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/
Smugglers
The Men They Couldn't Hang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's thirty men in Lendalfit to make our burden light
And there's thirty horse in Hazleholm with the halters on their heads
All set this night up on your life if wind and water speed
Smugglers drink of the frenchmens wine and the darkest night is the smugglers
lime
Away we ran from the excise man
It's a smugglers life for me
Oh lass you have a cozy bed, and cattle you have ten
Can you not live a lawful life and live with lawful men?
But must I use old homely goods while there's foreign gear so fine?
Must I drink at the waterside and France so full of wine
Smugglers drink of the frenchmens wine and the darkest night is the smugglers
time
Away we ran from the excise man
It's a smugglers life for me
It's a smugglers life for me
Though well I like to see you Kate, with a baby on your knee
My heart is now with gallant crew that plough through the angry sea
The hitter gale, the tightest sail, and the sheltered bay or goal
It's the wayward life, it's the smugglers strife, it's the joy of the smugglers
soul
Smugglers drink of the frenchmens wine and the darkest night is the smugglers
time
Away we ran from the excise man
It's a smugglers life for me
It's a smugglers life for me
And when at last the dawn comes up and the cargo safely stored
Like sinless saints to church we'll go. God's mercy to afford
And It's champagne fine for communion wine and the parson drinks it too
With a sly wink prays "forgive these men, for they know not what they do"
Smugglers, drink of the frenchmens wine and the darkest night is the smugglers
time
Away we ran from the excise man
It's a smugglers life for me
It's a smugglers life for me
It's a smugglers life for me
It's a smugglers life for me
The Men They Couldn't Hang's "Smugglers" is a song that depicts the life and romanticism of smuggling in Scotland during the 18th and 19th centuries. The song's narrative begins with the description of a smuggling operation that involves transporting goods from France to Scotland by boat. The smugglers, consisting of thirty men and thirty horses, work together to carry out the operation under the cover of the night.
Throughout the song, the lead singer confronts his lover, Kate, who questions the morality of the smugglers' actions. He skillfully justifies his actions, stating that he prefers the thrill and adventure of smuggling over living a lawful life. The lyrics describe the joys of the smugglers' life, including the tightest sail and the sheltered bay, and the joy of their souls.
The song ends with the smugglers attending church and drinking "champagne fine" for communion wine, while the parson humorously prays for their forgiveness. Ultimately, "Smugglers" romanticizes the dangerous and illegal profession of smuggling and highlights the allure of a wayward life.
Line by Line Meaning
The boat rides south of Ailsa Craig in the waning of the light
The boat sails towards the south of Ailsa Craig during sunset.
There's thirty men in Lendalfit to make our burden light
There are 30 men in Lendalfit who will help carry our load.
And there's thirty horse in Hazleholm with the halters on their heads
There are 30 horses in Hazleholm, ready to go with halters on.
All set this night up on your life if wind and water speed
We're all ready tonight and relying on the speed of wind and water to succeed without fail.
Smugglers drink of the Frenchmen's wine and the darkest night is the smugglers lime
Smugglers take pleasure in drinking wine from France, especially on dark nights when they're smuggling.
Away we ran from the excise man
We had to run away from the excise man who tries to stop us from smuggling.
It's a smugglers life for me
Living the life of a smuggler is the only one I can adapt to.
Oh lass you have a cozy bed, and cattle you have ten
You, my dear, have a comfortable bed and ten cattle to your name.
Can you not live a lawful life and live with lawful men?
Can't you live an honest life and associate with honest people?
But must I use old homely goods while there's foreign gear so fine?
Why should I use old-fashioned domestic goods when there are luxurious foreign goods available?
Must I drink at the waterside and France so full of wine
Should I drink at the mere water source while France has so much wine?
Though well I like to see you Kate, with a baby on your knee
Although I'd love to see you, Kate, holding a baby on your lap.
My heart is now with gallant crew that plough through the angry sea
My heart now belongs to the daring crew that navigates through the rough sea.
The bitter gale, the tightest sail, and the sheltered bay or goal
The extreme conditions of high winds, taut sails, and finding refuge in quiet bays are all part of the thrill and adventure of a smuggler's life.
It's the wayward life, it's the smugglers strife, it's the joy of the smugglers soul
This erratic and unconventional way of life with its difficulties and risks are what make a smuggler happy.
And when at last the dawn comes up and the cargo safely stored
When dawn comes up and the cargo is safe and stored away.
Like sinless saints to church we'll go. God's mercy to afford
We'll go to church like innocent saints seeking God's forgiveness.
And It's champagne fine for communion wine and the parson drinks it too
We drink excellent champagne as our holy communion wine, and even the priest partakes.
With a sly wink prays "forgive these men, for they know not what they do"
And with a cunning look, the priest asks for forgiveness for us, as if we don't know any better.
It's a smugglers life for me
I'll always choose to live the life of a smuggler.
It's a smugglers life for me
I'll always choose to live the life of a smuggler.
It's a smugglers life for me
I'll always choose to live the life of a smuggler.
Contributed by Camden B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Smeenis
on Ironmasters
Dunno what track 6 is but it sure isn't Ironmasters