1. |
Land Pirate's Life
03:40
|
|||
Today I spent an hour and a half at Temple Meads
Waiting for a train that's waiting 'til the flood recedes
And being mid November it's more than a little cold
I feel it in my bones these days 'coz I'm getting old
And normally, as well you know, on tour I drive my van
But I've got this lift to Leeds on the tour bus from Nottingham
So this time I will take the train and I'll have to travel light
'Coz I'm on tour with my heroes from now 'til Sunday night
Oh there's no two ways about it, this is quite the life I chose
It's not glamorous or sexy, but that's just how it goes
It's service station sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and tea
And I wouldn't change a thing, it's the land pirate's life for me
After I had waited for an hour and a half
I gave up, I relented, not a single train had passed
If I am to make sound check then I will have to drive
So I went home and got in my van and hit the old M5
The motorways were kind to me and I arrived with time to spare
Met up with the other bands who were already there
Sound checked, had a bite to eat and then opened up the show
Then hung out with some strangers, they're just friends I don't yet know
Oh there's no two ways about it, this is quite the life I chose
It's not glamorous or sexy, but that's just how it goes
It's service station sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and tea
And I wouldn't change a thing, it's the land pirate's life for me
And now I'm miles away from anywhere I've been
In the company of thieves who stole my heart, my new found friends
And given half a chance I'd do it all again,
Oh I'd do it all again, do it all again,
In the blink of an eye I would do it all again
So when the show was over I headed up to Leeds
Kept one eye out for a lay-by, I'm a man of simple sleeping needs
Then on to Birmingham, and the London final show
But I can't drive my van inside that low emissions zone
So one more time, with fingers crossed, I had to get the train
And I hoped to God he hasn't let those rivers flood again
One more show to play and then for me this tour is done
Done at least 'til next week when I start another one
Oh there's no two ways about it, this is quite the life I chose
It's not glamorous or sexy, but that's just how it goes
It's service station sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and tea
And I wouldn't change a thing, it's the land pirate's life
The land pirate's life, the land pirate's life for me
|
||||
2. |
||||
Oh this place meant so much to so many that we know
For some it was one of the few places we'd go
So we'll stand here and revel in all our past glories
'Coz if these walls could talk
They'd tell one hell of a story
I had my first legal drink in the Rolleston Arms
£1.80 a pint, I soon fell for it's charms
In more recent times not the cheapest around
But the Sunday roast beats any others hands down
A regular there by 1999
And every weekend we would drink the place dry
And at time head downstairs to our favourite club
That resided just under out favourite pub
Oh this place meant so much to so many that we know
For some it was one of the few places we'd go
So we'll stand here and revel in all our past glories
'Coz if these walls could talk
They'd tell one hell of a story
Remember the dance hour when no-one would dance?
And we'd all use those sixty short minutes to chance
Our luck with a lady in some darkened corner
To find out your best friend just got there before you
Remember the songs that they'd end every night with?
Song 2, Place Your hands, and that Rage one we liked
It felt good to have somewhere that we could belong
From the first drink of the night to the DJ's last song
Oh this place meant so much to so many that we know
For some it was one of the few places we'd go
So we'll stand here and revel in all our past glories
'Coz if these walls could talk
They'd tell one hell of a story
Did the scene lack support? Was it rising drink costs?
Did the brewery put the rates up? Was it making a loss?
Did the alternative kids all leave town and grow up?
Well I'm betting at times it was all of the above
And it feels a bit like the death of an old friend
And it's a shame that the glory years came to an end
So please charge your glasses, lament now with me
To good times! To the Rolly! To old Level 3!
Oh this place meant so much to so many that we know
For some it was one of the few places we'd go
So we'll stand here and revel in all our past glories
'Coz if these walls could talk
They'd tell one hell of a story
Yes if these walls could talk
They'd tell one hell of a story
Yes if these walls could talk
They'd tell one hell of a story
|
||||
3. |
Towns
05:18
|
|||
I grew up in Swindon but that's not where I was born
I drew my first breath in Kettering one sunny Wednesday morn'
Born unto a preachers wife, and a preacher man
Folk called them the Brookfields
I call them Mum and Dad
And they had this tiny cottage by a leather factory
That's where I spent my first few weeks, sister, Mum, Dad and me
And we didn't have a lot, but what we had we made it count
My first few weeks were happy, of that fact I have no doubt
Oh work took Dad to London when I was just a few weeks old
I don't remember much, but we moved to flat in Streatham, so I'm told
And my only memory here was condensation ran the walls
And in winter it would freeze, but Mum and Dad would keep us warm
Four years in we moved again as Dad's job took us East
Only as far as Essex, to a town called Chadwell Heath
And that's where I started school, and I hated every day
But we moved on to pastures new, September '88
Oh I had lived in many towns, and I'll live in a hundred more
As I drive these songs around, finding folk to play them for
I've lived in many towns, and I'll live in a hundred more
So we packed up Dad's Montego, and my family headed West
Settled down in Swindon town, that's where I spent the rest
Of my formative years learning how to get things right and wrong
It's where I had my first love, it's where I wrote my first song
Oh I left home at 17 and it's funny how things go
In Northamptonshire again, with Kettering just down the road
And I spent two years there trying to make sense of who I am
Oh I left home boy, but returned a man
Oh I had lived in many towns, and I'll live in a hundred more
As I drive these songs around, finding folk to play them for
I've lived in many towns, and I'll live in a hundred more
And at 24 I joined a band and moved back to London town
Feeling like I'd chased the ghost of my younger self around
And we thought we knew everything, but we didn't have a clue
And we did all of the stupid things that all guys in bands do
But it was doomed to failure, so I went where I felt safe
That bungee chord of Swindon town took me back once again
And I've never felt as low as then, never felt as beat
But I'm not the kind of person easily admits defeat
Oh I had lived in many towns, and I'll live in a hundred more
As I drive these songs around, finding folk to play them for
I've lived in many towns, and I'll live in a hundred more
These days I live in Bristol, but I still travel round
And by the law of averages I'll soon be in your town
And we can share a drink or two and dance into the night
'Coz playing songs to folk like you is what keeps me alive
And that keen sense of belonging, and that feeling that I'm home
Comes from every town I play in, and I don't feel so alone
And when people ask the question, "Where do you come from?"
Oh I'll say, "I come from everywhere!" And I'll play them this song!
Oh I had lived in many towns, and I'll live in a hundred more
As I drive these songs around, finding folk to play them for
I've lived in many towns, and I'll live in a hundred more
One more time!
Now I had lived in many towns, and I'll live in a hundred more
As I drive these songs around, finding folk to play them for
I've lived in many towns, and I'll live in a hundred more
|
||||
4. |
The Busker Song
03:32
|
|||
A busker plays to fill his belly
He plays to entertain the crowds
You won't see him on the telly but he's playing pretty much
Anywhere he is aloud
And some might say he is a nuisance
And others swear he is a bard
And you've any number of excuses why you never drop a coin
But a busker's life is hard
'Coz he's out playing in all weathers
Come rain or shine he's got a tune
No don't confuse him with the beggars my friends
'Coz when a busker plays, a busker plays for you
And he's just trying to make a living
And people shout, "Oi get a job!"
And he knows that relies upon the giving nature of the passers by
But if you ask he'll play your favourite song
And if you think this isn't grafting
Well maybe you should have a go
And we will see how long you last friend, on the streets of England's towns
And we'll see how many songs you know
'Coz he's out playing in all weathers
Come rain or shine he's got a tune
No don't confuse him with the beggars my friends
'Coz when a busker plays, a busker plays for you
And even if no-one was watching, he'd be playing anyway
It's in his blood, in it's in his nature, it's just a bonus if he's paid
And if you think he'll spend your money on heroin or crack cocaine
Not every busker is a junkie, just like every passer by is not the same
'Coz he's out playing in all weathers
Come rain or shine he's got a tune
No don't confuse him with the beggars my friends
'Coz when a busker plays, a busker plays for you
A busker plays for you
A busker plays for you
A busker plays for you
|
||||
5. |
Die Of Thirst
03:06
|
|||
It's the last time, the party's over for you now
I hope you savor that last drop of liquid in your mouth
I know you'll miss that sense of detachment from your brain
But no you won't miss waking up each morning in pain
You let it get the best of you, but don't let it take the worst
Drowning is no way to go, but now you'll have to die of thirst
its not the first time, the first time you had to turn and run
Run from a substance that in moderation can be fun
You always do this, you're always taking things too far
And now you're drowning, drowning miles from the shore
You let it get the best of you, but don't let it take the worst
Drowning is no way to go, but now you'll have to die of thirst
And when you're on a roll
Who is in control?
You, or alcohol?
It's the last time, the party's over for you now
I hope you savor that last drop of liquid in your mouth
|
||||
6. |
Wagons Roll
04:14
|
|||
It's easy for you to say, "You'll just have the one today won't you?"
You know that I've never been that kind of clever don't you?
You say that I don't need whisky and wine to have fun here
If you think that's true then maybe it's you who's the drunk here
I can't wait for this night be over
I just can't stand being around drunk folk when I'm sober
And I've not touched a drop since that night I got lost on my way home
A ropy kebab, dodge a fight, call a cab from a pay phone
And I can't say I like being sober at night but I'll get though it
'Coz I need to prove to myself and to you I can do this
And it's too much weight for my shoulders
I just can't stand being around drunk folk when I'm sober
No one said this would be fun
And it's easier said than done
Now I'm right back to square one
Three months gone by and although I'm still dry I'm still thirsty
So if should choose to get back on the booze will you hate me?
It's good for the soul to let old wagons roll without you
And I'll get back on when I'm feeling strong enough to
I can't wait for this night be over
It's just far too weight for my shoulders
So I will wait 'til I'm older
I just can't stand being around drunk folk when I'm sober
|
||||
7. |
LW3
03:03
|
|||
Loudon Wainwright blows my mind
More and more all of the time
I hope that one day or one night
I write as well as Wainwright rights
To put one's life, one's family
On display for all to see
Albeit in poetic prose
It takes bravery to be so exposed
To lay one's sins out on the ground
Scrutinised by all around
Easily could go so wrong
To tell your stories in these songs
Songs of travel, songs of home
Songs of being fine all alone
So witty it's easy to miss
What the real meaning is
Songs of fame and songs of wealth
Songs of age and fading health
Songs of family, songs of loss
Songs name dropping Dylan, and The Boss
When I play your songs at shows
I can see the ones who know
The people out there just like me
The ever loyal fraternity
And I always say, "This song's not mine,
Loudon Wainwright's who it's by"
And I'm pretty sure you wouldn't care
If I play the odd one here and there
And I only play your songs because
I just love them so damn much
I just borrow that's no crime
And of course you're more than welcome
To borrow some of mine
Such elegant simplicity
From Red Guitar to Song In C
The bar's been raised, the standard set
And I haven't even come close to it yet
Such honest music should be praised
In such dark dishonest days
So let's celebrate such gems as he
Oh every song, every LP
Get lost in the discography
Of LW3
Loudon Wainwright blows my mind
|
||||
8. |
The Idiots Are Winning
03:21
|
|||
Do you feel like you're outnumbered?
The idiots are winning by a country mile
And everywhere you turn yo're lumbered
With the need to hide contempt behind a smile
Have you lost faith in religion?
The politics of faith hang heavy on your heart
Another wasted education
Another ending taken right back to the start
Just let it go
It's the only way to save your soul
Just let your anger go
Is your relevance in question?
Is it inversely proportionate to age?
Will you ever learn your lesson?
Or are these remnants of an adolescent rage?
Do the ghosts of your decisions
Haunt the outcome of the choices that you make?
Second guessing apparitions
Is a pointless endeavour to undertake
Just let it go
It's the only way to save your soul
Just let your anger go
I heard you say under your breath, "If you're not angry, you don't care"
I can't profess to feel the same, 'coz anger is a young man's game
Just let it go
It's the only way to save your soul
Just let your anger
Let your anger
Let your anger go
|
||||
9. |
No Tomorrow
03:02
|
|||
It's just me and it's just you
Sat here waiting for the moon
Apollo will descend to shine on foreign friends so very soon
It's just you and it's just me
Sat here waiting for the sea
Waiting to be saved, waiting 'til the waves crash round our feet
And we'll sing into the night
As if it's alright and there is no tomorrow
If we just save enough to get good and drunk and drown all of our sorrows
I don't have a penny to my name
You are pretty much the same
So what if we're poor, we've been skint before and we're ok
Oh it's just you and it's just me
That is all we'll ever need
Learning not to worry about not having any money sets us free
And we'll sing into the night
As if it's alright and there is no tomorrow
If we just save enough to get good and drunk and drown all of our sorrows
Yeah we are taught to save our minimum wage all of our lives
But I would rather spend, 'coz in the end you can't take it when you die
And we'll sing into the night
As if it's alright and there is no tomorrow
If we just save enough to get good and drunk and drown all of our sorrows
And we'll sing into the night
As if it's alright and there is no tomorrow
If we just save enough to get good and drunk and drown all of our sorrows
|
||||
10. |
||||
You don't need a record deal to make a record now
Just a laptop and some software, and someone who knows how
And you don't need a manager, you're managing just fine
You just need a search engine, a phone, and dedicate some time
Oh you don't need anybody else
Yeah you can do it all yourself
One day you might have all of those things that you don't need
The record deal, the manager, the whole world at your feet
But if you do it all yourself and get used to it now
It won't be such a culture shock on the way back down
You don't need a publicist to publicise your name
Just play a thousand shows instead, the outcome is the same
You don't need an entourage to pander to your whims
And you don't need a roadie, you can carry your own things
Oh you don't need anybody else
Yeah you can do it all yourself
One day you might have all of those things that you don't need
The record deal, the manager, the whole world at your feet
But if you do it all yourself and get used to it now
It won't be such a culture shock on the way back down
On the way back down
You don't need a rider, mad back stage requests
Just a sandwich and some cider, maybe somewhere to get get dressed
You don't need a driver as long as you can drive,
And you don't need a hotel, your back seat will suffice
Oh you don't need anybody else
Yeah you can do it all yourself
One day you might have all of those things that you don't need
The record deal, the manager, the whole world at your feet
But if you do it all yourself and get used to it now
It won't be such a culture shock on the way back down
You might get the publicist, the roadie and the driver
The entourage of sycophants, the hotel and the rider
But if you do it all yourself and get used to it now
It won't be such a culture shock on the way back down
On the way back down
On the way back down
|
||||
11. |
Black Dog Day
03:25
|
|||
That old dog knows how to find me
It matters not which road I travel on
And I thought those days were behind me
But it turns out I could not have been more wrong
And he sits right there on my shoulder
His cold, wet breath upon my neck
And they said he would leave when I got older
But he still creeps up when I least expect
And it's hard to say why it has to be today
And I can't explain how it feels
But a black dog day could be just one sleep away
And I'll never see him coming but I'll keep running with him snapping at my heels
And there's no good reason for his visits
He requires neither catalyst nor cause
And he'll push me to my very limits
And leave with nothing but the scars left by his claws
And he steals the wind right out my sails
And he leaves me at the mercy of the waves
And I've tried but I have failed to outrun him
But I'm not fast enough on my feet to escape
And it's hard to say why it has to be today
And I can't explain how it feels
But a black dog day could be just one sleep away
And I'll never see him coming but I'll keep running with him snapping at my heels
At my heels
And it's hard to say why it has to be today
And I can't explain how it feels
But a black dog day could be just one sleep away
And I'll never see him coming but I'll keep running with him snapping at my heels
And it's hard to say why it has to be today
And I can't explain how it feels
But a black dog day could be just one sleep away
And I'll never see him coming but I'll keep running with him snapping at my heels
|
||||
12. |
Let The East Winds Blow
03:16
|
|||
Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining
I'd never moan about doing this
But it is more than just a saying
To say that home is where the heart is
And I would take the rush of playing
Over almost anything
But I have felt no better feeling
Than the glow the home fire brings
So let the eat winds blow
And let them take me home
Down this lonely road
To see my love again
You see I miss my creature comforts
My comfy sofa and my big TV
And the love of a good woman
And I like to think she misses me
You see there are troubadours who wander
Content to endlessly rove alone
But I like to strike a healthy balance
Between the open road and home
So let the eat winds blow
And let them take me home
Down this lonely road
To see my love again
So let the eat winds blow
And let them take me home
Down this lonely road
To see my love again
I love to travel but I ain't no Kerouac
I hit the open road and it hits me right back
So let the eat winds blow
And let them take me home
Down this lonely road
To see my love again
Oh let the eat winds blow
And let them take me home
Down this lonely road
To see my love again
Oh let the eat winds blow
And let them take me home
Down this lonely road
To see my love again
|
Streaming and Download help
If you like Gaz Brookfield, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp