Tell Me About It

A Ship in the Harbour

You would think that you’d have learned by now

Is there room for any doubt?

It’s no use waiting for your ship to come in

When you never even sent one out

You’re stuck there with your feet on the ground
Never let your feelings soar

A ship in the harbour is safe and sound

But that’s not what a ship is for

People have said it for a long long time
And it’s clear as the light of day

Good things may happen to those who wait

But your dreams will fade away

There are things in life that don’t come back
And why is it so hard to see?

What’s dictated by the soul and the heart

The neglected opportunity

The saddest words that you’ll ever hear
In a situation often seen
Are what would have happened if I’d taken the chance
How different things might have been

People have said it for a long long time
And it’s clear as the light of day

Good things may happen to those who wait

But your dreams will fade away

There’s no heavier burden than a great potential
So work out the price you’ll pay

And don’t trade away all of your tomorrows

To remain in yesterday

Time waits for no one and life moves on
That’s the way it’s got to be

The next thing you know is the chance is gone

And you’re left to face reality

People have said it for a long long time
And it’s clear as the light of day

Good things may happen to those who wait

But your dreams will fade away

A Ship in the Harbour

Another Wall

I don’t want to talk to you

I disagree with your point of view

I’ll build a wall, I’ll build a wall

I don’t want to cooperate

So why should we communicate?

I’ll build a wall, I’ll build a wall

I’ll build it high so you can’t climb over it

Build it long so you can’t go round

Build it deep so you can’t go under it

‘Cause we don’t need no common ground

In the Holy Land they had a similar plan

Why should we be decent to our fellow man?

They built a wall, another wall

Those two parties could not agree

So the children there will never see the sea

Just a wall, another wall

Some people build bridges to community

So that they can turn the hatred around

But we can use our power with impunity

And we can always tear them down

Oh yes we can!

There are people build bridges to community

So that they can turn the hatred around

But we can use our power with impunity

And we can always tear them down

Berlin, Belfast, Bethlehem

My big walls trumps all of them

I’ve built a wall, another wall

Another wall, another wall

Another Wall

Tell Me About It

Please tell me something and tell it to me straight

Are there some conversations that you love to hate?

When you’re looking for somebody just to lend an ear

Then what’s the last answer that you want to hear

When the figures don’t add up when you are doin’ your sums

And the words don’t work, you’re just bumpin’ your gums

But then somebody will agree with you

But you don’t really feel that you want them to

They say:

Tell me about it (tell me about it)
Tell me about (tell me about it)

Tell me about it
I hear what you’re sayin’ to me

The art of conversation may be a wonderful tradition

But then again a closed mouth can be a powerful position

Though you might be persuaded to share your point of view

You’d better be careful who’s agreeing with you

There are so many volumes that never left the shelf

With conventional wisdom you’d better keep it to yourself

So when faced with a perspective that you don’t want to hear

You can say it loud and you can say it clear – just say

Tell me about it (tell me about it) Tell me about it (tell me about it)

Tell me about it I hear what you’re sayin’ to me

Repeat

Carousel Girl

Trapped by an ancient fairy spell, the horses on the carousel

With grace and style and elegance, float in eternal motion

If only I could break the bond, release them with a magic wand

And watch them as they change the dance and fly over the ocean

I’m watching from the carousel as she moves across the square
The evening sun is flirting with the shining in her hair

I tie a blue silk ribbon round the horse she always chooses

And this time hoping not to be the man who always loses.

She steps up on the carousel with customary grace
She pays her dollar at the booth and turns and takes her place

Her slender figure and the horse are seamlessly entwined

And I think about Creation, and how angels were designed

Trapped by an ancient fairy spell, the horses on the carousel
With grace and style and elegance, float in eternal motion

If only I could break the bond, release them with a magic wand

And watch them as they change the dance, and fly over the ocean

Summoned by the old waltz tune the ponies start the dance

And cares and fears are blotted out by beauty and romance

I watch their easy motion and the way they seem to flow

Like a gilded marble sculpture dreamt by Michelangelo

The little square’s deserted now, the town is hushed and still
The horses moving slowly now as if devoid of will

In the centre stands a young man, like an actor in a play

Practising his line, maybe tomorrow night she’ll stay
Maybe tomorrow night she’ll stay

Trapped by an ancient fairy spell, the horses on the carousel

With grace and style and elegance, float in eternal motion

If only I could break the bond, release them with a magic wand

And watch them as they change the dance and fly over the ocean

And fly over the ocean

Carousel Girl

Mirror of Your Soul

Throughout the years that we’ve been together

I have known your love and your selfless care

And through the rain and the stormy weather

You are the one who was always there

You have been my guide in the darkest moments

An inspiration constantly

A green oasis in the desert

The strongest anchor in the raging sea

CHORUS

And your mind makes the best of all you know

Allows your great ideals to flow

And helps the generations grow

And your mouth it speaks nothing but the truth

Gives direction to the youth

Speaks no ill of anyone

You never think of things that you need

You’re sure and strong and never doubt

You make the peace when times are troubled

And think of all you can do without

You’re kind and patient and never angry

Always ready, ready to forgive

You live simply and are full of giving

So that others might simply live

CHORUS

And your mind makes the best of all you know

Allows your great ideals to flow

And helps the generations grow

And your mouth it speaks nothing but the truth

Gives direction to the youth

Speaks no ill of anyone

And your ears, they hear the cries of those in need

They listen well and patiently

Help those in prison to be freed

And your eyes, they have a power and control

They cast their light and make me whole

And keep me young as I grow old

They are the mirror of your soul

The mirror of your soul

They are the mirror of your soul

Mirror of Your Soul

Hey Simone

Hey, Simone,
I’ve got a sinking feeling
That you are thinking of travelling on

Hey, Simone,
My mind and heart are reeling
My whole life is unravelling if you are gone

When you spoke to me or even gave me a glance
I had no hope that it ever could be
I know I should have told you when I had the chance
Just how much your sweet love means to me

Hey, Simone,
I wish I could turn back time
And let you know what was on my mind for me and you

Hey, Simone, I’m down on desolation row/I’m abandoned and so low
With nowhere else to go now because my love was true

If I had only seen then what I know so well now
I didn’t even give it a try
We could have made it happen some way somehow
But now you’ve gone and never said goodbye

Hey, Simone,
I feel I’m going to pieces
When I realise I may never see you again

Hey Simone,
This yearning never ceases
And all of my frustrations bring back the heartache and pain

Yes I know I should have told you
Just how much your sweet love means to me

Hey Simone

One Way Ticket to the Blues

I went down to the station to meet up with my baby

I guess I hadn’t read the signs

Now I’m standing all alone on this cold and lonely platform

Figurin' between the lines

Train she’s riding’s on the fast track, flying
Destination hers to choose

And me I’m back in line in the waiting room for losers

With my one-way ticket to the Blues

Chorus
I’ve gotta one way ticket - there’s no comin’ back
Gotta a one way ticket - to the end of the track
A one way ticket – nothin’ left for me but the blues

Nowhere to run, son, the blues are gonna get you

No place to hide no doubt
Those blues can’t be drowned in a barrel load of bourbon
Ain't no prayer can shut them out

There’s no bet to lay that can beat them, Pete

No superhero gonna squash them flat

Them blues are meaner than a sawn-off grizzly

When they come a-calling that’s that

Chorus

Solo

Headed down the line with the blues on my back

Bad luck always followin’ me

This time I really thought I was on the right track

I guess it wasn’t meant to be

This life can be a journey full of heartache and frustration

Some people never get to choose

So I’m heading on my own to a lonely destination

With my one-way ticket to the blues

Chorus

I’ve gotta one way ticket – there’s no comin’ back

Gotta a one way ticket – to the end of the track

A one way ticket – nothin’ left for me but the blues

One-Way Ticket to the Blue

On Broomielaw Quay

November’s wind tonight is raw and whips the Clyde to foam

I watch here on the Broomielaw the harvesters go home

Oh! Luck is theirs and blest are they who cross the sea of Moyle

To see again at dawning grey the waters of the Foyle

To-morrow night on starlit ways they’ll go to a well-loved door

And sit with kin by hearths ablaze in Rosses or Gweedore

No welcome warm, no lighted pane now waits for me in the West

And sorrow keener than the rain lies heavy on my breast

Yet longings often draw me where the boats for Ireland start

They take an unseen passenger, my homeless Irish heart

Like wild geese in their homing flight these toilers homeward draw

And leave me lonely in the night upon the Broomielaw

On Broomielaw Quay

The Bleachers and the Blues

If I wasn’t scared of water, think I’d run away to sea

Feels like I’m goin’ under, the way she’s treatin’ me

I work my fingers to the bone from sunup to sundown

But when I’m waiting for her to call, she’s out paintin’ up the town

Dress her like a mannequin, designer hats and shoes

But all that I get fitted for is some made-to-measure blues

She said to meet her at the ballgame, enjoy some razzmatazz

Front-row seats, some champagne treats and heaps of all that jazz

Stood out by the turnstile, heard the bases load

Darkness growing, her no showing, I guess I should’ve know’d

The winners get the glory, but someone has to lose

So I get left with peanuts, the bleachers, and the blues

It ain’t over till it’s over or so that’s how it seems

But I reckon I’ve had more strikes than an old prospector’s dreams

I guess I’m learning somethin’ not found in any book

This world is full of takers and poor souls getting took

Que sera, the die is cast, but no one gets to choose

The sweet song of the meadowlark, or bitter basement blues

Now I’m standin’ at the crossroads, like so many times before
New dawn around the corner, horizons to explore

There’s no use my pretending, I know I’ve lost control

St Louis woman’s got my heart, my every breath, my soul

A distant train’s sad whistle sounds out the hateful news

You’ll never leave this prison and these deep, dark dungeon blues

Bleachers and te Blues

The Life in Your Years

When the years roll in like relentless waves

And your hopeful dreams have begun to fade

And your mind reflects on the bygone days

And all the plans that you both made

It is often said time moves so fast
There are precious moments that just won’t last

Then new life comes as a gift to you

And it starts to make your old dreams come true

They are your diamonds, they are your gold
They are your treasures as you grow old

They are full of wonder like the stars above

Put on this earth for you to love

So use your time while it’s not too late
To seize the day and appreciate

The days of laughter and the hours of bliss

You will never know another love like this

You can see flowers and not the weeds
You can count blessings and not your needs

You can hear laughter, forget the tears
It’s not the years in your life but the life in your years

They are your diamonds, they are your gold

They are your treasures as you grow old

They are full of wonder like the stars above

Put on this earth for you to love

The Life in Your Years