Bob Day (born Ber… Read Full Bio ↴The Allisons was an English pop duo consisting of:
Bob Day (born Bernard Colin Day, on 2 February 1941, in Trowbridge, Wiltshire)
John Alford (born Brian Henry John Alford, on 31 December 1939, in London) - not to be confused with 90s UK pop starJohn Alford.
They were marketed as being brothers, using the same surname of Allison.
The Allisons represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1961 with the song "Are You Sure". They came in second place with 24 points. The song was released as a single on the Fontana Records label, and climbed to number 1 on the UK New Musical Express pop chart. However, the official UK singles chart shows the song reached number 2. Despite a couple of minor follow-up hits, the duo disbanded in 1963. John initially tried song writing, and they teamed up for short tours to keep 'The Allisons' name alive. Additionally, in the 1970s and 1980s John was joined by other "brothers" - Mike "Allison" and Tony "Allison". By the 1990s Bob and John regularly reunited to perform in the oldies circuit
Fool's Paradise
The Allisons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't hold the teardrops from my eyes
For at sundown I will lay a-dyin'
At the door of the Fool's Paradise
Rode into this cattle town this morning
Left my bearer to check the market price
And I walked into the nearest bar room
There the crowd was gay and girls were dancing
And the men were playing cards and dice
So I stepped up to the bar to join them
What a grand place, this Fool's Paradise
It was then I showed to them your picture
I passed it around once or twice
Then a man insulted your sweet honor
At the bar of the Fool's Paradise
So I slapped his face and I told him,I said,
"You eat them words, Mister, or draw, that's my advice"
And he said, "Well somebody might get hurt inside,
But I'll be glad to meet you in the street at sundown,
At sundown in front of the Fool's Paradise"
So goodbye my darlin', may God bless you
I go to make this sacrifice
And if ever you visit old Dodge City
Remember the Fool's Paradise
The lyrics to The Allisons' song "Fool's Paradise" depict a heartbreaking story of a protagonist writing a letter to their loved one before meeting their unfortunate fate. The opening lines set the tone of sorrow as the singer is unable to contain their tears while writing the letter. They reveal that they will lay dying at the entrance of a place called the Fool's Paradise at sundown.
The narrative then shifts to the singer's arrival in a cattle town, where they leave someone in charge of checking the market prices while they enter a nearby bar called the Fool's Paradise. The scene is described as lively, with a cheerful crowd, dancing girls, and men gambling with cards and dice. The singer, seemingly captivated by the atmosphere, joins the revelry at the bar, considering it a grand place.
However, the mood takes a dark turn when the singer shows a picture of their loved one to the people around them. The mention of someone insulting the honor of their beloved denotes a disrespectful behavior that the singer cannot tolerate. They then express their anger by slapping the offender's face and issuing a challenge, demanding an apology or a duel at sundown in front of the Fool's Paradise.
The final verse bids farewell to the beloved, emphasizing the sacrifice the singer is about to make. They encourage their loved one to remember the Fool's Paradise if they ever visit old Dodge City. This ending leaves a sense of tragedy and the notion that the Fool's Paradise holds a significant place in the singer's story.
Overall, "Fool's Paradise" tells a poignant tale of love, betrayal, and the consequences of standing up for one's honor in an unforgiving world.
Line by Line Meaning
As I write this letter to you, Darlin'
While composing this correspondence, my beloved
I can't hold the teardrops from my eyes
I am unable to prevent tears from streaming down my face
For at sundown I will lay a-dyin'
Because by sunset, I shall be lifeless
At the door of the Fool's Paradise
By the entrance of the illusory haven they call Fool's Paradise
Rode into this cattle town this morning
Arrived in this cowherd-populated settlement earlier today
Left my bearer to check the market price
Departed my attendant to ascertain the current value
And I walked into the nearest bar room
I strolled into the closest establishment serving drinks
They call it the Fool's Paradise
The locals refer to it as Fool's Paradise
There the crowd was gay and girls were dancing
The throng was jolly and ladies engaged in rhythmic movements
And the men were playing cards and dice
Meanwhile, men were engaged in games of cards and dice
So I stepped up to the bar to join them
Thus, I approached the bar to partake in their revelry
What a grand place, this Fool's Paradise
Oh, what a splendid locale, this deceptive sanctuary
It was then I showed to them your picture
Subsequently, I displayed your likeness to those gathered
I passed it around once or twice
I circulated it amongst them a couple of times
Then a man insulted your sweet honor
At that moment, an individual affronted your virtuous reputation
At the bar of the Fool's Paradise
Within the confines of this bar within the false utopia
So I slapped his face and I told him, I said
Consequently, I struck his cheek and firmly expressed
"You eat them words, Mister, or draw, that's my advice"
"You must consume your own impudent comments, sir, or engage in a duel, for that is my counsel"
And he said, "Well somebody might get hurt inside,
To which he replied, "Well, someone may sustain injuries within this establishment"
But I'll be glad to meet you in the street at sundown
Nonetheless, I would be delighted to encounter you on the road by sunset
At sundown in front of the Fool's Paradise"
Precisely at sunset, right outside the Fool's Paradise premises"
So goodbye my darlin', may God bless you
Thus, farewell, my beloved, may God bestow blessings upon you
I go to make this sacrifice
I depart to offer up this act of selflessness
And if ever you visit old Dodge City
And on the off chance you find yourself in historic Dodge City
Remember the Fool's Paradise
Recall the place known as Fool's Paradise
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID AVID, JOHNNY FULLER, ROBERT GEDDINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind