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Roy Smiles - Best Of

by Roy Smiles

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1.
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.
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.
A Land Called Home 03:06
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A Land Called Home I wandered streets of silent dread Where every soul 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.
4.
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.
5.
Lorna Doone 03:34
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Lorna Doone Woman be happy, Woman be splendid Woman may you know peace all of your days Woman be gracious, adored & befriended Woman may you know love in a thousand ways. Woman be tender, woman be knowing Woman be righteous, all of your days Woman be faithful, woman be growing Woman be exulted this much I pray. Chorus Hair tawny as autumn; eyes bright as the moon I shall love you forever my own Lorna Doone Hair tawny as autumn; eyes bright as the moon I shall love you forever my own Lorna Doone. Woman be merry, woman be contented Woman may your skies be never grey Woman be married, be my intended Woman may laughter fill all your days. Chorus (Instrumental) Chorus Woman be wondrous, woman be glowing Woman be elated all your days Woman be mighty, woman be flowing Woman may you know love in a thousand ways. Chorus My own Lorna Doone, my own Lorna Doone, my own Lorna Doone.
6.
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.
7.
Loving You All My Days 02:29
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Loving You All My Days And she wakes up And she makes up And she says I think its time to break up And she sighs now Smiles long now And then she says I think its time to cry now And then she walks away And there's only thing to say: Chorus I'll be loving you all my days I'll be loving you in a thousand ways I'll be loving you all my days This my love I pray. And the days pass And the tears pass And the years and all the beers pass And I sigh now Sometimes I cry now And I wonder every night just why now I dream of when she walked away And there's only one thing to say: Chorus The clock will turn and the candle will burn And the torch grows cold, as the heart grows old. (Instrumental) And she's gone now And it's all wrong now Lord I just have to be strong now I won't forget her Always regret her And I know I'll never meet a better I remember when she went away When the only thing that I could say: Chorus This my love I pray This my love I pray.
8.
This Summer Haze 03:44
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This Summer's Haze Golden the sunshine is golden The sun almost swollen as it conquers the sky; as it conquers the sky The ocean, the glittering ocean Hardly in motion, so still it could die; so still it could die So touch me, I want you to touch me And tell me you love me, in the dream of a daze of this summer's haze Need me, tell me you need me That you'll never leave me; in the dream of a daze of this summer's haze. Chorus Are you a dream sent by the summer? A ghost of my gaze, haunting my days? Are you a dream sent by the summer? Soon blown away with these summer days? The beach is, as far as it reaches Burning & churning, as white as a lie; as white as lie The sighing of sea birds flying As it were crying tears for the sky; tears for the sky So touch me, I want you to touch me And tell me you love me, in the dream of a daze of this summer's haze Need me, tell me you need me That you'll never leave me; in the dream of a daze of this summer's haze. Chorus (Instrumental) Ships sail as silent as rainbows Into the sun's glow, their bows proudly high; their bows proudly high The wind's still like a bride waiting Anticipating the wild autumn sky; the wild autumn sky So touch me, I want you to touch me And tell me you love me, in the dream of a daze of this summer's haze Need me, tell me you need me That you'll never leave me; in the dream of a daze of this summer's haze Of this summer's haze, of this summer's haze, of this summer's haze.
9.
Above Us The Stars 02:47
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Above Us The Stars (Sea Song) 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 the sky; beneath us, beneath us, beneath us the sea.
10.
Time's Moving On 03:47
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Time’s Moving On No nursery rhymes can help me now I’ve grown up, supposed to be a man No poems for me, written on playground swings No mumbling choirboys in church halls sing Time’s moving on. No Chopper bikes, no climbing trees No playful fights in fallen leaves I’m a grown up man in a grown up world Of angry looks and broken words Time’s moving on. Chorus Fly away Wendy, fly away Paul It doesn’t matter, not at all Just close your eyes and fly away To the land where lost children play. No Airfix kits, no Hornby trains No holding hands down Lovers Lanes No Tommy Gun, no Flashing Blade’s Just silent tears at the lives we’ve made Time’s moving on. Instrumental. Chorus No Rubber Souls, no Apollo flights No jumper goals, no bonfire nights Just broken hearts and red, red wine Not cowboy books but passing time Time’s moving on Time’s moving on Time’s moving on.
11.
Clancy 04:02
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Clancy I know your world has stopped its turning Now the woman you loved has walked away But all your boats are not for burning Clancy don’t grieve your heart away Clancy don’t grieve your heart away. I know you’ll spend your days regretting All the things you somehow did not say And I know you’ll never start forgetting Clancy don’t long your heart away Clancy don’t long your heart away. You know she never meant to hurt you As you know there were reasons she couldn’t stay And though it pains you that she’d desert you Clancy don’t cry your heart away Clancy don’t cry your heart away. Chorus There’s are cruel lessons for the learning And life can sometimes tear you down But when your woman’s not for turning You either live or else you drown. You know there are things she’ll never tell you Like why your love had to end its days Maybe it’s the bad times that befell you Clancy don’t mourn your heart away. Clancy don’t mourn your heart away. Chorus (Instrumental) Chorus I know your heart is beyond its hurting And self hating is always your normal way But love is not a thing for deserting Clancy don’t grieve your heart away Clancy don’t grieve your heart away Clancy don’t grieve your heart away.
12.
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.
13.
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? In fear and in darkness, in the evil of the night Let St. Jude guide you home tonight. 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.
14.
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 Clancey 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.
15.
War With The East 03:23
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War With The East Children screaming & horsemen riding; the madmen have been released As the women cry and the old men sigh; as they talk of war with the east As they talk of war with the east. They’re gathering all the clansmen; fetching swords, armed to the teeth As young men lie & hope to die, as they shout for war with the east As they shout for war with the east. Chorus And I’m clutching at my children, shouting: ‘no more war!’ But the madness is upon them, to hell with peace or law And I’m clutching at my children screaming: ‘no more war!’ But no man could even hear me, lost to the vicious roar. The knights ride out to glory, their mad dogs snarl like beasts The drums of war hammer at the door, as they drum for war with the east As they drum for war with the east. Like sheep to the ancient slaughter, the gods will have their fleece The widows wail as the warships sail, they sail for war with the east They sail for war with the east. Chorus Soldiers run into the setting sun, dreaming of battle & no more peace Death to the dove & eternal love, as they run to war with the east As they run to war with the east. Holy are the righteous, Jesus? Well, he’s deceased There’s no such gore like a Holy war, as they pray for war with the east As they pray for war with the east. (Instrumental) Chorus Armies gather like cattle, the Pale Rider waits for his feast For the Lord & his wrathful sword, there must be war with the east There must be war with the east. And so they march to Kingdom Come, like the Spartans of Ancient Greece Their blood is red my dreams are dead as we go to war with the east As we go war with the east, as we go to war to the east, As we go to war with the east.
16.
Go Gently 04:13
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Go Gently If she is tired then go gently If she is weary do the same All these things are elementary After all, love is not a game. If she is crying then be tender For her days can be hard You must have sympathy to render Times you need to let down your guard. If she is angry bring her laughter If she is bitter ease her pain It may be tenderness she’s after For when her life is constant rain. Chorus And if you build this house then she will come And if you build this house then she will be the one And if you build this house then she will come If you build this house her love will be won. If she is broken try to mend her If she is lost then guide her home Sometimes the message you must send her Is that she will never walk alone. If she trembles you must hold her Let her know she has your heart No matter what words you have told her Tell me again you shall never part. Chorus (Instrumental) Chorus If she is tired then go gently If she is weary do the same All these things are elementary After all love is no game. If she is tired then go gently, if she is tired then go gently, if she is tired then go gently.
17.
Lighthouse Keeper 02:50
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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.
18.
Dreaming Of Toronto 04:46
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Dreaming Of Toronto I’ve travelled north to Cruel Alaska; I’ve travelled south to the Yuma sands But, girl, I’m dreaming of Toronto and Canada - my true heart’s land. I’ve travelled west to California; I’ve travelled east to old Cape Cod Now I’m dreaming of Toronto, I’ll never leave again - I swear to God. I’ve travelled many different places, In search of dreams that turned to dust But now I’m dreaming of Toronto and better days for the both of us. Chorus Oh Canada you know I never spurned you You stayed with me down all the years You kept me believing through the bad times In cities where men live by the sneer. I’ve known the Cool winds of Chicago; I’ve known the Cruel winds of Mexico But now I’m dreaming of Toronto and the girl who’d never let me go. I’ve known the broken streets of Vegas where every night’s a losing game And I’ve lived in New York City where no man ever knew my name. Chorus (Instrumental) Chorus Casa Loma are you still standing under the gentle, falling snow? And do the wild geese keep on calling across the mighty Lake Ontario? So let The Maple Leaf keep riding to Canada, where you wait for me Girl, I’m dreaming of Toronto - and a love that’s haunted me And a love that’s haunted me; and a love that’s haunted me.
19.
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 are the shadow of my songs You are the shadow of my songs, you are the shadow of my songs.
20.
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.

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released May 26, 2023

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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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