Whoever Invented the Fishfinger?
"Whoever Invented the Fishfinger" was recorded in 1979, and became a popular song. It was later included on his compilation of favourites, Rosselsongs, and then interpreted by John Kirkpatrick for the covers CD, And They All Sang Rosselsongs. Meantime it was pulled out for use on the various artists LP, The Sporting Life in support of animal rights, although that's not quite the theme of the song. In fact the fishfinger is one of three areas in which Leon sketches out the destruction of life by the machinery of society - the others being trees and children. Nevertheless, Leon's message is clear and persuasive. Leon has said that some have objected to the last verse about the police, and cover versions have occasionally substituted a soldier.
“Once, at a folk club, a policeman came up afterwards and complained about the third verse. I can understand that. He claimed it would fit a soldier better than a policeman. And the American version, sung by Charlie King and by the Seattle Labor Chorus, does, in fact, change ‘policeman’ to ‘foot soldier’. I don’t happen to agree. The pattern of the song, two contrasting sections, one in the minor, one in the major, the first repetitive and downbeat, the second lyrical and soaring, is one I seem to have used a lot over the years.” - LR (sleevenotes to The World Turned Upside Down (CD box set), p30)
Recordings
Version 1 (1979)
Cover version (2005) By John Kirkpatrick
- If I Knew Who The Enemy Was
- Rosselsongs
- The Sporting Life Various artists compilation
- The World Turned Upside Down
Cover version (2005) By John Kirkpatrick