Tensions between the band grew during the production in 1970 of their first album, Hark! The Village Wait to the point where they never again worked together after its completion, but the music itself shows no signs of these difficulties. While having a rock sensibility there is a greater sense of the authentic folk tradition than even in the best of Fairport, and a particular beauty arising from the two pairs of voices. The Woods being replaced by admired folk stalwart Martin Carthy, with violinist Peter Knight to widen the musical textures, the group late in 1970 recorded their most admired record Please to see the King. Ten Man Mop followed in 1971, more accomplished but generally felt to be less exciting. The expensive gatefold sleeve swallowed the band's royalties, and was referred to as a tombstone, since Hutchings and Carthy then left, to pursue Hutchings' new vision of a specifically English strand of folk rock with The Albion Band, and Steeleye Mk 2 folded.
However the inclusion of the less celebrated and more rock orientated replacements Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson led to the most commercially successful phase in the band's existence, vocalist Maddy Prior becoming the primary focus of the band, and a run of well received albums, from Below the Salt and Now we Are Six, their first with drummer Nigel Pegrum, to their eighth, and most commercially successful, All Around my Hat, in 1975.
Still active, they have a claim to be one of the longest-lived and perhaps the most commercially successful of all the folk rock bands of the era, thanks to their hit singles Gaudete and All Around My Hat, 3 top 40 albums and even a certified "gold" record with All Around My Hat.
Tim Hart died of lung cancer on 24 December 2009, aged 61.
London
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Riding in a coach and six,
Nothing to drink but claret wine,
Talking politicks.
London is a dainty place,
A great and gallant city!
All the streets are paved with gold,
And all the folks are witty.
Bedaub'd from head to chin,
Their pocket-holes adorned with gold,
But not one sou within.
There's your lords and ladies fine,
Riding in a coach and six,
Nothing to drink but claret wine,
Talking politicks.
There your English actor goes
With many a hungry belly;
While heaps of gold are forc'd, God wot,
On Signor Farinelli.
There's your lords and ladies fine,
Riding in a coach and six,
Nothing to drink but claret wine,
Talking politicks.
London is a dainty place,
A great and gallant city!
All the streets are paved with gold,
All the folks are witty.
There's your dames with dainty frames,
Skins as white as milk;
Dressed every day in garments gay,
Of satin and of silk.
London is a dainty place.
The song "London" by Steeleye Span is an observation of the stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor during the 17th century in London. The lyrics speak of lords and ladies riding in a coach and six, drinking claret wine, engaged in political discussion, and adorned with gold. Meanwhile, English actors with empty pockets relied on the generosity of the wealthy, and ladies with flawless skin dressed in silk and satin. The song paints a vivid picture of the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by the elite, juxtaposed with the poverty and struggle of the working class.
The opening line "there's your lords and ladies fine" sets the tone for the rest of the song. It highlights the stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor. The lines "nothing to drink but claret wine, talking politicks" emphasize the privileged life of the upper class. Meanwhile, the verse "there your English actor goes, with many a hungry belly, while heaps of gold are forced, God wot, on Signor Farinelli," paints a melancholic picture of the harsh reality of the working class during this time. The song underlines the stark contrast between the haves and have-nots.
Overall, "London" is a commentary on the social and political unrest of the 17th century in London. The city was a magnificent and elegant place, but beneath the surface existed a brutal class divide, with the wealthy lording it over the impoverished classes.
Line by Line Meaning
There's your lords and ladies fine,
High-ranking members of society are visible, riding in fancy carriages with six horses.
Riding in a coach and six,
They are traveling in luxury, with a coach pulled by six horses.
Nothing to drink but claret wine,
They have access only to a high-quality red wine called claret.
Talking politicks.
The lords and ladies are discussing politics, likely in a self-important manner.
London is a dainty place,
The city of London is described as a delicate and charming location.
A great and gallant city!
London is also portrayed as being grand and full of people of high social standing.
All the streets are paved with gold,
The entire city is metaphorically paved with gold, indicating a sense of wealth and prosperity.
And all the folks are witty.
The people of London are described as clever or amusing.
There's your beaux with powder'd clothes,
Men who are trying to act fashionable are mentioned, wearing powder on their clothes and faces.
Bedaub'd from head to chin,
These men are likely wearing too much makeup or other decorative substances.
Their pocket-holes adorned with gold,
Their pockets are decorated with gold, implying that they may have money or status.
But not one sou within.
However, despite the ostentatious display, they may not have any actual money in their pockets.
There your English actor goes
A working-class English actor is also described as present in the city.
With many a hungry belly;
This implies that the actor is likely struggling to make ends meet, with no steady source of income.
While heaps of gold are forc'd, God wot,
Meanwhile, much of the city's resources may be going towards individuals like the wealthy lords and ladies.
On Signor Farinelli.
Specifically, gold may be going to support Italian opera singers like Farinelli, while the English actor struggles.
There's your dames with dainty frames,
Wealthy women dressed in fine clothing are also noticeable in the city.
Skins as white as milk;
These women have very pale, smooth skin like milk.
Dressed every day in garments gay,
They dress in colorful and fashionable clothes every day.
Of satin and of silk.
These clothes are made of high-quality and expensive materials, indicating wealth and status.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jim Ball
Dear old Tim Hart what a talent he was, RIP Tim.
Gentle Ben
This is brilliant! I've been looking everywhere for the full version
William StClaire
God Rest Tim Hart, such very talented musicians and what a beautiful voice Maddy Prior has, an absolute joy for to listen to. I only started getting into this band around 6 years ago, and I haven’t stopped playing them since, what have I been missing., but it’s really for the better now, as it’s all still new to me. Love Maddy Prior so much, along with the rest of the band, so very talented.
Antônio Maurício Silva
Melhor sincronia de vocal,bateria e
guitarra do rock britânico.
Martin Glover
Brilliant video. Brings back many happy memories.
Melvorgazh
Really cool artists and musicians
Geoff Baker
Even better , one of the "Live" versions that's out there. Try their Shrewsbury Folk Festival rendition , also on this site.
mistie710
It was Rocket Cottage, from where this was taken, that really got me into Span. This is a good song, even if I don't particularly like London itself.
Martin Knox
Snap. Being a Northerner, I'm not fond of london myself
John Garbutt
Rocket Cottage is a fantastic album ❤ stole my mum's vinyl copy when I was 16!