Sometimes I Feel Like Fletcher Christian
(The Mekons)
Sometimes I feel like Fletcher Christian
Staring out across the sea
Torn apart by duties shackles
The twisted tongues of loyalty
Well I sucked hard on every pleasure
Till my head began to spin
He'll choose between the whip and feather
And that is where his crimes begin
Sometimes I feel like Fletcher Christian
In paradise with the tables turned
Yes and I can fell the tatooists needle
I can feel my neck and ankles burn
These south sea isles are cold and barren
but this civil war's been good for me
We took drugs and tore our uniforms
Gave up our captain to the sea
Sometimes I feel like Fletcher Christian
Twisting off the serpents head
For the mutiny I'll shoot the big one
Hot and hungry, far from home
Through the sun and sea my skin is peeling
But it don't make these picutres fade
Those shapes and symbols, I know their meaning
The shameless riches of another world
If I return they're sure to hang me
So I guess I'll have to stay
And if I should croak out in the darkness
No-one will know I got away
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Here are the lyrics to the only song I know about the Mutiny on the Bounty.
It is not traditional. This was written and performed by the Mekons on
their 1988 CD "So Good it Hurts" on TwinTone Records; in the UK I believe
the label that released this cd is SIN. The Mekons are an English band
that have been putting out albums for many years ranging from punk rock to
country music. This cd is a mix of folk and rock. Below this I have
included some other interesting (to me, at least) information from the cd
booklet.
There are two clippings in the liner notes to the cd regarding the
Bounty.
They are:
"The Fate of the Mutineers" - Children's Encyclopedia Britannica 1960.
Collins Concise Encyclopedia 1977.
`The Bounty left Tahiti for good in 1789. On board 9 mutineers, six male
Tahitian "servants", 19 native women and one child. (Tahitians beleived
they had just been visiting the Bounty for one night, one mile out to sea
one woman jumps overboard.) 9 miles further at Morea, six "ancient" women
put ashore. 4 mon
Fletcher Christian spends days alone in a remote cave. 4 years later
"servants" revolt when Mutineer takes Tahitian's wife for his own. John
Mills' head cut off, William Brown's head is crushed. Smith got musket
bullet in throat, saved by offering money. Edward Young hidden by woman.
Christian disappears. Matthew Quintail and McCoy flee to bush. McCoy
makes still. Inflamed by his liquor he jumps from top of Island. Quintail
killed later by Young and Smith. Young dies of asthma. Smith and women
kill "servants". Smith reverts to name of John Adams. Profoundly
religious his Govt. of island stern and puritanical. Joy and frivolity
wholly lacking. Hymns sung morning and evening. Dancing allowed one day a
year, on King's birthday.
Source: Traditional Jamaican Cookery by Norma Benghat, Penguin 1985.
Purpose of Bounty's voyage to procure Breadfruit plants from Tahiti.
To be planted in West Indies as cheap food for slaves. Bligh's second
voyage a success but slaves won't touch the fruit 'til generation later.
Howev
low). SG
SG
apr96
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!