This was the second album to be released by The Wurzels following Adge Cutler's death in 1974. It was released in July 1976 as a 12" vinyl stereo LP on the EMI 'One-Up' record label with catalogue number OU2138. 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. On this recording they were assisted by Andy White (drummer), Dougie Wright (drummer) and The Keith Monk Sound.
This 'live' album was recorded at the Yew Tree Country Club in Langford, Avon. The recording includes the between-song banter amongst the band. Although publicised as 'live' many of the tracks were actually studio recordings. The album contains The Wurzels' UK number one hit single The Combine Harvester (Brand New Key), and the equally popular The Blackbird. It is also notable for the classic Adge Cutler song Down In Nempnett Thrubwell, previously unrecorded. The release was promoted by a single with tracks taken from the album - The Combine Harvester and The Blackbird.
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 OU2138 on the EMI One-Up label. A Side: Matrix OU 2138 A-1 HTM 2 OO B Side: Matrix OU 2138 B-1 HTM 2 CC (HTM - Harry Moss, EMI's most respected mastering engineer) This LP entered the UK Albums Chart on 3 July 1976 for 20 weeks, reaching number 15.
The sleeve, manufactured by Garrod and Lofthouse in July 1976, was of the wrap-around style and fully laminated. The artwork shows a photo of the band taken at Failand Lodge Farm (courtesy of Mr Mervyn Down) by Peter Vernon. The cover included a warning: "This picture was specially posed and should on no account be imitated"! The cartoons on the reverse side of the album sleeve were drawn by 'Larry': Terence "Larry" Parkes was an English cartoonist. His work, consisting largely of single drawings featuring an absurdist view of normal life, was published in many magazines and newspapers in the 1970s.
Interesting collector's item - factory sample example of this album. Factory samples were taken from the production lines for a quality check. In this example, and unusually, both the sleeve and the vinyl itself both have 'factory sample' stickers applied. A Side: Matrix OU 2138 A-1 HTM 3 HR B Side: Matrix OU 2138 B-1 HTM 2 PT (HTM - Harry Moss, EMI's most respected mastering engineer)
Interesting collector's item - sleeve artwork autographed by all three Wurzels. A Side: Matrix OU 2087 A-1 RJL 1 GB Side: Matrix OU 2087 B-1 RJL 1 G
With the huge success of the Combine Harvester single release some early sleeves had a sticker attached as shown on this example. A Side: Matrix OU 2138 A-1 HTM 1 G B Side: Matrix OU 2138 A-1 HTM 1 T
This is a unique collector's item - a 12" double-sided white label record. This is a pre-production test-print of the album. The vinyl itself is the same as the one that went into production. The reverse of the disc also has a white label but again with no information written on it. A Side: Matrix OU 2138 A-1 HTM 1 G B Side Matrix OU 2138 A-1 HTM 1 R
Side 1, Track 1 - The Blackbird (Chorus) Where be it blackbird to, I know where he be 'Ee be up yon Wurzel tree and I be after 'ee Now I sees 'ee, and 'ee sees I Buggered if I don't get'n With a gurt big stick I'll knock'n down Blackbird I'll 'ave 'ee Na na na na na na, na na na na na na How's yee Father, all right All me life I'm on the farm, working for me keep Tending pigs and chickens, and they cows and sheep But everywhere I'm working, there's one who always mocks me He's hiding somewhere in the trees, blackbird I'll 'ave 'ee (Repeat Chorus) Underneath the open sky in Spring we loves to dine We likes to hear the flapping of the missis' washing line We listens to a tuneful song, a blackbird or a tit But on me vest and underpants he's scored a direct hit (Repeat Chorus) If I goes out poaching, a-creeping through the fields With me old retriever, a-following at me 'eels If I aim me shotgun, at a pheasant in the hay That bloody blackbird start’n his row and frightens him away (Repeat Chorus) No longer can I sleep at night, get peace of any kind That bird'll be the death of me, he's preying on me mind If I chase him long enough, I'll get'n by and by And celebrate me victory with a gurt big blackbird pie Where be it blackbird to, I know where he be 'Ee be up yon Wurzel tree and I be after 'ee Now I sees 'ee, and 'ee sees I Buggered if I don't get'n With a gurt big stick I'll knock'n down Blackbird I'll 'ave 'ee With a gurt big stick I'll knock'n down Blackbird I'll 'ave 'ee Na na na na na na, na na na na na na How's yer Father, all right Side 1, Track 2 - Somerset Born And Proud One night down in Zummerzet A thousand cider drinkers met And village folks from miles around Sipped their cider down The do went on, right through the night Blokes was falling left and right When up stepped George, of ninety-two He showed 'em what to do He said…. (Chorus) I'm Somerset born and proud, that's what I am And I travelled every town throughout this land With me sousaphone accordion banjo band I'm Somerset born and proud, that's what I am La la la la la la la, la la la la la la la La la la la la la la, la la la la la la la Now George he had, an Uncle Ernie He kept a pub down Farrington Gurney They found him floating in a cider vat With nothing on but his hat Now Auntie Lil, at a hundred and five Could out-scrump any man alive A superstar, without no doubt And they sang as they laid her out She said…. (Repeat Chorus) Now back last week, old Uncle George He tried to jump the Cheddar Gorge He oodn't listen, to I nor thee Now that's the end of me family tree Singing Somerset born and proud, that's what I am And I travelled every town throughout this land With me sousaphone accordion banjo band I'm Somerset born and proud, that's what I am La la la la la la la, Somerset born and proud I am La la la la la la la, I'm a Somerset man Side 1, Track 3 - Keep Yer 'And On Yer 'Alfpenny (Chorus) Keep yer ‘and on yer ha’penny Cover it well with yer palm La la la la la Keep yer ‘and on yer ha'penny And Molly will come to no harm [Spoken] Ha ha, that's what you think mate, I'll tell 'ee When Molly began to go courting Her Mother was anxious to tell How certain young fellas would want her To stray down the pathway to hell So, Molly's old Ma used to sing…. (Repeat Chorus) They'll hug you and kiss you so sweetly Make you feel ever so nice (oh) But handle the fellas discreetly And follow this simple advice And follow this simple advice…. (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] I know what you'm after kid, oh bad luck Now Molly and me went out courting I told her she'd nothing to fear [Spoken] Liar But down in the meadow last Sunday I whispered these words in her ear Take yer ‘and off yer ha'penny Look into me bonny blue eyes Take yer ‘and off yer ha'penny I'll give you a lovely surprise (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] Hang on there And Molly will come to no harm [Spoken] Wanna bet And Molly will come to no harm Keep yer ‘and on it Missis, I can tell 'ee, now bad luck mind, ha ha ha Side 1, Track 4 - Crabapple Hill Pictures in my mind of Grandma, in a rocking chair Sipping from a cider jug, of ancient earthenware Grandpa standing on the porch, his pipe between his teeth Watching little Elmer get himself into mischief (Chorus) On Crabapple Hill in Strawberry Valley where the air is fresh and clean Crabapple Hill, where time stands still, and the grass is greener than green Crabapple Hill in Strawberry Valley where the birds and butterflies Flutter around without a sound, in the warmth of the Summer skies I wonder what my folks are doing, right now back home I wonder if they know I'm feeling, lost and alone The city's fine, but not the line that, life set out for me The more I think about my home, the more I long to be (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] I wonder what me folks are doing, right now back home I wonder if they know I'm feeling, so lost and all alone The city's fine, but not the line, that life set out for me Cos the more I think about me home, and the more I feel I long to be (Repeat Chorus) Have you ever been have you ever seen Crabapple Hill? Side 1, Track 5 - Middle For Diddle Now our village dart team it meets at The Rose When the landlord calls time and the pub has to close We join in the chorus that everyone knows Sing middle for diddle, sing mugs away If there's tough opposition and nobody twigs Why they loses their form when they've had a few swigs We've laced all their bitters with syrup of figs; ha ha Sing middle for diddle, sing mugs away (Chorus) Sing middle for diddle, sing mugs away We knows all the fiddles wherever we play We'em top of the league and we're aiming to stay Sing middle for diddle, sing mugs away When they need a double and you need the same The visitor's captain steps up to take aim A nicely timed [fart sound] puts him right off his game; ha ha ha Sing middle for diddle, sing mugs away Old William Tell at an apple let fly To repeat this performance old Ted had a try And that's why his eldest has got a glass eye Sing middle for diddle, sing mugs away (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] There was a breathless hush in the pub last night The atmosphere was tense Our skipper kept 'em waiting While he popped out to the Gents He waited till the other side had truly lost their grip Returned and said “I'm sorry chaps had a bit of trouble with me zip” Sing middle for diddle, sing mugs away When we're playing away we comes back in a bus With a load of supporters, we don't give a cuss If we wake up the village, they'll know that it's us Sing middle for diddle, sing mugs away They say that this country is going to pot At football and cricket we may not be hot But there's one game that England can whitewash the lot; [Spoken] They're good an' all Sing middle for diddle, sing mugs away We'em top of the league and we're aiming to stay [Spoken] Try'n get'n in the double top young 'un Sing middle for diddle, sing mugs away [Spoken] Come on there young 'un! Hey hey
Side 2, Track 1 - The Combine Harvester I drove my tractor through your haystack last night (oh ar oh ar) I threw me pitchfork at yer dog to keep quiet (oh ar oh ar) Now something's telling me, that you'm avoiding me (oh ar oh ar) Come on now darling you got, something I need (Chorus) Cos I got a brand-new combine harvester and I'll give you the key Come on now let's get together in perfect harmony I got twenty acres, and you’ve got forty-three Now I got a brand-new combine harvester and I'll give you the key [Spoken] She made I laugh, ha ha I'll stick by you, I’ll give you all that you need (oh ar oh ar) We'll have twins and triplets, I'm a man built for speed (oh ar oh ar) And you know I'll love you darling, so give me your hand (oh ar oh ar) But the thing I want the most is all they, acres of land (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] Cor she's a lovely bit of stuff an' all For seven long years I've been alone in this place (oh ar oh ar) Pigs sleep in the kitchen, it's a proper disgrace (oh ar oh ar) Now if I cleaned it up would ya, change your mind (oh ar oh ar) I'll give up drinking scrumpy and that, lager and lime (Repeat Chorus) [Spoken] Who loves 'ee baby, ha Weren't we a grand couple at that last Wurzel dance I wore brand new gaitors and me corduroy pants In your new Sunday dress, with your perfume smelling grand We had our photos took of us holding hands Now I got a brand-new combine harvester and I'll give you the key Now that we'em both past our fifties I think that you and me Should stop this gallivanting, and will you marry me Cos I got a brand-new combine harvester and I'll give you the key [Spoken] Arr you're a fine-looking woman, and I can't wait to get me hands on your land Ha ha ha Side 2, Track 2 - Let There Not Be Light On market days and Saturdays, the bus comes round at ten Takes the housewives into town and brings them back again There's a little shelter where passengers can sit They built it fifty years ago and it's never yet been lit (Chorus) Well, what do we want with a light In the dark we can manage all right If they had one when, all our Dads were young men Most of us wouldn't be here tonight A rumper die dumper die dumper die doh And a rumper die dumper die doh It's used for other purposes than waiting for the bus [Spoken] Oh ar Until about a week ago there'd never been no fuss We've got our own unwritten rule, to break it is a sin Until the other pair comes out, the next pair can't go in (Repeat Chorus) And if the copper comes along, he'll give a gentle cough In case there's something going on, or something coming off He's very understanding, he sees our point of view And if he's on the early shift, he's right there in the queue (Repeat Chorus) One morning at the bus stop there was found a pair of panties And someone called a meeting of the village vigilantes The matter was debated, under any other biz “Let there be light” said the vicar's wife [Spoken] and light there bloody is Well, what do we want with a light? In the dark we can manage all right [Spoken] Altogether If they had one when, all our Dads were young men Most of us wouldn't be here tonight What do we want with a light? [Spoken] We don't want no light In the dark we can manage all right If they had one when, all our Dads were young men Most of us wouldn't be here tonight If they had one when, all our Dads were young men Most of us wouldn't be here tonight Side 2, Track 3 - Down In Nempnett Thrubwell If you find life a race, you just can't stand the pace Come with me, to the Westcountry, the perfect hiding place Pack your bag, and make your way, to Somerset, and I will lay Ten-to-one you'll wanna stay, down in Nempnett Thrubwell There's not a pub, there aint a shop, you never see a traffic cop Drink up and no one says stop, down in Nempnett Thrubwell That's where the cider's strong, the day's forty-eight hours long They've got frogs as big as dogs, that harmonising song The pheasants all take part in shoots, big barn owls don't give two hoots And all the fleas wear hobnail boots, down in Nempnett Thrubwell [Instrumental] Now they don't care, for cows or car, as long as they've a cider jar They've never heard of Ringo Starr, down in Nempnett Thrubwell You never hear of rain or snow, no hail or sleet, or rough winds blow You can hear the grasses grow, down in Nempnett Thrubwell Rabbits there, as big as sows, the hens there look the size of cows And all the pigs, do Irish jigs, and pigeons pull the ploughs So, leave me there, let me grow fat, and live and laugh, and after that Bury me in a cider vat, down in Nempnett Thrubwell Sleepy Nempnett Thrubwell, dear old Somerset Side 2, Track 4 - Call Of The West Long ago I loved to roam, through the hills around my home Seeking out the hidden wonders of the world There were creatures of the land, some no bigger than my hand And they seemed to understand my every word (Chorus) I know in my heart, there's a place set apart All those things I remember were the best So long ago, but when the wind begins to blow I still hear the call of the west There were always things to do when the early morning dew Shone like diamonds in the early morning sun I could rise up from my bed, sip my breakfast fore and stead Eating apples in the wild was much more fun (Repeat Chorus) When my eyes are closed in slumber even then I find Sailing out across the silent sea of night That the fingers of the past reach out and touch my heart And coax, the thought of wings to fly If the Lord would give to me just one wish then it would be To be wild and running free for evermore Like a never-ending stream I could follow every dream Do those little things I used to do before (Repeat Chorus) I still hear the call of the West I still hear the call of the West I still hear the call of the West Side 2, Track 5 - My Somerset Crumpet Horn I met a fair young maiden, as pretty as can be I asked her very nicely, if she'd come home with me She said kind Sir I'd love to, but I must be back by dawn So, I took her home and showed her, me Somerset crumpet horn I made a cup of cocoa, and sat her in the chair She said I'd love to see this thing that you say is so rare So, I took it out to show her, all cuddly and fat She said I thought I'd seen a few, but never one like that Ha She said she'd like to hold it, to see how much it weighed I put it in her tiny hand and closed me eyes and prayed I prayed she'd treat it gently, not bash it all about Cos a crumpet horn is delicate, of that there is no doubt She said she'd like to blow it, she said she'd like to try She put her lips about it, in the twinkle of an eye She took a mighty breath and, before I could've caught her She played a tune so beautiful she made me poor eyes water We played for hours and hours, in perfect harmony We played in all positions, we played in every key We played until the sun came up and the first grey light of dawn She said I cannot leave you, and your Somerset crumpet horn My love and I are married, we are of one accord And with our mutual interest, we find we'em never bored If discord ever threatens, we can weather every storm And have a special session on the Somerset crumpet horn Oh, me Somerset crumpet horn, me Somerset crumpet horn We'll have a special session on the Somerset crumpet horn Oh, me Somerset crumpet horn, me Somerset crumpet horn We'll have a special session on the Somerset crumpet horn Hooray Lyrics Kindly transcribed by M.Pelling & E.Bryant, Verified by Professor Wurzel