Keep the Music Live
1. Keep the Music Live
Written immediately after the memorable experience of performing in the Historic Lichfield Guildhall, around Halloween and before the excitement of the evening faded away ! The flags did hang down saluting us and the lion did dance with the unicorn on the coat of arms behind us on the wood panelling.
1. Played last night at the Guildhall, you should have been there
The atmosphere was charged and there was music in the air
And the melodies were ringing round the old historic beams
Such a gig you wish for in your dreams [x2]
And I thought of all the people who had gathered there before
And I wondered if their spirits heard the music through the door
I imagined they’d support us and might even call for more
They’d want us still to keep the music live [x2]
2. The Lion danced with the Unicorn, behind us on the stage
The radiators whistled as the music did engage
And the light reflected softly from the stained glass window panes
Outside on the pavement, there was rain [x2]
And the flags hung down, saluting us, from high upon the wall
Symbols of the pride that maybe came before a fall
And the ghostly guilders listened; we were having such a ball
We were there to keep the music live [x2]
3. And when the Hall was empty and at last they’d turned the key
Spirits filtered inwards, because there they could be free
And the music started playing; something they could all agree
They’d still try to keep the music live [x2]
It’s so easy playing CDs sitting in your chair at home
Spotify and MySpace through your earphones all alone
Make an effort; get a life, your heart’s not made of stone
Come and help us keep the music live [x2]
Out. It’s part of life so keep the music live
You’ve got to try to keep the music live.
2. Rising Sun
We saw so much during a winter trip to Japan, visiting friends working out there, while the New Year festivities were taking place. We did bow to Fuji as we travelled to Kyoto on the Shinkansen. The country made a lasting impression on us and we left with enough memories to last a lifetime.
1. Orion was there on guard all night; Polar dark became rosy light
And there at the end of a twelve hour flight was the land of the Rising Sun
New Year wishes are everywhere; It’s the year of the Rabbit and not the Hare
You can almost hear the paper tear in the land of the Rising Sun
M8 Was it real? Did we just go there? Or was it all a dream? [x2]
2. The sushi seems like a raw deal and radish is King of every meal
Now even noodles seem unreal in the land of the Rising Sun
The presentation scores so high, it’s a pity your taste buds start to cry
Our chopsticks wobbled but we had to try in the land of the Rising Sun M8
3. Bought an ethnic bowl from a market stall;
Turned our mobiles off, didn’t care who called
And we slept in a ‘Ryokan’ with paper walls in the land of the Rising Sun
Walked so far, our feet were sore, We left our footwear by the door
And we ate our meals sitting on the floor in the land of the Rising Sun M8
4. The beer and whisky you have to try,
And the word that you must use is kampai [cheers !]
Never say iie [no], always hai [yes] in the land of the Rising Sun.
We raked the gravel to increase our Zen; Bowed to Fuji from the shinkansen,
And we watched unintelligible News at Ten, in the land of the Rising Sun M8
5. You go surfing on New Year’s Day; after going to the shrine to pray
And you wouldn’t have it any other way, in the land of the Rising Sun
It was once the land of the Samurai, where the Shoguns ruled until they died
Now all that’s left is the Geisha’s sigh in the land of the Rising Sun
Out. Was it real? Did we just go there? Or was it all a dream? [x2] Was it a dream?
3. When Autumn comes around
An imaginary story which was inspired by the lonely marshy countryside along the Northern side of the Loire estuary, near the home of a close friend of mine. The coastal marshes and the old stone buildings began to make me think of the deep-rooted folk tales about the lady and the highwayman.
1. The wind was in her hair, the moon was shining bright
The ripples on the water, lit by pale moonlight
She gazed across the marshes, made her feelings plain
He left some time ago, but why she didn’t know
Now Autumn comes around again.
2. He galloped in the yard; his horse was breathing hard
She heard his voice the first time, it caught her off her guard
He saw her in the shadows, near the old stone wall
How did he know her name ? It isn’t just a game
When autumn comes around again
M8. She pulled her cloak around her; a chill was in the air
The little boy beside her had the same dark hair
3. Was he a wanted man ? Why was it that he ran ?
It hadn’t seemed that way; but he never said he’d stay
He rode out of her life but did he leave a stain ?
His memory’s on the breeze, that’s sighing through the trees
When autumn comes around again
4. The wind’s still in her hair; the moonlight in the sky
He left some years ago; she still doesn’t know why
Now at this time of year; she hears his name so clear
It’s whispered by the reeds, it’s murmured by the tide
When autumn comes around again
4. City by the Sea
Written after a hot weekend in Southampton. With the temperature so high, it felt like beingabroad. An art installation had positioned life-sized models of rhinos all over the city, eachdecorated in bright colours and designs by groups of people who live and work in the city. What better excuse for a song ?
1. The boats they rode at anchor and the sun fell on the sea
Reflections from the water must have cast a spell on me
Enchanted shadows danced around and made me want to stay
The cars got caught in cages but the rhinos got away
Br. And I found myself transported to a world which couldn’t be
All the rules were broken by the spell the city cast over me
2. The evening air was magic in that city by the sea
Love and peace were everywhere; the rhinos roaming free
The children all adore them, ’cos they’ve endless time to spare
The city is a better place than if they were not there
3. They’re in the park till after dark, they’re by the city gate
They love to pose for photos; you can take one while you wait
They dress in flowers, they stay for hours, you find them everywhere
We took the bus to Winchester, we even found one there !
Br. And I found myself transported to a world which couldn’t be
All the rules were broken by the spell the city cast over me
4. I met one in the city park when it was late at night
In dungarees and hard hat and he asked me for a light
A little further down the trail, I found upon the quay
A hi-tech cyber rhino and she winked her eye at me !
5. I wanted to be everywhere, I wanted to be here
And in the city by the sea I had no course to steer
Tomorrow is off limits and yesterday is banned
So I’m stuck here in the present, somewhere I don’t understand !
Br. And I found myself transported to a world which couldn’t be
All the rules were broken by the spell the city cast over me
5. England, as it used to be
A visiting group of singers and musicians from Ireland was performing in the garden of a pub near to the annual Folk Festival in Warwick. When they had finished their set, one by one, members of the audience stood up and responded by singing traditional English folk songs, which appeared to be quite spontaneous !
1. I wrote down some lines on the Sunday lunch menu
Out in the garden and under a tree
The Irish were singing songs of their homeland
Ireland as it used to be
2. They’re singing in Gaelic, the fiddle is playing
I’m drinking a beer with an Indian name
And the butterflies danced in that Warwickshire garden
Gardens as they used to be
3. The English responded from out of folk memory
Singing their songs unprepared, unrehearsed
Cecil Sharp songs from the heart of the nation
Singing as it used to be
# And the rose of England was blooming fair
The soul of England was free
The heart of England still beating there
England as she used to be
4. Well, the memories carried with me to the station
I waited for Moor St. to come on the screen
And the station was just as the Great Western left it
Railways as they used to be
5. Now the train was on time and the doors slowly opened
The city was waiting to welcome me home
But the bells they rang out a song that was England
England as it used to be
# And the rose of England was blooming fair
The soul of England was free
The heart of England still beating there
England as she used to be
6. Borrowed Time
An elderly friend at a local folk club was told on his birthday, that he was now living on borrowed time. In fact, that turned out to be quite right and his favourite folk music was played at his funeral. It occurred to me that we all have a life-span account.. If you’re lucky, the loan isn’t called in too soon !
1. We met in Spring, the world was bathed in sunlight
Each day went by, they seemed to last so long
The borrowed years, sat light upon our shoulders
We never thought, that we would ever sing this song
2. The summer passed, we spent our time together
We lived our lives, it didn’t seem a crime
We watched each day, go by a little quicker
And realised then, that we had only borrowed time
3. The leaves are brown, our hair is getting greyer
We’re at our best, like old maturing wine
Life is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present
But don’t forget, that you have only borrowed time
4. Now Winter’s here, we feel the cold come creeping
Our days are short, with clear December skies
The nights are long, if you have trouble sleeping
Our borrowed time, is running out before our eyes
7. Late Night Lisa
The presenter of Late Night Lisa, a programme broadcast on Classic FM, was rather an attractive young lady. If you listen to the radio in bed at night, who knows what goes through your mind ? Many thanks to Michael Clarke for his dazzling virtuosity on lead guitar !
1. Late night Lisa, late night show, Late night Lisa on the radio
Late night Lisa, sweet and low, Late night Lisa is the one to know
With my head upon my pillow, worries melt away
Lulled into a land of willow where I’d like to stay
2. Late night Lisa, late night show, Late night Lisa on the radio
Feel romantic breezes blow, My feelings for Lisa just seem to grow
Hear your voice upon my pillow, love your golden hair
Why is it that I can only think of you in underwear?
3. Late night Lisa, late night show, Late night Lisa on the radio
I’m in bed, you’re in the studio, And the radio’s under the mistletoe
Playing music chosen specially, I could set you free
Anne-Marie and Margareta don’t do this for me
4. Late night Lisa, late night show, Late night Lisa on the radio
When she plays an adagio, She’s Juliet to my Romeo
Like to take you out to dinner, underneath the stars
But all I do is think about it, wonder where you are
5. Late night Lisa, late night show, Late night Lisa on the radio
She’s a vision in audio, You should hear her in stereo
What would it be like if only I could hold your hand?
Want to take you walking barefoot, naked on the sand
Out. Late night Lisa, sweet and low, Late night Lisa on the radio
Late night Lisa, late night show, Me and my radio all aglow !
8. Jane Austen’s Eyes
This song came out of a visit to the The Vyne, a NT property with connections to royalty and to many well-known authors. Although she wasn’t the writer of these letters, Jane Austen evolkes the period so strongly in that part of Hampshire where Wellington’s name is everywhere.
1. The birds in the summer house party all night
And then sleep in for most of the day
And in the great house, all the memories take flight
Of the Kings and the Queens who have stayed
The uniformed dancers parade round the floor
Just a last fling, before marching to war
If you read their letters, you’ll soon know the score
And you’ll see life though Jane Austen’s eyes
2. She walks in the garden whenever she can
But she cannot find peace any more
For whenever she goes there, she misses her man
Who’s away fighting Wellington’s war
She fears for his safety when he’s overseas
Her letters unanswered, her thoughts on the breeze
So frightened her feelings for him will just freeze
This is life, seen through Jane Austen’s eyes
3. She remembers the good times, her dashing young blade
The summer house parties were fun
But the time-shattered oaks, the mistakes that she made
Are reminders of damages done
Now the dancers no longer parade round the floor
There’s nobody dancing here, after the war
For no-one feels able to dance any more
This is life, seen through Jane Austen’s eyes
9. Horse Fair
The traditional Appleby Horse Fair goes back in time some 400 years, and provides an annual opportunity for the travelling people to gather together for a few days. Gypsy folk show and sell their horses in the small Westmorland county town. However, the lively celebrations can get out of hand.
1. Our traditions live for ever and go back so far in time
We’ve been coming here so many years, since I’ve been in my prime
You know that Appleby’s the place to be for here the horse is King
And we’ll surely get a good price in the morning
2. When we arrive the town is not the place it used to be
In the past it seemed so peaceful, it was regulation free and easy
Now the police are everywhere and some of them have guns
And they’d like to move us on tomorrow morning
Ch1. Hey boys, off we go again
Time to head for Appleby along the country lanes
We’ve got our horses and our trailers and no finer sight you’ll see
When we’re gathered at the horse fair in the morning.
3. A good horse and a sulkie are sure to cut a dash
So we’ll wash them in the Eden and then race them on the Flash
To impress potential buyers who’ll see horses at their best
And we’re sure to do a deal tomorrow morning
4. Our lifestyle’s not romantic for we think upon our feet
‘Cause we need to sell our horses and we need to make endsmeet
And if there should be any trouble sure we’ll not be far away
They’ll be coming looking for us in the morning.
Ch2. Hey girls, you’ll be coming too
Dressed in all your finery you’ll turn a head or two
You know that going to the horse fair, there’s time to take a chance And you’ll have another lover in the morning.
5. The buying and the selling, we barter night and day
Some locals do not like us and they wish we’d go away and so There’ll be some rough and tumble and we’ll have a drink or two And we’ll get ourselves arrested before morning
6. We’ll talk about the old times, there’s a chance to meet old friends
Our music and our dancing will ring out until the end
We’ll get a good price for our horses and then we’ll be on our way
We’ll again be travelling people in the morning
Out. Hey boys, off we go again Time to head for Appleby along the country lanes We’ve got our horses and our trailers and no finer sight you’ll see When we’re gathered at the horse fair in the morning.
10. Take Extra Care
This song arrived during an enforced half-hour wait on Lye Station, having only just missed a train. There were so many safety notices on the platform and even amongst the announcements ! It was cold and rainy weather – as the song says, ‘The summer’s just like winter but with leaves !’
1. It may seem strange – This song was born whilst waiting for a train
Just half an hour – Upon the platform in the English rain which means
the countryside can wear its coat of green x 2
The wind was cold – The summer’s just like winter but with leaves
I walked around – and read the signs put there to make us all aware
of dangers lurking where they need not be
Take extra care when stepping from the train
2. Please stand well back – The next train will not stop here as you’ll see
Stand behind the line – For passing trains cause turbulence; the platform edge
is really not the place where you should be x 2
Hold your children’s hands – and make sure that you take care on the stairs
Fold pushchairs flat – and mind the gap when getting on the train because
we don’t want any accidents today
Take extra care when stepping from the train
3. I put myself – at risk each time I go to see my friends
How many here – have rucksacks stuffed with homemade bombs to kill and maim ?
Be watchful every time you’re on the train x 2
To cross the line – please use the bridge and don’t step on the tracks
The cables live – there’s death in every inch along the way and so
Take extra care when stepping from the train
Take extra care when stepping from the train
11. The River’s Started Rising
We stayed in Tewkesbury, whilst performing at the folk festival at Upton-on-Severn. Heavy rain had caused severe flooding. The festival carried on regardless but their campsite had to be moved. The residents seemed used to it, and took it all in their stride – because it happens there so frequently !
1. The river’s started rising, it does this every year
Although we’re on the flood plain, there may be nought to fear
We’ve had the wettest April since records were begun
And with grey skies unceasing, we’ve hardly seen the sun
2. The river’s filling quickly, the level’s rising fast
The Severn and the Avon combining here at last
Sandbags make poor defences against nature in the raw
The water edges higher till it’s lapping at the door
3. The rivers overflowing, don’t get caught unawares
We’re living in our bedrooms with everything upstairs
“Go in, stay in, tune in !“, advice the council sends
But we put on our wellies ’cause the rivers are our friends
4. And now we are surrounded, the campsite’s washed away
The Abbey’s on an island, when seen at break of day
The river takes its quarter, although it costs us dear
But this is all quite normal ’cause it happens every year
5. Our town is always open; it’s just a little damp
We operate as usual, just don’t expect to camp
The roads turn into rivers and you mustn’t mind the rain
But when the floods are over, we’re sure you’ll come again !
12. Last Man Out
This is another song to join the ever growing number on the subject of climate change and global warming. Any progress towards renewable energy, pollution control and conservation of the environment seems remarkably slow. We really ought to be ashamed of our legacy to the next generation.
1. Winds of change are blowing stronger, we’re sitting drinking wine
When they blow, they blow for longer; you’ve got to see it as a sign
Winds of change you can’t ignore
Last man out – be sure to shut the stable door
2. When it rains, it’s raining harder, a month of it in just one day
Spoils the grain that fills our larder and it washes all the soil away
It’s just a taste of what’s in store
Last man out – be sure to shut the stable door
3. Starving children, smaller rations, living as refugees
Skin and bone, no compassion, humanity on its knees
And they’re victims of another war
Last man out – be sure to shut the stable door
4. Stormy skies becoming darker, colder than an old woodbine
Outlook’s getting starker if you’re living on the old shoreline
‘Cos it won’t be like it was before
Last man out – be sure to shut the stable door
5. Waves are rising ever higher, washing everything away
Even they won’t quench the fire, that’s coming on the judgement day
You don’t need to tell me anymore
Last man out – be sure to shut the stable door
6. So much time is being wasted; need to set a new deadline
To reverse the change we’ve tasted, really haven’t got much time
There’s so many signs which we ignore
Last man out – be sure to shut the stable door . . .
Out. . . . Switch off the lights . . . and can you close the stable door?