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The Ballad of John Hooper

from The Latest Pop Sounds from Blake by Blake

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  • Latest Pop Sounds Compact Disc
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about

A song about a sixteenth century bishop of Gloucester martyred for his beliefs. I was originally intending to call the LP ‘John Hooper, martyr’ and had even designed the cover: Hooper being burned at the stake from a sixteenth century lithograph. I then realised that I was limiting my already minimal chances of having a hit record beyond reckoning and went for something a little less obscure. The inner tray photograph of Daisy and I was taken beside Hooper's memorial statue near Gloucester cathedral.

lyrics

John Hooper was born in the shadows
In 1495
Converted on the Somerset levels
His faith forced him to fly

On rough seas crossing over the water
In Strasbourg took a bride
Found shelter till the King was anointed
Then returned to his side

And he cried “Have mercy upon me”
As he prayed in the night
“Have mercy upon me”
My Lord Jesus Christ
“Have mercy”

At Gloucester the King made him bishop
He gave his heart to the poor
Educated his clergy and taught them the words
To the prayer of the Lord

But the King was dead before manhood
Bloody Mary took the throne
Imprisoned for what he believed in
Then condemned to be burned

And he cried “Have mercy upon me”
As the flames leapt high
“Have mercy upon me”
My Lord Jesus Christ
“Have mercy”

credits

from The Latest Pop Sounds from Blake, released January 10, 2010
Blake - vocals, acoustic guitars, drums.

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Blake England, UK

UK 60s-tinged/ lo-fi /indie pop
/psychedelic rock /jangle /power pop /singer-songwriter and DIY musician. Proudly signed to the Subjangle record label. Mailing list sign up (receive a free download of my song 'Vinyl Junkie'): eepurl.com/dV04f ... more

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