Blow, northerne wind, Send thou me my sweating. Blow, northerne wind, Blow, blow, blow! Ichot a burde in bowre bright. That sully semly is on sight. Menskful maiden of might. Fair and fre to fonde, In all this wurhliche won. A burde of blod and of bon, Never yet I nuste non. Lussomore in lode. Ancient English text, an old traditional poem brought to life by the magnificent Mediæval Bæbes on their ‘A Medieval Christmas’ album. And they’re gracing Leeds on 10th of December at what should be a truly special concert. We’ve a competition for two tickets, have a look at the article on page 32. Which kind of reminds us, we are approaching that time of year again. With the cancellation of the lights switch on and the German market, Alan C’s come up with a great alternative. And Lee Murtagh’s found himself with a bit of spare time over the winter months, so he’s busy making another film, ‘for the laugh!’ And they say laughter is the best medicine, so as we approach another Covid affected yuletide, it’s probably just as well to say Merry Christmas and a very, very Happy New Year, from all at East Leeds Mag.

I’m just a man who’s battling with his mind. One hundred and eight battles within the Minds forever changing what you began Life’s a waste of time, Battle with your mind.
Kula Shaker‘s ‘108 Battles’ from their Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts album in 1999. A sacred number for many Eastern religions, In Buddhism, this number is reached by multiplying the senses smell, touch, taste, sight and hearing, with positive & negative, past & present …6 × 3 × 2 × 3 = 108.
There are 108 pressure points in the human body. 108°F is the internal temperature at which our body’s organs begin to overheat. The distance of Earth from the Sun is about 108 times the diameter of the Sun. The distance between the Earth and the Moon is also about 108 times the diameter of the Moon. In Homer’s Odyssey, the number of suitors coveting Penelope, wife of Odysseus was 108. There are 108 outlaws in the Chinese classic the Water Margin and there are108 lines in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”. And, this is the 108 issue of ELM.
Thanks, a 108 times, from all at ELM and a 108 thanks to Mark Hillyer – truenorthuk.com for cover photo. Oh, and a 108 thanks to Ann for editing.

Show me the way, To the next whiskey bar. Oh, don’t ask why, Oh, don’t ask why. For if we don’t find, The next whiskey bar. I tell you we must die, I tell you we must die.
The words of a German poem written by Berthold Brecht.Kurt Weill adapted it as a song in 1929 for the opera City of Mahagonny and it was later performed by his wife Lotte Lenya and she included it in the US release of her ‘Berlin Theatre Songs’ album where it was picked up about 50 years later by the Doors who immortalized it on their debut album.
The general perception is this was a Doors original, penned by Jim Morrison, but sometimes the truth can ‘be stranger than fiction. As Lee Murtagh found out recently as his friend Steve Ward, the oldest active boxer in the world, prepared to hang up his gloves, but not before his final ‘Legends title fight.’ Alan C is also a bit bewildered by the Covid 2 & 8 tests whilst Abel tells us about his Grandma’s struggles with pain and finally Warren Enters the Dragon Fly.