Genesis Hall

Album: Unhalfbricking (1969)
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Songfacts®:

  • This song was one of Richard Thompson's contributions to this Fairport Convention album. The lyrics need a bit of context to understand: "Genesis Hall" was an abandoned hotel in London's Drury Lane, originally the Bell Hotel. It had been occupied by hippie squatters. The London police had evicted the squatters, and eventually caused the building to be razed. Thompson's father was a member of the London police force at the time, and the lyrics refer to the incident. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Steve - New Albany, IN

Comments: 2

  • Warspite from Atlanta, Ga., UsaThe first song, first side of Unhalfbricking. Beautiful, haunting & timeless. Listen to the way RT & Simon's acoustic guitars surround and frame Sandy's voice. Despite Paul Kantner (who I like) butchering it on an album, the song is like some 17th century British ballad- as if it has "always" been there & sung by many people in many versions over a long period of time.
  • David from Nottingham, United KingdomYou can see RT singing a solo version of this if you look on Youtube. It is still featured from time to time at Fairport gigs, Simon Nicol sings it very well.
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