Originally written by Harry Castling and C.W. Murphy, It was meant to be performed as a music hall song in the early 1900s. Graham Coxon has admitted that the cover versions of “Daisy Bell” and “Let’s All Go Down the Strand” marked one of the worst moments in Blur’s career.
[Verse 1]
One night, half a dozen tourists
Met together in Trafalgar Square
A fortnight's tour on the continent was planned
And each had his portmanteau in his hand
Down the Rhine, they meant to have a picnic
'Til Jones said, "I must decline
You boys have been advised by me, stay away from Germany
What's the good of going down the Rhine?"
[Chorus]
Let's all go down the Strand
Let's all go down the Strand
I'll be leader, you can march behind
Come with me and see what you can find
Let's all go down the Strand
Oh, what a happy land
That's the place for fun and noise
All among the girls and boys
So let's all go down the Strand
[Verse 2]
One day, five and twenty convicts
Sat in five and twenty little cells
The bell then sounded, ding-a-ding-a-dong
To exercise the prisoners came along
Burglar Ben exclaimed to Jaggs the Warden
"To me, sir, it's very strange
The men are tired of going 'round
'Round and 'round the same old ground
I propose we make a little change"
[Chorus]
Let's all go down the Strand
Let's all go down the Strand
I'll be leader, you can march behind
Come with me and see what you can find
Let's all go down the Strand
Oh, what a happy land
That's the place for fun and noise
All among the girls and boys
So let's all go down the Strand
[Verse 3]
Great crowds gathered round to welcome
Shackleton returning from the Pole
The Lord Mayor welcomed all the gallant crew
And said, "My lads, I've got a treat for you
Come with me, the Mansion House awaits you
A banquet shall be supplied"
But a Tar in grumbling mood said, "We don't want any food"
Then he turned to Shackleton and sighed
[Chorus]
Oh, let's all go down the Strand
Let's all go down the Strand
I'll be leader, you can march behind
Come with me and see what you can find
Let's all go down the Strand
Oh, what a happy land
That's the place for fun and noise
All among the girls and boys
So let's all go down the Strand
Oh, let's all go down the Strand
Let's all go down the Strand
I'll be leader, you can march behind
Come with me and see what you can find
Let's all go down the Strand
Oh, what a happy land
That's the place for fun and noise
All among the girls and boys
So let's all go down the Strand
Let’s All Go Down the Strand was written by Alex James & Dave Rowntree & Graham Coxon & Damon Albarn.
Let’s All Go Down the Strand was produced by Blur.
Blur released Let’s All Go Down the Strand on Mon Oct 04 1993.