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Drunks & Dreamers

by Roy Smiles

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1.
Ballad Of Moira Mooney 02:40
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Ballad Of Moira Mooney I’ve walked naked and I have walked half dead A prisoner to all the hatred in my head I’ve done things that fill my soul with dread But I’ll walk on while Mooney walks with me. I’ve walked back streets of glassed and broken dreams Lived in cities so shitty angels screamed Made grown men cry and made the saints blaspheme But I’ll walk on while Mooney walks with me. Chorus I’ve seen the darkest places I’ve known the brightest hells Had Jesus and the Devil wish me well Life was for the losing, I couldn’t seem to care Moira kept me from drowning in despair. I’ve been bloody without ever seeing scars I’ve played the prophet and a clown in all the bars Sobbed under streetlights whilst heckling the stars But I’ll walk on while Mooney walks with me. Instrumental. Chorus I’ve known years so sparse the Spartans hush I’ve known nights so low the hookers blush Had Hades’ hordes come at me in a rush But I’ll walk on while Mooney walks with me I’ll walk on while Mooney walks with me I’ll walk on while Mooney walks with me.
2.
I'll Give You The Sun 02:59
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I'll Give You The Sun I can't give you diamonds That glitter like stars I can't give you rubies That shine from afar But you'll wake up one morning Thousand things to be done Just look out your window And I'll give you the sun. I can't give you silver Or cathedrals of gold Nor give you the treasures That the oceans might hold But you'll wake up one morning Thousand things to be done Just look out your window And I'll give you the sun. Chorus For though I am nothing A working man's son I'd give you the earth If it were mine to be won For though I am nothing A working man's son I'd give you the earth If it were mine to be won. I can't give you castles Or a princess's clothes I can't give you flowers Not a solitary rose But you'll wake up one morning Thousand things to be done Just look out your window And I'll give you the sun. Chorus Yes, you'll wake up one morning Thousand things to be done Just look out your window And I'll give you the sun.
3.
Christ This City 03:07
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Christ This City To be tired of London, is to be tired of life But man this city cuts you, cuts you like a knife There's people out there walking, who love hate like a wife Christ this city sometimes gets me down. Neighbours vicious strangers, they act like you're not there They don't believe in talking, they can only swear Millions of angry people but not one friend to care Christ this city sometimes gets me down. Chorus And every dream you've ever dreamed Has been drown by siren screams And every hope you've ever known Someone else has taken home And every dream you've ever dreamed Has been drown by siren screams And every hope you've ever known Someone else has taken home. Where every shoulder knocks you, when every laughs a sneer And every building mocks you, as you cry into your beer And every sign's in neon, the brighter to hide your fear Christ this city sometimes gets me down. Christ this city sometimes gets me Christ this city sometimes gets me Christ this city sometimes gets me down. Chorus (Instrumental) All of the queen's horses and all of the queen's men Should pull down this city and build it up again Bulldoze all the houses, send for Mr. Wren Christ this city sometimes gets me Christ this city sometimes gets me Christ this city sometimes gets me down Sometimes gets me down.
4.
Raven Black 03:19
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Raven Black I will see her in the glory of the morning I will hear her midst the madness of the day I will feel her when the winter winds are storming And the birds of summer have flown away. I will touch her in the gentle breeze of autumn I will know her in the howling rain’s refrain I will sense her in the empty nights of cities And I’ll remember Tel Aviv again. Chorus The woman walked as if she were in shadow And where she walked there was no going back Here eyes were filled with many untold sorrows And her hair was as dark as - raven black. I will call her name in dreams of silent worry As the troubles in the Middle East go on I will see again the distant gun-ships flying As she sang to me her sad and angry songs; Chorus Some men stay as some men leave I will remember Tel Aviv Some men take as some men need I will remember Tel Aviv Some men love as some men grieve I will remember Tel Aviv. Instrumental. Chorus I think of her when dawn is slowly rising I think of her as night reclaims the day May there one day be peace and understanding Keep Sheila safe and well ‘til then I pray. Chorus And her hair was as dark as - raven black And her hair was as dark as - raven black.
5.
St Jude's Lament 03:18
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St. Jude’s Lament The water’s wide and the ocean’s deep Fly plane fly; while I get some sleep Go tell St. Jude: no more I’ll ever roam I’m coming home, I’m coming home. I’ve been to lands where no wars were won Known seas of sand; an unforgiving sun Seen bullets fly in cities made of stone I’m coming home, I’m coming home. I’ve done my duty, I’ve served my time I’ve walked through hell but I held the line Been blown to pieces; cut right to the bone Now I’m coming home, I’m coming home. Chorus The lost and the lonely, forgotten and damned Won’t you be guided by St. Jude’s hand? The lost and the lonely, forgotten and damned Won’t you be guided by St. Jude’s hand? Once I was lost but now I’m found While better men lie, buried in the ground Go thank St. Jude: I never walked alone I’m coming home, I’m coming home. (Instrumental) Chorus The ocean’s deep and the water’s wide My woman waits; so ride plane ride Go tell St. Jude: no more I’ll ever roam I’m coming home, I’m coming home I’m coming home, I’m coming home I’m coming home, Lord, I’m coming home.
6.
Angel Of The North 03:09
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Angel Of The North I’ve had enough of these London streets They’re paved with pavement not with gold And I’m getting old I’ve had enough of the people I meet The sadness never leaves their eyes So it’s no surprise: I’m going back to my home town where only the rain can grind me down So let these rails take their own course back to my Angel of the North. Chorus Angel of Gateshead walk with me Angel of Gateshead set me free Angel of Gateshead take my hand Through this dark, foreboding land. I’m going back to the cold old Tyne, it’s only a river but it’s still mine Tell Pat and Jean and Johnny Mac, the boy who left is coming back. Chorus I’m going back to the Northern Lights, where dreams are painted black & white Tell Maggie Carr to man the phone, for this Jack Carter’s coming home. (Instrumental) I’ve had enough of these London streets They’re paved with pavement not with gold And I’m getting old I’ve had enough of the people I meet The sadness never leaves their eyes So it’s no surprise: Chorus I’m going back to my home town, where only the rain can grind me down So let these rails take their own course back to my Angel of the North So let these rails take their own course back to my Angel of the North.
7.
A Land Called Home 03:06
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A Land Called Home I wandered streets of silent dread Where every heart was left for dead In search of comfort, love or bed Looking for a land called home Looking for a land called home. I searched through harsh and broken lands Where all my dreams had turned to sand Drunk and dazed and sometimes damned Looking for a land called home Looking for a land called home. Chorus Home is where the heart is But I’m a man without a heart If I had a heart, girl We’d have never come to part Home is where the heart is But I’m a man who stands apart How can I ever find a home? When I don't know where to start? I scoured the earth and all its bars In trains and planes, coaches and cars Scarred as the sun, lost as the stars Looking for a land called home Looking for a land called home. (Instrumental) Chorus Walked north and south and east and west But where I walked I found no rest A Don Quixote’s desperate quest Looking for a land called home Looking for a land called home Looking for a land called home Looking for a land called home.
8.
Above Us The Stars (Sea Song) 02:47
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Sea Song (Above Us The Stars) I’m worn out by this city of buildings monstrous grey I’m weary of the subways I yearn to get away I’m broken by the hating voices that bark and bray I need to leave this city to feel the ocean’s spray. Chorus Let’s ride to the river: a ship will set us free Above us the stars: beneath us, beneath us, beneath us the sea. I’m tired of the people who tell you how to live Who kill the love inside you no matter how much you give I want to see the night sky lost to this city’s glare I want to kiss your warm lips as the wind blows back your hair. Chorus (Instrumental) Chorus We’ll leave behind the faces and places we have known And work again for no man nor call a house a home Let’s leave behind the dark clouds and cast away our fears We’ll leave behind this city and sail away our years. Chorus Above us beneath us, beneath us, beneath us the sea.
9.
Drunks & Dreamers 03:54
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Drunks & Dreamers I shall not walk with guardian angels I shall not talk of times with kings No, I shall not walk with guardian angels Nor ever wear a wedding ring Lord, nor ever wear a wedding ring. Chorus But if I can sing to drunks and dreamers To the souls who don’t belong If I can preach to drunks and dreamers And maybe teach them my song And maybe teach them my song. I shall not march to tunes of glory Nor ever be sweet fortune’s slave No, I shall not march to tunes of glory But lie buried in a pauper’s grave Lord, lie buried in a pauper’s grave. Chorus I went swimming in a river of wine Not waving but crying I was saved in the nick of time Not drowning but trying I went swimming in a river of wine Realized what I had done And found my salvation In the eyes of my new born son Yes, and found my salvation In the eyes of my new born son. (Instrumental). I shall not march through streets of Eden Nor know the touch of my true love’s hand No, I shall not run through streets of Eden Nor ever find my promised land Lord, nor ever find my promised land. Chorus Teach them my song.
10.
Shadow Of My Songs 02:52
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Shadow Of My Songs Though the years have come between us and my days are marked by time I can’t forget what went between us and the hours you were mine Girl know I always loved you though I often did you wrong You’re the reason for my living; you’re the shadow of my songs. Now, I know you found another; a man who could stay true But I regret the hurt I did you; if only that you knew It broke my heart in leaving; if only I’d been strong But girl I’ll keep believing – you’re shadow of my songs. Chorus Through the years and through the pain It’s your memory keeps me sane In the dark and endless night You’re my torch and you’re my light. Through the days of constant nothing to the nights of constant rain Amongst the ghosts of passing strangers I will see your face again In cities of lost dreamers; amongst the teeming, endless throng You haunt my edge of reason; you’re the shadow of my songs. Chorus (Instrumental) I think of you in autumn when the leaves must fall and die I think of you in summer under bright and cloudless skies I think of you in winter when the lonely nights are long You’re the hope I find in spring time: you’re the shadow of my songs. My life somehow got broken; now I always walk alone A child of constant sorrow; a long, long way from home And if God will not forgive me: for all the things I’ve done Woman know that I loved you: you're the shadow of my songs you're the shadow of my songs; you're the shadow of my songs.
11.
Bird With A Broken Wing 03:05
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Bird With A Broken Wing Another night I drank alone A club of bores I thought of home She sat & stared: a safety zone But how was I to know? And so we spoke, it wasn't forced The crowd was loud, my voice was hoarse I said: 'a drink?' she said: 'of course.' But how was I to know? She's a bird with a broken wing Cannot fly, cannot sing Just a bird with a broken wing Dreaming her life away. Chorus They say there are angels To walk with us all They say there are angels To catch us as we fall They say there are angels To save us from dread They say there are angels But her angels were dead. She's a bird with a broken wing Cannot fly, cannot sing Just a bird with a broken wing Dreaming her life away. (Instrumental) And so we danced to music shrill A love affair her drinking killed I walked away her soul was ill But how was I to know? Chorus She's a bird with a broken wing Cannot fly, cannot sing Just a bird with a broken wing Drinking her life away What more is there to say?
12.
Lighthouse Keeper 02:50
lyrics
The Lighthouse Keeper I am a lighthouse keeper, I watch a barren sea They say no man’s an island, no man, that is, save me I am a lighthouse keeper, these tides are memories Rachel’s been gone a long, long time Rachel’s been gone a long, long time. I am a lighthouse keeper, I search for the mast Of the boat that frees me, from the shadows of my past I am a lighthouse keeper; each drink will be my last Rachel’s been gone a long, long time Rachel’s been gone a long, long time. Chorus Drown, drown, oceans flood round Won’t you tear this old lighthouse down Drown, drown, oceans flood round Won’t you tear this old lighthouse down. (Instrumental) Chorus Let the storm clouds gather, let the storm clouds blow Blow out the light, from this worthless soul Let the storm clouds gather, let the storm birds crow Blow out the light, from this worthless soul. Chorus I am a lighthouse keeper, I guard a jagged shore On whose rocks ex-lovers, will wreck their love no more I am a lighthouse keeper, I scream as oceans roar: Rachel’s been gone a long, long time Rachel’s been gone a long, long time Rachel’s been gone a long, long time Rachel’s been gone a long, long time.
13.
Saturday's Children 02:13
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Saturday’s Children Clancy don’t be weary don’t you know that you can’t fail? Remember that your life is not your jail And Clancy don’t be frightened just because your dreams went wrong It’s time for you to sing a different song. And its alright - they get together every night Yeah, its alright - they get together every night Saturday’s children they shall never roam Too far from home. Clancy lift your head up don’t you know that hope is free? You must be whatever you must be And Clancy let your heart sing don’t you know that dreams come true? With love around there’s nothing you can’t do. And its alright - they get together every night Yeah, it’s alright - they get together every night Saturday’s children they shall never roam Too far from home. Monday's child is fair of face Tuesday's child is filled with grace Wednesday's child is full of woe Thursday's child has far to go Friday's child is loving and giving Saturday’s child works hard for its living. (Instrumental) And it’s alright - they get together every night Yeah, its alright - they get together every night Saturday’s children they shall never roam Too far from home. Too far from home Too far from home Too far from home.
14.
Ship That Died Of Shame 02:44
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Ship That Died Of Shame Though you’re gone you’re not forgotten For the four winds call your name As I sail these storm tossed oceans I’m the ship that died of shame I’m the ship that died of shame. All the words that stayed unspoken I destroyed us: I take the blame Now the sea’s my only lover I’m the ship that died of shame I’m the ship that died of shame. Chorus And every land is left behind me And no port shall call me home I’m a ship without a compass As these lonely seas I roam. Past the years that stand between us I carry your torch like a flame And the rain recalls your crying I’m the ship that died of shame I’m the ship that died of shame. Chorus Though I knew you loved me truly I treated your love like a game Now I sail a sea of heartbreak I’m the ship that died of shame I’m the ship that died of shame. (Instrumental) Chorus Damned to ride these tides forever As your memory returns to maim May God help this faithless sailor I’m the ship that died of shame I’m the ship that died of shame I’m the ship that died of shame.

about

All songs written by Roy Smiles.
Guitars by David Mayberry.
Keyboards by Simon Walker.
Produced by Simon Walker, at Loophole Studios, Brighton.

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released June 5, 2015

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Roy Smiles London, UK

Roy Smiles has recorded ten albums:
'Drunks & Dreamers' (2011), 'Time's Moving On' (2012),'Seize The Day' (2013), 'Autumn Song' (2014), 'Bremen' (2014), 'The Trains & The Rain' (2015), 'Northern Angels'.(2018), 'Lost Souls' (2020), 'November's Child' (2023) & 'Tales Of The Ocean' (2023).
All available on Bandcamp.
Contact: roy.smiles@aol.co.uk. ... more

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