Chumbawamba

Of larks, trains, windows, and brooks
The poet he writes it all down in his book
Won't meet your eye but he wants you to look
In Hull or hell he lies
In Hull or hell he lies

Lambs in the winter and swans in the spring
Children at play they're like birds on the wing
And the poet he writes that the sun seems to swing
In Hull or hell he lies
In Hull or hell he lies

Away from the world and away from the page
Hidden in corners the gathering of age
Retreats to the wings where he once held the stage
In Hull or hell he lies
In Hull or hell he lies

The dirt and the filth that we don't get to see
That's eating his language away
This yellow-eyed nastiness hides from the light of the day

Resenting the everyday growing so old
Where winter once pictured as flowers in fold
Turned frosty and bitter and weathered and cold
In Hull or hell he lies
In Hull or hell he lies
In Hull or hell he lies
In Hull or hell he lies
In Hull or hell he lies
In Hull or hell he lies
In Hull or hell he lies
In Hull or hell he lies

His housemaid she tried but the dirt grew so fast
The darkest of colours he nailed to the mast
Stuck in his ways like he's stuck in the past

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

The Boy Bands Have Won

From the album

The Boy Bands Have Won (2008)

Chumbawamba popular songs

Hull Or HellChumbawamba

Chumbawamba

The Boy Bands Have Won