Penny for the Guy
Another song originally written for the Inter-Action project, which Leon was involved with during 1970-72. It is clearly aimed at children, although the subject matter - a rejoicing over the failure and capture of Guy Fawkes - is unmistakably a political statement, and Leon has indicated that he meant the song to be educational.
The number was first published as sheet music in 1974, but was then recorded for the 1983 album, Temporary Loss of Vision (with Leon's vocals multi-tracked) whereupon it became one of his more popular songs. By now the lyric had altered from the 1974 edition, with the order of the verses changed around and an extra one inserted ("Look at him sweat...")
The number was first published as sheet music in 1974, but was then recorded for the 1983 album, Temporary Loss of Vision (with Leon's vocals multi-tracked) whereupon it became one of his more popular songs. By now the lyric had altered from the 1974 edition, with the order of the verses changed around and an extra one inserted ("Look at him sweat...")
"'Penny for the Guy' might supply an instructive text to contemporary children collecting for the fifth of November. That is, if they're allowed to continue the tradition. Unauthorised joy and bonfires will be stamped on, access to fireworks will be forbidden to all but trusted members of the official fireworks committee, and you'll need a licence for that guy, sonny." - LR (That's Not the Way It's Got To Be (songbook), 1974)
Recordings
Version 1 (1983)
Sheet music
- That's Not the Way It's Got To Be p48, with first draft of lyric
- Bringing the News from Nowhere p130