This was the sixth and final vinyl album to be released by The Wurzels. It was released in summer of 1983 as a 12" vinyl stereo LP on the private 'Wurzel Records' record label with catalogue number WR854675. The album was simultaneously released on cassette tape. Song Lyrics
At the time of the release of this album the Wurzels consisted of Tommy Banner, Tony Baylis and Pete Budd. Their drummer, John Morgan, had joined the group in 1981 although he still ran his own band at the time when this album was produced. He does not appear in the photos on the album sleeve - the three other Wurzels do. None of the band are credited on the sleeve.
The first Wurzels album following their departure from EMI was recorded over many sessions and progress was reported to the fans via the group's fan club newsletter; the 'new LP' was first mentioned in the April 1981 newsletter when the fans were told it was 'being recorded'. The June newsletter mentioned that recording was taking place near Oxford, with a release date of the end of July - no title had been agreed upon. In the October newsletter it was noted that two more tracks were being recorded for the LP with no explanation being offered for it failing to appear as had been suggested at the end of July. In the December 1981 newsletter fans were told that 'the boys are finishing the recording of the LP on December 8th. It may be called The Wurzels Freshly Cut and will be released after Christmas'. By the summer of 1981 the album had still not been released, with fans being told -The new LP release is taking a little longer than we thought. The songs have been recorded, and now the cover has to be printed. Therefore the record will not be released for approximately another 8 weeks.The actual problems associated with this album are unclear, but fans heard nothing more until the spring 1982 newsletter when they were told - On Wednesday 27th January the boys re-recorded 'The Smoking Song' which will appear on there new LP, so unfortunately it will not be released for another few weeks.By April there was still no release date for the LP but a release in May, apparently, was 'probable, alongside a single' (although 'The Smoking Song' single had been released on 12th March actually titled 'The Coughin Song'). In June it was finally admitted that the LP 'will not be released yet due to trouble finding a publisher'. June 1983: The new album was ready and the fan club newsletter gave the fans the long awaited news -
Given the drawn-out path that resulted in this album it is unsurprisingly quite a mix when it comes to overall style with a mix of new material, songs previously issued as singles in the early 1980s and a couple of new versions of tracks from the Adge Cutler days - 'All Over Mendip' and 'I Wish I Was Back On The Farm'. The fact that the album has four separate producers credited also shows the rather disjointed process that resulted in this album. Having said that it is a great mix of Wurzel numbers and a good addition to any collection. It never went on sale in the shops, and was only available by post or at gigs. It is one of the rarest Wurzel albums.
In common with all The Wurzels' EMI album releases from 1975 to 1980 this album remained 'on catalogue' for many years. Unlike the Adge Cutler / Wurzel albums from 1967 onwards The Wurzel albums have few variations in labels and sleeves. By 1975 all album sleeves were of the wrap-around type and most were laminated. Tax codes on vinyl records had been discarded and the vinyl weights - which were now generally the same on all records - were on the light side when compared to the high-quality heavy vinyl of the 1960s. Matrix, Mother and Stamper codes were still used on the vinyl and the information centred around Adge's 1960's recordings that can be found on the Main Menu under 'Vinyl Collecting Guides' remains relevant with minor changes between different record labels. The inner sleeves changed little over the period. Unlike the 1960s, which saw inner sleeves bearing advertising information, the 1970's to 80's were white company sleeves with minor variations. The 'Dating Record Sleeves' guide indicates which inner sleeves would be expected to be found between 1974 and 1983 (types H,J,K, AND L).
Stereo pressing of WR854675. As a private pressing, the actual manufacturer of this record is as yet unclear, the matrix details do not match the same system, it appears, as for those produced by EMI A Side: Matrix WR854675 A1 B B Side: Matrix WR854675 B1 TY A
A nice collector's item - a copy autographed by all three band members - Tommy Banner, Pete Budd and Tony Baylis - and dedicated in this case to 'Lillian' by Tommy. A Side: Matrix WR854675 A1 B B Side: Matrix WR854675 B1 TY A
An interesting autographed example of this album - in this instance by Pete Budd, John Morgan and Terry Pasco. John Morgan, as mentioned previously, in all probability performed on this album but is not credited and Terry Pasco was with the Wurzels in the early to mid 80's, the exact dates are unclear. A Side: Matrix WR854675 A1 A 5 B Side: Matrix WR854675 B1 TY A 4.
Side 1, Track 1 - Wurzel Rap Ah Ooh Arr Well this 'ere be a Wurzel rap with lots of farmyard rhymes Thought we'd better do our bit to keep up with the times We got cows, sheep, pigs and all and chickens by the score And if you can hear above all the noise we'll rap ‘ee up some more AhRap, do the farmyard rap [Spoken] Couple of they milkmaids don't look bad an' all You can rap [Spoken] Better not let my prize bull see 'em Do the farmyard rap [Spoken] Gets all excited he do We had a contest down the farm to see who rapped the best But one of they that entered it, stood out from all the rest T'was old Maud, the story's told the local farmer's wife Problem is to shut her up she been rapping all her life AhRap, do the farmyard rap [Spoken] She can rap a bit old Maud, I'll tell 'ee You can rap [Spoken] Never shut her up once she da start Do the farmyard rap [Spoken] Let's have a bit of Wurzel music then, there we go Ah Ooh arrWe had one of they there discotheques on Farmer Jenkins ground Several of them speaker things what spreads the noise all around Went down to the milking shed and up the chicken run And all us farmyard rapping folk were joining in the fun Ah[Spoken] Are you ready to rap? Yeah I said, are you ready to rap? Yeah Well here we go You gotta milk that cow, and then you gotta feed the chicks You gotta milk that cow, and then you gotta feed the chicks You gotta milk that cow, and then you gotta feed the chicks You gotta milk that cow, and then you gotta feed the chicks, yeah Rap, do the farmyard rap [Spoken] Ah we had a good time down old Jenkins' barn You can rap [Spoken] Couldn't get me motor to start Do the farmyard rap [Spoken] So, I took me combine harvester and parked un in the lane Rap [Spoken] Still, what with the rap Do the farmyard rap [Spoken] And the cider on tap, it was a good night You can rap [Spoken] And a nice bit of Wurzel music Do the farmyard rap [Spoken] Just about wrapped it up nice at the end I do reckon AhDo the farmyard rap Side 1, Track 2 - Shovel It Here Old Pongo Bill down at the farm had wealth beyond his dreams He said it were better than oil, or coal in big black seams He said t'is very plentiful, and don't need special care In fact, he just declared himself a manure millionaire Woah…. (Chorus) Shovel it here, shovel it there Shovel it nice and thick Shovel it up in buckets full And stir it with a stick Cos whether it's heaped or whether it's flung There's riches on the grass As folks our way do always say Where there's muck there's brass He loaded up his cart one day and made it off to town The trail he left behind him was all slippery and brown He stopped outside a High Street bank and went inside to see If to open a deposit account was a possibility Woah…. (Repeat Chorus) The manager at first refused to grant his odd request But Pongo sort of forced his hand and plonked some on his desk He fixed him with a beady eye and said I know t'is strange But I plan to get dung quoted on the London Stock Exchange Woah…. (Repeat Chorus) He left the bank a sorry place, the staff all fought for breath The luckless manager by now was nearly close to death Apart from what was on his desk, a very small amount Bill backed his cart up through the door and opened his account Woah…. (Repeat Chorus) He drove away a happy man, he'd fulfilled his ambition He felt like a commando just got back from a mission But a panda car it waved him down with complaints about the smell So just to make his day complete he gave them some as well Woah…. (Repeat Chorus) The moral of this story is there's riches to be found For enterprising people who've got both eyes on the ground So, as you pass through life my friend may the smell of success be sweet And when you travel by bus of course you'll always get a seat Woah…. (Repeat Chorus) Woah…. Shovel it here (shovel it) Shovel it there (shovel it) Shovel it nice and thick (shovel it) Shovel it up in buckets full And stir it with a stick Cos whether it's heaped Or whether it's flung There's riches on the grass As folks our way do always say Where there's muck there's brass Side 1, Track 3 - (If You Got) Nothin' On Tonight (Chorus) If you got nothin' on tonight I'd sure love to see you I got plenty of time on my hands And you on my mind If you got nothin' on tonight Can we get together I can picture the beautiful sight If you got nothin' on tonight Fancy clothes and painted toes Can do things for a lady They drive a man half crazy And shake him up a storm She may look good in a pretty dress But I think a lady looks her best Just the way God made her On the day that she was born So,…. (Repeat Chorus) Beauty queens in magazines Can boost your circulation Ease a man's frustration If that's what turns him on But I can't hold the centrefold Those pretty ladies leave me cold I'd sooner be with someone Like you to keep me warm So,…. If you got nothin' on tonight I'd sure love to see you I got plenty of time on my hands And you on my mind If you got nothin' on tonight Can we get together We can do anything that you like If you got nothin' on tonight So,…. (Repeat Chorus) Side 1, Track 4 - Wurzels In Stereo What happened to the wireless and the phonogram And the picture-house where I use to go with my old Gran They've all been Japanesed, it's a terrible disease And The Wurzels are not totally immuned We got The Wurzels wired for sound and all transistorized Everything down on the farm has been computerised We got to get to grips, with all these microchips But The Wurzels scrumpy music never dies (Chorus) Now The Wurzels have been stereo’d, now we're twice as merry-o Cos, we got Wurzel music in both ears They got me in a tangle now, with 'lectric things what dangles down The milk's the best we've had for years and years We got this new fandangled cockerel in the barn (In the barn) What wakes us every morning with a digital alarm Oh, The Wurzels are in stereo, and now we're twice as merry-o Cos, we got Wurzel music in both ears They got videos and things called Space Invaders And supersonic microwave potatoes And Nellie our old cow, she's gone all bionic now And they've even got the dairy wired for sound Now there's high technology down among The Mendips So put this message on the satellite and send it Our music's spreading wider, cos we still got our cider That's why we keeps on singing every night (Repeat Chorus) [Fade out] Side 1, Track 5 - Manooer Old England's a garden what's rich with delights The daisy, the lily, the rose There's lupins and clocks and delphiniums and stocks To pleasure the eye and the nose But down in our village from 'tober till June When the wind comes up warm from the West There's nowt to compare with the scent in the air Of that countryside smell we knows best (Chorus) T'is manooer, manooer, manooer, manooer Manooer manooer manooe There's middens gone rotten and garbage that's gotten A rancid aroma or two There be all sorts of dung as it's spread laid or flung There's silage what's starting to stew But for rich randy odour you can't beat a loada Manooer manooer manooe T'were local elections a few weeks ago The candidates booked the church hall The Labour and Tory chaps sat on the stage And the Liberals sat on the wall They all calls us comrades they Socialists do And them Tories they calls us my friend But it’s speech after speech while they promise and preach But t'is always same thing in the end T'is, manooer manooer manooer manooer Manooer manooer manooe Ha ha ha ha ha Now I went out courting one night for a lark In the lane by the hedge on the verge And I said to my lass to get down on the grass For weem both of us getting the urge Say she t'is it after, she driving me mad Be it Faberge Old Spice or Brut Can it be t'is Chanel, I said no, can it hell Take a peek at the sole of my boot (Repeat Chorus) But for rich randy odour you can't beat a loada Manooer manooer manooe Side 1, Track 6 - All Over Mendip (Chorus) Hitch up the wagon, get out the grey mare We aint been drunk since Bridgwater Fair Get George and Jacko, and Crowey and Joe Get everyone you know So, bring out your brother, your sister and dad Get everyone in sight And we'll dance and shout, and roll about All over Mendip tonight Sail in of Harptree, and Charterhouse too Blagdon and Ubley, right over the Chew They say it'll be the do of the year Oh, how we'll all be there So, drink up thee cider, and drink up thee beer Let go with all your might And we'll dance and sing, let our voices ring All over Mendip tonight (Repeat Chorus) Sail in of Dundry, and Priddy and Frome Weston and Wookey, and Burrington Combe Barrels and hampers, and their Sunday best From north south east and west Now one thing I'm certain, they won't hurry home Until t'is broad daylight So, let it rain or snow, as long as we're aglow All over Mendip tonight (Repeat Chorus) All over Mendip tonight [Spoken] See thee up on Harptree Hill hey Side 1, Track 7 - Forget Me Not I've been crying my heart out Do you love me, or do you love me not? If you keep trying, you'll hear me sighing Forget me not Now I've been wearing my mind out To have you close and give you all that I've got The love we tasted, has it been wasted Forget me not Aint I just a lucky guy Forget me not, forget me not Whoa I lay me down to die If love is one big lie Aint I just a lucky guy Forget me not, forget me not Whoa I lay me down to die If love is one big lie Now there's no need to remind me Your love's a fire when the kisses are hot So, take this ember, and you'll remember Forget me not So, take this ember, and you'll remember Forget me not Forget me not Forget me not Forget me not Forget me not Forget me not [Fade out]
Side 2, Track 1 - I Wish I Was Back On The Farm (Chorus) I wish I was back on the farm I wish I was back on the farm Where the bulls don't give it over And the cows roll in the clover I wish I was back on the farm When I was just an hayseed, with a straw stuck in me mouth I packed me bags and caught a train and headed for the South I wandered down them city streets, cos everything were new But all they coppers moved I on and the girls they moved I too(Repeat Chorus) A pretty girl come up to I and we began to chat She said she'd give I something nice if I went to her flat I asked her for a cup of tea, she seemed to think it odd Just as I was gonna leave she charged me thirty bob(Repeat Chorus)I went into a nightclub, where a lady did a dance She had nothing on but pigeons and the rest she'd left to chance She didn't seem to feel the cold and the birds knew where to stay I clapped me hands and I hollered out but they would not fly away I wish she was back on the farm I wish she was back on the farm She had nothing on whatever And they pigeons aint so clever I wish she was back on the farm I wish I was back on the farm (knee deep in dung) I wish I was back on the farm (knee deep in dung) Where the bulls don't give it over And the cows roll in the clover I wish I was back on the farm (knee deep in dung) Yes, I wish I was back on the farm (knee deep in dung) Oh, I wish I was back on the farm (knee deep in dung) Yes, I wish I was back on the farm (knee deep in dung) Oh, I wish I was back on the farm (knee deep in dung) Yes, I wish I was back on the farm (knee deep in dung) [Fade out] Side 2, Track 2 - Wurzel In Love I finished haymaking, me back it was aching So, I went for a drink at The Crown I ordered me cider, and that's when I spied her She called on her way up to town We sat down together, and talked of the weather And that was the start of it all (Chorus) Woah-oh, me cows don't know which way to go And me chickens dance round in the mud Cos, they know I'm a Wurzel in love A rich farmer's daughter, I know I didn't oughta Cos I'm just a poor Wurzel boy We got on together, like birds of a feather And she said she'd come out with I So, we climbed on the tractor, and drove off together And watched the sun melt in the hay(Repeat Chorus) A posh guy came posing, and poking his nose in Around what I thought was all mine He came out from Taunton, and spoke like Charles Laughton And took her when he wined and dined I thought it was over, put out to clover Then she said she wanted to stay Woah-oh, me cows don't know which way to go And me chickens thank heavens above Cos, they know I'm a Wurzel in love [Spoken] And we're still together now, closer than two peas in a pod I suppose one of these days we better get married We'll probably have to sooner or later It'll be nice to raise a couple of children A couple of pigs, couple of chickens, couple more pigs Maybe we'll even have a cottage of our own one day Her father says it can't be soon enough for him Cos then maybe he'll be able to have his porch back He reckons we've loosened the foundations or something Mind you, wait till he sees the springs on the back of his old Morris Minor Side 2, Track 3 - Super Rooster [Shout] Is it a train? No. Is it a plane? No. It's super rooster He was just a normal bird, of which I'd never heard Till a film director stayed down on the farm (ooh arr) But when he heard him crow, he said I'll have you know That I think that I can make that bird a star, oh arr I think that I can make that bird a star [Shout] Is it a scream? No. Is it a si-reen? No. It's super rooster (Chorus) Super rooster, super rooster Left the farm for good, went to Hollywood Super rooster, super rooster They never heard one as loud as that before That's for sure They never heard one as loud as that before So, they put him on the screen, that's how he made the scene And they even let him have a private bet (arr) They paid his union dues, and let him start the news And that's how he became a superstar, ooh arr That's how he became a superstar [Shout] Is it a jet? No. Is it a rocket? No. It's super rooster(Repeat Chorus) He gets fan-mail every day, and lots and lots of pay What he got before was only chicken feed It wouldn't do him harm, to go back on the farm But he'd rather stay and be a superstar, oh arr He'd rather stay and be a superstar [Shout] Is it a blast? No. Is it a whistle? No. It's super rooster(Repeat Chorus) And now, the Academy award winner for best actor of the year And the winner is Super rooster(Repeat Chorus) Oooh oooh(Repeat Chorus) [Fade out] Side 2, Track 4 - A Little Drop Of Home Made Wine A little drop of homemade wine, homemade You must take a little spot of mine I made So, come along to my place and try a little drop Cos when you had a taster, I know you'll never stop With a little drop of homemade wine Parsnip, elderberry raspberries too You will be surprised what it does to you Some is made with goosegogs or dandelion heads Drink it up and you will never want to go to bed Unless you're dead With a little drop of homemade wine [Spoken] Ah, tis ‘ansome Cherries, apricots and grapefruit Drink 'em up gently or you'll turn into a newt Whortleberry, quinces, if you want some more Then a drop of apple wine will shake you to the core You'll want some more With a little drop of homemade wine Raisins, greengages and nice sweet pea You will love it if you're having it with me Broad beans and runners, and the way they're brewed Sometimes make me do the things me Mother says is rude And rather crude With a little drop of homemade wine Wheat and barley and some maize and oats A whole blooming harvest going down your throat Mulberry, parsley, no one's ever moaned They just drink some damson and they go home truly stoned And are disowned With a little drop of homemade wine Mango, beetroot and the elderflower Figs and prunes that'll pack a lot of power Then we got the rhubarb, and you soon will know Sup a load of that stuff and you'll find you have to go Daren't be slow With a little drop of homemade wine A little drop of homemade wine, homemade You must take a little spot of mine I made So, come along to my place and try a little drop Cos when you had a taster, I know you'll never stop With a little drop of homemade wine Side 2, Track 5 - Little Darlin' La, la la la la, la la la la, la la la la My little darlin', my little darlin' Oh where, are you? My lover, I was wrong-a To try, to love two Knowing well-a, that my love-a Was just, for you Oh, only you [Spoken] My little darlin', how I'da love you! How I'da need you to call my very own, ha ha ha I knew I loved ya, when first I put my hand on ya Now I'd give any man a hundred pound Just to get rid of 'ee! Ho ho! Uuhh, uuhh, uuhh My lover, I was wrong-a To try, to love two Knowing well-a, that my love-a Was just, for you Oh, only you Side 2, Track 6 - I Hate J.R. (Chorus) ‘I hate J.R’ I'm hanging the sign on the back of my car Saying ‘I hate J.R’ Cos me and young Dusty are better by far ‘I hate J.R’ Well he lives in a palace, way down there in Dallas Where ev’ry one's keeping the score They're all taking breakfast, way down there in Texas And that makes me hate him still more It's not that I'm worried, I've never been hurried To ride in his big Chevorolet But his ten-gallon hat, well I sure would like that I'd have ladies around I all day (Repeat Chorus) Well there's news that is makin’, and hearts that is breakin’ It's a wonder he ever survives And when he starts lyin’, and babies start cryin’ Well I wouldn't be one of his wives Now he's wheelin’ and dealin’, with no kind of feelin’ Sue Ellen just waits in the wings And soon she gets lusty, and runs to her Dusty Who got her all tied up in rings (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] Hey J.R. What've you got that I ain't got eh? Ho, ho. Ah, ah - No wonder Sue Ellen was looking happy down at breakfast morning then. Will I jump in the where? Course I will J.R, anything you say boy ‘I hate J.R’ I'm hanging the sign on the back of my car Saying ‘I hate J.R’ Cos me and young Dusty wherever you are ‘I hate J.R’ (Repeat x 2) [Fade out] Lyrics Kindly transcribed by M.Pelling & E.Bryant, Verified by Professor Wurzel