The Maginot Line (French: Ligne Maginot, IPA: [liɲ maʒino]), named after the French Minister of War André Maginot, was a line of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, artillery casemates, machine gun posts, and other defenses, which France constructed along its borders with Germany and Italy, in light of its experience in World War I, and in the run-up to World War II. Generally the term describes only the defenses facing Germany, while the term Alpine Line is used for the Franco-Italian defenses.
The French established the fortification to provide time for their army to mobilise in the event of attack, allowing French forces to move into Belgium for a decisive confrontation with German forces. The success of static, defensive combat in World War I was a key influence on French thinking. Military experts extolled the Maginot Line as a work of genius, believing it would prevent any further invasions from the east (notably, from Germany). It was also a product of a historical inferiority in population and birthrate, exacerbated by the losses in World War I, which had been developing for three generations.
George Formby, OBE (26 May 1904 – 6 March 1961), born George Hoy Booth, was a British comedy actor, singer-songwriter, and comedian. He sang light, comical songs, accompanying himself on the banjo ukulele or banjolele. He was a major star of stage and screen in the 1930s and 1940s.
Formby was born at 3 Westminster Street, Wigan, Lancashire, as George Hoy Booth. The eldest of seven surviving children, Formby was born blind because of an obstructive caul. His sight was restored during a violent coughing fit or sneeze when he was a few months old.His father James Booth used the stage name George Formby, adopted from the town of Formby, Lancashire. He was one of the great music hall comedians of his day, fully the equal of his son's later success. His father, not wishing him to watch his performances, moved the family to Atherton Road in Hindley. It was from there that the younger Formby was apprenticed as a jockey when he was seven. He rode his first professional race at 10, when he weighed under 4 stone (56 lb; 25 kg).
Geoff Berner (born in Vancouver 1971) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and accordion player from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Due to his insightful humor, politically inflammatory compositions and showmanship, Berner has gained a cult following over the years, especially in Canada and Norway, where he recorded his first live album, Live in Oslo (2004).
Berner, in his youth, studied the piano. However, at a party, somebody asked him why he didn't play the accordion. Berner actually did not know, and as a result, he began learning how to play the accordion.
Following several years fronting the punk band Terror of Tiny Town (its name borrowed from the 1938 film), Berner released his first solo EP, Light Enough to Travel (2000) on the Sudden Death Records label. Light Enough to Travel contained some of the songs he wrote while part of The Terror of Tiny Town. The Vancouver band The Be Good Tanyas covered the title track, and had some chart success with their version in England, which helped to kickstart Berner's career. In 2000, Berner was deported to Norway, where he discovered the Norwegian band Kaizers Orchestra, for whom he would later become a support act. His first full-length album, We Shall Not Flag or Fail, We Shall Go On to the End (2003) featured the track "We All Gotta Be a Prostitute Sometimes", which has been covered by a surprising number of artists, considering Berner's relative obscurity.
Did you hear about the foolish French, who hid themselves behind a trench.
Filled it with a million men, ten thousand heavy guns and then
Figured they would be just fine, now they had the maginot line.
Maginot line, maginot line, thought you were so safe and strong.
Maginot line, maginot line, stupid, stupid, you were wrong.
It wasn't very long at all
Before Mr. Hitler came to call.
He said: Boys, this line is strong and sound
Lucky for us we can just go around.
The stark defenders fought their best
But their turrets faced East
And the Germans were West.
Maginot line, maginot line, thought you were so safe and strong.
Maginot line, maginot line, stupid, stupid, you were wrong.
Maginot line, maginot line, why didn't some smart fellow say:
Maginot line, maginot line, your guns are pointing the wrong way.
Your guns are pointing the wrong way.
So if you've got something you hold dear
And you'd hate to see it disappear.
You think that everything's just fine
Better check it one more time.
And reflect upon the Maginot doom
A perfect fortress makes a perfect tomb.
Maginot line, maginot line, thought you were so safe and strong.
Maginot line, maginot line, stupid, stupid, you were wrong.
Maginot line, maginot line, why didn't some smart fellow say:
Maginot line, maginot line, your guns are pointing the wrong way.
Your guns are pointing the wrong way.