Obviously a tale of two London East End gangs battling it out for bragging rights in Epping Forest. The character that interests me is Harold Demure. Harold is obviously gay and Gabriel camps him up mercilessly. Back in 1973 this was considered OK. I very much doubt the extremely PC Gabriel would have done that just a few years later lest it be considered just a tad homophobic. I wonder if he regrets it?
Whatever, it is still a great song on my favourite Gabriel era Genesis album.
Why is Harold Demure " obviously gay " ? Could he not merely be timid and against violence - a hippy, perhaps. Even if Harold was gay ( a term not used in 1973 ) I doubt whether Gabriel would write any lyric that was a tad homophobic, as you put it. Gabriel was more into satire, pathos, and lyrics that had comedic effect - and certainly wasn't into purposely picking on minority types.
Why is Harold Demure " obviously gay " ? Could he not merely be timid and against violence - a hippy, perhaps. Even if Harold was gay ( a term not used in 1973 ) I doubt whether Gabriel would write any lyric that was a tad homophobic, as you put it. Gabriel was more into satire, pathos, and lyrics that had comedic effect - and certainly wasn't into purposely picking on minority types.
@proggie I don't know if Harold Demure is gay. He is fastidious and aspires to refinement among the gang members, something of a standard type in depictions of the underworld. I get the impression more of an affronted and prudent Robert Morley than Frankie Howerd, maybe clutching his pearls and making a tactical retreat, but that says nothing whatever about sexuality. Not as some here have said against violence or pacifist since he is 'firing acorns from out of his sling'. Cowardice or prudence, he's ultimately another of the victims.
@proggie I don't know if Harold Demure is gay. He is fastidious and aspires to refinement among the gang members, something of a standard type in depictions of the underworld. I get the impression more of an affronted and prudent Robert Morley than Frankie Howerd, maybe clutching his pearls and making a tactical retreat, but that says nothing whatever about sexuality. Not as some here have said against violence or pacifist since he is 'firing acorns from out of his sling'. Cowardice or prudence, he's ultimately another of the victims.
I presume the Reverend is gay because of being tempted...
I presume the Reverend is gay because of being tempted by Bob the Knob's offer of 'plate' (oral sex). His is a longer story of hypocrisy, but it isn't clear how someone goes from stumbling on a brothel (accidentally or not, it happens) to being recruited to the protection racket. Blackmailed by the pimp? Then there's the confusing bit about Little John of Sherwood Forest, which is more of an echo than a pun.
I think there's much more unconscious sexism than homophobia on this album. Even if satire, it's hard to beat the social conventions of 'Willow Farm': 'Dad to the office, mum to the washing'?
Obviously a tale of two London East End gangs battling it out for bragging rights in Epping Forest. The character that interests me is Harold Demure. Harold is obviously gay and Gabriel camps him up mercilessly. Back in 1973 this was considered OK. I very much doubt the extremely PC Gabriel would have done that just a few years later lest it be considered just a tad homophobic. I wonder if he regrets it?
Whatever, it is still a great song on my favourite Gabriel era Genesis album.
Why is Harold Demure " obviously gay " ? Could he not merely be timid and against violence - a hippy, perhaps. Even if Harold was gay ( a term not used in 1973 ) I doubt whether Gabriel would write any lyric that was a tad homophobic, as you put it. Gabriel was more into satire, pathos, and lyrics that had comedic effect - and certainly wasn't into purposely picking on minority types.
Why is Harold Demure " obviously gay " ? Could he not merely be timid and against violence - a hippy, perhaps. Even if Harold was gay ( a term not used in 1973 ) I doubt whether Gabriel would write any lyric that was a tad homophobic, as you put it. Gabriel was more into satire, pathos, and lyrics that had comedic effect - and certainly wasn't into purposely picking on minority types.
@proggie Hi, I wonder if Harold really was gay, I think he was just a polite, quite serious fellow perhaps. Can you explain more of your thoughts ?
@proggie Hi, I wonder if Harold really was gay, I think he was just a polite, quite serious fellow perhaps. Can you explain more of your thoughts ?
Brilliant song by GENESIS, their funniest alongside Harold the Barrel
Brilliant song by GENESIS, their funniest alongside Harold the Barrel
Cheers
Cheers
@proggie I don't know if Harold Demure is gay. He is fastidious and aspires to refinement among the gang members, something of a standard type in depictions of the underworld. I get the impression more of an affronted and prudent Robert Morley than Frankie Howerd, maybe clutching his pearls and making a tactical retreat, but that says nothing whatever about sexuality. Not as some here have said against violence or pacifist since he is 'firing acorns from out of his sling'. Cowardice or prudence, he's ultimately another of the victims.
@proggie I don't know if Harold Demure is gay. He is fastidious and aspires to refinement among the gang members, something of a standard type in depictions of the underworld. I get the impression more of an affronted and prudent Robert Morley than Frankie Howerd, maybe clutching his pearls and making a tactical retreat, but that says nothing whatever about sexuality. Not as some here have said against violence or pacifist since he is 'firing acorns from out of his sling'. Cowardice or prudence, he's ultimately another of the victims.
I presume the Reverend is gay because of being tempted...
I presume the Reverend is gay because of being tempted by Bob the Knob's offer of 'plate' (oral sex). His is a longer story of hypocrisy, but it isn't clear how someone goes from stumbling on a brothel (accidentally or not, it happens) to being recruited to the protection racket. Blackmailed by the pimp? Then there's the confusing bit about Little John of Sherwood Forest, which is more of an echo than a pun.
I think there's much more unconscious sexism than homophobia on this album. Even if satire, it's hard to beat the social conventions of 'Willow Farm': 'Dad to the office, mum to the washing'?