'The Copper Top' by Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat

A day in the life of Wells Moffat Funeral Directors provides the backdrop for 'The Copper Top', one of the standout tracks from Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat's album 'Everything's Getting Older', out now on Chemikal Underground Records. The album recently won the inaugural Scottish Album of the Year Award.

The video was shot and directed by Paul Fegan and features cameos from all the members of Bill & Aidan's band.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Bill Wells (Piano) - Undertaker
Aidan Moffat (Vocals) - Undertaker
Aby Vulliamy (Viola) - Mourner
Robert Henderson (Trumpet) - Deceased
Stevie Jones (Bass) - Clergyman

Paul Fegan - Video Director

Chemikal Underground extends a warm hand of gratitude to everyone involved in the making of this video.

'The funeral you've worked your whole life for.'

chemikal.co.uk/​wellsmoffat/

A few have asked for the lyrics too...

THE COPPER TOP

The bar's busier than it should be on a weekday afternoon as the door swings shut behind me, but I'm the only one wearing a suit. No-one seems to notice my entrance though, I suppose they must be used to mourners in the nearest pub to the crematorium. I don't think I could've coped with the wake, I had to make a quick exit to be alone with my memories, I was sick of hearing everyone else's. I buy a pint and sit down.

'See, the trouble with you is that you're top heavy,' said the tailor as he measured me up. They don't get asked much for three-piece suits these days, so my choice was limited. I went for all-purpose black, or 'charcoal grey' as he called it. Looks black to me. This is the second time I've worn it, the first was a wedding and there's a christening next week so I might as well get my money's worth. Birth, love and death: the only reasons to get dressed up. I loosen my tie.

Halfway through my pint and a text message from John says he's waiting outside, sooner than I'd expected. I down what's left and step out into the bright afternoon and get in the car. I look up and see the pub's once brilliant copper roof has oxidized over the years and it's now a dull, pastel green. Everything's getting older.

• Category

  Music

[dovesfan]

i just went through a 1.5 year drought of listening to music with a smile and sense of that uplift that only music can give... i thank radio scotland last week when i browsed to it by chance on the way home after a bad day at work.. i heard this song and it was fate.. i now have restored faith in music, that sounds mental but its hard to describe in another way.

[MrWhistlejacket]

When I go, I want Wells Moffat to organise my send-off....

[Rex Russell]

What a great song, lyrics are beautiful - I built up such an evocative image in my minds eye - it stopped me in my track when it came on the radio.

I do however wish the video was a bit more "original" for want of a much better word. I feel it slightly cheapens the beauty of the music

[Colin Campbell]

Braw



[flexdream]

Wonderful. I just heard this on Radio Scotland and had to find out who it was. The music is very like Michael Nyman. This song strikes a chord with people for some reason.

[John Adams]

Super brilliant. Genius Track. Beautifully conceived video and that ;-) The only funeral that puts a smile on your face.

[Celtic Fan]

Love it, very funny!

[Childinyou]

'Everything's getting older' What a hell of a line

[jockthearab]

The Copper Top braw

[shoneyman]

Surely a dram of 'Rosebank' would be much more appropriate ;-)

[NickCarr1]

This is incredible

[Sean Hunter]

I know where you're coming from. Marc Riley played this in January and now there's nothing that compares...all other music is shite ;-)