This was the third album to be released by The Wurzels following Adge Cutler's death in 1974. It was released in April 1977 as a 12" vinyl stereo LP on the EMI NOTES record label with catalogue number NTS122. The album was simultaneously released on cassette tape and 8-track cartridge. Song Lyrics
At the time of the recording of this album The Wurzels consisted of Tommy Banner (piano, organ, accordion, vocals), Tony Baylis (bass, bass guitar, sousaphone and vocals) and Pete Budd (banjo, guitar and vocals) all of who had been supporting Adge Cutler at the time of his death in 1974. The sleeve notes also say: 'With thanks to Sue Martine and Andy White'. Andy played drums on previous two Wurzels albums, so one can assume he did the same on Golden Delicious. Sue's input remains more of a mystery, but one would presume that it is her voice heard on the song School Days, Young Days.
Golden Delicious was The Wurzels' third album, and their first studio album (the previous two being recorded 'live'); the album was the second best- selling Wurzels album (after its predecessor) reaching #32 in the album charts. Of the twelve tracks five were written by the band themselves and one by their producer Bob Barratt.
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 (in the Main Menu) indicates which inner sleeves would be expected to be found between 1974 and 1983 (types H,J,K, AND L).
Stereo pressing of NTS122 on the EMI Notes label. A Side: Matrix NTS 122 A-2 HTM 1 AM B Side: Matrix NTS122 B-1 HTM 2 GO (HTM - Harry Moss, EMI's most respected mastering engineer). It is interesting that a second master has been used for the A side in all examples found so far. The first master was presumably damaged or not of a high enough standard to use. This LP entered the UK Albums Charts on 2 April 1977 for 5 weeks, reaching number 32.
The sleeve, manufactured by Garrod and Lofthouse in March 1977, was of the wrap-around style and fully laminated. The sleeve notes give a very brief resume of the band's activities in 1976 and 77 and a mini biography of each Wurzel.
An unusual collector's item - a factory sample example of this album. Factory samples were taken from the production lines for a quality check. A Side: Matrix NTS 122 A-2 HTM 1 AM B Side: Matrix NTS122 B-1 HTM 1 MM This example is particularly unique in that it came from the collection of Bob Barratt the record's producer.
And in this image from Peter May the 'factory Sample' sticky has been applied to the record label itself.
An interesting collector's item - an autographed album sleeve signed by Tommy Banner, Pete Budd and Tony Baylis. A Side: Matrix NTS 122 A-2 HTM 1 AMB Side: Matrix NTS 122 B-1 HTM 1 MM
Side 1, Track 1 - Drink, Drink Yer Zider Up Drink, drink yer cider up, that's what me old man taught me Son, if thee's drinks it up, it'll make thee cheeks grow rosy When I were just a babe in arms, me Mam here I did throttle Because I cried at night till she put zider in me bottle Drink, drink yer cider up, that's what me old man taught me [Spoken] Drink it up there Son, if thee's drinks it up, it'll make thee cheeks grow rosy [Spoken] Proper job'n all When I was just a kid at school, I were a proper rascal [Spoken] Were an' all I threw away me books to get more cider in me satchel Drink, drink yer cider up, that's what me old man taught me [Spoken] That's right Son, if thee's drinks it up, it'll make thee cheeks grow rosy [Spoken] Wanna try some young'un Remember on our wedding day, stood before the vicar [Spoken] Ooh ar He joined us both as man and wife then joined us in the liquor Drink, drink yer cider up, that's what me old man taught me [Spoken] Proper job Son, if thee's drink it up, it'll make thee cheeks go rosy Now our five kids can't keep their hands [Spoken] five kids? off that bottle stopper [Spoken] Ha ha They have their pint four times a day, we brings them up real proper Drink, drink yer cider up, that's what me old man taught me [Spoken] Come on Ernie Son, if thee's drinks it up, it'll make thee cheeks grow rosy [Spoken] Come on there now Drink, drink yer cider up, that's what me old man taught me [Spoken] How we doing then Ernie? Son, if thee's drinks it up, it'll make thee cheeks go rosy Hey ‘er Oh ah ha ha ha ha Side 1, Track 2 - The Cabot Song (Big 'Ead) Back in fourteen-ninety-seven, John Cabot said to his Dad I think I'll go and discover America, cos times is looking bad Course, I'll have to borrow a couple of quid, and some clothes and yer old top hat Cos the hat I got, is ten years old, and been slept in, by the cat His Dad looked up from his paper, with his glasses on th'end of his nose Whatever d'you think you'll look like he said, dressed up in my old clothes They aint never gonna fit you, my old son, cos you're much too blooming well fed And he looked at his hat, and he looked at John's head, cor blime oh blinking Riley he said Thee's never get a gurt big 'ead like thine, in a tiny little hat like this The odds is all against thee, I should knock 'ee off thee list If thee's were to try and force 'ee on, the sides will all buckle and twist Nah, thee's never get a gurt big 'ead like thine in a tiny little hat like this Thee's never get a gurt big 'ead like thine in a tiny little hat like this Not unless thee's make'n bigger, by ramming it over thee fist Even then 'ee'll want reinforcing, no thee's better give 'ee a miss Cos thee's never get a gurt big 'ead like thine in a tiny little hat like this John was quite upset by now, for there's one thing he'da dread Having gurt big drops of rain fall down, right on top his head And it do per-sistently rain in America, so Chris Columbus said I got a good idea said John's old Dad, why doesn't discover Portishead, instead Cos thee's never get a gurt big 'ead like thine in a tiny little hat like this Thee's aint seriously trying to tell I, that thee's really hope to, bist I shouldn't go and discover America, they won’t know what they missed Cos thee's never get a gurt big 'ead like thine in a tiny little hat like this No! Thee's never get a gurt big 'ead like thine in a tiny little hat like this Side 1, Track 3 - Good Old Somerset Take me back, to good old Somerset I still remember when I was a lad Some times were good and some times were bad But we all made the most of what little we had down in Somerset We played around at school, we thought it a game And even now I can't, spell me name But I'm so glad to be back again in good old Somerset (Chorus) When I'm dead, then bury me In the shade of a cider apple tree Take me back to good old Somerset Take me by the village inn Hear the old folks, the yarns they spin Take me back to good old Somerset I can see it now in my dreams Wishing I was fishing, down by the stream And the rivers there, were clear and clean down in Somerset I took a rifle, when I was sixteen I went to fight for my King and Queen And the boots I wore were, never so clean down in Somerset (Repeat Chorus) At the end of the fighting, I took me a wife We settled down and tried to make a good life But all we seemed to find was trouble and strife down in Somerset All the kids are married, the old lady's gone Just me and the dog, and a pint and a song And now I'm back, where I'da belong down in Somerset (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] Hear me boy (Repeat Chorus) Side 1, Track 4 - Rock Around The A.38 All right. Way down Taunton on the A38 Just around the corner there's a five-bar gate Over in the field stands old Farmer Joe Cranking up his tractor trying to make'n go No one seems to care, or try to understand It's hard to make a living when you're working on the land Go, go, let the cider flow [Spoken] All right there young'un Farmer's son in pigsty mixing up the swill Bubblin' and a-steaming 'nuff to make thee ill Sow she came a-boaring like a hurricane Rolled him over 'n' over 'n' over 'n' over again No one there around, to give that boy a warning They couldn't dig him out until the very next morning Go, go, let the cider flow [Spoken] Come on there my beauty, work ‘im right baby, ha ha. Oh ar. Get in there you Farmer's daughter Mabel rolling in the hay With the village lads she were the cabaret Swinging through the rafters in her tight blue jeans Polo neck all ruffled, bum bursting from the seams No one seems to care, or try to understand The ups and downs a man gets when he's working on the land Go, go, let the cider flow Oooh Farmer's wife out working picking up the eggs She's getting on, she aint too steady on her legs Basket in her arms and her apron full She crossed the field and she got, chased a-by the bull No one there around, to get the bull away Now Joe's got scrambled eggs for his breakfast every day Go, go, let the cider flow Side 1, Track 5 - I Keep Smilin' I was sitting by the pigsty on my farm, my heart was filled with gloom Boy oh boy I never had much joy, and anything we hand turned to Money went out, never came in, good fortune I never met Got to face the facts I owe so much tax, I could settle the National Debt [Spoken] One bloomin’ thing after another (Chorus) But I keep smilin', I keep smilin' One of these days my luck must change So, I, keep right on smilin' Dung dung dunger dunger dung dung dung Dunger dung dung dung dung dung dunger dunger dung Got some news today, they're gonna pull down me farm, motorway's coming through That's an easy task cos there aint no glass, the roof's stuck together with glue The bailiff’s men are coming back again, that'll be them at the door To repossess my tv set, I wish they'd take the Mother-in-law [Spoken] Eight long years she been naggin’ and naggin’ I (Repeat Chorus) Greenfly's been at me roses again, bad news in the mail Local bank says my account is blank, overdraft's blowing a gale What a terrible waste, put some money on a race that I might have spent on cider Lost me last two pence at the very last fence when the horse said goodbye to its rider [Spoken] Never rains without it blimmin’ pours But I keep smilin', I keep smilin' One of these days my luck must change So, I, keep right on smilin' Dung dung dunger dunger dung dung dung Dunger dung dung dunger dung dung Side 1, Track 6 - Pheasant Plucker's Son (Chorus) I'm not a pheasant plucker I'm a pheasant plucker's son And I'm sitting plucking pheasants till the pheasant plucker comes Well my Daddy was a poor man he worked hard to earn his pay I went out a-shooting pheasants which he sat and plucked all day I don't wanna end up like him plucking pheasants till I'm dead Gotta find another way to earn me bread (Repeat Chorus) Birds are flying overhead most of the day Gotta find a target just to make me way, hey hey (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] Whey-hey Tried to be an entertainer, be a joker or a clown But the folks who came to see me they just had to put me down Tried to be an undertaker but I don't like wearing black There must be another way to earn me whack (Repeat Chorus) Birds are flying overhead most of the day Gotta find a target just to make me way, hey hey (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] Come on you pheasant pluckers you (Repeat Chorus) Ha ha ha [Spoken] Come on you pheasant pluckers you Ha ha ha Lyrics Kindly transcribed by M.Pelling & E.Bryant, Verified by Professor Wurzel
Side 2, Track 1 - Morning Glory (Chorus) One for the morning glory, two for the early dew Three for the man who stands his round And four for the love of you, my girl Four for the love of you I likes a little drink at the end of the day, to raise up me voice and sing Spend an hour or two with a fine brown brew and I'm ready for anything At the Cross Keys Inn there were sisters four, the landlord's daughters fair And when all were quiet on a winter's night, I'd tiptoe up the stairs [Shout] Singing…. (Repeat Chorus) I got the call from foreign shores, to sail and fight the foe And I thought no more of the sisters four, though I was sad to go So, I sailed away in a ship, ‘The Morning Glory’ was her name And we'd all fall down when the rum went round, but we'd get up and start again [Shout] Singing now…. (Repeat Chorus) [Shout] Altogether now…. One for the morning glory, two for the early dew [Shout] Come on young'un…. Three for the man who stands his round And four for the love of you, my girl Four for the love of you [Shout] Altogether my beauties…. (Repeat Chorus) [Shout] Come on my babies…. One for the morning glory, two for the early dew [Shout] Fire it on…. Three for the man who stands his round And four for the love of you, my girl Four for the love of you Side 2, Track 2 - There's A Spider In The Bathtub [Spoken] I think it's proper disgusting that some people have to live like pigs There's a spider in the bathtub, a cockroach in the sink The toilet seat is broken, chain hasn't got a link The dustbin's overflowing, there's rubbish on the stairs The state this place is getting in, it seems nobody cares The cutlery is dirty, the dishes all used up If I want a cup of tea I use the same old cup To try and make things easy I use paper plates and cups But when you flush them down the toilet they block the darn thing up, so…. (Chorus) With housing such a problem it seems a crying shame A man should have to suffer when he is not to blame But I must keep up me standards so if things do not improve I may find meself obliged to move The curtains are all dirty, the carpet's getting bare My bed's no fun to sleep in, the mattress has no hair Been sleeping on the sofa, but something's going wrong The way these springs keep coming through I won't be there for long The larder's getting empty, the ashcan's getting full The windows are so filthy, don't see the sun at all The last lightbulb is broken, no need to pay the bill And it won't disturb the nest of mice beneath the windowsill (Repeat Chorus) The garden is a jungle, of nettles and of weeds A few hours would take care of it, that's really all it needs But no one seems to give a damn, no one gives a cuss The grass is high enough to hide a double decker bus The front door's off its hinges, the tiles are off the roof That the place is falling down is getting near the truth How can people be so thoughtless to let this state exist I think I'll have to put my name down on the housing list With housing such a problem it seems a crying shame A man should have to suffer when he is not to blame But I must keep up me standards Side 2, Track 3 - Base Over Apex I took me wife for a ramble Down a shady Westcountry lane She caught her foot in a bramble; [Spoken] whoops And base over apex she came I asked her if she were in agony [Spoken] ow I asked her if she were in pain [Spoken] course I am Before she could give me an answer [Spoken] whoops She was base over apex again (Chorus) Base over apex, base over apex Base over apex again Next day she said let's go out riding Down on the Burnham seashore But during the ride, her horse bucked and shied She was base over apex once more She remounted damp and bedraggled As a bolster left out in the rain But no sooner back in the saddle She was base over apex again Base over apex, [Spoken] whoops. base over apex Base over apex again Then Friday we went deep sea fishing With a salty old seadog named John. [Spoken] ha ha me lads He'd never have known she were accident prone Till base over apex she'd gone. [Spoken] throw her the anchor bosun Lifeboat was called to the rescue [Spoken] help Just heading in for the shore In a gust from the West, you've probably guessed She was base over apex once more Base over apex (whoops) base over apex (whoops) Base over apex once more Side 2, Track 4 - Short Time Livin' The early bird wouldn't catch no worm If the worm was a dragon and the worm would turn You think about people every time and place It's the same situation with the human race In olden times prehistoric man Didn't get pork and beans from a king size can His meat was raw, didn't have no pot And you satisfied a woman with a little not a lot (Chorus) You're a short time livin' and a long time dead So, let me give you this advice my friend Keep your water weak and your zider strong Keep your hands in your pockets and you won't go wrong A woman's ways are sweet and kind And she'll talk honey honey when there's loving on her mind She smiles like an angel as she baits her hook And you don't feel nothin' till the hook's been took (Repeat Chorus) If a man could live for a thousand years Would he learn how to laugh and forget about tears But a man only makes three score and ten So, he needs a little drink to make him happy again (Repeat chorus x 4) Side 2, Track 5 - School Days, Young Days School days, young days, walking up the hill on Mondays Sleepy eyed and on your way to learn to read To write and spell and all the things you're gonna need To help you through the future life you're gonna lead School days, young days Paying for your pranks on fun days Like the time you put your sherbet in the ink The teacher tanned your hide and poured it down the sink When all the writing came out royal blue and pink Twilight days, of puppy ways and what's it all about Spring of life, a time for asking why and finding out Enjoy them while you can They help to make a man School days - days when you're young School days, young days Walking up the hill on Mondays Sleepy eyed and on your way to learn to read To write and spell and all the things you're gonna need To help you through the future life you're gonna lead Twilight days, of puppy ways and what's it all about Spring of life, a time for asking why and finding out Enjoy them while you can They help to make a man School days - days when you're young School days - days when you’re young Side 2, Track 6 - I Am A Cider Drinker When the moon shines on the cowshed And we're rolling in the hay All the cows are up there grazin’ And the milk is on its way (Chorus) I am a cider drinker I drinks it all of the day I am a cider drinker It soothes all me troubles away Ooh arr ooh arr ay, ooh arr ooh arr ay [Spoken] Proper job, wanna try some young 'un It's so cosy, in the kitchen With the smell of rabbit stew When the breeze blows, 'cross the farmyard You can smell the cowsheds too [Spoken] Ooh never smelt nothin' like it in all me life When those combine wheels stops turnin’ And the hard day's work is done There's a pub around the corner It's the place we 'ave our fun [Spoken] Arr, we'll 'ave some fun an' all (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] C’mon young 'un, get a couple o’ pints down 'ee then Now dear old Mabel, when she's able We takes a stroll down Lover's Lane And we'll sink a pint of scrumpy Then we'll play old nature's game [Spoken] Ah, ha, ha, ooh arr But we end up in the duckpond When the pub decides to close With me britches full of tadpoles And the newts between me toes [Spoken] Cor, mate (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] Come on there young'un, get'n up there then, ha ha (Repeat Chorus) Ooh arr ooh arr ay, ooh arr ooh arr ay Ooh arr ooh arr ay, ooh arr ooh arr ay Let cider be the spice of life, ha ha