Pet Shop Boys Community

'The hanging' or 'a hanging' used to be an event in about the middle ages where people would be hung on the gallows, (murderers, thieves). Much like the death sentence in America nowadays.

I got the book from the library today

Bang wrote:It sounds like a reference to Burke and Hare who were grave robbers in the 1800's. I know Neil is getting on but I don't think he's quite that old .

Were they not also murderers? It is very possible that i have mixed them up with someone else, but I think they killed people, snatched their bodies from the morgue and sold them to medical schools that had a big demand for fresh bodies to use in anatomy classes.
I think Burke actually still is displayed somewhere, because he, after being caught and executed himself ended up on the table, and afterwards they kept the skeleton for educational purpose.

Shadilly wrote:

Bang wrote:It sounds like a reference to Burke and Hare who were grave robbers in the 1800's. I know Neil is getting on but I don't think he's quite that old .

Were they not also murderers? It is very possible that i have mixed them up with someone else, but I think they killed people, snatched their bodies from the morgue and sold them to medical schools that had a big demand for fresh bodies to use in anatomy classes.
I think Burke actually still is displayed somewhere, because he, after being caught and executed himself ended up on the table, and afterwards they kept the skeleton for educational purpose.

no you've got it right. Burke and Hare were resurrectionist as well, and were convicted of killing a number of people (that they then sold as specimens) in Edinburgh. For that they were convicted of murder and executed. This took place in 1828. The two, Bishop and Williams, that the book "the italian boy" tells us about, the book which inspired Neill to write "the resurrectionist", were hanged for the very same thing, at Newgate in London on dec 5th 1831.

Thanks for the lyrics...

The more I hear this song the more I think THIS is classic PSB B-side material. It souns like it was on an old single or something. I absolutely LOVE it!!!

better than psychological!

''The ressurectionist'' and ''Integral'' share exactly the same chord progressions.
Try singing ''Integral'' chorus on intro of ''The ressurectionist'' and you'll get the point.

So the dreaded "erection" rears it's head yet again....erm, so to speak! Frankly I'm surpirsed that those who got their knickers in such a twist about Casonava haven't yet realised it!
res-ERECTION-ist! geddit? boom tish! OK it's late, I should be in bed!

Jack the Lad wrote:

Shadilly wrote:

Bang wrote:It sounds like a reference to Burke and Hare who were grave robbers in the 1800's. I know Neil is getting on but I don't think he's quite that old .

Were they not also murderers? It is very possible that i have mixed them up with someone else, but I think they killed people, snatched their bodies from the morgue and sold them to medical schools that had a big demand for fresh bodies to use in anatomy classes.
I think Burke actually still is displayed somewhere, because he, after being caught and executed himself ended up on the table, and afterwards they kept the skeleton for educational purpose.

no you've got it right. Burke and Hare were resurrectionist as well, and were convicted of killing a number of people (that they then sold as specimens) in Edinburgh. For that they were convicted of murder and executed. This took place in 1828. The two, Bishop and Williams, that the book "the italian boy" tells us about, the book which inspired Neill to write "the resurrectionist", were hanged for the very same thing, at Newgate in London on dec 5th 1831.

Why are they called 'resurrectionists' then? If they were killing people?

Vicki wrote:

Jack the Lad wrote:

Shadilly wrote: Were they not also murderers? It is very possible that i have mixed them up with someone else, but I think they killed people, snatched their bodies from the morgue and sold them to medical schools that had a big demand for fresh bodies to use in anatomy classes.
I think Burke actually still is displayed somewhere, because he, after being caught and executed himself ended up on the table, and afterwards they kept the skeleton for educational purpose.

no you've got it right. Burke and Hare were resurrectionist as well, and were convicted of killing a number of people (that they then sold as specimens) in Edinburgh. For that they were convicted of murder and executed. This took place in 1828. The two, Bishop and Williams, that the book "the italian boy" tells us about, the book which inspired Neill to write "the resurrectionist", were hanged for the very same thing, at Newgate in London on dec 5th 1831.

Why are they called 'resurrectionists' then? If they were killing people?

It's another name for bodysnatchers who dug people out of their graves.

What an interesting song, on what other music forum would you find such a topic?! They continue their long tradition of superb B-sides, (with only the occasional "Transparent" interrupting). For me this is at least as good, probably rather better, than "I'm with stupid". It got me instantly and I love all the London names in there. The "fogle-hunter" was the one lyric I couldn't decipher, thought it might be "four-goal", some football reference... (Haven't even heard "Girls don't cry" yet, don't ask, bought the DVD but can't actually play it at the moment! I'd have much preferred a CD to the DVD format anyway.)

Darkmoon wrote:The more I hear this song the more I think THIS is classic PSB B-side material. It souns like it was on an old single or something. I absolutely LOVE it!!!

Indeed. It reminds me of That's My Impression.

Vicki wrote:Thanks a lot! Very unusual interesting lyrics. I wonder what inspired Neil to write this.

From the website...
...the fascinating book which inspired Neil to write it: "The Italian Boy: Murder and Grave-Robbery in 1830s London" by Sarah Wise

Look on http://www.play.com/ - cheap in paperback...

mole973102 wrote:

Vicki wrote:Thanks a lot! Very unusual interesting lyrics. I wonder what inspired Neil to write this.

From the website...
...the fascinating book which inspired Neil to write it: "The Italian Boy: Murder and Grave-Robbery in 1830s London" by Sarah Wise

Look on http://www.play.com/ - cheap in paperback...

Even cheaper from the Library