A Cone On The Top Of His Head
by @edwinb
Liner Notes
A song about a statue: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equestrian_statue_of_the_Duke_of_Wellington,_Glasgow
Since at least the 1980s the statue of the Duke of Wellington in Glasgow has had a traffic cone on the top of its head. I saw a traffic cone by the side of the road on my way to work yesterday and was reminded of this obscure fact. So here's a #ukulele #folk song about it, that might not make any sense. But it's February, so it happens. #fuc
Lyrics
Just round the corner from Queen Street Into the Royal Exchange Square Honouring one of our heroes You'll find his monument there
Proudly surveying the city On a pedestal, sculpted in bronze Mounting his horse Copenhagen He looks to the Clyde and beyond
Statesmanlike, tall and imposing No wonder Napoleon fled When he saw the commander approaching With a cone on the top of his head
We celebrate Wellington's service In finally ending the wars His less than conventional tactics Had his enemy's back to the wall
He defeated Napoleon's Army But no wonder he ended up dead After leading his troops into battle With a cone on the top of his head
So the people of Glasgow endeavour To keep the duke looking his best And ensure the equestrian statue Forever is properly dressed
Gazing from high up above them He filled his opponents with dread With a pigeon perched on his left elbow And a cone on the top of his head
Comments
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/7539.png){kind=avatar}
Delightfully whimsical! The whole tradition is fun of course, but you bring something special with your happy strumming and somehow-both-deadpan-and-wry vocals!
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/5ee6487f-edf6-47b1-a0a5-c68600288891.png){kind=avatar}
Scott in Edinburgh is the same! It seems to be a thing in Scotland! We found it amusing, so this was spot on for us! Nice!
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2024/d0401e1d-cd20-43fd-bb21-0fd5636d5aac.png){kind=avatar}
I love this! I've seen pictures of said cone-head statue, and I can't wait to make it to Glasgow some day to see it in person. This has a classic folk song quality to it, mixed with a sensibility that reminds me of Half Man Half Biscuit (or a bit of Divine Comedy). So enjoyable!
![[FAWM]](/static/img/demoduck.svg)
Silly local in-jokes and shenanigans are absolutely worth singing about. The contrast between a serious statue and a traffic cone hat is perfect material, and even though I have not seen this in person, I still found it delightful! Excellent timing with the punchline(s) didn't hurt.