It's been too long my friends
Since we dined together at the Kentish Canteen
This March, it just never ends
And I think I'm losing my mind
I need to see you again
At the Kentish Canteen
Well the food was far from perfect
And the decor wasn't great
The waiters wouldn't serve you if you came in after eight
They wouldn't cook for veggies
And they watered down the wine
But after 16 months on Zoom, I think it’ll do me fine
We'll have the pasta al dente
And the steak that's overcooked
The soup is far too thin and has the fly that's overlooked
We'll have the cakes with soggy-bottoms
And a most peculiar tart
But if I dine out with my friends, gazpacho will warm my heart
But a hundred or more unsaid goodbyes
Will be undone, it’ll be undone
If you find yourself feeling down my friends
Talking once again through a screen
Know we’ll one day be arm in arm again
‘Neath the sign, at the Kentish Canteen
Well, our stew was over seasoned,
As we'd overdone the mace
But our chilli was divine, it was by far our saving grace
And that just about redeemed us
For our most egregious fibs
Which we told when we drank whisky and we ruined all the ribs
Well a hundred or more unsaid goodbyes
Will be undone, it’ll be undone
If you find yourself feeling down my friends
Talking once again through a screen
Know we’ll one day be arm in arm again
‘Neath the sign, at the Kentish Canteen
Oh I can't wait to see ya,
And kiss you on yer face
Unless you say 'no thankyou', then I'll leave 6 feet of space
I'll wrap my arms around you,
And squeeze you like a bear,
Unless you don't feel ready, then I'll wave from over there
Oh when we finally meet again,
I'll take you by your hand -
And we'll drink hot pints of coffee from machines that cost six grand
If you find yourself feeling down my friends
Talking once again into a screen
Know we’ll one day be arm in arm again
Underneath the sign, at the Kentish Canteen
So I'll see you at The Junction, or wherever we may be,
Or perhaps we’ll be beneath the sign that says Kentish Canteen
credits
from Frequency,
released February 28, 2021
Songwriting: Ben Below, Jake Jones, Sarah Binney
Lyrics: Jake Jones, Hereward Mills, Ben Below
Vocals: Jake Jones
Mandolin, accordion, banjo, acoustic guitar: Ben Below
Spoons: Wiesje Heerik
Double bass: Hereward Mills
Electric guitars, bass: Jake Jones
Violin: Andy Huang
Now an experienced hand at timed songwriting challenges, Ben took on the February Album Writing Challenge on his own (well, with a little help) in 2019. This is the result. Softwire
supported by 20 fans who also own “Kentish Canteen”
TTBT has some of my favorite songs written by The Mechs. Iphis is my personal favorite due to its ties with Greek Mythology, but it's definitely an album I have on repeat constantly. yumeinati
supported by 19 fans who also own “Kentish Canteen”
This is a great adaptation of Arthuriana and a brilliant narrative album. I love how the queerness of the characters is handled as an integral part of the narrative and plot development without it being the end all be all of the characters themselves. my boy Gawain deserved better though maritarvaniti
A thunderous return from the post-hardcore stalwarts, whose ranks include members of Converge, Cave In, and High on Fire. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 2, 2023