At its formation the band consisted of Paul Heaton (vocals), Stan Cullimore (guitar), Ted Key (bass) and Chris Lang (drums). The band's membership changed frequently throughout its existence. Ted Key was replaced by Norman Cook (who later became internationally famous as big beat musician Fatboy Slim) and drummer Chris Lang was replaced by Hugh Whitaker, former drummer with The Gargoyles, who in turn was replaced with Dave Hemingway. The band split in 1988.
The band often referred to themselves as "the 4th best band in Hull," referring to Kingston upon Hull, the city in England where the band formed in 1983. (The three bands that were "better" were Red Guitars, Everything but the Girl, and The Gargoyles.)
In 1986, the band broke through with the single Happy Hour, which reached No. 3 in the UK charts helped by a claymation animated pop promo of a type that was in vogue at the time. At the end of the same year, they had a No. 1 single with a cover version of Isley Jasper Isley's Caravan of Love.
The band released three albums: London 0 Hull 4, The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death, and the greatest bits compilation Now That's What I Call Quite Good. A new collection, Best of the Housemartins, was released in 2004, and was available in a expanded edition with a DVD collecting their music video clips.
The Housemartins lyrics were an odd mixture of Marxist politics and born-again Christianity, reflecting Paul Heaton's beliefs at the time.
The band split in 1988, but the members have since remained friends and worked on each other's projects. Norman Cook has enjoyed significant success with both Beats International and then as Fatboy Slim, while Heaton, Hemingway and roadie Sean Welch formed The Beautiful South. Stan Cullimore has become an author of children's books. Despite repeated requests from fans, they have never reformed.
In 1993, former drummer Hugh Whitaker was convicted of assault after attacking his business partner James Hewitt with an axe. Whitaker was subsequently released from prison and now resides in Leeds, where he occasionally drums with local band Percy. Whitaker is also a member of The Malkies fronted by Alistair Hulett.
Me And The Farmer
The Housemartins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through stormy weather and bottles of wine
If I pull my weight he?ll treat me well
But if I?m late he?ll give me hell
And thought it?s all hard work no play
Farmer is a happy crook
Jesus hates him everyday
?cause jesus gave and farmer took
{won?t he let you go? } probably no
{won?t he let you go? } probably no
{why does he treat you so? } I just don?t know
{why does he treat you so? } I just don?t know
Me and the farmer like brother, like sister
Getting on like hand and blister
Me and the farmer
He?s chopped down sheep, planted trees
And helped the countryside to breathe
Ripped up fields, bullied flocks
And worked his workers right around the clock
It may seem strange but he?d admit
Intentions aren?t exactly true
And through God loves his wife a bit
He hates the farmer through and through
{won?t he let you go? } probably no
{won?t he let you go? } probably no
{why does he treat you so? } I just don?t know
{why does he treat you so? } I just don?t know
Me and the farmer like brother, like sister
Getting on like hand and blister
Me and the farmer
All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All we?ve got is London zoo
?cause farmer owns them all
Repeat Chorus ? ad lib to fade
The Housemartins's song Me And The Farmer presents a commentary on the relationship between the working-class and the well-to-do. The lyrics describe a harmonious relationship between the singer and the farmer, who is depicted as someone who holds power over the singer. The song's lyrics suggest that the singer, in spite of pulling their weight, is still subject to the farmer's wrath if they are late. The singer is aware that the farmer is a happy crook, someone who may not have the best of intentions, but who is still amicable towards them. The song also speaks of a deeper anger directed towards the farmer, with Jesus hating him every day because he takes what Jesus has given to the world.
The lyrics touch on the contrast between the farmer's wealth and power and the hard work of the working-class, whose labor allows the farmer to cultivate the land and build his wealth even though they receive very little in return. At the same time, the lyrics suggest that the bounty of the farmer's wealth extends even to the animals that are supposed to be protected, as the farmer is capable of owning everything.
Line by Line Meaning
Me and the Farmer get on fine
Me and the farmer have a good relationship
Through stormy weather and bottles of wine
We've been through tough times and drank together
If I pull my weight he'll treat me well
If I work hard, he'll be good to me
But if I'm late he'll give me hell
But if I'm late, he will be angry with me
And though it's all hard work no play
We work hard without much enjoyment
Farmer is a happy crook
The farmer is content with being dishonest
Jesus hates him everyday
Jesus disapproves of the farmer
'cause jesus gave and farmer took
The farmer has taken advantage of Jesus' creation
"won't he let you go?" probably no
Asking if I can leave, but the answer is likely no
"why does he treat you so?" I just don't know
Don't know why he treats me the way he does
Me and the farmer like brother, like sister
We have a close, familial bond
Getting on like hand and blister
We work hard and develop blisters on our hands
He's chopped down sheep, planted trees
He's done good and bad things for the environment
And helped the countryside to breathe
But ultimately he has helped the environment
Ripped up fields, bullied flocks
However, he has mistreated animals and crops
And worked his workers right around the clock
He makes his workers work without rest
It may seem strange but he'd admit
The farmer would acknowledge that
Intentions aren't exactly true
His motives are dishonest
And though God loves his wife a bit
Even though he loves his wife, it doesn't excuse his behavior
He hates the farmer through and through
The artist despises the farmer
All things bright and beautiful
All of God's creation
All creatures great and small
Every single living thing
All we've got is London zoo
But all we have left is a zoo in London
'cause farmer owns them all
Because the farmer has taken everything else
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAN PETER CULLIMORE, PAUL HEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind