Richard and me rehearsing. I am probably searching for the right words...
This is definitely the last posting for the moment on the Jugular Vein story.(New readers start here)
Here, as promised and for what they are worth, are the lyrics of some of the songs that were requested. ‘The Saki Drag’ lyric was written by me in about ten minute at one of our earliest rehearsals. We were trying out various ideas for material and I had this tune that had evolved from the early efforts of my friend Fen and I attempting to fathom out ragtime guitar. I think it was Max that said that it wasn’t bad but it needed some words…Pretty soon, Richard was bringing tunes to the proceedings and I would attempt to provide words. In the case of ‘So Much Trouble’, Rich had the tune and the chorus and I came up with the verses. ‘One of our Film Stars is missing was a solo effort.
The Saki Drag
Well I’m sitting here smoking, watching the sun go down
Sippin’ that Saki till my teeth turn brown
Flies are a buzzin’ and the air is hot
I’m still suppin’ and I’ve got a lot
My head is spinnin’, my mouth is dry
My nose is smiling, I believe I’m high
Yokahama Mama, this Saki’s gonna bring me down
I’ve been a lotus eater for a year or two
And I sometimes have a nibble on a dried squid or two
I nosh noodle by the kilo and I think they’re just fine
And I once had a soup made from an ant-eater’s spine*
I’ve tried supping all things but there’s one thing you’ll find
It’s only that Saki that blows your mind
Yokohama Mama, this Saki’s gonna bring me down
© Pete Turner 1967
*For reasons best known to the other members of the band, this line eventually evolved into the even more surreal “I once had a suitcase from an Uncle of mine”.
So Much Trouble
I motored into Soho, tried to park my car
Didn’t see the warden as I strolled into the bar
I’ve got to move again, Lord! I’ve got to move again
I’m in so much trouble, Lord! I’ve got to move again
I spent an evening boozing, did eleven pints of Brown
I motored like a hell-hound till the coppers flagged me down
I’ve got to move again, Lord! I’ve got to move again
I’m in so much trouble, Lord! I’ve got to move again
I don’t mind getting plastered. Hangovers I can bear
But I spend more than half my life filling bags with air
I’ve got to move again, Lord! I’ve got to move again
I’m in so much trouble, Lord! I’ve got to move again
The moral of this story will make this thing complete
I never saw a man get run-in ‘drunk in charge of feet’
I’ve got to move again, Lord! I’ve got to move again
I’m in so much trouble, Lord! I’ve got to move again
© Pete Turner and Richard Bartram 1967
One of Our Film Stars is Missing
Air raid wardens, Home Guard cordons
Tin hats, gas masks and ration books
Churchill speeches, ‘Fight ‘em on the beaches’
Foreign names and dirty looks
Flying buzz bombs light the skies
Utility clothes, utility pies
And
Chin-up movies starring war-time smoothies
Animated celluloid lies.
People helter-skelter for the Anderson shelter
Wailing sirens and brewing tea
‘The Siegfried Line’ sung just one more time
Flanagan and Allen keep the spirits free
Embarkation leave and tearful eyes
Newsreel commentaries and wild surmise
And
Chin-up movies starring war-time smoothies
Animated celluloid lies.
© Pete Turner 1968
