ONE OF THE THREE
First released 1993
This track is described by Tim as being about the odds of redemption and loosely inspired by the UK hostages in the Lebanon at the time – "Terry Waite. And I was thinking of Brian Keenan and John McCarthy. And I was also thinking of - there's a great line in Waiting for Godot, where they're talking about the guys on the crosses. In fact, I've probably misquoted it, but it still inspired the song. Because I think it's probably 'one of the two was saved' and they're going 'those are good odds for redemption - one of the two was saved - fifty percent' So it's somewhere between all that. Professional victims. It would apply to Brian Jones. But Terry Waite - perfect, because you get this feeling that Christian credentials entail that you have to suffer and that he kind of grew in brownie points and came back even more of a grumpy Old Testament prophet. When McCarthy was released it felt like something important was going on. When Terry Waite was released it felt like something bloody weird was going on. When he gave this fire and brimstone speech before he even met his wife and kids. It was like - fuck off will you? Get off the lectern! Imagine being chained to him for three years."
Despite very rarely being played live at the time of its release, the song was resurrected beautifully at the Dublin and Brighton shows on the 1999 Winter tour.
And there's a website named after it.
WHERE TO GET
Laid LP (514943-1), CAS (514943-4), CD (514943-2)
Laid reissue CD (548 787-2)
Album Version : The Gathering Sound boxset USB stick
LYRICS
You were one, one of the three
One in three must find some peace
You were one, one of the three
I need proof before belief
Oh, well, you just knew they'd come for you
So it was suicide, suicide
Oh, well, now you got just what you want
I hope you're satisfied
One of the three, one of the three, one of the three, one of the three
You were one, one of the three
One in three must find some peace
You were one, one of the three
I need proof before belief
Oh, well, I guess you're not to blame for what they've
Done in your name, in your name
Oh, well, it's a shame you got so famous for a sacrifice
One of the three, one of the three, one of the three, one of the three
One of the three, one of the three, one of the three, one of the three
You were one, one of the three
One in three must find some peace
You were one, one of the three
I need proof before belief
You sent forth your lamb to the slaughter
You sent forth your lamb to the slaughter
You sent forth your lamb to the slaughter
You sent forth your lamb to the slaughter