The band's only appearance on the UK Singles Charts was "I'm the Urban Spaceman", which reached #5 in October 1968. The single was produced by Paul McCartney under the pseudonym "Apollo C. Vermouth". The band disbanded in 1970. The band reunited briefly in 1972 and again in 1988, before reuniting permanently in 2002.
After the initial split, Innes provided songs for "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and the Monty Python troupe's subsequent films, and is often considered to be an "unofficial member" of the troupe. Stanshall died in a house fire in 1995.
The band's six albums are: "Gorilla" (1967), "The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse" (1968, released as "Urban Spaceman" in the US), "Tadpoles" (1969), "Keynsham" (1969), "Let's Make Up and Be Friendly" (1972) and "Pour l'Amour des Chiens" (2007).
The Equestrian Statue
The Bonzo Dog Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On his famous horse he'd ride through the land
The people used to see him everywhere
When he died, they put a statue in the square
(hooray)
Prancing up and down the square
Little old ladies stop 'n' say
"Well, I declare!"
Once a month on a Friday there's a man
With a mop and bucket in his hand
To him it's just another working day
So he whistles as he rubs and scrubs away
(hooray)
Here comes the Equestrian Statue
Prancing up and down the square
Little old ladies stop 'n' say
"Well, I declare!"
It's a sight to bring you joy, you feel so gay
And it's guaranteed to brighten up your day
If it's gray
(hooray)
Here comes the Equestrian Statue
Prancing up and down the square
Little old ladies stop 'n' say
"Well, I declare!"
It's a sight to bring you joy, you feel so gay
And it's guaranteed to brighten up your day
If it's gray
Feel so gay
Feel so gay
Feel so gay
Feel so gay
Feel so gay
The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band's song The Equestrian Statue is a playful and humorous commentary on the permanent commemoration of societal figures through statues. The lyrics describe a famous man who once rode through the land on his horse, but now only exists in the form of a statue in the town square. The people used to see him everywhere, but now they only see the statue. The song highlights the absurdity of creating statues to remember humans who were once mortal and active beings, turning them into unchanging and lifeless monuments.
The song also introduces a character who cleans the statue once a month. The man views his job as just another working day and whistles as he cleans, further emphasizing the triviality of the statue's existence. The chorus repeats the phrase "Here comes the Equestrian Statue" with little old ladies exclaiming "Well, I declare!" as they observe it. The song suggests that the statue serves as a source of joy and entertainment for the town, even on gray days.
Line by Line Meaning
There once was a very famous man
Once there was a man who was famous
On his famous horse he'd ride through the land
He would ride his horse around the country
The people used to see him everywhere
People saw him everywhere he went
When he died, they put a statue in the square
After he died, they built a statue of him in the town square
(hooray) Here comes the Equestrian Statue
The Equestrian Statue is coming, hooray!
Prancing up and down the square
The statue is moving around the square in a lively way
Little old ladies stop 'n' say 'Well, I declare!'
Old ladies are surprised and amazed by the sight of the statue
Once a month on a Friday there's a man
There is a man who comes to clean the statue once a month on a Friday
With a mop and bucket in his hand
He carries a mop and bucket to clean the statue
To him, it's just another working day
For him, cleaning the statue is just part of his job
So he whistles as he rubs and scrubs away
He happily hums a tune while he cleans the statue
(hooray) Here comes the Equestrian Statue
The Equestrian Statue is coming, hooray!
It's a sight to bring you joy, you feel so gay
The sight of the statue can make you feel happy and brighten your day
And it's guaranteed to brighten up your day
Seeing the statue is sure to make you feel happier
If it's gray
Even on a gloomy day
Feel so gay
Feel so happy and joyful
Feel so gay
Feel so happy and joyful
Feel so gay
Feel so happy and joyful
Feel so gay
Feel so happy and joyful
Feel so gay
Feel so happy and joyful
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NEIL INNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hanginlaundry360
These guys had to be playing on Sgt. Pepper's.
@thisperson5294
Love this. Neil Innes was a superb songwriter.
@deancarter9210
Easily as far-out as 'Strawberry Fields' and 'See Emily Play'...great to be able to see it!
@Urlocallordandsavior
Even better I say!
@pale_saint
@@UrlocallordandsaviorI do declare!
@SuperNevile
It feels so gay!
@laurencebondmiller4298
Had I only witnessed this piece when it was originally released! (that almost rhymed...) The Equestrian Statue is 110% Genius Psych Pop!
@dinkydoo4027
Billy shears
@johnyork417
This is the better than most of the bands from the 1960s and 1970s combined. Thank you for sharing.
@williamgeorgefraser
I was lucky enough to see them in the early 70s. One of my favourite bands of all time. This was the first song of theirs I ever heard and loved it immediately. Neil was just an amazing composer. RIP Viv and Neil.