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Seize The Day

by Roy Smiles

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1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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?
4.
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.
5.
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.
6.
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.
7.
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.
8.
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.
9.
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.
10.
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…
11.
12.
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.
13.
14.
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.

about

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

credits

released June 3, 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.
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