DESCRIPTION:
A literal, visual version of one of my all time favourite singles by one of the, then, best live acts around.

The Dancing Did, (from Evesham, Worcestershire, UK and active in the early 1980s) took the essence of rural song, story telling, urban attitudes, punk's musical aggression, New Wave's sensibilities and then gloriously spun the whole thing on its tail with rather impressive results. 'Neo rustic pagan bop' as singer and lyricist Tim Harrison better described it.

(The name 'Dancing Did' is not a pretentious playing with an auxiliary verb but 'did' is a short form of 'didicoi', a local term for gypsy.)

'The Green Man and the March of the Bungalows' is a pretty straightforward rant against the wanton destruction of fertile, rural land for housing and such, as well as the stamping out of rural traditions:

Bonfire beacons used to blaze upon the hills
When I was in my prime,
But now my green strength has been slowly sapped,
By crime after crime after crime after crime,
Time after time after time after time.

My forests are razed and my fields are attacked,
My breeches are burned and my sackcloth is sacked.
My ceremonies are stilted,
My Maypole has wilted.
New fangled fireworks replace children who sing.
And there's too many bungalows being built for my liking.

I have been trying to do a video of the song for some years and a recent visit to Evesham rekindled the desire. Orchards had been grubbed up and a new housing estate was being built on the outskirts (a once in a lifetime opportunity and only had a mobile to photograph it!). Housing estates happen, but some f***wit had added insult to injury by naming the two estates Lavender Fields and Poppy Fields. Odd choice for an area famous for asparagus, plums, apples and pears and I'm sure the smack heads will be totally baffled by these poppy fields!

Thanks to the band for a great tune.
http://www.thedancingdid.co.uk

And a huge, huge thanks to Mick Mercer for the use of his photos.
http://www.mickemercer.com

Also thanks to Hazel Green for sending some last minute, much needed, photos of bloody bungalows in the area!

There are some uncredited bits and photos used so please get in touch.

MGS Feb 2012