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/
The Colours
The Men They Couldn't Hang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And no traitor to my conscience having done my sworn duty
These are my last words before the scaffold and I charge you all to hear
How a wretched British sailor became a citizen mutineer
Pressed into service to carry powder I was loyal to the crack of the whip
It I starved on the streets of Bristol, I starved worse on a British ship
Red is the colour of the new republic
Blue is the colour of the sea
Not surrender to your mercy
I was woken from my misery by the words of Thomas Paine
On my barren soil they fell like the sweetest drops of rain
Red is the colour of the new republic
Blue is the colour of the sea
While is the colour of my innocence
Not surrender to your mercy
So in the spring of the year we took the fleet
Every cask and cannon and compass sheet
And we flew a Jacobean flag to give us heart
While Pitt stood helpless we were waiting for Bonaparte
Red is the colour of the new republic
Blue is the colour of the sea
White is the colour of my innocence
Not surrender to your mercy
All you soldiers, all you sailors, all you labourers of the land
All you beggars, all you builders, all you come here to watch me hang
To the masters we are the rabble, we are the 'swinish multitude'
But we can re-arrange the colours of the red and the white and the blue
Red is the colour of the new republic
Blue is the colour of the sea
White is the colour of my innocence
Not surrender to your mercy
Red is the colour of the new republic
Blue is the colour of the sea
White is the colour of my innocence
Not surrender to your mercy
The Men They Couldn't Hang's song The Colours is a powerful protest song about the naval mutiny that took place in Britain in April 1797. The lyrics narrate the story of a British sailor who was pressed into service to carry powder for the British Navy but becomes disillusioned with the oppressive conditions and hardships he faces. The sailor eventually takes part in the mutiny and becomes a member of the council of the naval mutiny. The lyrics are his last words before his execution, and he charges his fellow sailors to hear his story and understand why he became a "citizen mutineer."
The song is a powerful commentary on the plight of British sailors who were treated as little more than slaves and subjected to terrible working conditions while serving in the navy. The lyrics draw parallels between the oppression they faced and the struggle for freedom and independence that was taking place in other parts of the world. The sailor finds inspiration in the words of Thomas Paine, a political philosopher who was a fierce critic of monarchy and aristocracy.
The imagery of the song is particularly powerful, with the "red" symbolizing the new republic that the sailors hope to create, the "blue" symbolizing the sea that they sail on, and the "white" representing the sailor's innocence and refusal to surrender to mercy. The sailors are united in their struggle, despite their different backgrounds and professions, and their determination to fight for their rights is summed up in the chorus: "All you soldiers, all you sailors, all you labourers of the land, All you beggars, all you builders, all you come here to watch me hang…"
Line by Line Meaning
I am a member of the council of the naval mutiny
I am involved in leading the mutiny that has taken place within the navy
And no traitor to my conscience having done my sworn duty
Despite being branded a traitor, I have acted according to my conscience and fulfilled my sworn duties
These are my last words before the scaffold and I charge you all to hear
As I face execution, I implore everyone to listen to my story
How a wretched British sailor became a citizen mutineer
I, a weak British sailor, have become a mutineer fighting for my rights as a citizen
Pressed into service to carry powder I was loyal to the crack of the whip
Although forced into military service to transport gunpowder, I remained loyal despite harsh punishment
It I starved on the streets of Bristol, I starved worse on a British ship
I suffered greatly from starvation, but it was even worse when I was on board a British ship
Red is the colour of the new republic
The color red symbolizes the new republic that we are trying to create
Blue is the colour of the sea
The color blue represents the vastness of the sea and our connection to it
White is the colour of my innocence
The color white represents my innocence, which I refuse to surrender to your mercy
Not surrender to your mercy
I will not give up even though I know you will show me no mercy
I was woken from my misery by the words of Thomas Paine
The words of Thomas Paine gave me hope and lifted me from a state of despair
On my barren soil they fell like the sweetest drops of rain
Paine's words were like the most refreshing and nourishing rain to my parched soul
So in the spring of the year we took the fleet
During the spring, we took the entire fleet
Every cask and cannon and compass sheet
We seized every barrel, weapon, and navigational tool
And we flew a Jacobean flag to give us heart
We strategically flew the flag of the Jacobites to boost our morale
While Pitt stood helpless we were waiting for Bonaparte
We seized this opportunity while William Pitt was powerless and waited for Napoleon Bonaparte to come to our aid
All you soldiers, all you sailors, all you labourers of the land
I address everyone, including soldiers, sailors, and laborers
All you beggars, all you builders, all you come here to watch me hang
I even address beggars and builders who have gathered to witness my execution
To the masters we are the rabble, we are the 'swinish multitude'
The ruling class considers us mere commoners and labels us as an unappealing mob
But we can re-arrange the colours of the red and the white and the blue
Despite their opinion, we have the power to change the symbolism of these colors and rewrite history
Contributed by Isabella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Imogen Cush
Very proud to call him my dad ❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️
David Lister
Loved this song back in the day so much.had it on vhs.dont know much about them.its been ringing in my head and just googled it after all these years and still love it😊
Guy Reid
Great song Imogen. Greetings from South Africa.
Chris McCrory
Red kite rising
Jackie Mills
He touched so many folk. X
Jackie Mills
💕💔
Andy Nicholas
I love this song. TMTCH have always been such an underrated band who deserve much, much wider acclaim. So many great songs with BIG tunes.
Dog Eyes, Owl Meat, Man Chop
RIP Stefan Cush
Dan Dixon
As an English Republican this is my anthem
Richard Brook
I saw them four or five times. The music and the politics has stuck with me for thirty years
TEAM BLITZ
Mine to. Let's hope one day this will be the national anthem and we have a republic