Band leader Harvey was born in Glasgow, Scotland 1935. During the fifties he played in many different Jazz bands playing Dixieland Jazz and later skiffle.
In 1959 he formed the Alex Harvey Soul Band playing Blues and rock n Roll music. Although a successful stint in Hamburg completed, Harvey found it difficult finding recognition with the âSoul Bandâ and through the second half of the sixties Alex with his brother Les Harvey moved from one group to another until 1969 when he took up as a resident musician in the stage show of âHairâ.
In 1972 Alex joined forces with Scottish up and coming rockers âTear Gasâ. The band with Alex at the helm changed names to âThe Sensational Alex Harvey Bandâ. The Sensational Alex Harvey Shows were noted for their theatrical content and idiosyncratic style of delivery. The music influences varied greatly. From blues to music hall stage shows.
After years of a punishing stage show and never ending Gig schedules, Alex announced in 1977 that due to back problems he was to retire from the music business.
Following a rare come back tour in Europe Alex died of a heart attack in 1982.
In 1977 after the Band and Alex Harvey parted company with Alex recording the solo Album âLoch Ness Monsterâ (NB: Not a music album, but a recorded documentary about the fabled monster !), while the band without Alex, recorded âFour Playâ. Alex and the band came together again in 1978 for a final album 'Rock Drill'. The Band and Alex then parted company again. Alex put together a new band in 1979 to record the album âThe Mafia Stole My Guitarâ. In 1983 Alex's final recording âSoldier On The Wallâ (comprised mainly of recordings made pre-SAHB), was posthumously issued. The Band having separated and playing in different Bands re-united in 2004 for a final tour with spot. The band released a live recording 'Zalvation'. Through 2006 the band has continued to play live in Britain with some new dates for 2007. 2006 band members are Max Maxwell filling the vocal spot with original members Zal Cleminson; Guitar, Chris Glen; Bass, Hugh McKenna; Keyboards, and Ted McKenna; Drums
Alex Harvey and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band releases include
âą 1972 Framed
âą 1973 Next
âą 1974 The Impossible Dream
âą 1975 Tomorrow Belongs To Me
âą 1976 Penthouse Tapes
âą 1976 SAHB Stories
âą 1978 Rock Drill
Alex Harvey Solo Releases include
âą 1977 Alex Harvey Presents The Loch Ness Monster
âą 1979 The Mafia Stole My Guitar
âą 1983 Soldier On The Wall
Sensational Alex Harvey Band (without Alex Harvey) Include
âą 1977 Four play
. 1993 Live in Glasgow (Stevie Doherty vocals)
âą 2005 Zalvation
Tomahawk Kid
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you know what he did
On a cave on Treasure Island?
Sixteen men on a dead man's chest
Didn't know where to find him.
When we set sail across the seven seas,
There was Captain Dan, Billy Bones, and me...
and the Tomahawk Kid.
And the crew was climbin' up the rigging,
Washed on land, on the silver sand,
We got no time for digging!
When we set sail across the seven seas,
There was Captain Dan, Billy Bones, and me...
and the Tomahawk Kid.
Yo Ho Ho,
Yo Ho Ho,
Yo Ho Ho,
Let me hold my captain,
And I'll hold your hairy hand,
Let's forget the treasure,
We can skip across the sand!
The Tomahawk Kid, you know what he did,
He hung his head in sorrow.
No treasure chest, he did his best,
He gonna come back tomorrow.
When we set sail across the seven seas,
There was Captain Dan, Billy Bones, and me...
and the Tomahawk Kid.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's song Tomahawk Kid tells the story of a group of pirates searching for treasure on Treasure Island with the assistance of the titular character, the Tomahawk Kid. The song is steeped in pirate lore, referencing the famous line "sixteen men on a dead man's chest," which originated in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island.
The lyrics describe their journey across the seven seas to find the treasure, introducing various crew members like Captain Dan and Billy Bones. The Tomahawk Kid is painted as a fearless and indispensable member of the crew as they come across challenges like climbing rigging and being washed up on land. However, the song takes a slightly melancholic turn towards the end as they are unable to locate the treasure, and the Tomahawk Kid hangs his head in disappointment. Despite this setback, he promises to come back tomorrow and try again, leaving the listeners with a sense of hope and perseverance.
The lyrics in Tomahawk Kid are undeniably catchy and story-driven, showcasing the band's masterful storytelling abilities. The song's infusion of pirate culture, music, and language is fascinating, and it has become a cult classic from The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Overall, this song is an excellent example of the band's unique style, with Alex Harvey's sardonic delivery and the band's tight musicianship.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, the Tomahawk Kid,
Introducing the singer, Tomahawk Kid.
Do you know what he did
Asking if the listener knows about his actions.
On a cave on Treasure Island?
Providing the setting for the story, on a cave in Treasure Island.
Sixteen men on a dead man's chest
Referencing the famous pirate song, 'Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest' as homage to pirate culture.
Didn't know where to find him.
The sixteen men did not know Tomahawk Kid's whereabouts.
When we set sail across the seven seas,
Recounting the voyage across the sea that involved Tomahawk Kid.
There was Captain Dan, Billy Bones, and me...
Listing the crew that embarked on the voyage, including Tomahawk Kid.
and the Tomahawk Kid.
Reiterating the presence of the artist on the voyage.
Full fathom five, the Kid is alive!
A play on Shakespeare's 'Ariel's Song' in The Tempest, alluding to Tomahawk Kid's survival and success.
And the crew was climbin' up the rigging,
Describing the crew climbing the rigging of the ship.
Washed on land, on the silver sand,
Depicting the crew washing up on the shore of Treasure Island.
We got no time for digging!
No time was allotted for digging for treasure.
Yo Ho Ho,
Another nod to pirate culture, possibly referring to 'Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum'.
Let me hold my captain,
A desire to hold the captain.
And I'll hold your hairy hand,
A gesture of friendship, reciprocating a gesture by holding a hairy hand.
Let's forget the treasure,
Suggesting to forget about searching for treasure.
We can skip across the sand!
Inviting to skip and enjoy the beach instead.
The Tomahawk Kid, you know what he did,
Calling back to the earlier question, assuming that now the listener knows Tomahawk Kid's actions.
He hung his head in sorrow.
Tomahawk Kid's reaction of sorrow, possibly due to not finding treasure.
No treasure chest, he did his best,
Acknowledging that there was no treasure to be found, despite Tomahawk Kid's best effort.
He gonna come back tomorrow.
Tomahawk Kid's determination to come back and try again for treasure.
When we set sail across the seven seas,
Repeating the earlier mentioned voyage.
There was Captain Dan, Billy Bones, and me...
Listing the familiar crew members and Tomahawk Kid.
and the Tomahawk Kid.
Closing the song with a repetition of Tomahawk Kid's presence on the voyage and his underlying determination.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEX HARVEY, DAVID BATCHELOR, HUGH MCKENNA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@idw9159
Oh, the Tomahawk Kid,
Do you know what he did
On a cave on Treasure Island?
Sixteen men on a dead man's chestÂ
He didn't know where to find them.
When we set sail across the Seven Seas,
There was Captain Dan and Billy Bones, and me...
and the Tomahawk Kid.
The Tomahawk Kid.
The Tomahawk Kid.
Full fathom five, the Kid is alive!
The crew was climbin' up the rigging,
We was washed on land, on the silver sand,
We got no time for digging!
When we set sail across the Seven Seas,
There was Captain Dan and Billy Bones, and me...
and the Tomahawk Kid.
mm, the Tomahawk Kid.
The Tomahawk Kid.
Yo Ho Ho,
Yo Ho Ho,
Yo Ho Ho,
Yo Ho Ho.
Let's be bold my captain,
And I'll hold your hairy hand,
And let's forget the treasure,
And we'll skip across the sand!
Ah, the Tomahawk Kid, do you know what he did?
He hung his head in sorrow.
No treasure chest, but he did his best,
He's gonna come back tomorrow.
When we set sail across the Seven Seas,
There was Captain Dan and Billy Bones and me...
and the Tomahawk Kid.
The Tomahawk Kid.
The Tomahawk Kid.
Yo Ho Ho,
Yo Ho Ho,
The Tomahawk Kid.
The Tomahawk Kid.
Yo Ho Ho,
Yo Ho Ho,
The Tomahawk Kid.
The Tomahawk Kid...
Yo Ho Ho,
Yo Ho Ho...
Alex Harvey / David Batchelor / Hugh McKenna
@CSXer
One of my favorite songs ever...Alex ROCKED!! He is greatly missed....
@jptrow
me too!!!
@roxammon5858
"Let me hold my captain, and I'll hold your hairy hand. Let's forget the treasure and we''ll skip across the sand". What a brilliant lyric!
@RHR-221b
'Let's be bold, my Captain ...' Stay free r. Rab đ» đ
@RHR-221b
PS. The lyrics were a piss-take. đ
@edwardconway
Brilliant sadly missed đ
@perrydear
so good! What a wonderful band!!!
@stewartnicol3028
Alex Harvey.....never bettered. Fuckin' belter.
@cohenterry717
ALEX WAS A ROCK LEGEND - BRILLIANT MAN
@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY
Alex lifted every muso he played with, including his beautiful brother, Les!