Tell Me About It
1. A Ship in the Harbour (F. O’Hagan)
3. Tell Me About It (F. O’Hagan)
4. Carousel Girl (F. O’Hagan and W. Scanlan)
5. Mirror of Your Soul (F. O’Hagan)
6. Hey Simone (F. O’Hagan and W. Scanlan)
7. One Way Ticket to the Blues (F. O’Hagan and W. Scanlan)
8. On Broomielaw Quay (F. O’Hagan based on the poem by Patrick MacGill)
9. Bleachers and the Blues (F. O’Hagan and W. Scanlan)
10. The Life in Your Years (F. O’Hagan)
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
Another Wall
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Put on this earth for you to love