Old Pioneers from Mucho Picnic by Harry Bird (2023 album)

our forefathers faced unspeakable hardship
to forge a better future for their own
hounded from the highlands and the ghettos
they settled stolen land we call our home

and we sing the livelong praises of those generations gone
set their names to fiddle, pipe and accordion
making safe the brave new world behind intransigent frontiers
we're the sons and daughters of the old pioneers

sir cyril earned himself a handy peerage
for services to commerce and the king
the slaves who died by making him his fortune
don't figure with his statue up on the plinth

but we sing the livelong praises of those generations gone
fight the fight with fiddle, pipe and accordion
tending dutifully the flame of freedom, prejudice and fear
we're the sons and daughters of the old pioneers

missionary fervour swept the empire
many gave their lives to serve the cause
hearing the good news will also cost ya
when humble church mice grind colonial jaws

and we sing the livelong praises of those generations gone
canonise with fiddle, pipe and accordion
magnifying home-made halos with the passing of the years
we're the sons and daughters of the old pioneers

yeah we sanctify the memory of those generations gone
glorify with fiddle, pipe and accordion
as if all they ever shed were honest sweat and loving tears
we're the sons and daughters of the old pioneers

our forefathers faced unspeakable hardship...

• British
• Folk
• Scottish
• indie folk
• singer-songwriter