Songs from Hell's Ditch

[Eric V]

I have been listening to HD a lot lately and am fascinated by two of the songs. First or all, Lorca's Novena is a dark and beautiful song, and I'd like to know more about its writing, motivation, and recording.

Second, I cannot get over what a gem Bastard Landlord is. I'm wondering when it was recorded, who is playing guitar, where I can find the lyrics, and if it was only on the reissue, then why? Its got a lot of heart. One of the most sincere songs I can think of. Its as if Shane was actually this old guy praying for God to help him understand this fucked up situation, and railing against the bastard landlord. I want to play and sing that song.

Also, Rainbow Man is a fucking great change of pace/sound and can't help but imagine Bob Dylan might have been an influence. And the guitar sounds like older Clapton.

[Lade]

Second, I cannot get over what a gem Bastard Landlord is. I'm wondering when it was recorded, who is playing guitar, where I can find the lyrics, and if it was only on the reissue.

The lyrics are here
http://www.pogues.com/Releases/Lyrics/S ... stard.html
It was released as a B-Side on the Summer In Siam single.

[just a wally]

I have been listening to HD a lot lately and am fascinated by two of the songs. First or all, Lorca's Novena is a dark and beautiful song, and I'd like to know more about its writing, motivation, and recording.

This may help a bit:

http://www.poguetry.com/hd.htm

Scroll down a little ways and there is some info on the song...

[Eric V]

Thanks for both of those, just a wally.

[Kilmichael]

I totally agree, Bastard Landlord is a real lost gem of a song - as imho is Curse of Love. Both tracks prove what a great songwriter Jem is. As far as I know both were recorded during the Hells Ditch sessions in June 90, and both originally released as b-sides. Btw, if you get chance, give the demo version of Bastard Landlord from the Falconer Demos a listen - to me it sounds more raw and in some ways better than the 'finished' version.

Does anyone know if any live versions of exist? Never seen any.

[CM]

.... both Bastard and Curse should have been ON Hell's Ditch!

[Irish Rover]

Second, I cannot get over what a gem Bastard Landlord is.

Yeah i completely agee with you, it really is a gem of a song

[Eric V]

Thanks for both of those, just a wally.

I'm sorry Lade. I didn't see that you were one of them

[Danny Boy]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who loves Bastard Landlord. Easily one of my favourite songs!

[Eckhard]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who loves Bastard Landlord. Easily one of my favourite songs!

Any idea what bombs make them move to London?

I never understood that part of the lyrics.

[firehazard]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who loves Bastard Landlord. Easily one of my favourite songs!

Any idea what bombs make them move to London?

I never understood that part of the lyrics.

Was the meaning that it was the bombs that made them move to London? I always thought that the idea was that they moved to London "as the bombs fell around", i.e. when London was being bombed (during the Blitz), presumably because the rent was cheaper then? But I may be wrong, of course...

[MacRua]

As british went off to war (WWII) irish took their palces at machines.
remember Angela's Ashes
Unemployment was scourge of Ireland

[Kilmichael]

D'you know, I always thought that line was "we moved up to London as the bomb squad arrived"! What an ejit!
Kinda gives the song a different flavour tho..

[Michaelo]

I agree about Bastard Landlord being a gem. I think Infinity comes into the same category, whilst Ghost of A Smile would be in my top 10 Pogues songs.

[Eckhard]

D'you know, I always thought that line was "we moved up to London as the bomb squad arrived"! What an ejit!
Kinda gives the song a different flavour tho..

Sometimes I mishear a line in "Waltzing Mathilda":

I looked at the place where my legs used to be
And thank Christ there was nobody waiting for me
To grieve and to mourn and Tom Petty