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That Imperial Airship Scheme

from CURLY'S AIRSHIPS by JUDGE SMITH

/

lyrics

CURLY:-
Of course, the way things go,
It wasn't long before the Powers That Be
Began to have second thoughts.
The lighter-than-air lobby,
The 'Airship Push',
Were getting more powerful,
And the case was good
For airships for the Empire.
The map was daubed with red
In those days,
"The sun never sets..." and all that stuff.
An Imperial airline was the plan: Intercontinental,
India in three days
Instead of seventeen days by sea.
What Ho!
For the 1924 Imperial Airship Scheme...

Two ships to start with
But who was going to build 'em:
The Government or private enterprise?
Rows in Whitehall,
Dithering in Downing Street,
Powerful groups on either side,
Questions in the House,
Cabinet Committees arguing the toss
Who've never even seen a bloody airship!

The Minister for Air
Threw his hat in the ring;
Lord Thompson had just got the job
And he wanted to shine.
This airship project
Was of national importance;
So he, and he alone,
Should be running the show...

Well, what d'you know,
There's The Great British Compromise:
The Government would build one,
A private company the other.
A sort of jolly competition:
The builders of the best ship would win
And build all the rest.
Three cheers
For that Imperial Airship Scheme,
Hip Hip!...
Hip Hip!...
Hip Hip!...

credits

from CURLY'S AIRSHIPS, released April 10, 2020
Vocal Credits:-
CURLY - JUDGE
THE MEDIUM - GWENDOLYN GRAY

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about

JUDGE SMITH image

JUDGE SMITH Glastonbury, UK

Judge Smith co-founded the band Van der Graaf Generator in 1967 with Peter Hammill, & has since been involved in many music projects as writer, composer or performer. He has written stage musicals, classical & rock libretti, songs for television & a book on Life after Death; directed a prize-winning short film, & released fourteen CDs & two DVDs. He was born in 1948 & lives near Glastonbury, UK. ... more

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