The Peel Sessions

Release: 2006

Harvey joins a list of artists, including Pulp, House of Love and Siouxsie and the Banshees, whose Peel Sessions will be released for the first time during a month of commemorative events to mark the second anniversary of the inspirational broadcaster’s death.The twelve tracks, chosen by Polly Harvey herself, span her career – from early versions of the songs on debut album Dry (1992) to her seventh album Uh Huh Her, released in 2004. Harvey recorded many sessions with John Peel over the years. ‘John loved the sessions and was thrilled to have Polly record so many for his show. He considered her a wonderful artist and they were great friends. It’s fantastic that they’re coming out on CD. I think he’d be very proud.’ Louise Kattenhorn – Producer, The John Peel Show. Universal. 2006.

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Oh My Lover
Oh My Lover

Oh my lover, don’t you know it’s alright.
You can love her and you can love me at the same time.
Much to discover, I know you don’t have the time
but oh my lover, don’t you know it’s alright.

Oh my sweet thing, oh my honey thighs,
give me your troubles, I’ll keep them with mine.
Take at your leisure, take whatever you can find
but oh my sweet thing, don’t you know it’s alright.

It’s alright.
It’s alright.
There’s no time
so it’s alright.

What’s that colour forming around your eyes?
Waltz my lover, tell me that it’s alright.
Just another before you go away,
oh my lover, why don’t you just say my name?

And it’s alright,
say it’s alright.
There’s no time.
Victory
Victory

I stumble in and in
you fit me with those angel wings
send me gold, set me high
set it up till I’m in the sky

and the storm is gone
and the temperature’s high
and delight is dining at my table

till I think ha, ha, ha, how lucky we are
an angel at my table, God in my car
get it at sea, take a ship
I’d christen her ‘Victory’, she’d make it

Victory!

Come on boys let’s push it hard
you bump down push your motor car
come on boys you’ve done us proud
you sweat, dig, I’ll mop it right off your brow

Victory!

till the storm is gone
and the temperature’s high
and delight is dining at my table
Sheela na gig
Sheela na gig

I’ve been trying to show you over and over

Look at these my child-bearing hips
Look at these my ruby-red, ruby lips
Look at these my work-strong arms
You’ve got to see my bottleful of charm
I lay it all at your feet
You turn around and say back to me

He said
Sheela na gig, Sheela na gig
You exhibitionist!

I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair
Just like the first time, said you didn’t care
Wash that man right out of my hair
Heard it before, no more
Wash that man right out of my hair
Turn the corner, another one there
Wash that man right out of my hair
Heard it before

He said,
Sheela na gig, Sheela na gig
You exhibitionist!
Put money in your idle hole

Gonna wash that man right out of my hair
Just like the first time, said you didn’t care
Wash that man right out of my hair
Heard it before, no more
Take my hips to a man who cares
Turn the corner, another one there
Take my hips to a man who cares
Heard it before

He said,
Sheela na gig, Sheela na gig
You exhibitionist!
Put money in your idle hole

He said,
Wash your breasts, I don’t want to be unclean
He said,
Please take those dirty pillows away from me
Water
Water

water, I’m walking on water

nighing on eleven years
taking it into my head
living by the right lines
reading what the very man said

water, I’m walking on water

nighing on eleven years
taking it into my head
Mary, Mary drop me softly
I’ve been reading what your very man said

nighing on eleven years
taking it into my head
leave my clothes on the beach
I’m walking down into the sea

prove it to me

now the water to my ankles
now the water to my knees
think of him all waxy wings
melted down into the sea

Mary, Mary what your man said
washing in all over my head
Mary, Mary hold on tightly
over water, under the sea

water, I’m walking on water
Naked Cousin
Wang Dang Doodle
Losing Ground
Snake
Snake

You snake
you crawled
between
my legs
said, Want
it all?
It’s yours
you bet

I’ll make
you queen
of everything.
No need
for god
no need
for him

Just take
my hand
you be
my bride
just take
that fruit
put it
inside.

You snake
you dog
you fake
you liar
I’ve burnt
my hands
I’m in
the fire

Oh
Oh

You salty dog
you filthy liar
my heart
it aches
I’m in
the fire.

You snake
I ate
I true
believed
put rotten fruit
inside
of me.

Oh Adam,
please!
You must
believe
that snake
put it
in front
of me.
That was My Veil
That was My Veil

It starts at daylight, I see him
before my sad eyes, I hear him breathing
Oh lover, I need you to lead me
I never thought that you’d leave

That was my veil
That was my time
Once held sacred
But now lies

No words can heal my heart
Inside I’m broken, it’s done
Was she a pretty girl? Did she have pretty hair?
Was she soft-spoken? Was there our love there?

That was my veil
That was my time
Once held sacred
But now lies
This Wicked Tongue
Beautiful Feeling
Beautiful Feeling

Sometimes I can see for miles
Through water and fire
From England to America
I feel life meet my eyes

And it’s the best thing
A beautiful feeling

A smile from San Diego
He is still a boy
Two ends to every rainbow
And a train from Mexico

But he’s the best thing
A beautiful feeling

And when I watch you move
And I can’t think straight
And I am silenced
And I can’t think straight

It’s the best thing such a beautiful feeling
You Come Through
You Come Through

We are waiting for the summer
The sun will bring back treasures for us
Come on my friend, drink to good times
Golden wishes to your health and mine

You come through for me
You be well for me

I’ll be lifted on this our holiday
I’ll take you my friend, I’ll take you with me

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