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/
Country Song
The Men They Couldn't Hang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some of us are born to breed
And some of us are born to sing love songs
Some of us are born to win
Some of us are born to sin
And some of us are good old country boys
Chorus:
So when you're feeling blue, here's what I'll do for
I'll pick up my guitar and start to play
And when I've made my choice I will raise my voice
And sing you a good old country love song
I'll sing a song of divorce
Or tell of lack of intercourse
Starving kids and tramps along the road
I'll sing about the gamblin' man
And God will save him if he can
Just prove his dominoes a bible
Chorus
Mama used to sing me a fine country tune
As my dinner was a stewin'
Yeah my Ma did everything for me
I thank the Lord above
He gave me life and he gave me love
Chorus
I'll tell you of my prison years
If I can just hold back the tears
Thinking of the bad things that I done
But I can't help a little smile
When I recall that sweet little child
Waiting at the gates when they released me
Chorus
Now she's waiting home hummin' a fine country tune
As my dinner is a stewin'
Yeah that girl does everything for me
I thank the Lord above
He gave me hope and he gave me love
Chorus
Well I don't care about s** or race
So long as you stay in your place
I'll find room for you in my song
I glamourise war and death
I epitomize self righteousness
And I'll never do my country wrong
Chorus
The Men They Couldn't Hang's song Country Song is a ballad that speaks to the different paths of life that people may be born into. The first verse speaks to the notion that people are born with a predestined purpose, some are born to lead, some to breed, and some to sing. The next verse speaks to the concept of good old country boys, who may be born to win or sin, but who have a certain character and charm that is unique to them.
The chorus offers a solution for anyone feeling blue - picking up the guitar and singing a good old country love song. The lyrics highlight the versatility of the genre, allowing for songs about divorce, lack of intercourse, starving kids and gamblers. The song also has elements of nostalgia, with the singer recalling the fine country tunes that his mama used to sing to him as his dinner was stewing. He thanks the Lord above for giving him life and love.
The final verse speaks to the singer's own experiences with prison and the bad things he has done. However, there is a glimmer of hope and redemption in the form of a sweet little child waiting for him at the gates upon his release. The song ends with a statement that the singer does not care about sex or race, as long as people stay in their place, and that he will always do his country right.
Line by Line Meaning
Some of us are born to lead
Some people are naturally inclined to leadership roles.
Some of us are born to breed
Others are meant to have children and propagate the species.
And some of us are born to sing love songs
Still others are given the gift of musical talent, and use it to express emotions like love.
Some of us are born to win
Certain people are destined to be successful in life.
Some of us are born to sin
Others have a propensity for wrongdoing and immoral behavior.
And some of us are good old country boys
Some people are just simple, down-to-earth folks who enjoy country living.
Chorus: So when you're feeling blue, here's what I'll do for You I'll pick up my guitar and start to play And when I've made my choice I will raise my voice And sing you a good old country love song
In times of sadness, the singer will use music as a way to comfort and connect with the listener, choosing songs that reflect the values of country living.
I'll sing a song of divorce
The singer will address the tough topic of divorce in one of his songs.
Or tell of lack of intercourse
He will also discuss issues of sexuality and intimacy in his music.
Starving kids and tramps along the road
He will use his music to shine a light on issues of poverty and homelessness.
I'll sing about the gamblin' man
The singer will tell the story of someone who gambles and takes risks in life.
And God will save him if he can
He believes that faith and redemption are possible, even for those who have made mistakes.
Just prove his dominoes a bible
One way to prove oneself worthy of salvation is to show that they have a deep understanding of religious doctrine (referring to the game of dominoes).
Chorus
Refrain from earlier in the song.
Mama used to sing me a fine country tune As my dinner was a stewin' Yeah my Ma did everything for me
The singer reminisces about a time when his mother would sing him songs while preparing dinner.
I thank the Lord above He gave me life and he gave me love
The singer expresses gratitude for the gifts he has been given in life.
Chorus
Refrain from earlier in the song.
I'll tell you of my prison years If I can just hold back the tears Thinking of the bad things that I done
The singer opens up about a difficult time in his life, where he spent time in prison for crimes he regrets committing.
But I can't help a little smile When I recall that sweet little child Waiting at the gates when they released me
Despite the pain and shame he feels about his time in prison, he finds joy in being reunited with loved ones who waited outside prison gates for him.
Chorus
Refrain from earlier in the song.
Now she's waiting home hummin' a fine country tune As my dinner is a stewin' Yeah that girl does everything for me
The singer acknowledges the love and support of his partner, who continues to care for him while he pursues his music career.
I thank the Lord above He gave me hope and he gave me love
The singer once again expresses his gratitude for the blessings he has received in life.
Chorus
Refrain from earlier in the song.
Well I don't care about s** or race So long as you stay in your place I'll find room for you in my song
The singer claims to be inclusive in his music, but also asserts the importance of social hierarchy and authority.
I glamourise war and death I epitomize self righteousness And I'll never do my country wrong
The singer is unapologetic about his glorification of war and death in his songs, and believes that he represents a certain moral code of his country that he will never betray.
Chorus
Refrain from earlier in the song.
Contributed by Colton O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Smeenis
on Ironmasters
Dunno what track 6 is but it sure isn't Ironmasters