Word Market
The 'big' song on The Word Is Hugga Mugga Chugga Lugga Humbugga Boom Chit, "Word Market" was probably written in the late-1960s but remained relevant to Conservative-led Britain in 1971. The song concerns several strands of authoritarian government ideology including democracy, efficiency, liberty, and most of all, law and order. An extraordinary song, it is written from the perspective of someone buying into the propaganda, queuing for their share of the freedom being doled out by lifeless bureaucrats in return for obedience.
Ostensibly a solo performance, the song features Leon in speaking mode for much of the verses, bolstered in the choruses by Martin Carthy on guitar and backing vocals. The song was remade for Intruders in 1995, with Carthy present to recreate the original arrangement. (In the latter's sleevenotes, Leon credits him with the "Laura Norder refrain", a pun on "law and order".)
Ostensibly a solo performance, the song features Leon in speaking mode for much of the verses, bolstered in the choruses by Martin Carthy on guitar and backing vocals. The song was remade for Intruders in 1995, with Carthy present to recreate the original arrangement. (In the latter's sleevenotes, Leon credits him with the "Laura Norder refrain", a pun on "law and order".)
“An attempt to deconstruct (not a word I could have used in those days) the watchwords of our liberal society... always, law and order must be maintained.” - LR (sleevenotes to The World Turned Upside Down (CD box set), p20)
Recordings
Version 1 (1971)
Version 2 (1995)
Version 2 (1995)