Feb 2022 nerd-folk ukulele scotland fuc
In which I complain about a thing that really doesn't matter. I'm not sure this will make sense to anyone but me, but at least I've got it out of my system (and it gets my song count up...).
Journalists and politicians seem to like using "North of Hadrian's Wall" as some kind of poetic synonym for Scotland. It irritates me because some of the most beautiful parts of England are north of Hadrian's Wall (including the place where I was born :)).
Incidentally once you hear about the concept of "Second Mentions" you can never stop seeing them. Journalists just can't bear using the same noun twice.
Journalists can't bear to use the same expression twice
They'll always say "Small Rodents" instead of saying mice,
A fire only burns until it turns into a blaze
Hendrix, the guitarist who played on Purple Haze
Be creative as you like but remember that at worst,
The second mention has to mean the same thing as the first
So when you need a synonym for "Scotland" in the press
Remember that it doesn't go as far south as you guessed
Two universities and one national park
Most of Newcastle, where Shearer made his mark
Lindisfarne and Berwick and the Cheviot Hills are all
Things you'll find in England north of Hadrian's Wall
Politicians think their use of language is a strength
Never say directly what they can say at length
Perhaps it's to persuade us, perhaps it's to confuse,
Perhaps it's so that we'll forget about their latest ruse
So while I know they're making efforts to deceive
The Romans didn't get as far as they seem to believe
I'm not expecting much, but there's one thing that I insist
If you want to govern Scotland, at least know where it is
Earl Grey, the Prime Minister who liked a cup of tea
Ant and Dec, you might have seen them on TV
Jack and Bobby Charlton, wizards with the ball
Were people born in England north of Hadrian's Wall
Artists, actors, singers, and scientists have all
Been people born in England north of Hadrian's Wall
@janeg Mar 2022
Excellent teaching song! I had not realized that expression was being foolishly equated to Scotland. Part lowland Scot myself, we think - family history is murky pre-immigration to Canada.
@jaegerin Mar 2022
This is brilliant! Love the clever lyrics and the important point, and I went straight in for a second listen.
@berni1954 Feb 2022
Brilliant - Classic worthy of Jake Thackeray!
@emkaydeebee Feb 2022
This is brilliant! I'm in Cumbria (on the south side) so this all feels close! Great delivery and I love the phrasing of such and such 'in England, north of Hadrian's Wall.' Though you're up in Fife now?...
@tawny249 Feb 2022
Oh wow, I'm thirding that line about "at least know where it is". That made me laugh out loud. This is great, it's ribbing on journalists at the same time as your very specific gripe, so I think you're in the clear. And you're right...journalists do this...I hadn't thought about it. Nice bouncy little tune there, too.
@cleanshoes Feb 2022
This is so cleverly tongue-in-cheek. I'm not from England, but I can appreciate the sentiment regarding both geography and journalism. Enjoyed immensely!
@timfatchen Feb 2022
This is such kindly but cruel straight satire. "I'm not expecting much, but there's one thing that I insist
If you want to govern Scotland, at least know where it is" a killer! Not to worry about our North American cousins, geography is rarely their strong point. BNTW says a lot about the UK public education system as applied to developing journalists. We have similar problems.
@darcistrutt Feb 2022
At least know where it is! Funny and sad at the same time. I enjoyed your delivery. My grandfather was Welsh and was adamant I respect the division between Wales and England.
@falconbridge Feb 2022
Delightful lyrics and charmingly sung. So witty and you're so right - I am sending this to a couple of journalist friends who will be highly entertained. Thank you for this!
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
This is awesome. A history lesson, a correction, and a gentle slap on the wrist for those who don't know their geography!
Lovely singing, and I love your wordplay. Nice job!