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date: 2 November 2007

embargo: For immediate release

The Alabama 3 pen new NHS lyrics for Sopranos theme tune

Thousands of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, radiographers and hospital cleaners, who will be in London tomorrow (Saturday) for the 'I love the NHS' march and rally are to hear a special NHS rendition of the Sopranos theme tune, courtesy of South

London country-techno-funk outfit The Alabama 3, who are supporting the event.

The Alabama 3's front man Larry Love has penned new words for the band's 'Woke Up This Morning', the theme tune for the award winning US television series. The band will be playing two songs at the Trafalgar Square event, including their new NHS one.

'Woke Up This Morning' (NHS version) imagines a world without the NHS, where it's not possible to call the doctor or buy medicine when you're sick because it costs too much. But then the nightmare ends, and the patient is back to the reality of free health treatment and the fantastic nurses of the NHS.

Tomorrow (Saturday), NHS Together - a campaign involving unions and organisations with members in the health service - is co-ordinating a march and rally to celebrate the successes of the NHS, which is 60 next year.

The thousands of health service employees converging on London will also use the event to send a strong message to the Government that while staff are committed to their jobs, morale is low, and there is widespread concern about the increasing fragmentation of the NHS.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The NHS is a fantastic institution, treating over a million people every 36 hours, and much of its success is down to the sheer dedication and commitment of everyone who works in it. That's why thousands are rallying to celebrate that success and to urge the Government to stick to the founding principles of the NHS, and not introduce more changes that could further fragment our health service.'

Larry Love, lead vocalist of The Alabama 3 said: 'I was in pain and went to a doctor only to find out that I was walking about with a neck that was broken in three places. I was rushed into hospital. The treatment and care I received on the NHS saved my rock 'n' roll life. The NHS staff are fantastic and they deserve a better deal than they are getting at the moment. The Alabama 3 sends its support and gratitude to all NHS workers.'

Woke up this Morning [NHS version]

If you woke up this morning

And the NHS was gone

You can't call the doctor

Got no credit on your telephone

Temperature is rising

Feel like your going blind

Born on the wrong side of the tracks

With a blue moon in your eyes

If you woke up this morning

And the fevers' comin' on

Can't buy no medicine

The Bupa plan's long gone

Sister morphine she's gone AWOL

No admissions says the sign

If you ain't got the dollar boy

It's a blue moon in your eyes

Woke up this morning

The nightmare turned around

Bevan's dream a reality

Free healthcare every goddamn town

That nurse she was one in a million

She saved you with her smile

You're back on your feet again

No blue moon in your eyes

Woke up this morning

-You wanna be, you wanna be

The healthy ones tonight yes you know it -You just can't help yourselves

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- Larry Love from The Alabama 3 is available for interview.

- On Saturday 3 November, health service staff from hospitals all over the UK will be heading to London to take part in the 'I love the NHS' march and rally. NHS employees and their families will gather at Temple Place on the Victoria Embankment from 11am, moving off at 12.30pm to head for the rally in Trafalgar Square.

- At noon, there will be a photo op with a footballing theme in Trafalgar Square, ahead of the top of the Premiership clash between Arsenal and Manchester United. Fans of the two teams attending the rally will wave club and 'I love the NHS' scarves to show their support for the NHS Together event.

- The rally kicks off at 1.30pm and features a mix of speeches from the NHS Together unions and NHS employees, interspersed with filmed clips of celebrities and other key figures giving support to the staff in the Square.

- The Alabama 3 will perform a new NHS version of 'Woke Up This Morning', the song that became the theme tune to the Sopranos. Comedians John Ryan and Windsor will compere the whole event and there will be comedy from Debra Jane Appleby and Marlon Davis.

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk

Bill Boyle, The Alabama 3, M 07764 786488 E: bill@whbcommunications.com

Press release (900 words) issued 2 Nov 2007