Popular Nostalgia

“Stop the Cavalry” was released in 1980 for Christmas. This track was originally written as an anti-war song but a line about about a soldier wishing he was home for Christmas led the record company to add tubular bells and turn this tune into a yuletide staple. Thanks to the brass band arrangement, the track became really famous except being kept from the top of the chart by John Lennon’s re-issued tracks. The song is about an eternal soldier – one who has fought in every war; hence the reference to nuclear fallout and Churchill.

Jona Lewie

Jona Lewis “Stop the Cavalry” Lyrics

Hey, Mr. Churchill comes over here
To say we’re doing splendidly.
But it’s very cold out here in the snow
Marching to and from the enemy.
Oh I say it’s tough, I have had enough,
Can you stop the cavalry?

I have had to fight almost every night,
Down throughout these centuries.
That is when I say, oh yes yet again,
Can you stop the cavalry?

Mary Bradley waits at home,
In the nuclear fallout zone.
Wish I could be dancing now,
In the arms of the girl I love.

Dub-i-dub-i-dum-dum
Dub-i-dub-i-dum
Dub-i-dum-dum-dub-i-dum
Dub-i-dub-i-dum
Dub-i-dub-i-dum-dum
Dub-i-dub-i-dum
Dub-i-dum-dum-dub-i-dum
Dub-i-dub-i-dum
Wish I was at home for Christmas.

Bang goes another bomb on another town
While the Czar and Jim have tea.
If I get home, live to tell the tale,
I’ll run for all presidencies.
If I get elected I’ll stop
I will stop the cavalry.

Dub-i-dub-i-dum-dum
Dub-i-dub-i-dum
Dub-i-dum-dum-dub-i-dum
Dub-i-dub-i-dum
Dub-i-dub-i-dum-dum
Dub-i-dub-i-dum
Dub-i-dum-dum-dub-i-dum
Dub-i-dub-i-dum
Wish I was at home for Christmas.

Wish I could be dancing now,
In the arms of the girl I love.
Mary Bradley waits at home,
She’s been waiting two years long.

Wish I was at home for Christmas.

Click here for the brass accompaniment on sheet music – either brass band, big band or concert band.