We're Gonna Change The World

[Gray]

I adore 'Oliver', I remember a neighbour taking my sister & I to see the movie after a re-release in the early 70's.
I can still remember telling my parents how much I enjoyed the film afterwards even though I would of been very small.

The film has a certain air, a mood, that is very distinct.
Carol Reed was a wonderful director, the music emotive, and the look of the unforgetable.

It is in my humble opinion one of the greatest films ever made, never mind just within the genre of musicals.

Gray

[ROBERT M.]

Harry Secombe's version of JERUSALEM is sublime

[jon]

I remember Harry Secombe's programme "Highway" shown on Sundays several years ago. He sometimes used to sing Vaughan Williams's fine song, "Linden Lea", on it, which I particularly enjoyed.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

We agree Robert Harry Secombe sings "Jerusalem" beautifully.
Also those of us who remember Mario Lanza finishing on that high note with " Be My Love ". ( and that note of which few who recorded this song dared to attempt ) Harry did.. superbly too.
He was excellent on that programme "Highway." Jon and "Linden Lea" was the kind of song so much suited to his voice.

[ROBERT M.]

I didn't know your Harry had such a good singing voice Lena

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Nor did I Robert.

[len & freda]

Interesting to read your comments about Harry Secombe and Mario Lanza singing Jerusalem.

Try if possible to obtain tapes or C.D's of a marvellous singer from Abergavenny, called Bryn Yemm who sings mostly religious songs . He's rendition of " Jeruselum" and" How Great You Are" is unbelievable.

We have most of his tapes, C.D' and Videos, we also met him on a cruise to the Holy Land and Eygpt where he was the Musical Director of the entertainment aboard, a perfect gentleman if ever I had met one.

Now Len has gone out of the room, years ago he came a close second to Mario Lanza with his singing, a professional career was in the offing, but he wouldn't carry on with it.

Whilst I am on the forum, when we were at the meet, Michele was selling Matts CD "The Decca Recordings" I didn't buy one as I had already ordered a copy from H.M.V,they now tell me it is not available, has anyone any ideas where I can purchase this C.D.

Once again thanks, it is pity that we have to wait until next year to get together again.

[Marian]

Hi Len and Freda,
Michele bought all the copies of "The Decca Recordings". They were also on sale at Matt Jnr's concerts this year. I'm sure you will be able to buy a copy from the club shop or from Michele herself.
Marian

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Have just listened to Alan Titchmarsh playing Matt's
"We're Gonna Change The World"

[Lee Wilkins]

Whilst I am on the forum, when we were at the meet, Michele was selling Matts CD "The Decca Recordings" I didn't buy one as I had already ordered a copy from H.M.V,they now tell me it is not available, has anyone any ideas where I can purchase this C.D.

Hi

This CD is available from the Zavvi (Virgin Megastore) Web site. The following link takes you directly to the relevant page:

http://www.virginmegastores.co.uk/produ ... onro/s.jsf

Regards

[paul jh]

I'm listening right now to We're Gonna Change The World on Alan Titchmarsh. And just a half hour ago, he played three of the selections from Elgar's Enigma Variations. I'm in heaven! And I still haven't sent Alan an email message asking him to play Matt Monro and Elgar at a minimum every fortnight.

Thanks for the tip, Lena and Harry. Of course, Melodies For You is must listening every week.

[Pecker]

Hello everyone - my first post.

Going back to the original discussion, I thought I'd put up the original lyrics (taken from this site):

We’re Gonna Change The World

Shirley Wood gulped down her breakfast
Shut the fridge and joined the throng
Margaret Beatty snatched the milk in
Scanned the news and went along

Annie Harris drew the curtains
Screwed her eyes up, had a peek
Saw the marchers, heard their voices
Making early morning noises
Stumbled back to bed and tried to sleep

Come with us, run with us
We’re gonna change the world
You’ll be amazed, so full of praise
When we’ve rearranged your world
We’re gonna change your world

Shuffling through the cold black morning
Went the marchers, spirits low
Grunting greetings, grimly pressing
Onto where they had to go
When the sun came up, they brightened
Stopped to have their Thermos brew
Annie Harris got up gladly
Pondered for a little, sadly
Then got on with what she had to do

So, come with us, run with us
We’re gonna change the world
You’ll be amazed, so full of praise
When we’ve rearranged your world
We’re gonna change your world

At their target, numbers swollen
‘Up the marches’, banners go
Chanting, shouting out with leaflets
Protest for everyone to know
Sit in front of all the traffic
Harried, busy shopping wives
Try to stir their ostrich notions
Whip them up to wild emotions
Put some fire into their wretched lives

So, come with us, run with us
We’re gonna change your world
You’ll be amazed, so full of praise
When we’ve rearranged your world
We’re gonna change your world

Shirley Wood was dragged still sitting
By a policeman from the road
Margaret Beatty had her face slapped
By a man she tried to goad
Annie Harris in the office
Paused in typing, thought of Don
Glanced again at his last letter
Died for others to live better
Brushed away a tear and carried on

Come with us, run with us
We’re gonna change the world
You’ll be amazed, so full of praise
When we’ve rearranged your world
We’re gonna change..

Come with us, run with us
We’re gonna change your world
You’ll be amazed, so full of praise
When we’ve rearranged your world
We’re gonna change..

So, come with us, run with us
We’re gonna change your world
You’ll be amazed, so full of praise
When we’ve rearranged your world

Matthews/Harris


I find the lyrics quite ambiguous, and as they stand can be read in 3 ways:

1 - In praise of the protest marchers, and criticising Annie

The protesters are trying to make a difference, despite the poor weather, initial poor showing at the march, public indifference, and inferred violence from both public and police. Meanwhile Annie doesn't join in, preferring her bed and 'getting on with what she had to do' (a typist), despite her loss, which really should make her a little more animated;

2 - In criticism of the protesters, and taking Annie's point of view

The protesters are just making a noise and a nuisance, 'goading' innocent by-standers (goading isn't a positive term, whichever way you look at it), wasting police time, and inconveniencing the public in general (stopped traffic). Meanwhile, Don (Annie's husband/father/lover?) has actually given his life for his beliefs (possibly in a war, something the protesters are campaigning against?). Annie doesn't join in - is thjis because this is how she sees the protesters? We are asked to empathise with Annie in the song a little more than the protesters, I think - she's clearly the one who's lost someone;

3 - The song is praising both Annie and the protesters

The protesters are doing their thing, Annie is doing hers, and her generation (Don again) offered one sort of sacrifice, whilst the protesters do their own thing. Annie doesn't join in, but maybe she does appreciate their contribution - she doesn't ever say/think directly critical of them.

I note that the song is largely about Annie and Don Harris, and one of the songwriters is called Ted Harris (the other is Dave Matthews), though I'm not sure who wrote the lyrics.

Just thought I'd offer a few different readings.

It’s likely the writers intended it to be taken one way, but not impossible that they intended the lyric to be ambiguous.

Best wishes.

Steve W

[mariana44]

Hi Steve-good to hear from you- a very interesting first post----that is a song we so often hear, but do not really listen to what the lyrics actually say-it was fascinating to read the 3 interpretations of what it all meant. I think at the time it was quite an unusual song -especially for Matt to sing--but I really love to hear it.

Not sure who wrote it, but in one source I looked at the writer was listed as -believe it or not---Harris !!

[Gray]

Hi Steve

Great first post.
Most definately your third option for me.
Whilst Annie doesn't have any sympathy at first for the protest marchers, she eventually realises the sacrifice they made.
It cannot be a coincidence that she 'thinks of Don' whilst at work.

That's what I have always drawn from the song anyway!

Gray

[Marian]

Yes, great first post Steve. It has certainly given us food for thought.
In a way I think Annie was not keen to see the marchers and was pleased when they had passed by and moved on, so she could resume her life as it now was, sadly without her Don. Both the marchers and Annie were doing what they thought was best for their lives. I would choose option 3 also.
We live near Aldermaston, the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Berkshire, where we have seen our share of protest marches over the years. They are now smaller and attract less attention than in days gone by, but there was even one as recently as this Easter.
Marian.