TOM HARK ~ THE PIRANHAS

This ska track was a top ten hit in the U.K. for a band from my local area, way back in 1980. It holds enormous memories for me and my family and I can vividly recall our very young son racing round the lounge in old house every time the song was played! Happy days!

It was actually a cover version of a South African 'kwela' song, also called 'Tom Hark'. It had been an instrumental hit in 1958 for 'Elias & His Zig Zag Jive Flutes'. It had also been covered in ska style by somebody called 'Millie Small'.

Does anybody know how long to World War Three?
I wanna know, I've gotta book me holidee.
They want me in the army, but I just can't go,
I'm far too busy listening to the radio.
 
The whole thing's daft, I don't know why,
You have to laugh, or else you cry,
You have to live or else you die,
You have to laugh or else you cry.
 
My friends say that we're heading for a grotty time,
It's just a load of slapstick in a pantomime,
We're heading for disaster, but I just don't care,
Shut your eyes and count to ten, you won't be there.
 
The whole thing's daft, I don't know why,
You have to laugh, or else you cry,
You have to live or else you die,
You have to laugh or else you cry.