Charabanc

A charabanc (pronounced sha-ra-bang) is a kind of open-topped bus common in Britain during the early part of the 20th century. It was especially popular for "works outings" to the country or the seaside that businesses would hold once a year.

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It is mentioned in Ian Anderson's 'Wond'ring Again' from Living in the Past, as well as tangentially in The Decemberists' song The Legionnaire's Lament. From what is gathered from the context of the song, a charabanc ride is nothing but a joy-ride for the nothing-to-dos, and finds use in guiding tourists around a town or city.

Related Topics:
Ian Anderson - The Decemberists' - Song - Tourists - Town - City

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The charabanc tour is also the (admittedly vague - see the Beatles Anthology, episode 6) premise of The Beatles' 1967 television film Magical Mystery Tour, in which a group of characters (Spotlight 'oddities', 'lovelies' and the Beatles themselves) toured Southern England in a mix of music hall tunes/comedy, contemporary psychedlia, and musical set pieces by the Fab Four.

Related Topics:
Beatles Anthology - The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour - Spotlight - England - Music hall

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