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/
Donald Where's Your Troosers?
The Men They Couldn't Hang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I′m not very big and I'm awfully shy
The ladies shout as I go by
Donald where′s your troosers?
Let the winds blow high,
Let the winds blow low,
Down the street in my kilt I go
Donald where's your troosers?
A lady took me to a ball
And it was slippery in the hall
I was afraid that I would fall
'Cause I didn′t have on my troosers
Let the winds blow high,
Let the winds blow low,
Down the street in my kilt I go
And all the ladies say hello
Donald where′s your troosers?
They'd like to wed me everyone
Just let them catch me if they can
You canna put the brakes on a highland man
Who doesn′t like wearing troosers.
Let the winds blow high,
Let the winds blow low,
Down the street in my kilt I go
And all the ladies say hello
Donald where's your troosers?
To wear the kilt is my delight,
It isn′t wrong, I know it's right.
The highlanders would get afright
If they saw me in my troosers.
Let the winds blow high,
Let the winds blow low,
Down the street in my kilt I go
And all the ladies say hello
Donald where′s your troosers?
Well I caught a cold and me nose was raw
I had no handkerchief at all
So I hiked up my kilt and I gave it a blow,
Now you can't do that with troosers.
Let the winds blow high,
Let the winds blow low,
Down the street in my kilt I go
And all the ladies say hello
Donald where's your troosers?
The Men They Couldn't Hang's song "Donald Where's Your Troosers?" is a playful and humorous tune that celebrates Scottish pride and tradition. The song tells the story of a man named Donald who wears a kilt instead of trousers, much to the amusement of the ladies he meets. Donald is proud of his Scottish heritage and enjoys wearing the kilt, even when it is not practical. The lyrics mock the idea of conforming to societal norms and instead encourage individuality and uniqueness.
The chorus of the song, "Let the winds blow high, let the winds blow low, down the street in my kilt I go, and all the ladies say hello, Donald where's your troosers?" reinforces the idea that Donald is free to do what he wants, regardless of what others may think. The verses outline humorous scenarios in which Donald's lack of trousers causes problems, such as slipping on the dancefloor or catching a cold, but ultimately, he doesn't care because he's proud of his Scottish heritage and the kilt he wears.
Overall, "Donald Where's Your Troosers?" is a lighthearted celebration of Scottish pride and individuality. It encourages people to embrace their unique qualities and reject societal norms that may hold them back.
Line by Line Meaning
Just got in from the Isle of Skye
I have just arrived home from the Isle of Skye
I’m not very big and I’m awfully shy
I am not physically imposing and am quite bashful
The ladies shout as I go by/Donald where’s your troosers?
The women shout at me as I walk past wearing a kilt, asking where my trousers are
Let the winds blow high,/Let the winds blow low, /Down the street in my kilt I go/And all the ladies say hello/Donald where’s your troosers?
No matter the weather, I walk down the street in my kilt, greeted by women who ask me where my trousers are
A lady took me to a ball/And it was slippery in the hall/I was afraid that I would fall/'Cause I didn’t have on my troosers
I attended a ball with a woman and the floors were slippery; I was scared of falling because I wasn't wearing trousers
They’d like to wed me everyone/Just let them catch me if they can/You canna put the brakes on a highland man/Who doesn’t like wearing troosers.
Many women want to marry me but they won't be able to catch me as a proud Highland man who refuses to wear trousers
To wear the kilt is my delight,/It isn't wrong, I know it's right./The highlanders would get afright/If they saw me in my troosers.
Wearing a kilt is something that brings me joy and I know it's not wrong, but it would scare other Highlanders if they saw me in trousers
Well I caught a cold and me nose was raw/I had no handkerchief at all/So I hiked up my kilt and I gave it a blow,/Now you can't do that with troosers.
When I caught a cold and had no handkerchief, I lifted up my kilt to blow my nose; you can't do that with trousers on
Writer(s): Paul Simmonds (t), Phil Odgers (t), Jon Odgers (t), Henry Cush (t), Shanne Hasler, Paul Simmonds, Phil Odgers, Jon Odgers, Henry Cush
Contributed by Ava Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Smeenis
on Ironmasters
Dunno what track 6 is but it sure isn't Ironmasters