Lily the Pink (song)
Encyclopedia
"Lily the Pink" is a modification of the older folk song "The Ballad of Lydia Pinkham
", and the modifications were not extensively due to The Scaffold
- for example a similar version was the unofficial regimental song of the Royal Tank Corps, at the end of World War II
.
"Lily the Pink" was a surprise hit for The Scaffold, becoming the Christmas #1 in the UK singles chart
for four weeks, in December 1968 for the UK comedy group. Another version of the song was also a minor hit in North America for The Irish Rovers
from the Decca
LP release Tales to Warm Your Mind in 1969, at a time when covers were released almost as soon as the originals.
The Scaffold's version of the song had famous help - Elton John
and Graham Nash
of The Hollies contributed with backing vocals and Jack Bruce
(of Cream
) played the bass guitar
. It also has a number of in-joke
s which were largely missed by listeners. The line Mr Frears has sticky out ears refers to film director Stephen Frears
who had earlier worked with The Scaffold. The line Jennifer Eccles had terrible freckles refers to the single "Jennifer Eccles
" by The Hollies
, remembering that Graham Nash
of The Hollies adds backing vocals to the song.
This song has become part of the folk community and has been performed live by The Brobdingnagian Bards
and other Celtic-style folk and folk artists.
Lydia Pinkham
Lydia Estes Pinkham was an iconic concocter and shrewd marketer of a commercially successful herbal-alcoholic "women's tonic" meant to relieve menstrual and menopausal pains.-Biography:...
", and the modifications were not extensively due to The Scaffold
The Scaffold
The Scaffold were a comedy, poetry and music trio from Liverpool, England, consisting of Mike McGear , Roger McGough and John Gorman.-Career:...
- for example a similar version was the unofficial regimental song of the Royal Tank Corps, at the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
"Lily the Pink" was a surprise hit for The Scaffold, becoming the Christmas #1 in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
for four weeks, in December 1968 for the UK comedy group. Another version of the song was also a minor hit in North America for The Irish Rovers
The Irish Rovers
The Irish Rovers is a Canadian Irish folk group created in 1963 and named after the traditional song "The Irish Rover". The group is best known for their international television series, and renditions of traditional Irish drinking songs, as well as early hits, Shel Silverstein's "The Unicorn",...
from the Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
LP release Tales to Warm Your Mind in 1969, at a time when covers were released almost as soon as the originals.
The Scaffold's version of the song had famous help - Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
and Graham Nash
Graham Nash
Graham William Nash, OBE is an English singer-songwriter known for his light tenor vocals and for his songwriting contributions with the British pop group The Hollies, and with the folk-rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Nash is a photography collector and a published photographer...
of The Hollies contributed with backing vocals and Jack Bruce
Jack Bruce
John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
(of Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
) played the bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
. It also has a number of in-joke
In-joke
An in-joke, also known as an inside joke or in joke, is a joke whose humour is clear only to people who are in a particular social group, occupation, or other community of common understanding...
s which were largely missed by listeners. The line Mr Frears has sticky out ears refers to film director Stephen Frears
Stephen Frears
Stephen Arthur Frears is an English film director.-Early life:Frears was born in Leicester, England to Ruth M., a social worker, and Dr Russell E. Frears, a general practitioner and accountant. He did not find out that his mother was Jewish until he was in his late 20s...
who had earlier worked with The Scaffold. The line Jennifer Eccles had terrible freckles refers to the single "Jennifer Eccles
Jennifer Eccles
"Jennifer Eccles" is a 1968 single by The Hollies. It was released with the B-side "Open Up Your Eyes" on the Parlophone label, Catalogue number R5680. The song reached #7 on the UK singles chart in March 1968...
" by The Hollies
The Hollies
The Hollies are an English pop and rock group, formed in Manchester in the early 1960s, though most of the band members are from throughout East Lancashire. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style, they became one of the leading British groups of the 1960s and 1970s...
, remembering that Graham Nash
Graham Nash
Graham William Nash, OBE is an English singer-songwriter known for his light tenor vocals and for his songwriting contributions with the British pop group The Hollies, and with the folk-rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Nash is a photography collector and a published photographer...
of The Hollies adds backing vocals to the song.
This song has become part of the folk community and has been performed live by The Brobdingnagian Bards
Brobdingnagian Bards
-History:Marc Gunn, formerly of Austin Texas' alternative rock bands Skander and Breastfed, released a solo album featuring himself on autoharp and Andrew McKee on recorder in 1998...
and other Celtic-style folk and folk artists.
See also
- List of number-one singles of 1968 (Ireland)
- List of number-one singles from the 1960s (UK)
- List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1960s