[Track Info] [The Lyrics] [Explanation]
01. 7" version (03:21)
02. Album version (03:21)
03. Demo Version (03:50)
04. Live (Sheffield - "City Hall", March 6th 1984) (03:23)
Notes: 1) is only slightly different from 2). The
difference is in the echo on Fish' voice in the verses "Punch, Punch and
Judy..." in the beginning (0:22 - 0:30).
In the album version echo on voice is on "Punch" and on the third "Punch
and Judy", while in the 7" version echo is on the second "Punch and
Judy".
Notes on "The Best of Both Worlds" wrongly state that it would contain the album
version.
The demo 3) is from the Fugazi recording sessions. The most important differences between
this demo and the album version:
- a bit slower
- raw Fish vocals
- much more evident guitar riffs throughout the song
- longer instrumental passages between the verses and each refrain "Whatever
happened..." (the whole main theme is played twice)
- some lyrics changes:
"dreaming about the tits on the tall redhead"
instead of:
"losing the war in the Waistlands spread"
- shorter instrumental finale
Live version follows album version.
Lyrics by Derek William Dick (Fish)
Performed Live for the first Time: October 27th 1983
Published by Marillion Music, Charisma Music Publishing Co. Ltd., Chappell Music Ltd.
Punch, Punch and Judy, Punch and Judy, Punch and Judy
Washing machine, pinstripe dream
Stripped the gloss from a beauty queen, Punch and Judy, [Judy]
Found our nest, in the Daily Express,
Met the vicar in a holy vest, Punch and Judy, Punch and Judy
Brought up the children Church of E,
Now I vegetate with a colour TV,
Worst ever thing that ever happened to me,
Oh, for D.I.V.O.R.C.E., oh Judy
Whatever happened to pillow fights
Whatever happened to jeans so tight, Friday nights
Whatever happened to lover's lane
Whatever happened to passion games,
Sunday walks in the pouring rain
Punch, Punch, Punch and Judy, Punch and Judy, Punch and Judy
Punch, Punch, Punch and Judy, Punch and Judy, Punch and Judy
Curling ton,, mogadons,
"I got a headache baby, don't take so long"
Single beds, middle age dread,
Losing the war in the Waistlands spread
Who left the cap of the toothpaste tube,
Who forgot to flush the loo,
Leave your sweaty socks outside the door
Don't walk across my polished floor, oh Judy
Whatever happened to morning smiles,
Whatever happened to wicked wiles, permissive styles,
Whatever happened to twinkling eyes,
Whatever happened to hard fast drives,
Complements on unnatural size
Punch, Punch, Punch and Judy, Punch, Punch, Punch and Judy
Punch, Punch, Punch and Judy.
Propping up a bar, family car,
Sweating out a mortgage as a balding clerk,
Punch and Judy, [Judy]
World war three, suburbanshee,
Just slip her these pills and I'll be free.
No more Judy, Judy. Judy no more! Goodbye Judy!
Copyright © 1997 Fraser Marshall, Matthew Anderson & Bert ter
Steege.
‘Punch and Judy’
Brewer’s: The name of Mr Punch, thye Hero of the puppet play,
probably comes from the italian pulcinello, a dimunitive of pulcina, a young chicken. The
story in it’s present form is roughly attributable to Silvio Fiorillo (circa 1600)
and it appeared in England about the time of the Restoration. Punch in a fit of jealousy
strangles his infant son, whereupon his wife Judy belabours him with a bludgeon until he
retaliates and beats her to death. He flings both bodies into the street, but is arrested
and shut in prison whence he escapes by means of a golden key. The rest is an allegory
showing how the light hearted (Surely some mistake - Ed) Punch triumphs over I) ennui, in
the shape of a dog, ii) disease in the shape of a doctor; iii) Death, who is beaten to
death; and iv) the devil himself, who is outwitted.
Kaydie added: True, Punch's name started as Pulcinella, Pollicinella, Pulliciniello... however way one spells it, it all leads back to why he was named-- the actor who first portrayed Punch was a master at animal noises, moved slowly, and had a high squeaky "hen like" voice. Thus, Pulliciniello. Punch is one of the few remaining characters from the Commedia dell'arte that remains popular today, if not more so story wise. Just as Pulliciniello wore, the Punch of today wears the hooked nose and hunch back, and wooden sword. Pulliciniello also had a wife, which was not seen in the other commedia players' characters. A wife who started with the name Lucretia and today is known as Judy. Punch abused her the same as he does now. Funny how this play for adults became a play for children.
Punch came about in the early 1520s, along with many others. Harlequin, Columbine/Arelequine, Scaramouch, Pantalone, and Pierrot to name a few. Pierrot is the one who rivals Punch in popularity the most I think. He's on cards, music boxes, stickers, there are numerous dolls and costumes.
‘Daily Express’
A national tabloid format newspaper. It is right wing and aimed at the middle classes but
in reality shares much in common with the gutter sensationalism of papers like the Sun and
Mirror.
‘Church of E’
Church of England. The Church of England is the established (i.e. state) church in England
and the mother church of the Anglican Communion. It originated in the councils between
church and state throughout the Middle Ages, culminating in the Act of Supremacy issued by
Henry Vlll in 1534. This repudiated papal supremacy and declared the King to be the
supreme head of the Church in England. Around 50% of Britain’s 50 million people
consider themselves Church of E, although only 1.2 million attend Church of England
service on a Sunday. Much about the church has remained Catholic in all but name.
‘D.I.V.O.R.C.E.’
1970’s song by Dolly Parton. Also a spoof by scottish comedian Billy Connolly, which
no.1 in the UK.
‘Mogadons’
A depressant, similar to valium. It is particulalry associated with middle aged women, and
is popularly seen as a crutch for housewives bogged down in drudgery and housework.
‘Surbanshee’
Brewer’s: In Irish folklore, and that of the western highlands
of Scotland, a female fairy who announces her presence by shreiking and wailing under the
window of a house where one of the occupants is awaiting death. The word is a phonetic
spelling on the Irish beansidhe, meaning ‘a woman of the fairies.’
Sources:
Last Modified: 27 Jul 2000