The original group consisted of Stefan Cush (Vocals, Guitar), Paul Simmonds (Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Keyboards), Phil "Swill" Odgers (Vocals, Guitar, Tin Whistle, Melodica), Jon Odgers (Drums, Percussion) and Shanne Bradley (Bass, Flute).
Their first single, "The Green Fields of France", was released in 1984. Written by Eric Bogle (of 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' fame), the song's protagonist imagined having a conversation with one of the fallen soldiers of World War I whilst sitting by his graveside. The song received considerable airplay on the John Peel show on BBC Radio 1 and finished at No.3 in Peel's Festive 50 for that year.
The following year came TMTCH's debut album, 'The Night of a Thousand Candles' and its accompanying single "Ironmasters" - this time a self-penned number by main songwriter Simmonds, linking the Industrial Revolution to the present-day treatment of the working class. The original final line of the song - "and oh, that iron bastard, she still gets her way" (a reference to the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher) had to be removed for the single version to ensure radio airplay.
In 1985 the band signed for MCA records and released "How Green Is The Valley". The record included "Ghosts Of Cable Street" a political number concerning The Battle of Cable Street in 1936 and "Shirt Of Blue" which regarded the miners' strike of 1984-5 . At the end of promotion for the album Shanne Bradley was replaced on bass by Ricky McGuire (ex UK Subs ).
In 1987 the band switched to Magnet Records and the new record released was, what may fans consider their best "Waiting For Bonaparte". Once again the strongest songs were stories of historical origin. "The Colours" told of an English mutineer sailor during the Napoleonic War and "The Crest" a stretcher bearer during World War II. Sadly whilst "The Colours" was at no.61 in the British top 75 it was blacklisted by Radio 1 due to the line "You've Come Here To Watch Me Hang", which echoed the events happening in South African townships at the time.
In 1988 the band were on the move again and signed for new label Silvertone (who later put out The Stone Roses debut release). Highlights of "Silvertown" included "Rain, Steam and Speed", "A Place In The Sun" and "A Map Of Morocco". They followed this up in 1990 with "The Domino Club" , which had a more conventional rock sound dispensing with much of the folk element in their sound.
Surprisingly the band split in 1991 after releasing a live set "Alive, Alive-0". Paul Simmonds and "Swill" Odgers then formed Liberty Cage who released an album "Sleep Of The Just" in 1994 and an EP "I'll Keep It With Mine" in 1995.
To the delight of their fans the band reformed (minus drummer Jon Odgers who had become Therapy? drum technician). Their new cd was "Never Born To Follow", released on the Demon label in 1996. The following year the band released the mini-album "Six Pack". Two "Best Of" collections followed "Majestic Grill" and "The Mud, The Blood And The Beer" both 1998.
The band again withdrew into semi retirement during which Odgers and Simmonds again relased new material together, "Baby Fishlips" in 1999 and "Folk At The Fortress" in 2002.
The band released a brand new cd in 2003 "The Cherry Red Jukebox", which most fans agreed was a real return to form. In 2005 the band released a DVD to celebrate 21 years together "21 Years Of Love And Hate". This was later released as a live double CD "Smugglers and Bounty Hunters". The band continue to play occasional live concerts. Their next planned release is an acoustic folk orientated cd, including reworking of several popular old songs from their back catalogue.
During breaks from the band "Swill" Odgers has released two Cd's with his band "The Swaggerband" which includes Ricky McGuire and Jon Odgers plus lyrical contribution from Paul Simmonds. They are "The Day After" in 2004 and "Elvis Lives Here" on Irregular Records in 2006.
Official Website http://www.tmtch.net/
Bounty Hunter
The Men They Couldn't Hang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And for all my sins I will answer
My name you'll know my trade you'll see
I am the Bounty Hunter
I as no friendship, I seek no badge
I always travel alone
I take no partners, lose no friends
I keep my Christian name unknown
My prize is the colour of green
And if my service is easily bought
My faith has never been
Dead or alive I carry them in
The cowardly and the silent
For seeking bounty belonging to you
The rope delivers a judgement
My weapons are guns and cunning and speed
My prize is the colour of green
And if my service is easily bought
My faith has never been
Spirit breaking, widow making Bounty hunter
Mine is the chase and the luck of the draw
Yours is the iron hand of the state
Yours is the book, the bell and the rope
Mine is the Gamblers fate
Debt-collecting sin-inspecting bounty hunter
Never failing devil trailing bounty hunter
I stand as a witness to a jury and judge
And for all my sins I will answer
My name you know, my trade you'll see
I am the Bounty Hunter
My weapons are guns and cunning and speed
My prize is the colour of green
If my service is easily bought
My faith has never been
Debt-collecting sin-inspecting bounty hunter
Never failing devil trailing bounty hunter
The Men They Couldn't Hang's song, Bounty Hunter, is a story that comes from the perspective of a bounty hunter. The lyrics portray the image of an unyielding bounty hunter who stands as a witness to a judge and a jury for all the sins he has committed. The lyrics describe the bounty hunter as one who seeks no badge or friendship, keeping his Christian name unknown, hence his identity is concealed, but he is known by his trade. The bounty hunter travels alone, never taking any partner but uses his weapons of guns, cunning, and speed to capture his targets. His reward is always the color of green (money) which he earns for capturing his bounties.
The song portrays the bounty hunter as a determined and steadfast profession, one that carries out his duties without being swayed by any outside forces, stick to his job and collecting the rewards. The chorus of the song describes how his service is never easily bought as he stays true to his faith, and his weapons are his only companion. The song also highlights the bounty hunter's ruthless nature, as he captures and delivers the "cowardly and the silent" for justice, and the rope that delivers judgment, indicating the outcomes of their actions.
In summary, the lyrics of The Men They Couldn't Hang's song, Bounty Hunter, give us an insight into the life of a bounty hunter. It portrays the profession as one that requires independent and unyielding determination, as the bounty hunter has to use his weapons, cunningness, and speed to capture his bounties. The lyrics tell the story of a profession that carries out his duties with no emotional attachment to his clients or personal gain from his profession.
Line by Line Meaning
I stand as a witness to a jury and judge
I am a witness to the judgment of those who I bring to justice.
And for all my sins I will answer
I accept responsibility for my actions, both good and bad.
My name you'll know my trade you'll see
I am the Bounty Hunter, and I make my living capturing fugitives.
I am the Bounty Hunter
My profession is bounty hunting.
I as no friendship, I seek no badge
I have no friends or allies, nor do I desire recognition or honors.
I always travel alone
I work solo and do not need or want companionship.
I take no partners, lose no friends
I go it alone and leave no one behind, whether they are allies or foes.
I keep my Christian name unknown
I do not reveal my true identity to those I pursue, in order to avoid any personal repercussions.
My weapons are guns and cunning and speed
I rely on my quick reflexes, cunning, and firearms to catch my targets.
My prize is the colour of green
The money I earn for catching my targets is my ultimate goal, represented by a stack of dollar bills.
And if my service is easily bought
I am for hire, and if someone has the cash, I will do their bidding.
My faith has never been
My sense of morality is not guided by religious beliefs, but rather by my own code of conduct.
Dead or alive I carry them in
I am willing to capture my targets whether they are dead or alive, and bring them to justice.
The cowardly and the silent
I go after those who try to hide or run, often considered the most difficult and dangerous targets.
For seeking bounty belonging to you
I am pursuing these targets because they have something that someone else wants, whether it be a reward or justice.
The rope delivers a judgement
The ultimate punishment for those I pursue is often death, carried out by hanging.
Spirit breaking, widow making Bounty hunter
My actions as a bounty hunter can lead to broken spirits and widowed partners for my targets.
Mine is the chase and the luck of the draw
I accept the risks and uncertainty of my profession, which is based on luck and chance.
Yours is the iron hand of the state
The government and its laws and law enforcement agencies are responsible for punishing those who break the law.
Yours is the book, the bell and the rope
Official channels of justice involve books of law, bells that summon a court, and ropes for carrying out the death penalty.
Mine is the Gamblers fate
I am taking risks with my own life and facing uncertainty with each action I take, like a gambler's fate.
Debt-collecting sin-inspecting bounty hunter
I also work as a bounty hunter to collect debts owed, and to bring those who have committed sins to justice.
Never failing devil trailing bounty hunter
I am relentless in my pursuit of justice, even earning a reputation as a devilish figure who cannot be stopped.
Contributed by Julia Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mike R
Totally underrated band. Saw them live a number of times in the early 90s. Still listen to them now.
Paul Hinton
Off to see them tonight - cant wait - great live band
dave payne
great track from a great album
GuyFawkes15
I was at the same gig. Was it you that jumped off the stage, clotheslining me to the floor in the process? It was a brilliant gig. A few years ago I met the band at Peterborough Beer Festival.
Stevie Moore
a great band live saw then at the riverside newcastle 1988
Thomas Bürger
seit knapp 25 jahren meine lieblingsband, das nicht ohne grund, und das wird sich auch nicht mehr ändern!!! tmtch forever!!!
C C Farrington
just found them - great. thanks to the leader of the SDP on IAIN DALE's LBC SHOW
rysh0x
And if my service is easily bought my faith has never been
Suilven Mountain
Spirit making widow breaking brexit voter!
mark nicholas
get over it Mug