A protest song for Helford. Cornwall.
Lyrics and music// Al Coy.
Vocal and arrangement// Dai Crowther.
Celtic influenced Folk
Currently play as half a duo Steph and Al - me guitar and vocals, Steph violin.
Story behind the song
Holiday home owners are objecting to a jetty, the plans for which have already been passed by the local council.
The problem of second homes and absentee landlords isn't just confined to Cornwall, sadly it's a familiar story in Wales too!
Lyrics
Mayfair on Sea
Down from the city for a weekend or two
they buy up our village, where my family grew
a quaint picture post card is all that they crave
the few locals left will be soon in their grave
from Mayfair and Chelsea they rush to escape
second home sickness, community rape
our village blighted by greed of a kind
by fat city bankers with profits in mind.
We needed a jetty to land all our catch
but the hard working fisher is never a match
for lawyers and dealers who buy up our town
as far as they care we can all go and drown.
from Mayfair and Chelsea they come for a week
when its too warm for skiing and too hot in Greece
our village lies empty for most of the year
our voice is rejected, they don’t want to hear.
Landing our catch is one hell of a task
a road and a jetty is all that we ask
but the rich do not want, their fantasy spoiled
they form a committee and our plans are foiled.
from Mayfair and Chelsea they come for a time
they don’t need the locals, they get on just fine
out doing each other, with voices so loud
they’re smug city slickers, not one of the crowd.
Their Mercs and their Bentleys and smart Four by Fours
are proof of their status, they look down on yours
‘cos they own the village and don’t you forget
that they are in charge, and their house is to let.
from Mayfair and Chelsea they come for a time
with hampers from Harrods and fine stocks of wine
the pub by the harbour will soon shut its door
for half of the year no-one comes anymore.
from Mayfair and Chelsea they’re wrecking our land
with a lust to own beauty they don’t understand
a quaint picture postcard is all you will find
with rich greedy owners and more of their kind.
Down from the city for a weekend or two
they buy up the village, where my family grew
a quaint picture postcard’s where they want to be
and all we are left with is Mayfair on Sea. REPEAT TO FINISH
