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Listening to this with a glass of whisky in hand, in front of a coal fire and wondering if it will ever stop raining again.

One of the best protest songs ever recorded.

Beautiful voice. Great lyrics.

Robert Wyatt's version of Shipbuilding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjUkjpJa ... re=related

It's widely believed that this song was penned by the Irish whilst constructing the Kingsnorth Power station on the Isle of Grain in Kent where i also worked in the 1960s, it was as a protest against the poor working conditions..

Afraid you're wrong. It's a Costello original.

"Afraid you're wrong. It's a Costello original."

I know. That's why I refer to "Robert Wyatt's version of Shipbuilding"

Wyatt has a great voice. The lyrics are great but I know that Wyatt didnt write them.

Best version is the one Robert did on 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' which was recored live, and if I recall they didn't want him on 'Top of the pops' as he was in a wheel chair!

Now if you're disabled they can't get enough of you, how times have changed.

I was actually replying to planeterotica's point about it being a song written by the Irish.FWIW I prefer Elvis Costello's version not least for the trumpet solo by Chet Baker towards the end.

Hiya,

Now I am confused!

I thought Graham's (Planeterotica) comments were about the youtube link he included in his own message, not Shipbuilding.

Each to his own, but I prefer the stripped down, sparse version of Shipbuilding by Robert Wyatt as opposed to the Costello version which has an orchestral flavour to it.

Like you though, it is great to hear some Chet Baker trumpet - one of my favourite Baker albums to listen to late at night is My Funny Valentine.

I was referring to the song in the link that i posted and not shipbuilding as i thought the thread was about protest songs in general..

Confusion alround methinks!! Maybe I should cut out the Wednesday afternoon drinking sessions !doh!