The Jazz Butcher

Lyrics

Olof Palme
Y'know?
Western Europe's still a civilized place
Despite those Americans all over the place
But just the other week, i saw it take a little dive

I have always believed that if you're lucky enough
To have a leader who is friendly, decent, honest and just
And not a Tory
You'd better keep him alive

So why'd they go and shoot Olof Palme
Why'd they go and gun that good man down.

Well, you didn't read about him in the English papers much
But he used to govern Sweden with a magic touch
Everybody liked him even though the liquor prices were high
And my god are they high

But all the taxation helped to pay the bills
For stuff like better work conditions and the curing of ills
It made sense, and ladies and gents that's why...

That's why I think we ought to have a drink for Olof Palme
Yes I think we ought to drink one to his name
( Pat Fish : Everyone except Max, who's playing guitar)
( Max Eider : Oh Gawd!)

[Solo]

Oh, what'd they have to go and shoot him for
Plenty of Prime Ministers deserve it much more
He was only coming home from the Cinema
And they shot him

Well, I don't know much about your politics
I only pick up stupid little bits that stick
But I wish they hadn't shot Olof Palme
Oh yes I wish they hadn't shot Olof Palme
Oh yes I wish they hadn't shot a good man down.

Found On

Live Stats

26 documented performances (click to explore)
1985 1 (JBC)
1987 16
2 (Pat Solo)
14 (JBC)
1988 2 (JBC)
1989 4 (Pat Solo)
2017 1 (Pat Solo)
2020 1 (Pat Solo)
2021 1 (Pat Solo)

Media

30 second snippet
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  • Olaf Palme
    me[at]-remove-thomascray.com - Thomas in Zion, IL
    27Feb2022 4:29 PM (1 year 277 days ago)
    Has anyone worked out the chords for Olaf Palme? I was working on it this morning - nice changes!
  • Olaf Palme on YT
    garym[at]-remove-usa.com - Gary M, Ohio
    15Oct2021 5:12 AM (2 years 47 days ago)
    Turns out that this track is on good old YouTube (spelt Olof Palme) but a nice clean version.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKVSHiU9Stc

    At least as of Oct 2021

    Maybe Olaf and Pat are enjoying some high-priced spirits somewhere now?

    Rest in Peace gents
  • Anna Lindh
    Fishboy - NN1, Old Europe
    15Sep2003 6:30 AM (20 years 82 days ago)
    Can't believe this has happened again.

    Not so long ago Goran Persson was joking with the UK press. "Yes, send us your anti-Euro campaigners. They are all mad and good for the "yes" vote. Come on, Britain, send us your loonies."
    Well, I imagine he feels a bit stupid about that now.

    And now we all know how the anti-Euro lobby behaves.

    Pat
    xxx
  • Tab for Olaf Palme ??
    steve.hyde[at]-remove-ndcls.ox.ac.uk - Oxford, UK
    12Sep2003 3:54 PM (20 years 85 days ago)
    Can anyone help a terrible tone deaf guitarist (me) play the
    greatest song of all time ?

    Tab or chords would help
  • Palme is nice
    Yensnaps[at]-remove-112.181.65.36 - Marcus Kallbrandt
    30Mar2003 9:00 PM (20 years 250 days ago)
    Palme was a good man.
  • Olof Palme
    2Aug2002 3:46 PM (21 years 126 days ago)
    I'm amazed how much history I learn through the JB. Should I be embarrassed?
  • olof palme
    ecl[at]-remove-hotmail.com - oxford-esque
    25Feb2002 9:50 AM (21 years 284 days ago)
    This remains my fav JBC song. I have had in my head for the last 11 years, I think. I even once quoted the lyrics in a comparative politics lecture.
  • Why?
    pollymix[at]-remove-hotmail.com - Visby, SWEDEN
    25Oct2001 4:45 PM (22 years 42 days ago)
    Why doen´t anybody like this song? Well... it´s nice, but looking for OLOF Palme, you wouldn´t find it, because that´s his name...