When We Collide

When We CollideA British Songbook

About the Songbook

When We Collide is a songbook written by the people of the United Kingdom about our collective

identity in the wake of the EU referendum. This historic moment has forced the British nation to re-

evaluate how we defne ourselves, how we distribute power, our place within the EU and our

relationship with the rest of the world.

This songbook moves away from traditional notions of Britishness and uncovers what is actually

important to this nation; what we care about, what we fear, and what we love. We are no longer a

nation characterised by patriotism and a stif upper lip. The movement of people and ideas around the

UK and the world has signalled an enormous shift in our national character.

In order to start untangling this complex personality, we spoke to people in schools and community

choirs across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. 24 groups and over 600 people took part

in these storytelling workshops including fshermen from Yorkshire, teenagers in Grimsby, a cross

community choir just outside of Belfast, and a police choir in Edinburgh. We talked about the moments

that defned us personally, the moments that defned our communities, and the moments that have

defned our nation. There were tears and laughter – stories that brought us closer together, and stories

that showed us how quickly this nation is changing.

This songbook has been written using the words spoken to us. Every word, every phrase and every

story was told in our workshops. Some of the songs focus on specifc groups or places, others bring

together themes and ideas which resonated across the country. Each song represents a moment, a

pattern or an idea which describes a signifcant facet of modern British identity. Altogether, the

songbook gives a snapshot of the character of Britain at this pivotal moment in our nation’s history.

When We Collide was commissioned by Sky Arts as part of Art 50 and created with support from Arts

Council England.

Romance

Rehearsal Notes

• It's worth starting this piece with the chorus (fgures A, C & E) as it could prove tricky to sight-

read. The accents are there to indicate a slight emphasis rather than a sharp attack on the note

and should help you to feel the syncopated rhythms against the 4/4 pulse.

• Begin by speaking the chorus in rhythm, making sure to highlight the 2/4 to keep the music

fowing on into the third phrase. Next layer up each part, starting with the lowest and gradually

adding to it. This exercise could serve as a warm-up so that when you come to rehearse the

song, the chorus has already been learnt.

• The fnal line of the piece has a subtly diferent ending - the words are staccato now and the

fnal word lands on the beat rather than just before. Be sure to highlight this to your choir and

perhaps run the two versions back to back to emphasis the diference.

Romance

Words by the Imperial Trust Choir, Kings Heath Community Choir,

London Lucumi Choir & Mersey Wave Choir

Lyrics by Rebecca Hanbury

Music by Alex Groves

This song was inspired by a story told by the London Lucumi Choir:

‘Five years ago, I had an exhibition of photographs in Soho. I was single, happily single. I was 55 and I

was thinking, this is it now I'm single, but you know, I'm creative and I'm enjoying myself. I sold some of

the photos and I met the person who bought the photos. He gave me the deposit for the photos and it

was quite a lot - like 80 quid or something and I thought, I'm going to buy myself the most beautiful bra

in the world! And nobody is ever going to see this bra, but I don't care. So, I honoured myself and

bought this beautiful lingerie. Anyway, later on he wrote to me and said “I really liked this photograph,

have you got anymore? I might be interested in buying.” And then we met and had a cofee, and then a

few months later… we got married!’

We met many other strong and vivacious women across the country and three of them form the verses

of this song. Britishness is no longer about modesty and reservation – we are noisy, we are generous,

we are bold.

Crashed a Christmas party,

Walked into the pub.

Wasn’t meant to be there

But there he was.

Wasn’t meant to be there

But there he was.

Grew up on fairy tales, then I got divorced.

I'm gonna buy myself the most beautiful bra in the world.

Nobody’s ever gonna see this bra, but I don’t care.

Sweaty, drippy,

Two for one drinks.

Gorgeous blue eyes;

Yeah, that was it.

Gorgeous blue eyes;

Yeah, that was it.




Went to TGI Fridays,

Both eating ribs;

Got quite a lot in common.

We go back every year.

Got quite a lot in common.

We go back every year.




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Romance

Alex Groves

Words by the Kings Heath Community Choir, London Lucumi Choir, Mersey Wave & Imperial Trust Choir

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8

When We Collide

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