~ They Words ~ Singing in the back room of Hunters' 1970s style.
These recordings were made in the old back room of the Hunters' Lodge by Wally Willcocks, known as Black Wal (pronounced WOL but spelt WAL), some time in the early 1970's. In those days, singing was of a rather more robust nature than is the case today and the songs make frequent use of what landlord Ben Dors eloquently referred to as 'They Words'. These generally refer to male and female genitalia using what is sometimes described as Anglo-Saxon terminology. These are words which are succinct, short, pithy and well honed by centuries of use. They are useful and expressive words, but some people do find them offensive.
Times have changed, as they are ever wont to do, and such singing is no longer a regular occurrence. A lot of the songs were modifications of service songs, originally learned on active service or by later generations while doing National Service. The words were then adapted and bent towards the caving theme; not difficult as the caving environment is ideally suited to descriptive 'Anglo-Saxon terminology'. Songs were learned by listening to the singers and then joining in, helped by lots of beer to keep the muse alive.
For the sake of nostalgia, here are two examples from that era. They have been digitized, normalized and equalized but NOT sanitized.
FINAL WARNING!
If you are not used to the ways of cavers, then you are very likely to find these recordings offensive.
REMEMBER, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM.
(but if you do want to, then click on the controls below)