ARCHIES SONG

Archie (my Dad ) always threatened to return to his first love "the sea"

CHORUS:-

"Three times around the world in thirty different countries"

A girl in every port or so they say

But the girl in every dream was the Co-op dancing queen

He'll go back home and marry her some day

 

(Well he)

Paid off down in old Cape Town, Hit the bars and ran- around

Time for those Africana girls and sun

But he dreamed of his dancing queen and all those oceans in between

(So he) signed on for the North Atlantic run

Well he knew he was getting closer in Halifax, Novia Scotia

Close enough to realise his dream

He problems started when -his ship could just do ten

The rest of the convoy they we making fifteen.

CHORUS

In the dog watch late at night that port and starboard lights

Were disappearing fast across the foam

But the pole star and the plough stayed over his port bow

And guided that old sea-dog straight back home

With his demob suit and pay he gambled all the way

From Liverpool to Brighton over-night

So just like in his dream he married his dancing queen

Both of the families said "well it just aint right"

CHORUS

Well he did not stand a chance when she taught him how to dance

They were reeling ,rocking and rolling every day

Well it was fifty years ago today she stole his heart away hey hey

And no-one gave them half a chance , no-one gave them half a chance

And no-one gave them half a chance - NO WAY

CHORUS

fini : and no-one gave them half a chance x 3 - NO WAY!

BLACK CHE GUEVARA BERET

A little kid learns how to overcome the outward signs of his poverty by creating a persona in the image of Che Guevara - his hero . With disasterous consequences. A "mulato" is an affectionate term for black/hispanic mixed race person derived from the Spanish word for mule - I have added " - tito" to denote a small child....

(guitar intro)

Mulatito in the schoolyard - Cries when his Ma walks away

Children are dancing and laughing at his hand-me-down "blue d' travais"

Every year he gets stronger and dresses the same very day

But she confessed she loved him the best in his black Che Guevara beret

(guitar)

She tells him of great revolution - freedom for all is the way

He makes it his greatest ambition - to be like his hero some day

Mulato teen in the schoolyard dressed up and standing in line

Cross belts of faux amunition on show and replica M1 Carbine

(guitar)

He feigns a bead on the teacher - shoulders the carbine in play

But young rookie cop's Smith and Weston is already turning his way

Too hot to question the action - the trigger is squeezed all the way the

With one single round the boy falls to the ground in his (black Che Guevara beret) x2

(guitar)

The school yard is crowded wuth children - each with a pretty bouquet

Wearing blue dungarees with a tear in the knees - (and a black Che Guevara Beret) x 2

Wearing blue dungarees with a tear in the knees - (and a black Che Guevara Beret) x 2

 

 

 

BUTTERFLY

Butterflies are not immune from heavy rainfall - I saw one fall to the ground then watched as the sun

dried its wings and it eventually flew away.

 

Should have known I could not change - believing every word

I even gave you space and time - aint that just absurd

Because your love just gave me wings -(I was) flying like a bird

Then falling like a butterfly - in the rain

I need the warmth of your sweet love to dry my wings again

 

I should have known you could not change - I still taste those lies

To trust is such a crazy thing while learning to despise

I tell myself - now don't look down, experience the highs

Then falling like a butterfly in the rain

I need the warmth of your sweet love to dry my wings again

 

Sometimes it feel we get it right - or so it might have seemed

It only took one drunken night to tear it at the seems

To get that high loke we have done like flying in my dreams

(Then falling like a butterfly -in the rain

I need the warmth of your sweet love

To dry my wings again) x2

 

 

 

JANE O'GREEN

I sat on the step and watched a swallow fly down while Jane was swimming and scoop a drink from the water.

Magical!

 

Swallows they fly from miles around just to drink at your pool

Rabbits and moles underground keep ....... for you

Bright lights don't suit you - My sweet Jane O' Green

So please take your leave of those mean city streets

(and) Please don't be sweet to the men that you meet

My sweet Jane O' Green

 

Salmon they climb way up stream - just to swim in your pool

Owls they wake from long day dreams to tell me you're such a fool

Bright lights don't suit you -like candle lights do

So please take your leave of those mean city streets

So please don't be sweet to the men that you meet

My sweet Jane O'Green

 

Butterfly wings will cool your head if you promise to stay

Mosses and leaves will make your bed at the end of the day

Bright lights don't suit you my sweet Jane O'Green

So please take your leave of those mean city streets

Please dont be sweet to the men that you meet

My sweet Jane O'Green

 

Swallows they fly from miles around

Rabbits and moles underground

Salmon they climb way up stream

Owls they wake from long daydreams

Butterly wings will cool your head

Mosses and leaves will make your bed

 

Bright lights don't suit you my sweet Jane O'Green

So please take your leave of those mean city streets

And please don't be sweet to the men that you meet

My sweet Jane O'Green

Sweet sweet -Jane O'Green x 4 to end

 

 

 

MATTHEW 7:24

When asked to read the lesson when I was a little kid I didn't understand and I learned the passage of by heart. That text was from the New Testament : Matthew 7:24

 

CHORUS

Hear my witness - take the floor

Make your witness Matthew 7:24

 

I bear witness to the power of the sea

Even languid rivers hold dominion over me

I bear witness to the folds of the land

Even mighty mountains are crushed to desert sand

I bear witness to the power in the air

Twisting storm and hurricane is more than I can bear

 

CHORUS

 

I bear witness to the raising of the beast

Feeding on the sins of man his evil was released

I bear witness to the lion with the lamb

Now at peace he stands unleashed and eating from my hand

I bear witness to the never ending plan

Just as my existence is a footprint in the sand

 

CHORUS

 

Take this witness - build your house upon a rock

Mighty storm and flood will come but it will founder not.

Forsake this witness build your house upon the sand

Mighty storm and flood will come and beat it to the ground

 

Hear my witness - Take the floor - Make your witness Matthew 7:24

 

I bear witness to the power of the WORD

Testify this witness your voices will be heard

 

CHORUS x2

 

 

 

 

MONKEY TREE

CHORUS

Hey papa look at me - I'm gonna climb the monkey tree

Watch me climb way to the top - Catch me when I swing and drop

 

Football jerseys coloured bright in the early morning light

Pretty girls to bring you home singing of the games you've won

But I don't see you like they do - memories keep coming through

CHORUS

Wedding garlands coloured bright in the early morning light

Mother all choked up inside - watch you as you kiss the bride

But I dont see you in that way - I remember yes-ter-day

CHORUS

Uniforms in colours bright - in the early morning light

Family is filled with pride - farewell on the harbourside

But I can't watch you leave us all - wont be there in case you fall

CHORUS

Welcome home in banners bright - in the early morning light

Tears of joy fill my eyes - children call with welcome cries

But I don't hear a single sound - just these words go round and round

CHORUS

 

 

MY SONG OF YOU

CHORUS:

Here I go with all my heart in every word right from the start

All my love long overdue is in my song of you (hoo hoo)

All the love that's good and true is in my song of you

 

I sing my songs in downtown bars and uptown jamborees

Those country songs of long lost love and sweet sweet memories

So many words close to my heart they're just like family

They serve me well but they don't tell just what you mean to me

CHORUS

Check-in lones ,Xray machines and long black limousines

Interstates so long and straight -just following my dreams

Everyone is my best friend but when the day is through

All their smiles and stay-a-whiles wont keep me far from you

CHORUS

The more I smile the more I sing the mor my feelings show

And all the fortune in the world wont make these feelings go

You give me strenght to see me through the dark times and the blues

To let the love come shining through I'll sing my song of you

CHORUS

 

 

SEVEN KEYS

CHORUS

Seven keys are memories that open up my heart

Seven keys are guaranteed to make these tear drops start

 

Used to go to the grandfolks house whenever I felt down

That big old house had many rooms my sorrows there to drown

Down behind the kitchen door there hung an old key rack

With seven keys for seven locks and the words "please put me back"

Never had to ask granma if grandpa was around

Just see which key was missing And that's where he'll be found

CHORUS

The first key was the garden - Oh God he loved that place

And every time I found him there I saw it in his face

The second key - the workshop where granpa had his fun

Not proud of his achievements Just satisfied it's done.

Third key was the attic den was missing twice a year

Where grandpa kept his memories not proud to show a tear

CHORUS

Fourth key was the old garage where grandpa kept his toy

A fiftyseven eight pot thunderbird that made an amazing noise

Then when I was seventeen he handed me key five

And said "here son go have some fun and take her for a ride"

The sixth key was the store room full of kilner jars and pans

He called it womens alchemy no place for boy nor man

CHORUS

Now the seventh key stayed in it's place as far as I recall

I tried that key in every lock with no success at all

In my curiosity I asked what it was for

Grandma only smiled and said "It opens heaven's door"

CHORUS

Went back to the grandfolks place I never felt so down

No welcome on the doorstep cause no-one was around

And when I looked behind the kitchen door as I had often done

Six of the keys were hanging there but the seventh key was gone

CHORUS

 

 

SONS OF ABRAHAM

The middle East conflict has its origins in the family tension and eventual hatred between the sons of Araham

CHORUS:

We are the sons - We are the sons - We are the sons of Abraham

 

My name is Ishmael - my eyes look East - my heart is full of morning sun

I was the first born - my father's quest - I was to be the only one

CHORUS

My name is Isaac - my eyes look West - my heart is full of evening sun

Born into laughter - I cannot rest - until I am the only one

CHORUS

My name is Ishmael my sword an arc is raised against my father's son

I am in wilderness - a noble beast - I will not bow to anyone

CHORUS

My name is Isaac my sword is straight is raised against my father's son

All of my enviousness is turned to hate I will not rest until it's done

CHORUS x 3

 

 

STICK SONG

CHORUS

Every stick brings a memory back

Your love and affection are the things that I lack

 

I walk on the sand my shoes in my hand - it's late summer

The sun's getting low and starting to throw those long shadows

I get a stick and throw it into the sea

Aint got your dog to fetch it back to me

And people say Bobby don't you like to be free

And people say Bobby aint it good to be free

But I'm lonely

I walk by the stream the air is so clean its a Spring morning

Those far away snows are making the flow like diamonds

I throw a stick and watch it tumble away

Tht's just another silly game we would play

And people say Bobby don't you like it this way

And people say Bobby you must like it this way

But I'm lonely

 

CHORUS

 

I sweep up the leaves but the leaves on the trees just keep fallin

I make a fire and watch as the pyre keeps burnin

I get use stick to help the fire to rise

It's not the smoke that brings the tears to my eyes

And people say Bobby must be great with no ties

And people say Bobby aint it great with no ties

But I'm lonely

It's twenty below ,my car doesn't go so I'm walkin

The freeway is slow ,the ice and the snow just keeps fallin

I get a stick and throw it out on the lake

I throw another but the ice doesn't break

And people say Bobby just how long will it take

And People say Bobby how long can it take but I'm lonely

CHORUS x 4

 

BEVIN BOY

CHORUS:

Can anybody tell me where this train is goin'

Can anybody tell me where this iron beast is bound

The preacher on a Sunday said you're bound for glory

The letter on the Monday said you're goin' underground

 

Well the ticket in my pocket for a place they call The Rhondda

Someone calls me "conchy" and I have to bow my head

I walk towards the winding wheel my head is filled with thunder

Oh God I wish that letter sent me to France instead

CHORUS

Well three long years of day is night picking at the seam

Every canch and collier to feed the war machine

No-one calls you hero lest you're carrying a gun

No-one wants a Bevin Boy when the war is done

CHORUS

repeat last line x 3

 

TELL ME TELL ME TRUE

CHORUS :

Which of them is you Bobba which of them is you

Tell me tell me true Bobba which of them is you

Are you smiling were you strong Am I right or am I wrong

Oh which of them is you Bobba Which of them is you

 

Album pages one by one faded pictures monochrome

Eager fingers skimming through

Which of them is you

CHORUS

Farmers boys in dungarees Sunlight in their eyes

Did you really drive a tractor

Breakfast at sunrise

CHORUS

Tired men in uniform in a foreign land

Did you really have a rifle

Did you - kill a man

CHORUS

Which of them is you Bobba which of them is you

Repeat x 2

 

 

 

DITCHLING FAIR

Mayday morning comes around Maypole dancers gather on the lea

Heavens open - catch the sound of the raindrops on the ribbon tree

Breathless running to the barn - Oh how warm and tender love can be

And I plucked the straw fron the hair of the prettiest girl in Ditchling fair (X2)

Harvest morning comes a round - thank the Lord for all the blessings past

Waiting till the sun goes down we can be alone again at last

Making love beneath the stars all my hopes and dreams will be surpassed

(When) I'll pluck the straw from the hair of the prettiest girl in Ditchling fair (X2)

Christmas morning comes around Jack Frost fingers on the window pane

Will you leave the fireside - take a walk and breathe the air again

Wrap up warm now hold my arm - you will never fall when you're with me

And I'll pluck the straw from the hair of the prettiest girl in Ditchling fair

(Guitar solo)

And I'll pluck the straw from the hair of the prettiest girl in Ditchling fair ( X4 to end)

 

 

 

RHUBAN UPTON'S CROOK

CHORUS
Huckle my buff and hopping John ,shackle with the cook
Will keep you young and make you strong like Rhuban Uptons Crook

Ruben was a longanner - a lookerer in his slop
Not mallock like the mumper nor tessy like the fop
(Cos) Ruben did his duzzick (and) would never farmers rook
But every man and devil ran from Ruben Upton's Crook

Chorus

Now Lord Tom Noddy came from town to do some politic
He beat the devil round the bush so Rhuban upped to speak
Lord Tom set the peelers and while he cut he hook
(But) t'was no libbet beat them down but Rhuban Upton's Crook

Chorus

The Bishop came from Chichester to watch the tythe come in
But farmers cheat the parson - for a'stealin is a sin
And as the knave walked down the aisle the congregation shook
'Cos Bishop carried book and bell and Rhuban Upton's Crook

Chorus

Old Brown George and Bumble cake ,Sussex pond an' Dick
(Like) Gooding at the doubter's day for sure will make you sick
But huckle my buff and hopping John and shackle with the cook
Will keep you young and make you strong like Rhuban Upton's Crook

Chorus

(Now) Ruben was a dabster with draggletails and mawks
You could hear their goistering while on the bostal walks
An' every girl from Wick to Firle would say the tottle shook
Twas not their beau that made it so but Rhuban Upton's Crook

Chorus

The goodly folk of Sussex say the poor man is an awk
Who met his end at Poynings bend and druv beneath the chalk
You see the crib at Michelmas - then take a closer look
tis not a sword protects our Lord but Rhuban Upton's Crook

Chorus

 

 

PRE CBS

I was just a young boy winding up the musicmaster
Conway Twitty on the Dansette ghettoblaster
Chasing all the young girls knowing just what I was after

A Pre CBS Blonde Vintage Fender Telecaster

Fingers gives a bad shaster gotta make a stack of zaster
Gotta be a hard tasker working for the bandmaster
I dont wanna be a grafter but I guess I'm gonna hafta

(for my) Pre CBS Blonde Vintage Fender Telecaster

Newscaster reads faster 'bout another bank disaster
Suzie makes an offer like a hard nose quartermaster
Last laugh longest laughter - all I had to do was ask her

(for my) Pre CBS Blonde Vintage Fender Telecaster

Movie actor shakes a waster makin' like a General Custer
Pretty baster , hair rasta , shakin down the booty gaster
Six master sailing past her screen blanks and breaks to raster

(to my ) Pre CBS Blonde Vintage Fender Telecaster

Kill Buha avatar he would be a kadiaster
John D Wilson music master making like a whistle blaster
Little Megan Thomas with her skin as smooth as alabaster
Now I'm just a rune caster - half baked philosophaster

(for my) Pre CBS Blonde Vintage Fender Telecaster
(yes my)Pre CBS Blonde Vintage Fender Telecaster

 

 

 

WAITING FOR THE GIRL

She loves me she loves me not - watch me count the petals as they fall

She needs me she needs me not - dont know why I play this game at all

Kicking up the autumn leaves - standing with my back against the wall

CHORUS :-

Will I be forever - Waiting for the girl

Time can have no meaning - Waiting for the girl

 

I love you is what she said - I could only say I love you too

I need you is what we said - wedding vows (bells) today for me an you

Organ (music) plays I turn my head - catch my breath as you come into view

CHORUS

(I'm) feeling that little kick - soon we will be three instead of two

(Those) tiny feet go "patter pit" - baby kisses sweet as honey dew

Watch my little angel grow - nothing in the world I wouldn't do

CHORUS

She tells me "He's very sweet - better drive her down to her first date

They kiss only on the cheek - honey home by ten now don't be late

Sitting on the front porch steps - hoping I am not just tempting fate

CHORUS - repeat "waiting for the girl" x 3 to end