Song Lyric Sunday — “Home From The Sea”

One of my all-time favorite singing groups is Celtic Thunder. It just so happens that a song on their sixth album, “Heritage”, fits the bill for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday theme, search. Phil Coulter wrote “Home from the Sea” in honor of his brother, who was lost at sea. The song tells a tale of a lifeboat crew’s search for a lost fishing boat. You’ll have to take a listen (or read the lyrics) to see how it works out. Note that the video features George Donaldson, one of the original Celtic Thunder members who I wrote about a couple weeks ago for the SLS “glass” theme.

“Home From The Sea“

On a cold winters night
With a storm at its height
The lifeboat answered the call.
They pitched and they tossed
Till we thought they were lost
As we watched from the harbor wall.
Though the night was pitch black,
There was no turning back,
For someone was waiting out there,
But each volunteer
Had to live with his fear
As they joined in a silent prayer.

————————————–

[Chorus]
Home, home, home from the sea
Angels of mercy, answer our plea
And carry us home, home, home from the sea
Carry us safely home from the sea.

————————————–

As they battled their way
Past the mouth of the bay,
It was blowing like never before.
As they gallantly fought,
Every one of them thought
Of loved ones back on the shore.
Then a flicker of light
And they knew they were right.
There she was on the crest of a wave.
She’s an old fishing boat
And she’s barely afloat.

Please God, there are souls we can save.

—————————————

[Chorus]

—————————————

And back in the town
In a street that runs down
To the sea and the harbor wall,
They’d gathered in pairs
At the foot of the stairs
To wait for the radio call.
And just before dawn
When all hope had gone
Came a hush and a faraway sound.
‘Twas the coxswain he roared
All survivors on board
Thank God and we’re homeward bound.

————————————–

[Chorus]

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Song Lyric Sunday — “Another Sleep Song”

Helen Vahdati has come up with another great theme for Song Lyric Sunday: Sleep. The most difficult part of trying to pick a song this week was avoiding those used for the “dream” theme in June! My song I stumbled on while searching. “Another Sleep Song” by Graham Nash appeared on his 1974 solo album, Wild Tales, not long before the breakup of his band, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Wild Tales was not particularly successful, peaking at only #34 on the Billboard 200. That may have been due to the album’s overall dark tone, a considerable change from Nash’s prior work. Like the rest of the album, “Another Sleep Song” is somber but is a well-written, emotional reflection on slipping into depression.

“Another Sleep Song“
All is need is someone to awaken me
much of me has gone to sleep and I’m afraid to wake up
shake me by the shoulder if I’m lying with you now
when I talk about the time I sleep away
when it’s hard to face the day.

When I think of all the love that’s taken me
how much do I get to keep and much should I give up?
shake me by the shoulder if I’m lying to you now
I’m listening to the lies inside my head
who can hurt you in your bed?

Fear of other people is a thing I hate
I travel in a bubble and I can’t relate.
Something is happening to my head
I don’t want to hurt you
but I never heard a word you said

Has this empty hollow heart forsaken me?
I wonder if I’ll ever get to feel like I did
before I grew up.
shake me by the shoulder if I’m lying with you now
There is no time to waste another day
cause we watch them fly away.

Song Lyric Sunday — “The Parting Glass”

Is the glass half-empty or half-full? Helen Vahdati’s musing on that suject resulted in this week’s Song Lyric Sunday theme: Glass. The glass I’ve chosen to write about is neither, as the full glass is drained for a toast.

“The Parting Glass” is a bittersweet farewell to close friends. Having its roots in Scotland, it’s considered to be traditional in both Ireland and Scotland. The lyrics in some form existed in the early 1600s, attributed by Sir Walter Scott to a man who was hanged after penning his farewell, now called “Armstrong’s Goodnight.” Today’s lyrics were first seen on a handbill in the 1770s. As with other traditional songs, the music was also used for other songs, and was first published in Glasgow in 1782 as a fiddle tune called “The Peacock.” The song was popularlized in the 20th century by Irish recordings by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem and by The Dubliners.

My favorite version of “The Parting Glass” could be considered a poignant farewell from the singer. George Donaldson was one of the original members of, and the only Scot in, Celtic Thunder, a singing group formed in Dublin in 2007. At 39 and the only married member, George was “the old man” to the others who ranged in age from 14 to 30. Well-beloved by cast, crew, and fans, he passed away unexpectedly at 46 from a massive heart attack in March 2014.

Released on his second solo album, “The Parting Glass” video was filmed and released a mere five months before his passing. I’d say “enjoy,” but I truly can’t hear and watch him sing this without choking up.

“The Parting Glass”

Of all the money e’er I had
I’ve spent it in good company
And all the harm e’er I’ve done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I’ve done for want of wit
To memory now I can’t recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

Of all the comrades e’er I had
They are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e’er I had
They would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all

A man may drink and not be drunk
A man may fight and not be slain
A man may court a pretty girl
And perhaps be welcomed back again
But since it has so ordered been
By a time to rise and a time to fall
Come fill to me the parting glass
Goodnight and joy be with you all
Goodnight and joy be with you all

*edited to add links to The Clancy Brothers and The Dubliners versions

Song Lyric Sunday — “My Favorite Picture of You”

Weekly, Song Lyric Sunday provides two great pleasures: Nostalgia and discovery. This week’s theme, “picture/photograph“, satisfied both pleasures for me. My nostalgic favorite, Jim Croce’s “Photographs and Memories,” has already been posted by Scarlett79. In searching for a second choice, I discovered Guy Clark’s “My Favorite Picture Of You,” his sweet, poignant ode to his late wife. The picture he sings about was taken in 1972, the first of their 40-year marriage. Clark, with his writing partner Gordie Sampson, wrote this song in 2011. Released in 2013, a scant 13 months following Susanna Clark’s passing, it debuted at #12 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.

“My Favorite Picture Of You“

My favorite picture of you
Is the one where you’re staring
Straight into the lens

It’s just a Polaroid shot
Someone took on the spot
No beginning, no end

It’s just a moment in time
You can’t have back
You never left but your bags were packed
Just in case

My favorite picture of you
Is bent and it’s faded
And it’s pinned to my wall

Oh and you were so angry
It’s hard to believe
We were lovers at all

There’s a fire in your eyes
You’ve got your heart on your sleeve
A curse on your lips but all I can see
Is beautiful

My favorite picture of you
Is the one where
Your wings are showing

Oh and your arms are crossed
Your fists are clenched
Not gone but going

Oh a stand up angel
Who won’t back down
Nobody’s fool, nobody’s clown
You were smarter than that

My favorite picture of you
Is the one where
It hasn’t rained yet

Oh and as I recall
That came a winter squall
And we got soaking wet

A thousand words
In the blink of an eye
The camera loves you and so do I
Click

My favorite picture of you
Is the one where you’re staring
Straight into the lens

photo by Senior McGuire

Song Lyric Sunday — “Pink Cadillac” and “Cadillac Ranch”

When I saw this week’s theme is “car/cars“, my head exploded. My favorite group! How can I pick a Cars song? I decided not to and proceeded to waste too many hours searching for an alternative. No can do. Was about to throw in the towel and go with Cars, but then I realized that I’ve featured at least six Cars songs on my blog since May! Was debating what to do, when I had a brainstorm: Bruce Springsteen, singing one of my old favorites “Pink Cadillac!” That, of course, immediately prompted “Cadillac Ranch.” Have you noticed how indecisive I am? So you’re getting two fun songs written and performed by Bruce Springsteen.

“Pink Cadillac” was originally released in 1984 on the B side of his big hit “Dancing in the Dark.” It didn’t make it onto an album until 1998, when it was included on his outtake album, “Tracks.” Sing along:

“Pink Cadillac“

Well now you may think I’m foolish
For the foolish things I do
You may wonder how come I love you
When you get on my nerves like you do
Well baby you know you bug me
There ain’t no secret ’bout that
Well come on over here and hug me
Baby I’ll spill the facts
Well honey it ain’t your money
‘Cause baby I got plenty of that
I love you for your pink Cadillac
Crushed velvet seats
Riding in the back
Oozing down the street
Waving to the girls
Feeling out of sight
Spending all my money
On a Saturday night
Honey I just wonder what you do there in the back
Of your pink Cadillac
Pink Cadillac

Well now way back in the Bible
Temptations always come along
There’s always somebody tempting
Somebody into doing something they know is wrong
Well they tempt you, man, with silver
And they tempt you, sir, with gold
And they tempt you with the pleasure
That the flesh does surely hold
They say Eve tempted Adam with an apple
But man I ain’t going for that
I know it was her pink Cadillac
Crushed velvet seats
Riding in the back
Oozing down the street
Waving to the girls
Feeling out of sight
Spending all my money
On a Saturday night
Honey I just wonder what it feels like in the back
Of your pink Cadillac
Pink Cadillac

Now some folks say it’s too big
And uses too much gas
Some folks say it’s too old
And that it goes too fast
But my love is bigger than a Honda
Yeah, it’s bigger than a Subaru
Hey man there’s only one thing
And one car that will do
Anyway we don’t have to drive it
Honey we can park it out in back
And have a party in your pink Cadillac
Crushed velvet seats
Riding in the back
Oozing down the street
Waving to the girls
Feeling out of sight
Spending all my money on a Saturday night
Honey I just wonder what you do there in the back
Of your pink Cadillac
Pink Cadillac
Pink Cadillac
Pink Cadillac
Pink Cadillac
Pink Cadillac
Pink Cadillac
Pink Cadillac
Pink Cadillac
Pink Cadillac

Cadillac Ranch is a real place near Amarillo, Texas, where 10 cadillacs are buried nose-first. It’s art! (graffiti allowed) I’ve heard he visited but don’t know whether he had aleady written and released the song in 1980. This is a bouncy number with a serious theme: the inevitability of death. Dance to it anyway!

“Cadillac Ranch“

Well, there she sits buddy justa gleaming in the sun
There to greet a working man when his day is done
I’m gonna pack my pa and I’m gonna pack my aunt
I’m gonna take them down to the Cadillac Ranch

Eldorado fins, whitewalls and skirts
Rides just like a little bit of heaven here on earth
Well buddy when I die throw my body in the back
And drive me to the junkyard in my Cadillac

Cadillac, Cadillac
Long and dark, shiny and black
Open up your engines let ’em roar
Tearing up the highway like a big old dinosaur

James Dean in that Mercury ’49
Junior Johnson runnin’ thru the woods of Caroline
Even Burt Reynolds in that black Trans-Am
All gonna meet down at the Cadillac Ranch

Cadillac, Cadillac
Long and dark, shiny and black
Open up them engines let ’em roar
Tearing up the highway just a big old dinosaur

Hey, little girlie in the blue jeans so tight
Drivin’ alone through the Wisconsin night
You’re my last love baby you’re my last chance
Don’t let ’em take me to the Cadillac Ranch

Cadillac, Cadillac
Long and dark, shiny and black
Pulled up to my house today
Came and took my little girl away