1. |
Dreaming Of Toronto
04:45
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Dreaming Of Toronto
I’ve travelled north to cold 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 cruel winds of Chicago; I’ve known the cool 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, swirling 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 your love that’s haunted me
And your love that’s haunted me; and your love that’s haunted me.
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2. |
Angie (In The Mornings)
03:29
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Angie (In The Mornings)
I remember Angie in the mornings
I remember Angie in the day
It was always Angie in the mornings
Until the day she went away.
I remember Angie in the evenings
Hair as golden as the sun
And Angie when she was leaving
When our love affair was done.
Chorus
Scotland was calling: marriage, art & rain
I felt like I was falling, I walked like I was lame
Scotland was calling: she rode a Glasgow train
I clung to my ocean but nothing was the same.
I remember Angie in the nightclub
I remember Angie by the sea
We worked in the same nightclub
But the ocean came for free.
There was Angie in the sunshine
There was Angie on the beach
Always dreaming of just leaving
Always slightly out of reach.
Chorus
(Instrumental)
Chorus
As all things have their beginnings
So all things must have their end
You sometimes start as lovers
And end up facebook friends.
Those years seem far away now
But the memories stay strong
So for Angie in the mornings
I dedicate this song
I dedicate this song
I dedicate this song.
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3. |
Vera In Autumn
02:45
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Vera (In Autumn)
Now that someone murdered summer or, at least, left it for dead
As August drown in glory and September turned & fled
Now the autumn leaves are falling but I wonder if they’re true
What use is autumn, Vera, when I live without you?
What use is autumn, Vera, when I live without you?
I will jog across the Common; I will run through the park
As a shabby sun shines weakly as if a traitor to the dark
And the autumn leaves are falling, almost ashamed they ever grew
What what use is autumn, Vera, when I live without you?
What use is autumn, Vera, when I live without you?
Chorus
When you’re lost to your woman there is nothing to be done
When you’re lost to your woman you are lost to the sun
When you’re lost to your woman where you gonna run?
When you’re lost to your woman you are lost to the sun.
In the playgrounds kids are playing, they run & kick the leaves
As the rain pours down from heaven as if angels need to grieve
And the autumn leaves are falling ‘cause winds too bitter blew
What use is autumn, Vera, when I live without you?
What use is autumn, Vera, when I live without you?
Chorus
(Instrumental)
Chorus
I will sit in crowded cafes; I will drink my sour wine
I will think about the old days & the passing of our time
And the autumn leaves are falling in a sky more black than blue
What use is autumn, Vera, when I die without you?
What use is autumn, Vera, when I die without you?
What use is autumn, Vera, when I die without you?
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4. |
Make It On Through
03:42
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Make It On Through
You’re a long time living as you’re a long time dead
You’re a long time fighting the ghosts in your head
But you keep on believing for what else can you do?
When you’re the father of children you’ve got to make it on through.
It’s a mountain you’re climbing with a long way to fall
The years aren’t for counting but you have to stand tall
So you keep on scheming for what else can you do?
When you’re the father of children you’ve got to make it on through.
It’s a long day’s working; it’s a short night’s sleep
And though you are strong, some doubts sometimes creep
Yet you carry that burden for what else can you do?
When you’re the father of children you’ve got to make it on through.
Chorus
There may be days when things go wrong
But you’ve got to keep on keeping on
There may be times when you’re not strong
But you’ve got to keep on keeping on.
There’s times you’ll be broken by the luck you have known
When your job defeats you & you feel like you’re owned
But you keep on working for what else can you do?
When you’re the father of children you’ve got to make it on through.
Chorus
(Instrumental)
Chorus
And your children may sometimes think your best’s not enough
And just raising a family can be tougher than tough
But you keep on dreaming for what else can you do?
When you’re the father of children you’ve got to make it on through
When you’re the father of children you’ve got to make it on through
When you’re the father of children you’ve got to make it on through.
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5. |
A Good Man Passing
04:36
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A Good Man Passing
I got the call, it came one morning
My oldest friend had passed & gone
My heart is sad but it's not for mourning
As I remember him in this song:
He walked gently in a world not gentle
He was kind in a world turned cruel
His heart was pure, almost elemental
And he was wise in an age of fools.
Chorus
So lift up your heads for a good man passing
Carry him proud & carry him high
After all the soul is everlasting
Smile for him & don't you cry
For don't you know that love can never die?
It goes on forever like the sky
For don't you know that love can never die?
It goes on forever like the sky.
The years fly by, almost like lightning
From school days we became good friends
The speed of time is sometimes frightening
But we kept in touch until the end.
He leaves behind a wife & mother
He leaves behind a grieving son
He loved them both like no other
They were his moon, his stars, his sun.
Chorus
(Instrumental)
Some men live small & some as giants
And his shadow was ten miles high
He faced the world & life defiant
Even when it came to the last goodbye.
Chorus
It goes on forever like the sky, it goes on forever like the sky.
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6. |
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.
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7. |
Seize The Day
03:47
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Seize The Day
I walked out on a London morning
The threat of rain, all shades of grey
I didn’t mind the raindrops forming
I was content to seize the day
I was content to seize the day.
I walked besides a grey old river
Big Ben chimed, I dreamed away
The autumn chill made me shiver
I was content to seize the day
I was content to seize the day.
Chorus
Carpe diem, what can you say? I’m just happy to own a day
Carpe diem, what can you say? I’m just happy to own a day.
Trains went by; children were playing
I walked the Southbank all the way
October winds; trees were swaying
I was content to seize the day
I was content to seize the day.
Chorus
Walked along to the cold old palace
Statues of soldiers glared away
They changed the guard but without Alice
I was content to seize the day
I was content to seize the day.
Chorus
A shabby sun and a dirty rainbow
Rain spat down in a sad grey spray
Watched some boats to make the time go
I was content to seize the day
I was content to seize the day.
(Instrumental)
Chorus
Let it rain I have my glory
I’m in love and in love to stay
Who she is? That’s another story
I’m just content to seize the day
I'm just content to seize the day
Carpe diem, what can I say?
I’m just content to seize the day.
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8. |
Maid Of The Morning
02:11
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Maid Of The Morning
Maid, maid, maid of the morning
Long , farewell, what more can I say
Stay free as the wind; as the rain storming
May God bless and keep you on this wedding day.
Maid, maid, maid of the morning
Though we must part this child I pray:
Live bright as the sun; as the sky dawning
May God bless and keep you on this wedding day.
Chorus
Proud is this father
Of the girl by his side
As she walks beside him a blushing bride
Proud is this father
But though you leave home
Remember that you’ll never walk alone.
Maid, maid, maid of the morning
A kiss, a kiss, as you go on your way
The wedding march plays, your lover is calling
May God bless and keep you on this wedding day.
Chorus
(Instrumental)
Maid, maid, maid of the morning
I give you this blessing as I give you away
The old priest is standing, your bridesmaids are forming
May God bless and keep you on your wedding day
May God bless and keep you on your wedding day
May God bless and keep you on your wedding day.
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9. |
Scotland Is Calling
02:51
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Scotland Is Calling
Come home, sweet child, now the snow, the snow is falling
The wild ocean rages, the four winds bitter moan
Come home, sweet child, for Scotland is calling
Its time, its time, to return to your own.
The long years have passed, the past is in mourning
The days been so vast, since you went, you went away
So come home, sweet child, for Scotland is calling
And the sadness of exile’s no way to end your days.
The streets that you knew never knew ancient tartan
The streets where you grew were harsh & dark & mean
The childhood you knew was hard as it was Spartan
But still its the land of which you always dream.
Chorus
And you left in search of glory & the warmth of the sun
But never found your glory when the warm sun was gone
Yes, you left in search of glory & the warmth of the sun
But never found that glory when your dreams were done.
You've heard Scotland's song in strange & distant places
That sung of her wrongs, of her martyrs & her kings
You've sung that song to strangers with kind faces
Touched by the sadness her song always brings.
Chorus
(Instrumental)
So come home, sweet child, now the snow, the snow is falling
The wild ocean rages, the four winds bitter moan
Come home, sweet child, for Scotland is calling
Its time, its time, to return to your own
Its time, its time, to return to your own
Its time, its time, to return to your own.
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10. |
Meet Me (In The Angel)
03:23
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Meet Me (In The Angel)
It’s raining in London and all over England
They skies are so grey they’ve forgotten the blue
It’s raining in London and all over England
Who cares for the rain when I’m meeting you?
When I’m meeting you?
It’s raining in London and all over England
The lightning is flashing it shatters the clouds
It’s raining in London and all over England
Who cares for the rain if you’re in the crowd?
If you’re in the crowd?
Meet me in the Angel
We’ll talk just for a while
Meet me in the Angel
When I see you there I’ll just smile
Meet me in the Angel
We’ll laugh away the day
Meet me in the Angel
And promise you’ll never go away.
(Instrumental)
It’s raining in London and all over England
The puddles are forming, the thunder is loud
It’s raining in London and all over England
But I’ll tell you I love you, I’ll shout it out loud
I’ll shout it loud.
Meet me in the Angel
We’ll laugh away the day
Meet me in the Angel
And promise you’ll never go away.
Meet me in the Angel…
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11. |
I Shall Drink My Wine
03:37
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12. |
A Broken Fool
02:10
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A Broken Fool
There is a man who sheds no tears
Who walks in shadows as if in fear
Just another clown to his own King Lear
Walk a mile with a broken fool.
He thinks that love is a false emotion
A clichéd word best left unspoken
A wretched thing, a pointless token
Walk a mile with a broken fool.
Chorus
And all this fool ever knew
Was no woman could stay true
So he walks with a broken mind
Opened eyes: blinkered & blind.
He's a man who counts the cost
Of the woman he loved but lost
Who’s life is cold - an early frost
Walk a mile with a broken fool.
Chorus
(Instrumental)
His heart is winter, always austere
As he walks alone from year to year
His soul as dark as a midnight clear
Walk a mile with a broken fool.
Chorus
There is a man who takes a pride
In never ever feeling inside
I am that man and I cannot hide
Walk a mile with a broken fool
Walk a mile with a broken fool
Walk a mile with this broken fool.
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13. |
A Man Who Walks Alone
02:30
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14. |
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Bury My Heart (In Reading Gaol)
I had a woman, I cut her down; she fell to earth without a sound
The mist descended like a veil so bury my heart in Reading Gaol.
The judge & jury never smiled as they sentenced me to my last mile
The gallows wait: wood, rope & nail so bury my heart in Reading Gaol.
Chorus
Roses are red, violets are blue; all I ever knew is no woman was true
Roses are white, lavenders blue; all I ever knew is no woman was true.
She loved a soldier, another man; her cheating heart I could not stand
On a boat to hell I know I’ll sail so bury my heart in Reading Gaol.
I found her there in her lover’s arms; I cut them both, I did them harm
Mighty was my hate like a gale so bury my heart in Reading Gaol.
Chorus
For each man kills the thing he loves by each let this be heard
Some do it with a bitter look, some with a flattering word
The coward does it with a kiss, the brave man with a sword
Yet each man kills the thing he loves by each let this be heard.
(Instrumental)
Chorus
And now I sit in this lonely cell when dawn will come I cannot tell
I shall not pray to a god that failed so bury my heart in Reading Gaol.
So hang man build your gallows high; I shall not flinch, I shall not cry
Come sweet death: cold, hard & pale and bury my heart in Reading Gaol
And bury my heart in Reading Gaol, and bury my heart in Reading Gaol.
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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.
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