Eigenlijk is het wel aardig, een loflied op het ontsnappen uit de nor. Maar de deejays van Radio London hadden er de pest aan (zoals ze eerder David Bowie wel hadden geplugd) en “kantoor” moest aandringen het toch op de playlist te houden. Niet dat het iets geworden is. Oscar (Paul Nicholas), de tekst die hij declameert:
Over the wall we go
All coppers are nanas
Over the wall we go
Leave ‘em a note saying “Happy New Year”
I know all the best ways to break out of here
I helped a young laddie called Ivan
I bundled him over the wall last night
Then he climbed back and he grabbed me tight
He uttered some words that I can’t say to you
‘Cause he remembered that he was a screw
Over the wall we go
All coppers are nanas
Over the wall we go
Leave ‘em a note saying “Happy New Year”
My name is Henry though some say I’m thick
I’ve spent half me life in and out of the nick
My mum sends me presents to keep me in style
Soggy old cakes and hundreds of files
Now I sussed all them files I’m a clever young man
Now I look stupid with manicured hands
Over the wall we go
All coppers are nanas
Over the wall we go
Leave ‘em a note saying “Happy New Year”
spoken:
“Double 3, 421” “Here”
“Double 3, 422” “Gruesome”
“Double 3, 423” “I’m here”
“Double 3, 424” “Hello”
“Double 3, 425” “Hi”
“Double 3, 426, Double 3, 426, where is he?”
“Here, keep it up the ledge another course and we’re out”
Over the wall we go
All coppers are nanas
Over the wall we go
Leave ‘em a note saying “Happy New Year”
My name is Reggie the scandalous mind
I got seven years so I gossip my time
I gave all the tickbits and pieces of newt
I’m a priviliged corpse and my uniform is blue
The new lads would ask me if I am a screw
I’ll tell them oh cheeky not even for you
Over the wall we go
All coppers are nanas
Over the wall we go
Leave ‘em a note saying “Happy New Year”
Over the wall we go
All coppers are nanas
Over the wall we go
Leave ‘em a note saying “Happy New Year”
Over the wall we go
All coppers are nanas
Over the wall we go
Leave ‘em a note saying “Happy New Year”
Het is niet bepaald homovriendelijk en aangezien prominente deejays van London belijdend maar niet openbaar (dat kon nog niet) gay waren viel dit niet goed, in 1966. Het was ook wat ordinair.
Het kan verkeren, nietwaar.
Het acetaat waarop de demoversie van Bowie zelf staat…
