SONGS OF THE TRIASSIC SEA - Ram Your Spike

Being the second of four lyric poems inspired by the Weaver Valley and Winsford Waterfront.

Written and composed by W. Terry Fox (Cheshire Poet Laureate 2008 & 2009)

Commissioned by Spaces

Presented here scripted for film. Running time approx. 20 mins.


(ii)

~ RAM YOUR SPIKE ~

EXTERIOR: INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE, CHESHIRE - IDEALLY, RUINS OF OLD CHEMICAL PLANT - WITH CUTS TO FILM CLIPS OF OPEN PAN SALT MAKING.

TIME: EARLY 20TH CENTURY.

PERFORMER: A LUMPMAN FRONTING AN ACOUSTIC FOLK BAND. THE LUMPMAN AND THE MUSICIANS ARE WEARING OUTDOOR CLOTHES APPROPRIATE TO THE PERIOD AND TO THEIR OCCUPATIONS. THE LYRIC IS SUNG THROUGHOUT.

[80 BPM. DROPPED D. CAPO 4. GUITAR, MANDOLIN, CELLO, SMALL MALE VOICE CHOIR]

LUMPMAN: At Meadow Bank where I was born
Draw your rake and hap the block
We fire our brine pans up at dawn
Ram your spike and fill the loft

Live out your life in smoke and grime
Draw your rake and hap the block
Sweat for your money at the bubbling brine
Ram your spike and fill the loft

A Union lass, she likes her man
Draw your rake and hap the block
Stripped to the waist with his happer in his hand
Ram your spike and fill the loft

With two half barrels on your feet
Draw your rake and hap the block
Dodge the pan in the blinding heat
Ram your spike and fill the loft

Your money will spend and your clogs will rot
CHOIR: Huh!
L’MAN & CHOIR: Draw your rake and hap the block
LUMPMAN: Touch your cap to the Union boss
CHOIR: Huh!
L’MAN & CHOIR: Ram your spike and fill the loft


[INSTRUMENTAL VARIATION 2X]


LUMPMAN: When poverty turns a man blackleg
CHOIR: Huh!
L’MAN & CHOIR: Draw your rake and hap the block [CLAP END 3 BEATS]
LUMPMAN: Send him off with your mundling peg
CHOIR: Huh!
L’MAN & CHOIR: Ram your spike and fill the loft [CLAP END 3 BEATS]


LUMPMAN: Come lumpmen, wallers, loftmen too
CHOIR: Huh!
L’MAN & CHOIR: Draw your rake and hap the block [CLAP END 3 BEATS]
LUMPMAN: Here’s salt in your beer to the Union crew
CHOIR: Huh!
L’MAN & CHOIR: Ram your spike and fill the loft. [CLAP END 3 BEATS]

[INSTRUMENTAL VARIATION 2X]

THERE IS A SILENCE SHORTLY FOLLOWED BY ESTABLISHING SHOTS OF THE CONTEMPARY WINSFORD WATERFRONT WITH AMBIENT SOUND.