1. |
Christ This City
03:07
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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
|
|||
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.
|
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
Streaming and Download help
If you like Roy Smiles, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp