There is more to the lyrics than most people understand. We caould all learn from them that we must all learn to live together in harmony, especially after the happenings in Manchester this week.
My infant school (early '70s) played this almost every time we had morning assembly.... Didn't realise back then what they were trying to do, but they succeeded with me :)
Why did infant and first schools listen to it? I don't think I realised what it was about when I listened to it in the 70's, but I loved the tune and the words, and I still do.
@@ruthsayers1163 Not sure of anywhere else playing it, but the 'new' town I came from was comprised of a number of villages that they linked together to form a larger whole. And for some reason, a lot of families from other countries settled in our area, so our school had kids from all over Europe/the Commonwealth/Caribbean/etc. So I look back and choose to think that the Head Teacher was planting some subconscious messages in our small minds. Either that or she just loved them too! 😄
I miss Hughie's bluesy guitar turnaround, it was a standout for me when I saw them live in the 70's, sadly missing here. Love their version of this song.
My Mother used to play this on a CASSETTE TAPE!!!!! in the 70's, I loved it then and I love it now in 2020!!!!!!!!! It's a really fantastic, brilliant song.
Cliff remarried and went to Australia, where he died in 2008. Mick and Hughie, not forgetting Johnny Mac, are all well. Mick lives Exmouth area. Tony sadly died in February 2017 at the age of 86. RIP.
There's a verse that I didn't know about & have never heard sung: Their robes were black, their heads were white The schoolhouse doors were closed so tight Were closed up tight Nine judges all set down their names To end the years and years of shame Years of shame The robes were white, the heads were white (Whistle tune) The verse refers to a landmark US Supreme Court ruling from 1954. The 9 justices of the US Supreme Court ruled on a case known as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans. The Court ruled that "separate but equal" would no longer be the law of the land, i.e. U.S. state laws that established racial segregation in public schools were unconstitutional (even if the segregated schools were otherwise equal in quality). That ruling opened up the way for racially-integrated schooling in the USA. The rest of the song makes MUCH more sense now. I for one have learned something about something I thought a simple song from my childhood.
Saw the Spinners in 1988, when I was 18, at the Colston Hall, Bristol. I think it was part of their "Final Fling" tour, from which I assume this date was part? A good memory.
I often wonder what happened to them after they retired due to as far as I know Clive's eyesight was failing, or he was unwell, and they all decided to retire rather than continue without one of the group. I enjoyed their style of folk songs when I was a teenager.
Please thank your grandfather for creating so many wonderful memories with their unique brand of music. So ahead of their time as a multicultural group but brought us traditional music. I love hearing them still.
Tony died earlier this year 2017. Hughie and Mick have brought out a few more solo albums, all of Hughie's , mostly nautical themed, are available to stream on Spotify and are marvellous.
It's wonderful that you're the Grandson of one of the Spinners, THEY WERE GREAT, THEY STILL ARE GREAT. I never think or talk about them in the past tense, because to me they're still here, in their music. I love it now as much as I did in the 70's. They were obviously very gifted people. There should be more music like this around now. I really love it, and all this type of music.
@@TheHippoinaDitch I was so sorry to hear about Cliff and Tony. I was at Preston Guildhall when they were the first people to play there. Christmas will never be the same without Huey and his Dance. They were the "best"
Remember singing this song in primary school back in late 1970s
Met them once when they came to the Isle of man a great bunch of guys
My Dad would sing this to me as a child in the 1970s such happy memories 😊
Happy days...........beam me back Scottie!
The words to this are very true
Got very happy memories of meeting the spinners and a nice hug from HUGH,when they came to our town.
I can remember many years ago when they did a visit to a lot of the schools and my school was one of them , it brings back a lot of memories lol.
Used to listen to this in the 70s . Always looked so happy on stage
There is more to the lyrics than most people understand. We caould all learn from them that we must all learn to live together in harmony, especially after the happenings in Manchester this week.
Especially so after the past week, and the racist comments made to black England players after the Euros!
@@kevinrussell2718 People shouldn't make racist comments to ANYBODY, EVER. Maybe the people who did that need to listen to this song.
More lyrics as well, but they got left out as they were really only relevant to the US
My nan and grandad loved these so many fond memories
My infant school (early '70s) played this almost every time we had morning assembly.... Didn't realise back then what they were trying to do, but they succeeded with me :)
We used to sing it at First School (early 80s) - I got the message straight away!
Why did infant and first schools listen to it? I don't think I realised what it was about when I listened to it in the 70's, but I loved the tune and the words, and I still do.
@@ruthsayers1163 Not sure of anywhere else playing it, but the 'new' town I came from was comprised of a number of villages that they linked together to form a larger whole. And for some reason, a lot of families from other countries settled in our area, so our school had kids from all over Europe/the Commonwealth/Caribbean/etc. So I look back and choose to think that the Head Teacher was planting some subconscious messages in our small minds. Either that or she just loved them too! 😄
Always loved their version of this song
Used to watch the spinners with my mum and gran every christmas. Lush memories, thank you for sharing xxxx
Thank you for sharing that, keep hold of those special memories. I used to watch them with my family too.
The words to this song are very true
Cool and powerful song, one of my childhood faves.
I miss Hughie's bluesy guitar turnaround, it was a standout for me when I saw them live in the 70's, sadly missing here. Love their version of this song.
You're lucky to have seen them live, I've never done that.
My Mother used to play this on a CASSETTE TAPE!!!!! in the 70's, I loved it then and I love it now in 2020!!!!!!!!! It's a really fantastic, brilliant song.
Cliff remarried and went to Australia, where he died in 2008. Mick and Hughie, not forgetting Johnny Mac, are all well. Mick lives Exmouth area. Tony sadly died in February 2017 at the age of 86. RIP.
There's a verse that I didn't know about & have never heard sung:
Their robes were black, their heads were white
The schoolhouse doors were closed so tight
Were closed up tight
Nine judges all set down their names
To end the years and years of shame
Years of shame
The robes were white, the heads were white
(Whistle tune)
The verse refers to a landmark US Supreme Court ruling from 1954. The 9 justices of the US Supreme Court ruled on a case known as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans.
The Court ruled that "separate but equal" would no longer be the law of the land, i.e. U.S. state laws that established racial segregation in public schools were unconstitutional (even if the segregated schools were otherwise equal in quality).
That ruling opened up the way for racially-integrated schooling in the USA. The rest of the song makes MUCH more sense now.
I for one have learned something about something I thought a simple song from my childhood.
First band I ever went to see live in the 70s at my local.
this was recorded at the Royal Festival Hall London - it was a great night
When was it? I never heard or saw them live, I just used to listen to them on tape.
Part of the "Final Fling" tour? I saw them in Bristol, the same year. A very pleasant, enjoyable evening out.
Magic
I like to think I might have been one of the children in the audience. Thanks for sharing.
Love it!
Saw the Spinners in 1988, when I was 18, at the Colston Hall, Bristol. I think it was part of their "Final Fling" tour, from which I assume this date was part? A good memory.
I often wonder what happened to them after they retired due to as far as I know Clive's eyesight was failing, or he was unwell, and they all decided to retire rather than continue without one of the group. I enjoyed their style of folk songs when I was a teenager.
Please thank your grandfather for creating so many wonderful memories with their unique brand of music. So ahead of their time as a multicultural group but brought us traditional music. I love hearing them still.
Tony died earlier this year 2017. Hughie and Mick have brought out a few more solo albums, all of Hughie's , mostly nautical themed, are available to stream on Spotify and are marvellous.
It's wonderful that you're the Grandson of one of the Spinners, THEY WERE GREAT, THEY STILL ARE GREAT. I never think or talk about them in the past tense, because to me they're still here, in their music. I love it now as much as I did in the 70's. They were obviously very gifted people. There should be more music like this around now. I really love it, and all this type of music.
@@TheHippoinaDitch I was so sorry to hear about Cliff and Tony. I was at Preston Guildhall when they were the first people to play there. Christmas will never be the same without Huey and his Dance. They were the "best"
Reggae group Greyhound had a hit in the UK with a cover of this song in the early 70s.
I've been searching for this song by this wonderful group, where are they now? can any of you enlighten me please.
Cliff Hall and Tony Davis have passed away, unfortunately.
I see Count John on this one.
:¬)
Are you sure that's Mike Harding with them - see above
I'm thinking Spike Heatley . . or something about John McCormick . . .
Does anyone know how Mick and Hughie are getting on now?
They just played a gig the other day aged 85. Still amazing
@@nottinghamgirlshighschoolm7362 oh! That's great news, thanks for replying.
@@nottinghamgirlshighschoolm7362 Where did they play? I'd love to be able to hear and see them.