The Cuckoo in the Nest by Oldrottenhead LITR Video

[Oldrottenhead]

Whilst visiting Alfredo at his home and meeting his family, i was not surprised at how knowledgeable Alfredo was to regards Scottish folk music, however his wife Rosa's knowledge of it astounded me. Afraid to say they both knew lots more about my musical heritage than i did myself.

Anyroads up, i thought i'd try and write a wee folk song. I had a five chord cyclical riff going but then had an idea to then reverse said riff, play it backwards if you like. so song starts off in one direction, trying to sing positive stuff then chord sequence reverses and hits you with negative lyrics.

is basically a left wing polemic rueing the rise of the right and neo-conservatism that is destroying institutes and values that the working class fought hard for over the decades and centuries.

anyway it is what it is, but it is specially for Alfredo and Rosa.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH039si6Zoc

We put our best foot forward
Aimed high reached for the stars
Tried to make a better world
But got lost along the road
Distracted don't you know
By the cuckoo in the nest
Who took everything
Took everything we made
Turned the clock back
Pulled the wool o'er our eyes
It's a hijack
Of all we have gained

One day we'll all be equal
I wonder if that's true
And will I fight the struggle
With you and you and yours
And will we stand on guard
Afore the cuckoo in the nest
Takes everything we made
And turns the clock back
Pulls the wool o'er our eyes
It's a hijack
Of all we have gained

[alfstone]

Hey James, grazie mille!!! 

Rosalba & Alfredo

[Redler]

Great song, beautiful melody and nice litlr performance. Your guitar sounds very good!

[Groundy]

Nice one James...

Alex.

[T.C. Elliott]

This is cool. The music works very well in your palindrome-ish chord sequence. And the lyric, too. I wouldn't call it "negative" exactly, although I see what you are saying. And I like the fact that you're not really being overtly non-inclusive. As a little L libertarian and not knowing the politics of your area, I still found great value in the song and enjoyed listening.

[kenny mac]

Sounds like classic old rottenhead to me😆
Nice one James always good to see a live performance on the video.

[Oldrottenhead]

i should re-learn this one and record it properly.

[Romidon]

i should re-learn this one and record it properly.

Seriously?   

You've never 'properly' recorded this song?  It deserves no less (than to be recorded ), yet more!

It's been over a year since you posted the video.  I'm not very political, but I love the equating what the working people are having to endure with the familial horror of the intrusive Cukoo.  Ever since I watched the 1980 film 'The Godsend' and learned the story benind the Cukoo's nesting habits, I've always felt there was a song there.  You found it!

There is a quiet uneasiness about 'The Cukoo in the Nest'.  The spirit of this offering reminds me of an old 'SCA' song "(We Are the) Worms of the Earth", though (imo) there is still a sense of hope for your heros.

I loved the raw performance of the video, and I hope you do indeed record this, umm, 'properly'. 

Thank you for sharing this with us.

romidon.