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/
Down All the Days
The Men They Couldn't Hang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When summer skies are filled with rain
We ain't down, we ain't down all the days
Tortured faces in the tenement flats
Break down the walls, don't look back
We ain't down, we ain't down all the days
Stray dogs bark at passing cars
We ain't down, we ain't down all the days
Furtive policemen on the beat
Dreads play cricket in the street
We ain't down, we ain't down all the days
The splendour of your sweet flesh
In this choking city haze
Takes me from my burdens, carries me away
Tripping down on golden sands
Moonbeams light our way
Forget all the evils under the sun
'Cause we ain't down, we ain't down all the days
Some live in hope and others pray
Deliverance from this cold and grey
Blackest summer I can remember
Thunder claps sound guilt and greed
Lightning strikes on those in need, and
it's going to rain, it's going to rain
From April to September
Thursday's pay, week on the run
Three-legged whippets pay twenty-ones
We ain't down, we ain't down all the days
Glory, glory, it's Saturday again
Your crock of gold trickles down the drain
You ain't down, you ain't down all the days
Our hearts one day will sing with joy
On a fresh evening 'neath a mackerel sky
We ain't down, we ain't down all the days
A wind of change, toil for hands
A realm of peace through this rain-swept land, but
We ain't down, we ain't down all the days
The Men They Couldn't Hang's song "Down All the Days" is a powerful and insightful commentary on the struggles of life in a cruel and oppressive society. The opening lines of the song, "The strongest will can't break the chain/When summer skies are filled with rain" immediately set the tone for the song, highlighting the pervasive sense of hopelessness and futility that exists in the face of grinding poverty, social injustice, and oppressive authority.
The song goes on to vividly describe the harsh realities of life for those living in tenement flats, where "tortured faces" stare out from behind broken windows and "stray dogs bark at passing cars". Yet despite this bleak picture of urban decay and deprivation, the song also contains moments of hope and defiance, as the chorus repeatedly proclaims, "We ain't down, we ain't down all the days".
The song's second half is both more poetic and more political, with references to "guilt and greed" and "a realm of peace through this rain-swept land". The song's vision of a better future is tempered by the knowledge that change will only come through struggle and sacrifice, as the closing line reminds us that "Our hearts one day will sing with joy/On a fresh evening 'neath a mackerel sky/We ain't down, we ain't down all the days".
Line by Line Meaning
The strongest will can't break the chain
Even those with the strongest will cannot overcome the constraints of their situation.
When summer skies are filled with rain
Even in times of supposed joy and happiness, there can still be hardship and struggle.
We ain't down, we ain't down all the days
We refuse to be defeated and remain hopeful through all circumstances.
Tortured faces in the tenement flats
Those living in poverty and harsh living conditions are suffering greatly.
Break down the walls, don't look back
It is time to fight against the oppression and barriers that hold us back.
Stray dogs bark at passing cars
Even animals are feeling the effects of societal issues and neglect.
Waifs bed down beneath the stars
The homeless and overlooked members of society do not have a safe place to sleep.
Furtive policemen on the beat
The constant presence of law enforcement can create a sense of fear and tension.
Dreads play cricket in the street
Despite facing challenges, people find ways to enjoy life and find moments of happiness.
The splendour of your sweet flesh
The beauty and love of another person can provide a source of comfort and escape from bleak surroundings.
In this choking city haze
The oppressive environment makes it difficult to breathe and thrive.
Takes me from my burdens, carries me away
Love can provide relief from the weight of the world and transport a person to a better place.
Tripping down on golden sands
The imagined paradise of a perfect world or relationship can help a person endure the struggles of the present.
Moonbeams light our way
Even in the darkest of times, there is still hope and light to guide us through.
Forget all the evils under the sun
For a moment, let go of the problems and negativity of the world and enjoy the beauty of the present.
'Cause we ain't down, we ain't down all the days
We will not let circumstances defeat us and will find joy and hope wherever we can.
Some live in hope and others pray
Different people find solace and strength in different beliefs and practices.
Deliverance from this cold and grey
People long for release from the bleakness and oppression of their environment.
Blackest summer I can remember
Even the season of warmth and light can be overshadowed by darkness and despair.
Thunder claps sound guilt and greed
Negative emotions and actions reverberate and affect everyone in the community.
Lightning strikes on those in need, and
Those who are already struggling may continue to face even more hardship and tragedy.
it's going to rain, it's going to rain
Trouble and struggle will continue to come, but we will persevere.
From April to September
The long stretch of time may seem never-ending, but there is always hope for change and improvement.
Thursday's pay, week on the run
Even after receiving payment for work done, the struggle continues for those in difficult circumstances.
Three-legged whippets pay twenty-ones
Even those who are considered 'inferior' and undervalued are still expected to contribute and work hard.
Glory, glory, it's Saturday again
Small moments of enjoyment and distractions from hardship can provide a measure of relief and happiness.
Your crock of gold trickles down the drain
Sometimes it seems that even when things are going well, it can all be taken away in an instant.
You ain't down, you ain't down all the days
Even when we suffer setbacks and losses, we will continue to fight and persevere.
Our hearts one day will sing with joy
One day, we will find true happiness and fulfillment, even if it seems impossible in the present.
On a fresh evening 'neath a mackerel sky
A beautiful and unique natural phenomena serves as a symbol for the hope and promise of a better future.
A wind of change, toil for hands
Positive change and progress may require hard work and struggle.
A realm of peace through this rain-swept land, but
Despite current hardships and struggles, it is possible to work towards a better future and a world of greater peace.
We ain't down, we ain't down all the days
No matter what, we will continue to fight and hold onto hope and resilience through all circumstances.
Contributed by Mackenzie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@fernbracken
BATTLE OF CABLE ST
I was there a a small child and most of what you read on here is not true.
Grand dad had small sweet /tobacconist shop, it was robbed several times during the wartime blackouts, many shops and homes were robbed and often burnt out and the excuse was given " a stray German bomb" Londons Petticoat lane on a sunday would see whole troups of men with suitcases on the pave ment selling goods stolen in these night time raids,
my uncle John would sometimes shout out POLICE POLICE and it was hilarious to see them all pick up their suitcases and run like hell, their skull caps falling behind them.
British men were away fighting, and people survived on food coupons
Churchill's minister of supply Herbert Morrisom ( peter mandelsons grand father ) saw to it that
certain people got extra and these men were called " spivs" and they would sell off at high prices,
my auntie dolly had 7 children and she would have to buy extra food from the spivs
many women got into debt and the spivs would force them into prostitution to pay off what they owed, those women who refused has their faces slashed, the men were called Razor gangs.
The loan sharks were busy and at the end of the war many service men came home to find the local loan shark now owned his home.
Churchill's Black N Tans in Ireland were brutal and this meant many irish men joined Hitlers army
but a lot came over toward the end of the war to work clearing building sites etc
and a lot of these irish men , god bless them, joined Oswald Mosely and stood guard over many shops and homes through the night time black outs.
These irish men saved many families as a small child one passed me an orange, i had never seen an orange and thought it wasa ball to play with.
Loking back, Thankyou god for Oswald Mosely.
@andynicholas1728
Simply one of the very best songs EVER written. AWESOME.
@Felix-yl5fk
My mother used to sing this to me before I went to sleep along with the song ‘colours’ by the men they couldn’t hang as well
@danniantagonist
My Jewish grandparents were living and working in the east end of London at that time.
Sadly I never knew about this history to ask them about it whilst they were still alive. We need to keep this history alive for future generations, and continue to fight the fascists!
I lived on Cable Street as a student and there's a fantastic mural to commemorate this victory of the people over the fascists.
We must never forget who the police protected, and continue to celebrate and commemorate this victory over oppressors, whoever they might be....
@markclitheroe900
The area now hardly has any White Brits living there at all.
It was another stab in the back for British people wanting to keep their country for their own ( In the same way that Jews do with Israel ).
@danniantagonist
@@markclitheroe900 hi Mark, I see the point you are making, but not all Jewish people believe in the Jewish state, and many acknowledge that we are Europeans and have no place in the middle east. It's been a long while since I lived there, but colourful, multicultural Bethnal Green holds great memories for me. We owe a great debt of gratitude to many who have made the UK their home. The insular nationalistic rhetoric is inaccurate, as we as a bit sad. Embrace and be proud of our multiculturalism, we are all better off as a result. 💖💖
@thechekist2044
The time the working class found out that Fascism should not he debated, but should be crushed!
@welshexile1963
Spot on ✊
@DioBrando-mr5xs
Bro all you fought were police officers, they came back and held the rally the next day.
@thecoldcutcombowithtomato8926
@@DioBrando-mr5xs as if fighting fascist sympathizing police officers is not also a major W
@DioBrando-mr5xs
@@thecoldcutcombowithtomato8926 It's not, no. You guys did nothing.