1. |
Cement Shoes
03:29
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[v1]
Blue tac on the map on your bedroom wall
All the places you wanna see before you get old
You can borrow my suitcase there up on the shelf
I got cement in my shoes - You’ll have to go by yourself
[v2]
You wanna move to the city for a change of scene
Find a place somewhere small and buy a washing machine
It all sounds so simple - I wish I could go
I got cement in my shoes - I guess you already know
[Br]
They keep me in one place - They weigh me down like a stone
You wanna capture the day - I wanna hide in my home
I know it don’t make sense - I know it gives you the blues
I wish I could take ‘em off - I hate these shoes too
[v3]
I been writing all night to find the line I can use
You been lying being me thinking lord what’s the use?
Go and ask any one of my few precious friends
When the hell’s he gonna dig himself out of cement?
[v4]
So go along honey babe and have a swinging good time
You got the looks and the brains - You’re gonna do just fine
You wanna shoot for the stars I wanna drink ‘til I drown
When I get outta my shoes maybe I’ll see you around
Maybe I’ll see you around
Maybe I’ll see you around
Maybe I’ll see you
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2. |
Staring At The Floor
03:11
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[v1]
So maybe you’ve been wondering the reason I don’t smile
I took to looking down and couldn’t stop after a while
I stumbled into streetlights – gone thru a glass front door
Because of this fixation – always staring at the floor
[v2]
You know nicotine rules over me - I guess that I should quit
Turning my insides and my singing voice to shit
An urgency at seventeen not gone at twenty-four
I done it since the day I started staring at the floor
[Bridge]
But I’ve decided things are looking up
The sky above’s been whispering enough is enough
I might as well look somewhere else to find a better view
The scenery is killing me – I swear to God it’s true
[v3]
Well my baby tried to help me - she said your head’s a mess
I was chewing on some bubblegum like I could care no less
She’s rantin’ and a-ravin’ while my eyes were glazing over
I never saw her leave ‘cause I was staring at the floor
[v4]
I took a trip upon a ship - it sailed across the sea
One minute everything was fine - the next – catastrophe!
The captain called a rescue boat to take us back to shore
I was inclined to stay behind and see the ocean floor
[Bridge]
But I’ve decided things are looking up
The sky above’s been whispering enough is enough
I might as well look somewhere else to find a better view
The scenery is killing me – I swear to God it’s true
[v5]
I pray someday you’ll rescue me and save me with a kiss
My life’s like a piñata - it’s always hit and miss
I dream to see your deep blue eyes if I could just ignore
The tendency to constantly be staring at the floor
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3. |
||||
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[v1]
My life fell out of focus the moment I noticed
She was nowhere to be seen
I woke without warning - cloud nine was dissolving
She told me it's only a dream
I asked for her hand just to hold while we strolled
Down the road but by then I could tell
It was time to go home - leave each other alone
All's well that ends
Oh well
[v2]
By the end of the night we was high as a kite
An obvious natural response
When we kissed it was bliss with a twist in the tale
Ain't it selfish to get what you want?
I knew it was over the second I sobered
Wish I was still under her spell
Unfortunately it was not meant to be
All's well that ends
Oh well
[v3]
Yes I'll admit when it ended I let it
Pretended to go along with the excuse
The friendship we share is more than we dared to lose
While waves of emotion crashed onto my coastline
Reluctantly I tried to quell
We could have been lovers for more than the summer
All's well that ends
Oh well
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4. |
Quit While You're Ahead
03:14
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A student of Confucius feelin’ kinda useless - not got a job
It’s obvious to some of us
And ordinary people think it’s kinda odd
The sun has subsided behind the horizon but I don’t mind
It’s safe to assume there’s room for improvement but of what kind?
Revolving and dissolving
I tore myself in two
Then rang a random helpline
To ask what I should do
They just said buddy
Quit while you’re ahead
They just said buddy oh o-oh
Quit while you’re ahead
I tampered with the evidence
Wiped away the finger prints and shredded files
Which is another to say
I couldn’t face the music - now I’m in denial
You keep on persisting
I’ll end up confessing to any crime
Nah I haven’t been to prison
But that doesn’t mean I dunno how to do hard time
Go easy on yourself they say
Why don’t you come clean?
You never done those things at all
It probably was a dream
Come on now buddy
Quit while you’re ahead
Come on now buddy oh o-oh
Quit while you’re ahead
Come on now buddy
Quit while you’re ahead
You said buddy well I highly recommend
You better quit while you’re ahead
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5. |
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Oh I was once a restless rambler
I rolled down hill just like a stone
I never dreamt I’d hit rock bottom
Somehow I found my way back home
I met a man upon my travels
Along a dark and lonesome road
My tangled mind he kindly unravelled
I tell no lie my eyes began to glow
Alas I grieved for he was leaving
A parting gift he gave to me
Hand-carved an old golden harmonica
To blow the life back into me
He said suck it and see!
And so I journeyed for a distance
And sang my song along the way
Maybe it makes interesting listening
Though I’d prefer to hear you say
To hell with all this mental mucus
And lies that hide behind the screen
The glory of an honest story
Means far far more than selling us our dreams
Nightmares more like it!
Take heed take sword and shield to battle
Goliath won’t just lie down and die
Be brave like Dave forever faithful
We’ll strike that giant straight between the eyes
Today the clouds lay low and heavy
Tonight the darkness might devour
Our so-called twenty-first century – but so what?!
The endless day redeems the hour
It’s morning stop snoring!
Oh I was once a restless rambler
I rolled down hill just like a stone
I never dreamt I’d reach rock bottom
Somehow I found my way back home
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6. |
Kiss Goodbye
04:27
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[v1]
She hangs out in Bangor - I see her every now and again
Everyone knows her spirit glows so everyone’s her friend
She’s like one of those angels I learned about in Sunday School
Smiling at me so kindly though I seem to keep losing my cool
I don’t know why we only ever kiss goodbye
I don’t know why we only ever kiss goodbye
[v2]
Now I don’t know her number - never had the nerve to ask
Fact is I’m attracted yeah but something keeps holding me back
Afraid I might offend her - afraid I might underachieve
Wishing I could kiss her when it counts instead of only when she leaves
I don’t know why we only ever kiss goodbye
I don’t know why we only ever kiss goodbye
[v3]
If she goes back home to England – if one day she disappears
I’ll be kicking myself - You chicken-shit - I’ll cry these love sick tears
So I’ll speak next time I see her - Yeah I’ll ask her to the dance
And we’ll see where the evening leads us to - Not gonna miss another chance
I don’t know why we only ever kiss goodbye
I don’t know why we only ever kiss goodbye
[Bridge]
So I’m singing to make my feelings felt
I’m searching for words to help make sense
I’m trying to stop lying to myself
Oh I better act fast, it’s getting late
I better come clean not hesitate
I need her now like I needed no-one else
[v4]
I don’t have her address - I don’t know where she lives
I been sitting on a fence called penitence and there’s nothing to forgive
Well if you happen to see her tell her I’m on my way
If she been feeling lonely lately tell her it’ll be okay
I don’t know why we only ever kiss goodbye
I don’t know why we only ever kiss goodbye
I don’t know why we only ever kiss goodbye
I don’t know why we only ever kiss goodbye - Goodbye!
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7. |
Sweet Talkin'
03:00
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I felt broken - I felt bleak
Three long years on a losing streak
But then I talked myself around (x2)
W’oh sweet woman now look what I’ve found
I felt sorry - I felt sad
Thinkin’ ‘bout all the fun we had
But then I talked myself around (x2)
W’oh sweet woman now look what I’ve found
I felt low - I felt depressed
Knowin’ that she’s with someone else
But then I talked myself around (x2)
W’oh sweet woman now look what I’ve found
That Little Richard sound!
I felt hollow - I felt down
Packed my bag for skipping town
But then I talked myself around (x2)
W’oh sweet woman now look what I’ve found
I felt stupid - I felt stoned
Too freaked out to leave my home
But then I talked myself around (x2)
W’oh sweet woman now look what I’ve found
I felt psycho - I felt dumb
Felt like going out and buying a gun
But then I talked myself around (x2)
W’oh sweet woman now look what I’ve found
I felt lazy - I felt tired
Didn’t give a fuck about getting fired
But then I talked myself around (x2)
W’oh sweet woman now look what I’ve found
I’ll feel better - I’ll be fine
If you’ll be my Valentine
‘Cause all I want is you around (x2)
W’oh sweet woman pick me off the ground
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8. |
Own Up
02:41
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Oh, where is my loved one buried?
Oh, where did my loved one go?
He got caught out walking on the wrong side of town
They stole him and laid him down low
Oh, why did they go for my loved one?
He never knew them before
Outnumbered by drunkards with hate in they hearts
They spilled all his blood on the floor
Oh, what did you ask of my loved one
That he was unable to give?
Oh, what did he do to deserve it?
Lord, what will it take to forgive?
Oh, how do you sleep with your conscience?
You murdered an innocent man
You must be psychotic to choose to ignore it
You must be eternally damned
[instrumental]
Oh, when will you call on your partners
Who all played a role in the crime?
And say with remorse “We deserve it”
And toast it with rat poison wine
Oh, where is my loved one buried?
Please answer before you go
He’s been late for his dinner ten years of winter
Hidden ‘neath the undergrowth
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9. |
Folk Dope
04:48
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[v1]
A marijuana ballad is a controversial song
It’s hard to know for certain if it’s right or if it’s wrong
Some say it sends you mental, some say it sets you free
Some say it should be legalised but others disagree
Revered throughout the ages but now we can’t decide
To condemn it, commend it or condone
To prohibit or to pardon the trees in Marley’s Garden
To choose it or refuse it on your own
And naturally to grow it in your home
[v2]
The lumber companies were losing profit due to hemp
By lobbying the government, they managed to prevent
Farmer Joe from growing it and putting it to use
Now the Californian Redwood’s been drastically reduced
Along came the sixties, hats off to all the hippies
I live by the example they have shown
There’s more to this than meets the eye
And that is why you can’t deny
The revolution only got postponed
The revolution only got postponed!
[Chorus]
It’s all bit Folk Dope, yes indeed
A psychedelic medicine, a humble little weed
It’s all a bit Folk Dope, that’s no lie
Excuse me while I kiss the sky
Ah, excuse me while I kiss the sky!
[Instrumental]
[v3]
There’s an island made of plastic growing bigger everyday
It floats on the Atlantic and refuses to decay
The answer’s in the fibre of that multi-purpose herb
They told us it was evil then they kicked it to the curb
Detecting a discrepancy, unravelling the lie
It won’t be long until their cover’s blown
Synthetic hypocrisy concocted by the pharmacies
Trying to under mine the throne
They only seek to undermine the throne
[Chorus]
[v4]
But if you’re courting Mary Jane be wary of her charm
All thing’s in moderation or a habit starts to form
The hazy, lazy slightly crazy days begin to merge
You’re talking like a parrot ‘til you’re knocked off your perch
The art form of rolling may well be my undoing
I very nearly made the perfect cone
My only motivation: the munchies I be craving
At least it beats the dreaded Methadrone
At least it beats the dreaded Methadrone!
[Chorus]
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10. |
Performin' Rites
02:18
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[v1]
It’s time to sign the dotted line, you’ve just enough street cred
You got songs for all occasions and you sing what’s needing said
Now don’t worry ‘bout your earnings, they’re safe underneath the bed
In the mattress like you asked us (minus ninety-five percent)
[v2]
Mister Sullivan was wondering could you tone the language down?
Change the meaning of the lyrics, choose a more appealing sound
Jump through the hoops provided, balance biscuits on your nose
Maybe wear a shiny costume instead of normal clothes
[v3]
Yes sir, there’s fearsome competition, you best do as we say
Swallowing scare tactics – the order of the day
Have all the rivals fighting for their moment in the sun
Count the votes and send ‘em all into oblivion
[v4]
The wannabe celebrities are aching for a break
They’ll do anything to get there though their dignity’s at stake
There’s nothing I would buy from them or even take for free
Their just a bunch of puppets, but that’s show business baby
[v5]
Mister One Hundred Million, I know you’re a busy man
But I booked the Albert Hall - can you help me with my plan?
Do you see that grand piano on the stage, as is the norm?
Well you’re so goddamn special – get out there and perform!
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11. |
Dream Within A Dream
04:17
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This is the way it always was
Not a lot change round here because
This is the way it’s always been
A dream within a dream within a dream
[v1]
Oh my money it don’t go far
Got to the bottom of the penny jar
Better go pawn my granddad’s watch
Trade it fast for online stocks
Previous metal what’s it worth?
A billion years beneath the Earth
Find it mine it polish it bright
It’ll end up in a landfill site
[v2]
My girl got her PhD
A masters and a first class degree
You outta see how fast she can read
It’s no secret she’s smarter than me
Looking for work but it’s hard to find
They’re saying she’s overqualified
Five months later still on the dole
Prime time TV took its toll
Says she’s gonna be the next Cheryl Cole
This is the way it always was
Not a lot change round here because
This is the way it’s always been
A dream within a dream within a dream
[v3]
I knew a kid in a suicide cult
He survived but it wasn’t his fault
Stayed up late then he overslept
Forgot about the pledge all the others kept
They’re all gone only he remains
A one-way ticket on the astral plane
Now he keeps talking conspiracies
They’re blowing his mind like a summer breeze
[v4]
I got a mystic sister with a crystal ball
Painted nails and a gypsy shawl
Well what are the odds - how’d she guess that?
Burn the witch and drown her cat!
Was she faking or was she for real?
Desperate measures never fail
[Bridge]
Oh the world keeps turning
Gradually I’m learning
Oh she keeps on spinning
No end and no beginning
This is the way it always was
Not a lot change round here because
This is the way it’s always been
A dream within a dream within a dream
Within a dream within a dream
Within a dream within a dream
Within a dream within a dream
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Dolbro Dan Northern Ireland, UK
Alt Country, Americana, Blues, Alternative Folk.
Recommended if you like Bob Dylan,Neil
Young, Phil Ochs, Arlo Guthrie.
Folk Dope is Dan's new album - a labour of love (and labour pains) pressed to vinyl by US Indie, Feedbands.
Dan is a Northern Irish singer/songwriter, locally championed and flying under the radar since 2008.
... more
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