Name: 45 George Street
Duration: P00H04M31S
Description: Written by Ben 'Jinnwoo' Webb, using quotes from a letter that John Smith sent to a friend shortly before he was executed at New Gate Prison in 1835. The song tells the story of John Smith and James Pratt - the last men to be executed for Sodomy in England.

45 George Street

from Neighbours and Sisters by Bird in the Belly

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£1 GBP or more
Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Written by Ben 'Jinnwoo' Webb, using quotes from a letter that John Smith sent to a friend shortly before he was executed at New Gate Prison in 1835. The song tells the story of John Smith and James Pratt - the last men to be executed for Sodomy in England.

lyrics

John and James, at 45 George Street
Made love on the hard wooden floor
And William’s away to Van Diemen’s Land
Because he played host to it all
Did Johnny love James? And did James love his Johnny?
Could you tell through the crack in the door?
And is it worse to commit love or lust with another?
Or watch it all through the crack in the door?

The grave will soon close over me
And my name - entirely forgotten
But the ghosts of our love softly sleep on George Street
Long after our bodies have rotten

I loved you briefly at 45 George Street
We were seen on the hard wooden floor
The ways we have coped have been choked by their verdict
And the world will be cured of us all
Another version of me up wakes late there on George Street
Like nothing strange happened at all
Arrange to meet you again, then leave you to your sleeping
Like nothing strange happened at all

credits

from Neighbours and Sisters, released October 18, 2019

license

about

Bird in the Belly Brighton, UK

Bird in the Belly is a Brighton-based Folk group consisting of folk-duo Hickory Signals (Laura Ward and Adam Ronchetti), alt- folk singer-songwriter Ben Webb (Jinnwoo, Green Ribbons), and multi-instrumentalist and producer Tom Pryor. Together they collect little known and forgotten lyrics, poems and stories from around the UK, and set them to their own “hypnotically original compositions” (fRoots). ... more

birdinthebelly.com

contact / help

Contact Bird in the Belly

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Bird in the Belly, you may also like:

HOLD FAST
by Stick In The Wheel

supported by 6 fans who also own “45 George Street”

I usually haaaate autotune voices, but done this way it's brilliant. When enough craftsmanship is used. Hard to pick a favourite from this great album. One of my favourites of the year! soundofperpetualastonishment
go to album
Blackletter Garland
by Hack-Poets Guild

supported by 5 fans who also own “45 George Street”

this is one of the most beautiful collections of music I've heard in a very long time. every song draws your attention - don't plan on doing anything else while you listen. more please 🙏 kimmcb
go to album
Tonebeds for Poetry
by Stick In The Wheel

supported by 5 fans who also own “45 George Street”

Beautiful - cultband worthy - music. Slight hints of Death in Vegas did it for me. qibote
go to album
Ship To Shore
by Richard Thompson

The legendary Richard Thompson's new solo album exemplifies his many musical paths, from pop and cabaret to jazz to traditional folk. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 2, 2024
go to album
Endurance Soundly Caged
by Stick In The Wheel

Adapting their calculated standards into a raw, live setting, the radical UK folk duo rework six highlights from their spellbindincatalogue. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 7, 2022
go to album
Spider Tales
by Jake Blount

This album speaks to the continuum of African diasporic culture that is central to the vibrant canon of Americana folk music. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 29, 2020
go to album
Still As Your Sleeping
by Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan

supported by 5 fans who also own “45 George Street”

Thanks for the beautiful music Karine and Dave. it's been a while since I've felt so emotional listening to a new album. Every lyric is so beautifully supported by the piano parts. Laura-Beth Salter
go to album