The Half Man Half Biscuit Lyrics Project

1. bug

   Does anyone know the significance of ‘Bart, Elvis and the baby’?

   Or is it just HMHB being as reassuringly random as ever?

   May 3rd, 2008

2. chris

   It’ll be a reference to a selected costumes worn by the “Barmy” army of supporters at England cricket matches…

   May 3rd, 2008

3. bug

   That explains it – my knowledge of cricket is somewhat nil.

   Thanks!

   May 4th, 2008

4. Martin

   Agreed about the Dial-A-Pizza – it’s genius. It’s also, worryingly, just the sort of thing I’d do. I accept that I have no life.

   Now, everything between “Facebook” and “252″. What’s it all about? We’re obviously having a swipe at someone, I just can’t really work out who.

   May 9th, 2008

5. Stuart

   I guess it’s an attack on those twenty something new mediaites who introduce their folks to the world of the PC whilst eating a ‘Brie & Grape’ baguette from Pret. More money than sense the lot of em…

   But, the hymn bit I have no idea….

   May 30th, 2008

6. Tom

   I don’t think there’s any significance to the number 252. It just makes me laugh because Hymns are generally about, y’know, thanking God and praising Jesus etc. and we’re supposed to be giving thanks for the likes of the Facebook mum.

   Jul 2nd, 2008

7. Tom

   Also: most of Nigel’s references to hymns and church and the bible appear to be Church Of England ones (Thomas Tallis etc). CoE don’t even have an official hymnal, so I suspect he just pulled the number 252 out of the air.

   Jul 2nd, 2008

8. Jan

   Warning: this comment probably contains more than you wanted to know!

   In Hymns Ancient and Modern (which is what passes for a CofE hymnal), number 252 is down as a hymn for the feast of St Michael and All Angels (Michaelmas, 29 September, also a quarter day when traditionally agricultural rents are due). The lyrics are:

   Christ, enthroned in highest heaven,
   hear us crying from the deep,
   for the faithful ones departed,
   for the souls of all that sleep;
   as thy kneeling Church entreateth,
   hearken, Shepherd of the sheep.

   King of glory, hear our voices,
   grant thy faithful rest, we pray;
   we have sinner, and may not bide it,
   if thou mark our steps astray,
   yet we plead that saving Victim,
   which for them we bring today.

   That which thou thyself hast offered
   to thy Father, offer we;
   let it win for them a blessing,
   bless them, Jesus, set them free:
   they are thine, they wait in patience,
   merciful and gracious be.

   They are thine, O take them quickly,
   thou their hope, O raise them high;
   ever hoping, ever trusting,
   unto thee they strive and cry;
   day and night, both morn and even,
   be, O Christ, their Guardian nigh.

   Let thy plenteous loving-kindness
   on them, as we pray, be poured;
   let them through thy boundless mercy,
   from all evil be restored;
   hearken to the gentle pleading
   of thy Mother, gracious Lord.

   When, O kind and radiant Jesus,
   kneels the Queen thy throne before,
   let the court of saints attending,
   mercy for the dead implore;
   hearken, loving Friend of sinners,
   whom the cross exalted bore.

   Hear and answer prayers devoutest,
   break, O Lord, each binding chain,
   dash the gates of death asunder,
   quell the devil and his train;
   bring the souls which thou hast ransomed
   evermore in joy to reign

   Jul 3rd, 2008

9. chris

   I love the people who read this site, don’t you?

   Jul 3rd, 2008

10. TOM

    Well, I stand duly corrected. Nice work sir.

    Jul 9th, 2008

11. TOM

    EDIT: Ma’am, rather.

    Jul 9th, 2008

12. chris

    Not when I last looked…

    Jul 11th, 2008

13. TOM

    Sorry, that was to Jan.

    But hey, I do hope you’re checking regularly. I knew a guy once. But now he’s not a guy. So be careful.

    Jul 16th, 2008

14. Dave Betts

    Isn’t it

    “Here come the Barmy Army
    They’re absolutely crazy”

    Bart = Bart Simpson costume
    Elvis = Elvis costume
    The Baby = A grown man in a nappy usually with a dummy and several beers strong

    Just watching the test this morning at Headingley, I’ve seen several Amy Winehouses, a Pink Panther and Scooby Doo. Nigel’s got a problem with it (see also Paintball’s Coming Home), but what’s the harm? I’d rather see them than the cadavers in the MCC member’s enclosure.

    Jul 19th, 2008

15. Dave Betts

    Watching Cricket AM on Sky this morning, David “Bumble” Lloyd was showing the Edgbaston Sky commentary box and showed a copy of CSI: Ambleside to the camera!

    Start the car!

    Aug 2nd, 2008

16. Jan

    Aw, thanks Tom. I love this site.

    Aug 29th, 2008

17. Hrhpod

    I think it’s ‘fifty quid to chat’ not ‘chad’ since the previous line, ‘sea bass man bag’ seems to me, to refer to the hideous girls on those cruddy late night cheapo sexy chat line adverts.

    Jan 16th, 2009

18. Chris The Siteowner

    @hrhpod: It’s possible! Why does ’sea bass man bag’ refer to those ‘hideous girls’ though? Anyone else want to comment on the suggestion?

    Jan 17th, 2009

19. Dave F.

    Couldn’t he just be talking about a fish and bags designed for men? (Note cringe worthy quote at the bottom of the page)

    Jan 17th, 2009

20. Chas

    We’re seeing in the Saturnalia season listening to the Roadwater gig again, and we think the “£50 for Chad” is another in the recent trend towards deliberate ‘elucidate the Project’ moments.

    Dec 25th, 2009

21. tomasz.

    i read “sea bass, man-bag, 50 quid to Chad” as examples of that ostentatious self-congratulating media type behaviour: eating in fancy fish establishments, clutching questionable fashion items, £50 donation to Chad (the country) by way of appearing ‘right-on’.

    as for Hymn no. 252: the first thing i associated with the number was dreadful longwave radio station Atlantic 252, renowned for seemingly playing the same five Top 40 hits all day long. so “sing hymn no. 252″ could be an ironic reference to a group of 252 listeners all singing the same boring music. But according to Wikipedia the radio station folded in 2002, so i dunno if that’d be a little out of date.

    Jun 21st, 2010

Add Your Bit: