Philip Chevron: The Captains And The Kings

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These lyrics have to be rechecked


I remember in September, when the final stumps were drawn,
And the shouts of crowds now silent when the boys to tea were gone.
Let us, oh Lord above us, still remember simple things,
When all are dead who love us, Oh the Captains and the Kings,
When all are dead who love us, Oh the Captains and the Kings.

We have many goods for export, Christian ethics and old port
But our greatest boast is that the Anglo-Saxon is a sport
On the playing field of Eton we still do thrilling things
Do not think we leave or weaken, up the captains and the kings
Do not think we leave or weaken, up the captains and the kings

Far away in dear old Cyprus, or in Kenya’s dusty land,
We all bear the white man’s burden in many a strange land.
As we look across our shoulder, in West Belfast the school bell rings,
And we sigh for dear old England, and the Captains and the Kings.
And we sigh for dear old England, and the Captains and the Kings.

As I wandered in a nightmare all around Great Windsor Park,
Now what you think I found there as I stumbled in the dark?
It was an apple half-bitten, and sweetest of all things,
Five baby teeth had written of the Captains and the Kings.
Five baby teeth had written of the Captains and the Kings.

By the moon that shines above us in the misty morning night
Let us cease to run ourselves down and praise God that we are white
And better still we're English, tea and toast and muffin rings
And old ladies with stirned faces and the captains and the kings
And old ladies with stirned faces and the captains and the kings

The Captains And The Kings
Written byBrendan Behan
Performed byPhilip Chevron
Produced byColin Fairley and Elvis Costello
MusiciansDavid Bedford - arranger and conductor
Philip Chevron - vocals, guitar
Adrian Levine - violin
Alex Balenescu - violin
Elisabeth Perry - viola
Harriet Allen - cello
Keith Hartley - double bass
Katie Clemmow - cor anglais
Recorded1983-07, London
Released1983-08
SinglesPhilip Chevron: The Captain And The Kings (single), 1983
Various Artists collectionsFrom Hell To Obscurity, 1989
Life In The Folk Lane, 1992
Length3:48

Only known performance:
April 18, 1984, Boston, MA
     (0 known performance)



Notes

  • Elvis Costello performed the song himself in concert 1989-04-18 in Boston.
  • The song first appeared in Brendan Behan's 1958 play The Hostage.
  • Philip Chevron lyrics :
End of 2nd verse is different, the 4th is removed (In our dreams we see old Harrow...)


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