Chumbawamba

For all those feet in ancient times
For stepping out of line
Dragging time and tide
Against the keepers of the past
The flags of class and caste
Limp upon the mast

All your week you were someone's slave
Today you're a free man
If they tell you you can't
Then you can
You can, you can, you can
You can, you can

Walking high upon the hills
Rough-shod against well-heeled
A butterfly breaks upon the wheel
A compass and a cap
A sing-song and a scrap
A dotted line across the map

All your week you were someone's slave
Today you're a free man
If they tell you you can't
Then you can
You can, you can, you can
You can, you can

Every five-barred gate my home
A place to call my own
Stone to boundary stone
For every footprint on the land
The banners and the banned
Who swayed the best-laid plans

All your week you were someone's slave
Today you're a free man
If they tell you you can't
Then you can
You can, you can, you can

Anarcho-pop band from Leeds.

Originally formed in the early 1980s as Chimp Eats Banana, Chumbawamba first emerged in the anarchopunk scene which was dominated by bands such a pacifist punks Crass. As Chumbawamba increasingly differed from their peers in outlook and tactics, they began to adopt a new musical style which incorporated elements of folk music, indie rock and hip-hop.

After drifting between labels, their change in direction culminated in signing a record deal with major label EMI, a choice which sparked outrage amongst their former comrades, outrage that culminated in a “Fuck Chumbawamba” compilation. By chance, Chumbawamba’s new work with EMI resulted in an internationally best-selling single, “Tubthumping”, and a sudden rise to fame.

more tracks from the album

A Singsong and a Scrap

From the album

A Singsong and a Scrap (2005)

Chumbawamba popular songs

You Can (Mass Trespass, 1932)Chumbawamba

Chumbawamba

A Singsong and a Scrap