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/
Ironmasters
The Men They Couldn't Hang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the raping of the country, of the valley
the men who came to reap with a musket and a bible
they wanted to take the valley
the valley! the valley!
they wanted to take the valley
and oh the ironmasters, they always get their way
all the men and the women and the children
and on sundays it was down to the chapel in the town
the preacher said give generously!
give generously! give generously!
the people they gave generously
and oh the ironmasters, they always get their way
the union met in secret on the dark side of the hill
by the light of a thousand candles
their pay had been cut, all the people come on out
and by scores they were joining Rebecca
Rebecca! Rebecca!
the people were joining Rebecca
and oh the ironmasters, they always get their way
riot!
ironmaster, call the army
call the hungry from the irish sea
ironmaster, call the parliament
it's no sin to fight to be free!
from the smokey stacks of merthyr
to the hills of Ebbw vale
from Swansea docks to Merseyside and Liverpool
with the union leaders crushed
and the union quickly smashed
they blackend the face of the country
the country! the country!
they blackend the face of the country
and oh the ironmasters, they always get their way
now on a hill in Brecon is Crawshay's ruined house
and it blackens out the green of the valley
and on the battered grave is the epitaph they gave
it stands there, god forgive him!
forgive him! forgive him!
and all who rot in hell with him
and oh the ironmasters, they always get their way
riot!
ironmaster, call the army
call the hungry from the irish sea
ironmaster, call the parliament
it's no sin to fight to be free!
and oh the ironmasters, they always get their way
and oh the ironmasters, they still get their way!
The lyrics to The Men They Couldn't Hang's song Ironmasters tell the story of the struggle between the ironmasters and the people of the Welsh valleys in the 19th century. The ironmasters are portrayed as ruthless, greedy men who wanted to take the valley and extract as much wealth as possible from it. The people of the valley, who had been working the land for a pittance, were forced to give generously to the church, which was supported by the ironmasters. The union met in secret on the dark side of the hill in an attempt to organize and resist the ironmasters' exploitation. They were joined by scores of people who were tired of being oppressed by the ironmasters. In the end, the ironmasters called in the army to crush the union and blackened the face of the country.
The song reflects the history of the iron industry in Wales in the 19th century. The ironmasters were wealthy and powerful men who controlled the industry and the lives of the people who worked in it. The people of the Welsh valleys were poor and struggling to survive, and they were exploited by the ironmasters. The union movement of the time tried to organize the workers and improve their working conditions, but they were met with violent resistance from the ironmasters.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh this is an old story that's rarely ever told
This is a story of the past that has been forgotten.
the raping of the country, of the valley
The land was being destroyed for profit.
the men who came to reap with a musket and a bible
The people who took the land used guns and religion to justify their actions.
they wanted to take the valley
They had a desire to own the land.
the valley! the valley!
The land was a precious resource to those who lived there.
and oh the ironmasters, they always get their way
The people with power and money always get what they want.
and on sundays it was down to the chapel in the town
The people went to church to connect with their faith.
the preacher said give generously!
The church leaders asked for money from the people.
the people they gave generously
The people donated money to the church.
the union met in secret on the dark side of the hill
A group of people who wanted to fight against the landowners met in secret.
by the light of a thousand candles
They wanted to keep their plans for rebellion hidden.
their pay had been cut, all the people come on out
The workers had their wages lowered, which motivated them to fight back.
the people were joining Rebecca
The people were joining the fight under the name Rebecca.
and oh the ironmasters, they always get their way
The powerful people always win.
riot!
A call to action to resist the landowners and fight back.
ironmaster, call the army
The landowners called for military force to protect their interests.
call the hungry from the irish sea
They called upon people with nothing to lose to fight for them.
ironmaster, call the parliament
They demanded for the government to protect their interests.
it's no sin to fight to be free!
It is justified to resist oppressive forces.
they blackend the face of the country
The landowners left the land in disarray.
and oh the ironmasters, they still get their way!
Despite the rebellion, the landowners remained powerful and in control.
Contributed by Tyler A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Smeenis
Dunno what track 6 is but it sure isn't Ironmasters