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the lighthouse keepe 
Forum Senior Member
Joined: July 21 2013
Location: u.k
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Points: 207
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 Topic: The Battle of Epping Forest
Posted: November 22 2016 at 09:33 |
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"With his kisser in a mess,Bob seems under stress,
but Jones the jug hits Len right in the mug;
and Harold Demure,who's still not quite sure,fires acorns from out of his
sling.
(Here Comes The Cavalry!)"
Just a very small part of Peter Gabriel's lyrics to The Battle of Epping Forest.Among the many great tracks from SEBTP (The Cinema Show and Firth of Fifth etc),Epping Forest is often overlooked,but,for me,it makes the album what it is!The music actually takes a back seat,as Gabriel's sublime lyrics are so full of whit and slapstick!Tony Banks has said in the past that it's his least favourite track,along with After The Ordeal,on the record,but I disagree! Without Epping Forest SEBTP would have been a poorer album.
Any other fans of Epping Forest or do the lyrics completely ruin it for you?
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"Hello sun.Hello bird.
Hello my lady.
Hello breakfast.May I buy you
again tomorrow?"
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zravkapt
Special Collaborator
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Location: Canada
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Points: 6451
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Posted: November 22 2016 at 09:38 |
I only like the flute and bass drum at the beginning; the rest of it can choke on my fat penis.
The second worse track on SEBTP after "More Fool Me."
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Magma America Great Make Again
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DDPascalDD
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Location: The Netherlands
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Points: 856
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Posted: November 22 2016 at 09:41 |
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The other way around, really; the lyrics are fun, but the music is boring.
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KingCrInuYasha
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Joined: September 26 2010
Location: USA
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Points: 1281
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Posted: November 22 2016 at 09:41 |
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Lyrically, a bit of a mess. Musically, one of the better songs on the album.
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He looks at this world and wants it all... so he strikes, like Thunderball!
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dr wu23
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Joined: August 22 2010
Location: Indiana
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Points: 20702
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Posted: November 22 2016 at 13:27 |
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Musically ok...but too long and the lyrics are a bit of a mess...
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One does nothing yet nothing is left undone.
Haquin
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Catcher10
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Location: Emerald City
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Points: 18050
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Posted: November 22 2016 at 13:33 |
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Love it!!
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Barbu
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 09 2005
Location: infinity
Status: Offline
Points: 30855
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Posted: November 22 2016 at 13:34 |
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Superbe.
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AZF
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 17 2012
Location: Wirral
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Points: 1079
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Posted: November 22 2016 at 14:05 |
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I love how the music for the first line is if UK Prog was commissioned to write the theme tune to one of three channels in those days sports programmes.
I disagree and say the lyrics match. Short, Hackett punches during the description quoted. But second time the Hackett short guitar chords sound wearier from fighting.
Seeing as it London based, then where was this at the London 2012 instead of Mike Rutherford playing Bass and doing his Rutherford grin, with his eyes going "b*****ds! You b*****ds!" at having to accompany on the "Wish You Were Here" tribute?
Maybe The Battle Of Epping Forest lyrics are several stepbacks compared to Foxtrot. But the story is told and the music is the perfect accompaniment.
You could also say this track echoes on the future Genesis EP "Match Of The Day" track?
But I defend and honour this track lyrically, musically and as a reason why Prog Rock can be spectacular.
"Sort it out. Sort in now" are great lyrics if I've misheard them. That's another great sequence in the song when it pops up as a Soul chord sequence, before back to Live Match's on Epping Forest TV.
Edited by AZF - November 22 2016 at 14:12
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Upbeat Tango Monday
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Location: Buenos Aires
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Points: 1189
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Posted: November 22 2016 at 18:30 |
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I love it. For me it's one of the best songs on SEBTP.
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Two random guys agreed to shake hands. Just Because. They felt like it, you know. It was an agreement of sorts...a random agreement.
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Dellinger
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Points: 12860
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Posted: November 22 2016 at 21:14 |
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I really dislike it. It's annoying, and too long... and I don't really care for it's lyrics. Actually, it's the reason I don't consider this album a 5 star one, which would be the closest album from Genesis for me to regard as a masterpiece. I could even forgive More Fool Me because it's so much shorter, and though it's bland, at least it's not annoying.
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novasolis
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Points: 10
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Posted: November 22 2016 at 23:25 |
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It's a shame because some of the sections and instrumentals are very cool - especially that little bit at 4 minutes in, love it so much - but it sort of just keeps on going with more and more and more words words words, drowning everything out. It could stand to be a bit more exciting too. Like, if I want a Genesis "battle" song, Ikhnaton And Itsacon is so perfect, it's totally on fire!
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AFlowerKingCrimson
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Posted: November 22 2016 at 23:34 |
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I think the lyrics are one of the best things about the song. That and Tony Kayes synthesizer that pops up towards the end and then Hackett's guitar.
Edited by AFlowerKingCrimson - November 22 2016 at 23:35
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ster
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Joined: May 15 2012
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Points: 19
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Posted: November 23 2016 at 00:03 |
It’s OK. I do like it somewhat. The lyrics are funny, the music in the background is insane trying to keep up. The rest of the band must have hated this but they did an amazing job. I always felt like this tune needed more time to develop. Seems unfinished. Peter is trying to squeeze in as many words as possible. This could have made a nice 20 min epic though.
In my humble opinion.
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Sean Trane
Special Collaborator
Prog Folk
Joined: April 29 2004
Location: Heart of Europe
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Points: 20637
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Posted: November 23 2016 at 02:18 |
 Upbeat Tango Monday wrote:
I love it. For me it's one of the best songs on SEBTP. |
THE best one... it's not at first listen that all of its finesse appears, but repeated listens can only increase enjoyability Lyrically, it's probably Genesis' best rock opera by a mile. Musically, it could've been a couple of minutes longer to accommodate more breatjing space in between the different battle phases but having more soloing. This is the album's centrepiece and the very reason of the concept and title, IMHO §along with Moonlit Knoght)
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chopper
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Posted: November 23 2016 at 04:53 |
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I've always liked it. The only slight downer for me is the awkward timing/rhythm on the chorus.
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dr wu23
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Joined: August 22 2010
Location: Indiana
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Points: 20702
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Posted: November 23 2016 at 10:34 |
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
I think the lyrics are one of the best things about the song. That and Tony Kayes synthesizer that pops up towards the end and then Hackett's guitar.
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Uh......you mean Tony Banks.........
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One does nothing yet nothing is left undone.
Haquin
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kenethlevine
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Posted: November 23 2016 at 22:36 |
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never liked it, and I agree with the poster above that it's what keeps SEBTP from being the only 5 star album by Genesis IMO
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ProgMetaller2112
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Joined: December 08 2012
Location: Pacoima,CA,USA
Status: Offline
Points: 3150
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Posted: November 24 2016 at 00:47 |
It's PROG! What's not to love about it? 
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“War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength.”
― George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four
"Ignorance and Prejudice and Fear walk Hand in Hand"- Neil Peart
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HackettFan
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Joined: June 20 2012
Location: Oklahoma
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Points: 7951
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Posted: November 24 2016 at 13:25 |
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Fantastic! Complex, long and with lots of changes. Prog lyrics shouldn't be any other way. I do have to be in the right mood, but what is that not true for. The lyric I merely tolerate is Firth of Fifth. Best thing on the album is After the Ordeal.
Btw, it took awhile, but I have come to enjoy More Fool Me.
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A curse upon the heads of those who seek their fortunes in a lie. The truth is always waiting when there's nothing left to try. - Colin Henson, Jade Warrior (Now)
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The Dark Elf
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Joined: February 01 2011
Location: Michigan
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Points: 13389
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Posted: November 24 2016 at 16:52 |
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Can't stand it. Ten minutes too long. Waste of space on an otherwise great album.
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...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined
to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology...
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The Battle of Epping Forest
