Good Formby, bad form? Club hits the headlines!
KELSO Folk and Live Music Club has hit the national headlines after two members wrote to the ‘Southern Reporter’ complaining that George Formby classics performed by Roger Platfoot contained racist language. Keith and Cate Ryan have threatened to report the club to the Police Hate Crimes Unit if Roger plays the ‘Mr Wu’ songs (and others) again.
Photograph © James Shepherd, as used by the Daily Mail lifted from this website – get your invoice into the paper, Jim!
Predictably, the national press stringers doing their weekly check of the Southern’s contents flagged up the single column story on Thursday and by Friday it was full page news in the Scottish Daily Mail and The Times. Both of these papers researched Formby’s songs and background, with the Mail printing the full lyrics of the WWII hit ‘Mr Wu’s an Air Raid Warden Now’. Keith ‘Rin’ Ryan had complained about the use of the words ‘chink’, ‘kaffir’ and ‘zulu’ in the songs. By printing the words the Mail showed clearly that ‘chink’ in this song was a pun relating to the blackout regulations, and not a racial slur:
MR WU’S AN AIR RAID WARDEN NOW
There’s a Chinese laundry man, the famous Mr Wu,
He’s chucked his Limehouse laundry-shop and his window-cleaning too!
He’s got another job, and it’s one of the best -
Now he’s doing his bit for England like the rest.
And Mr Wu is now an air-raid warden – and don’t he look cute in his new siren suit -
He goes round every night to make the black-out sure,
So if you’ve got a chink in your window, you’ll have another one at your door!
His headquarters, it is plain, are down by lover’s lane,
And he goes there every evening anyhow;
He’ll flash his torch into the dark
And the girls all cover their laundry mark
‘Cause Mr Wu ‘s an Air-Raid Warden now!
One night while on his beat, a couple he did meet,
They were cuddling in the shelter anyhow;
He said “The all clear’s gone, you see”
and the chap said “Boy you’re telling me!”
‘Cause Mr Wu’s an Air-Raid Warden Now!
His cousin Wun Wei Yin, one day was helping him
To move a time-bomb from their shop, I vow;
But it went off bang and there’s no doubt,
Wun Wei Yin flew one way out,
And Mr Wu’s no Air-Raid Warden now.
Oh Mr Wu is now an Air-Raid Warden – and don’t he look cute in his new siren suit -
He goes round every night to make the black-out sure,
So if you’ve got a chink in your window, you’ll have another one at your door!
A fire-bomb dropped one day, so close to him they say,
That he deserves a medal they all vow;
But perhaps what you don’t understand,
He put the fire out but he didn’t use sand!
‘Cause Mr Wu’s an Air Raid Warden Now.
Formby toured South Africa when the policies of Apartheid were being forced into place, and insisted on performing to mixed audiences despite attempts by right wing authorities to halt the shows. He was investigated during WWII because Churchill’s government thought his films and songs made light of the dangers of enemy aliens – no action was taken. He was Britain’s highest earning film and recording artist at the time.
On-line stories have also been appearing:
http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk… (the original Southern Reporter story)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/… (Times)
http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/… (Chortle, UK comedy website)
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/… (Glasgow Daily Record)
David Kilpatrick’s descriptions of Roger and Rin & Cate were not intended for publication and were made when suggesting the story should not be run because is was a dispute between individuals. The reporter quoted these off the record comments. While Roger Platfoot does not object to being described as ‘eccentric’ Rin & Cate may not feel they should be stereotyped as ‘politically conscious New Age’.
We look forward to the ITV Borders coverage of the story – a TV crew visits Kelso on Tuesday May 6th to interview all concerned – but feel that the only publication which will be able to do this story justice is VIZ.
Outcomes and action?
The club may need to make some changes and introduce formal membership (small annual fee and card) to avoid exposing the committee to risk through the actions of members.
The Friday May 2nd session was the best attended we have ever had. The Cobbles estimates that around 100 people were present at the busiest time, when there was standing room only. Many visitors were in because of the Angling Fair. Roger did perform his Formby songs, by demand, including two of the ‘Mr Wu’ cycle. Keith and Cate were not present, perhaps because Keith has now stated in public that if he hears Roger perform these songs again he will take the matter to the police. His opinions are sincere and passionately defended, and no doubt he would feel obliged to honour his own word and do so.
The club try to maintain the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere we have created over the last few years. If we have differences of opinion, let’s express them with song. Woody Guthrie, Hamish Henderson, Peggy Seeger, Billy Bragg, the Levellers, Chumbawamba, Greenday, Dick Gaughan and countless others have written and performed songs which oppose racism, militarism, xenophobia, class prejudice, religious prejudice and social or sexual inequalities.
All the above are, or were during their lives, passionate about freedom of expression and strongly opposed to censorship. We hope that Rin and Cate, and friends of a like mind, will return to the club and use the power of song to influence people – not a call to the police.
Freedom Come All Ye
lyrics by Hamish Henderson, as sung by Dick Gaughan
Roch the win’ i’ the clear day’s dawin’,
Blaws the clouds heilster-gowdie owre the bay;
But thair’s mair nor a roch win’ blawin’
Thro’ the Great Glen o’ the warl the day.
It’s a thocht that wad gar our rottans -
Aa thae rogues that gang gallus fresh an gay -
Tak the road an’ seek ither loanins
Wi’ thair ill-ploys tae sport an’ play.
Nae mair will our bonnie callants
Merch tae war whan our braggarts crousely craw;
Nor wee weans frae pitheid an’ clachan
Murn the ships sailin’ doun the Broomielaw.
Broken faimilies in launs we’ve hairriet
Will curse ‘Scotland the Brave’ nae mair, nae mair;
Black an’ white, ane-til-ither mairriet,
Mak the vile barracks o’ thair maisters bare!
Sae come aa ye at hame wi’ freedom,
Never heed whit the houdies croak for Doom!
In yer hous aa the bairns o’ Aidam
Will fin’ breid, barley-bree an’ paintit room
Whan MacLean meets wi’s friens in Springburn
Aa thae roses an geeans will turn tae blume -
An a black lad frae yont Nyanga
Dings the fell gallows o’ the burghers doun.
May 17th, 2008 at 1:18 am
After reading all the news stories, watching the news bulletins and discussing with various people the ins and outs of PC/non-PC songs, uncomfortable lyrics and all the rest, I have come to a little conclusion of my own.
What started, now months ago, as a simple request not to play a particular song(s), has blown up way beyond any reasonable sphere of debate. At the heart of which are two parties with alot to offer.
Instead, backbiting, name-calling, and ridiculing have become the order of the day. Sound familiar?
I thought we’d left the playground behind years ago.
The way I see it, a member of the club asked another member of the club not to play a particular song as it offended them. Given some of the words involved, I’m not really surprised, however, instead of saying “OK, I can see you’re upset by that, I’ll do something else” the immortal words “folk off!” seem to have entered the fray.
Perhaps it would have been so much simpler and easier if, rather than singing the flaming song out of spite, it could have been played whenever the offended parties were not present, instead of the “well if they don’t like it they can leave” type of attitude, there are more people upset by words like kaffa, chink, etc., than those in the news, as I’m sure you’re aware.
I am not suggesting censorship at all, only a little mutual respect between artists.
David has rightly pointed out the nature of the use of the words and the sentiment involved, and the consequences of a far-reaching sweep of lyricism throughout our colourful musical heritage, and the sometimes colourful language therein.
I would simply suggest a little give and take,
“How do you smile when you’re caught in a trap,
I can’t move on, but there’s no turnin’ back…………
Connect to the heart, you can make a new start .” Iain Petrie.
I think what is sometimes forgotten, is the very reason for music and song in the first place. Sharing.
To share ideas, thoughts, feelings, emotion, and just the simple joy of making music together. Not force, not indoctrination or subjugation, at the essence- expression.
Think about it, before I bash your heads together, please.
Darren. ;-D
P.S. What doesn’t help in all this, is other accusations aswell that have no bearing, as far as I can see it the only “hysterical” people were those representing the media.