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Look where I’ve ended up now
Words and music Colum Sands © Elm Grove Music
Good evening my friends and my thanks to you all for being here when you could be at home
If it weren't for you, I might be there too, for I'd hate to be here on my own
Singing songs that I found in the back of beyond and the places that lie in between
Songs for the times that you dream of and the times when you wish you could dream...
Chorus:
Sure I've traveled through hedges and ditches in search of the reason and rhyme
I've been to the place where nine stitches can be saved by the one made in time
I've heard of the cat and the fiddle and the moon looking up at the cow
I've read everything from Luke to I Ching
Look where I've ended up now, look where I've ended up now.
Ah security's getting more dangerous, there's so much to remember and know
Your passport your pincode your password your postcode you're pestered wherever you go
And all of your baggage is surplus if you travel with more than a smile
Prepare to drink ink if you carry a pen, and hang round in the airport a while...
There are times when I think I am in the wrong place hearing things that I don't need to hear
I keep meeting people who talk to themselves with things hanging out of their ear
"I'm here in the airport, the café the car, I'll call you tomorrow from Rome"
With so many paying to shout where they are, you'd wonder if anyone's home...
Chorus
And the damp and the rates keep on rising, I'll tell you no more than the truth
There's rain coming in through the ceiling and the water bills gone through the roof
There's a hole in the bucket of ozone, there's a whole lot of work to be done
And the girls who were screaming at Boyzone are now screaming at boys of their own...
Sure we've run out of batteries and patience, big brother is taking his toll
Remote controllers all over the house we have not the remotest control
On the ones who we went and elected, the power has gone straight to their heads
There's money for weapons and war games, and nothing for hospital beds...
Chorus
Still, I travel etc
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2. |
Beyond the Frame
04:36
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Beyond the Frame
(In memory of Jim and Gerry Sherry
Words and Music Colum Sands © Elm Grove Music
There were two brothers in this town, they spread their colours all around
Where flowers rise and leaves come down, one day their pictures will be found.
They knew the canvas of the sky, how water plays when clouds go by
How colour schemes beyond the sun, for one last dance when day is done.
They painted pictures, painted names, above shop doors the owners’ claims
Their brushes flew brought colours back from Spain, their ladders knew the shortcut home again.
Chorus
And what is fortune what is fame? You catch the light, it’s gone again
Freedom flies beyond the frame, freedom flies beyond the frame.
One day they walked along the shore, to paint the walls around our door
Their stories echoed to the beach, brightened corners paint won’t reach.
And in between the tea and talk, I saw the place where artistes walk
Knew fickle fashion’s empty breeze, would never trouble men like these.
They mixed the paint, they viewed the sky, they wondered if it might stay dry
They spoke of light and ways of men, now every sunset speaks of them.
Chorus
In freedoms name beneath the sun, some close one eye to aim a gun
Some open both, see far and wide, all colours living side by side.
So take your ladders one last time, each tiny splash a secret sign
Like stories told between the lines, like pictures hidden in a rhyme.
There were two brothers in this town, they spread their colours all around
Where flowers rise and leaves come down, one day their pictures will be found.
One day their pictures will be found.
Chorus
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3. |
Fresh Bread
03:28
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Fresh Bread
Words & Music Colum Sands © Elm Grove Music
Every time I smell fresh bread I see your hands again
Coaxing, shaping, rounding children from the fields of grain
Floury fingers tend the fire in sunshine and in rain
Every time I smell fresh bread I see your hands again.
Chorus
And it’s for these hands we’re singing (2)
For arms of love, not arms of war,
It’s for these hands we’re singing.
Every time I see fresh bread I think of you again
Your work is slowly rising now in answer to the flame
It seems that every season turns in waiting’s joyful pain
Every time I see fresh bread I see your hands again.
Every time I taste fresh bread I hear your voice again
The butter’s melting on the knife, you call each us by name
A slice of life, a circle shared that time can never claim
Every time I taste fresh bread I see your hands again.
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4. |
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We’re Walking Down the Road
Words & Music Colum Sands © Elm Grove Music
Walking down the road I thought I heard a song
I’m not sure where it came from it was neither short nor long
Not sure how it started and I don’t know where it ends
But it walked along beside me like we were the best of friends
Walking down the road, Walking down the road.
Walking down the road I met with Mary Flynn
She looked at me she waved to me she says are you coming in
I’ve changed around the kitchen put new paper on the wall
Says I, I’ll call back later, ah says she you won’t at all
Sure we’ll go walking down the road, walking down the road.
CHORUS Down the road, Down the road (2)
Ah the world is waiting for you when you’re walking down the road
Walking down the road I met with Pat the Pound
Says he to hell with Wall Street sure me shares are falling down
But then he hitched his trouser pockets with an optimistic yank
I’ll keep me money here says he, it’s safer than the bank
And we’ll go walking down the road, walking down the road
Walking down the road I met the girls and boys
They said our batteries have run out we’ve thrown away the toys
But we’ve smelt the apple blossom and we’ve seen the dragon fly
We’ve closed the screen to view the scene across the mountains high
We’ll go walking down the road, walking down the road. CHORUS
Walking down the road I met with Betsy Wall
I‘m flyin off to Spain, says she, my tickets bought and all
But I’m walking to the airport by good oul Shanks mare
Sure I can’t afford to park the car, it’s cheaper in the air
And I'm walking down the road, walking down the road.
Walking down the road I met with Owney Mee
Says I, how are you Owney - ach I’m only fair, says he
For the clock my father gave me, she’ll neither tick nor chime
I know that I should wind her up but I haven’t got the time
So I’m walking down the road, walking down the road CHORUS
Repeat first verse and Chorus
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5. |
Fred Jordan's Boots
04:25
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Fred Jordan’s Boots
Words & Music Colum Sands © Elm Grove Music
There are monuments raised to men of the sword
Who conquered on many’s a shore
But to read of their deeds and the flags they have planted
I don’t stop to look anymore
For no roots grow on flagpoles nor flowers upon flags
And they all fade away before long
So I’m singing tonight for a labouring man
Who planted a garden of song.
Chorus
And it’s one step and two we’re following you
Down by the banks where the primroses grew
One step and two we’re following you
The songs you once carried now carrying you.
It’s a right step from Auckland to Fred Jordan’s house
Ten thousand miles, maybe more
But here as we sip by the volcanoes lip
The memories pour in by the score.
There’s a black and white photograph up on the wall
Says Roger, I’ll show you some more
And back in he comes with the heart of this song
The boots that Fred Jordan wore. (Chorus)
These boots they were made for a labouring man
A man who could carry a song
From the fields around Ludlow to many’s the stage
These boots carried Fred Jordan on.
And when time overtook him he sensed the last verse
But his song wasn’t ready to end
And Roger he knew as he gave them to you
Saying kick out these boots my old friend (Chorus)
And here in this house where the volcanoes sleep
There are places and spaces to dream
A song for the morning a drink for the night
And stories for times in between.
There’s food on the table a fire on the hearth
And a welcome for those on the roam
In Takarunga this night I know in my heart
That Fred Jordan’s boots are at home (Chorus)
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6. |
Giant's Causeway Tram
02:58
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Giants Causeway Tram
Words and Music Hugh Speers © Elm Grove Music
I’ll tell you of a vehicle and I hope youse all will mind
She ran from 18 and 82 to 19 and 49
You may travel over Germany or China or Japan
But you’ll never meet the equal of the Giants Causeway Tram.
She left the Giant’s Causeway and over to Sandy hills
Across the Bush and round the bend til she came into Bushmills
I watched her coming up the brae while running at full power
She passed me like a hurricane doing seven miles an hour.
And I mind one Easter Monday she was travelling to Portrush
So many passengers on board the conductor had to push
But going up the Cloney there’s a hump upon the track
And instead of going forward sure the bloody oul' tram went back.
Now the lurcher Tom Mc Conaghy was spittin on the floor
Til a certain lady passenger could stand the sight no more
She asked the conductor Charlie Shaw if spittin he’d permit
He says aye surely missus just you go ahead and spit.
But now the tram is finished and you’ll never see her again
The cars are used as chicken coops in many’s an Antrim Glen
The station house was auctioned off and Eastwood bought the track
And no matter how much you long for her she’ll never be coming back.
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7. |
Too Loud
04:32
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Too Loud
(Words and Music Colum Sands © Elm Grove Music)
I see your lips moving and I hope you’re approving of what I am trying to say
Not sure you can hear me but no need to fear me it’s just that my head’s near astray.
I feel like a bulldog I’m hoarse as a bullfrog, but still I refuse to be cowed
And I wonder if anyone else ever thinks, that the music is turned up too loud.
Into the clinic came oul Pat Mc Kinnock, his head in a terrible spin
He said three days ago you took wax from my ears, please nurse could you put it back in
For I went to the new shop to buy me a shirt, nearly ended up buying a shroud
Blood ran from my ears and I ran for my life, for the music was turned up too loud.
On the bus now me boys, with second hand noise, from headphones in neighbouring ears
That Machine gunning drumming, it had my head humming,
Til even my nose was in tears
Could you turn down the volume, the diddily diddily diddily dolume,
I pawed my way through the crowd
But no one could hear me, like bats in the belfry, the music was turned up too loud.
If you went for a meal & you ordered a steak and the waiter came back with a cow
On a plate like a boat and shoved all down your throat, there’s chance that you might start a row
But with decibels soaring into our ears boring, we’re like chickens force fed in a crowd
It’s like gallons of perfume being sprayed up your nose, when the music is turned up too loud.
Chorus
Turn it up Sam and his Casablanc Band have been gaining in volume for years
They play it again and again and again ‘til they’ve all lost the use of their ears
Their fans they are fading through sound waves they’re wading, they’re drowning if truth be allowed
Their motto is plain, no pain without gain, so the music is turned up too loud.
So you decibel raisers, you ear drum erasers, what is the name of your game
It seems you’re conspiring to drown every word of those with a use for their brain
Hearing’s a sense and we need all we’ve got to keep that with which we’re endowed
So while I’m still complete, I’ll vote with my feet when the music is turned up too loud.
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8. |
Michael's Orchard
03:37
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Michael’s Orchard
Words and Music Colum Sands ©Elm Grove Music
Ah you’ll never grow an apple tree in this part of the country
For the weather here is wintry and the wintry weather’s wild
You’ll never grow an apple tree in this part of the country
For apples never grew here since Adam was a child.
For there’s salt upon the breath of the breezes from the ocean
And there’s frost upon the fingers of the fog at blossom time
You’ll never grow an apple tree in this part of the country
The old men chewed tobacco to the rhythm of their rhyme.
Michael heard their words and he looked across the ocean
Then he stepped around the little field where apples never grew
He chewed a blade of grass, he tasted salt he dreamt of orchards
While the old men watched him fearing he might teach them something new.
Killyballyowen watched him as he planted trees of shelter
Cross and Rehy watched him as the ash and rowan grew
Michael watched their colours change from springtime into autumn
And he knew that far above him time was watching too.
Michael felt the wind and years come flying up the Shannon
But his trees had taken root and their shelter warmed him too
He grafted hopes and dreams and he planted for tomorrow
And sheltered in his careful hands the little orchard grew.
He lived to see the apples and he watched his children taste them
While the old men chewed tobacco to the rhythm of their rhyme
For you who dare to dream the songbirds sing on branches
And your children’s play in the apple blossom time.
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9. |
Du You Sie
03:23
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Du You Sie
Words and Music Colum Sands © Elm Grove Music
Now do you see said Sue to me two words for you in German
My lovely teacher looked at me to make sure I was learning
Sie is formal Du for friends her voice was sweet perfection
And soon I knew that Du and Sie would drive me to distraction.
The formal Sie said Sue to me keeps people separated
Formality. said I to Sue is vastly over rated
To start with Du takes out the fun said Sue of exploration
My brush with Freud translated this as deferred gratification.
For I saw Sue as Du not Sie while she to me was Sie-ing
And the more I saw of Sue each week the more I thought of Du-ing.
I’m seeing Sue for 6 months now it could be such a pleasure
If only she’d Du unto me my joy would know no measure.
I loved not wisely but too well and this I could be rueing
For now as well as Sie-ing me she’s sueing me for Du-ing.
Twas just a jest Sue didn’t sue and now my heart’s a quiver
For yesterday she said to me I’ll Du you now forever
And grammar thus is leading us to sweetest conjugation
We’re doing very well thank you but ask not for translation.
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10. |
Song for Nuri
04:23
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Song for Nuri/Desert Flower
Words and Music Colum Sands © Elm Grove Music
There once was a tree here don't tell me it's gone
Bookra feel mish mish how time passes on
There was music in its branches shelter from the sun
There once was a tree here don't tell me it's gone.
And there once was a house here don't tell me it's gone
Bookra feel mish mish how time passes on
With a doorway of laughter for daughter and son
There once was a house here don't tell me it's gone.
There once was a school here don't tell me it's gone
Bookra feel mish mish how time passes on
With honour for wisdom and knowledge passed on
There once was a school here don't tell me it's gone.
And there once was a dream here don't tell me it's gone
Bookra feel mish mish how time passes on
Of a new land where freedom might rise with the dawn
There once was a dream here don't tell me it's gone.
But down where that tree stood look closely and see
There’s a desert flower dreaming for you and for me
That wisdom and justice may outgrow the gun
And all of our colours may flower in the sun.
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11. |
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From the Darkness of the Mine
Words & Music Colum Sands © Elm Grove Music
She’s lying by the fire and the coal is burning brightly
She’s listening for the sound of the man who held her tightly
Sayin' though you may not see me, child, I’ll be right beside you
Keep your ear close to the ground and I’ll be singing for you
And a light will shine forever from the darkness of the mine. (2)
Now through her classroom window the sun is shining brightly
She can see his white shirt drying on the line it’s flying lightly
And his voice is on the wind saying I am right beside you
Keep your ear close to the ground and I’ll be singing for you
And a light will shine forever from the darkness of the mine. (2)
Now it wasn’t in the classroom but she learned it day and nightly
How the miners and their wives fought those fingers closing tightly
On the wealth their work had raised, still their spirit’s right beside you
Keep your ear close to the ground and they’ll be singing for you
And a light will shine forever from the darkness of the mine. (2)
Now she stands against the war and a voice she’s raising rightly
Once our men died digging coal now it’s oil and war unsightly
But above the lies of warlords there are millions right beside you
Keep your ear close to the ground and we’ll be singing for you
And a light will shine forever from the darkness of the mine (.2)
Now there’s music on the street and her eyes are shining brightly
Her fathers name is living on that banner flying sprightly
And Jack Elliot’s spirit sings in the voices all around you
And the brave bold men of ‘Cotia, they’ll be singing for you
And a light will shine forever from the darkness of the mine. (2)
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Colum Sands Newry, UK
Colum Sands is a universal storyteller who draws on a long Irish tradition of poetic musicality to weave songs for the
world.
Drawing on countless performances, Sands uses humour and shrewd observation to celebrate what unites rather than what separates. His latest album “Song Bridge” includes many of the songs written for his extensive environmental campaigning over the past two years.
... more
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