound. The lyrics are poignant, reflecting the emotional pain of separation and loss, and the hope that love will reunite them.
Line by Line Meaning
Shule, shule, shule-a-roo
Refrain of the song; no specific meaning
Shule-a-rak-shak, shule-a-ba-ba-coo
Refrain of the song; no specific meaning
When I saw my Sally Babby Beal
When I saw my beloved Sally Babby Beal
Come bibble in the boo shy Lorey
Dancing and frolicking in the hedges
Here I sit on Buttermilk Hill
I am sitting on a hill called Buttermilk
Who could blame me, cry my fill
Who wouldn't cry in my situation
Every tear would turn a mill
My tears are abundant
Johnny's gone for a soldier
My lover Johnny has gone to war
I sold my flax, I sold my wheel
I sold everything I had
To buy my love a sword of steel
To equip my lover for battle
So it in battle he might wield
So he could fight with it in the war
Oh my baby, oh, my love
Oh, my beloved baby and lover
Gone the rainbow, gone the dove
The happiness and peace we had are gone
Your father was my only love
Your father was the only one I ever loved
Shule, shule, shule-a-roo
Refrain of the song; no specific meaning
Shule-a-rak-shak, shule-a-ba-ba-coo
Refrain of the song; no specific meaning
When I saw my Sally Babby Beal
When I saw my beloved Sally Babby Beal
Come bibble in the boo shy Lorey
Dancing and frolicking in the hedges
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARY ALLIN TRAVERS, MILTON T. OKUN, NOEL PAUL STOOKEY, PETER YARROW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@timmeekings3492
Saw Peters and Lee in concert in Great Yarmouth some time in the mid 70s. Reminds me of my Dad - this song. He was always playing it.
@matthammond1797
What a track. No matter how tough your day this will make it better
@gremlinuk1968
kid ,back then,, 70s,, 6,7 , 8 , year old back then ! Born 23rd May 1968, from northern Ireland UK, remember them from back then,! God Bless from northern Ireland UK, 🤝🇬🇧
@andymcinnes6365
I bought there album for my mum when I was a kid she loved it n I love it still such uplifting innocent singalong music!!
@clairec9467
Childhood memories. Love this song
@MoiraJones
30th Aug 2014- X Factor started new series- Nothing I've ever heard on that could ever beat these two. Opportunity Knocked and opened the door for two fantastic Artists. Still as good to listen to.
@doreenfawcett9717
Peters and Lee I loved them and still love there music .
@angusmctab9800
takes me back to days long gone
@sveinsigurdgismarvik4445
Those times when Music was Music, no noise ør stupidi, Great.. !
@hemmay
So many forgotten songs brought back to mind by adverts.This one's great.