That it is and it also reminds me of one I've loved since I was about ten. This is the Irish Rover version...I've found assorted lyrics, depending on who does the recording.

You bully boys of Liverpool
I'll have you all beware
When you sail on them packet ships,
No dungaree jumpers wear
But have a big monkey jacket
All ready to your hand
For there blows some cold nor'westers
Off the banks of Newfoundland

Chorus

We had Jack Lynch from Malnahinch,
Mike Murphy and some more
I tell you well, they suffered like hell
On the way to Baltimore
They pawned their gear in Liverpool
And sailed as they did stand
For there blow some cold nor'westers
On the banks of Newfoundland
Chorus:
3. Now the mate he stood on the fo'c'sle head
And loudly he did roar
Come rattle her in me lucky lads,
You're bound for America's shore
Come wipe the blood off that dead man's face *)
And haul or you'll be damned
For there blow some cold nor'westers
On the banks of Newfoundland
Chorus:

4. So now we're off the hook me boys,
And the land is white with snow
And soon we'll see the pay table
And we'll spend the whole night below
And on the docks, come down in flocks,
Those pretty girls will say
Ah, It's snugger with me than it is at sea,
On the banks of Newfoundland
Chorus:

Chorus:
We'll rub her around and scrub her around
With holy stone and sand
And we'll say farewell to the virgin rocks
On the banks of Newfoundland

kstew - My favourite version of that song was done by Ewan MacColl, father of the late, (and to me) great Kirsty MacColl. Which makes me think of Shane again, and Fairytale of New York.

For some reason, I looked up at your Rainbow Connection post, and it made me wonder what would happen if Kermit and Shane McGowan were ever to collaborate on a song. And, no, I haven't been drinking. Maybe I should start...

A Piggy Tale of New Pork perhaps?

Or maybe
- It's Not Easy Being Green...Or Sober, For That Matter
- Brewski Dreams About Swamp Things
- A Croak And A Smile

Quote:

---

"The Rainbow Connection...In the Drunk Tank"

---

Stu, I think that happens every day at Rikers Island.

Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again.
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains within the sounds of silence.

In restless dreams I walked alone,
Through narrow streets of cobblestone.
'Neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp,
When my eyes were stabbed
By the flash of a neon light,
That split the night,
And touched the sounds of silence.

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never shared.
No one dared disturb the sound of silence

"Fools!" said I, "you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the world of silence.

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they'd made.
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming,
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls,
And tenement halls,"
And whispered in the sound of silence.

Even more timely and relevant now than the day it was written.

One of my favourite NIN songs, that hasn't been posted, and wouldn't cause my account to be deleted. That's a tough one. Trent does seem to have a problem keeping his language PMRC friendly.


We're In This Together

i've become impossible
holding on to when
when everything seemed to matter more
the two of us
all used and beaten up
watching fate as it flows down the path we
have chose

you and me
we're in this together now
none of them can stop us now
we will make it through somehow
you and me
if the world should break in two
until the very end of me
until the very end of you

awake to the sound as they peel apart the skin
they pick and they pull
trying to get their fingers in
well they've got to kill what we found
well they've got to hate what they fear
well they've got to make it go away
well they've got to make it disappear

the further i fall i'm beside you
as lost as i get i will find you
the deeper the wound i'm inside you
for ever and ever i am a part of

you and me
we're in this together now
none of them can stop us now
we will make it through somehow
you and me
if the world should break in two
until the very end of me
until the very end of you

all that we were is gone we have to hold on
all that we were is gone, but we have to hold on
when all our hope is gone we have to hold on
all that we were is gone but we can hold on

you and me
we're in this together now
none of them can stop us now
we will make it through somehow
you and me
even after everything
you're the queen and i'm the king
nothing else means anything

I heard this one on the way to work today. I like it, but it's sad.

I'm standing at the crossroads in life, and I don't know where to go.
You know you've got my heart babe, but my music's got my soul.
Let me play it one more time, I'll tell the truth and make it rhyme,
And hope they understand me.

REFRAIN
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake, feed Jake, he's been a good dog,
My best friend right through it all, if I die before I wake,
Feed Jake

Now Broadway's like a sewer, bums and hookers everywhere.
Whino's passed out on the side walk, doesn't anybody care.
Some say he's worthless, just let him be.
But I for one would have to disagree.
And so would their mama.

REFRAIN

If you get an ear pierced, some will call you gay.
But if you drive a pick-up, they'll say 'No, he must be straight.'
What we are and what we ain't, what we can and what we can't,
Does it really matter?

REFRAIN

Rayven, that's been going through my head for a couple of weeks now. It's a great one. Thank you.

You're welcome.

There isn't enough room for the lyrics I wanted to post, but it's Sawyer Brown's
"This thing called wantin' and havin' it all".
I haven't heard it in years but it's really good.

In my occasional series of 'songs about me', this one should be included. It just IS me!

How sweet to be an Idiot,
As harmless as a cloud,
Too small to hide the sun,
Almost poking fun
At the warm but insecure, untidy crowd.
How sweet to be an idiot,
And dip my brain in joy,
Children laughing at my back,
With no fear of attack,
As much retaliation as a toy.
How sweet to be an idiot. How sweet.

I tiptoed down the street,
Smiled at everyone I meet,
But suddently a scream
Smashes through my dream.
Fee fie foe fum.
I smell the blood of an asylum.
(Blood of an asylum. But mother, I play so beautifully. Listen. Ha ha.)
Fie fye foe fum.
I smell the blood of the asylum.
Hey you. You're such a pennant.
You got as much brain as a dead ant,
As much imagination as a caravan sign,

But I still love you. Still love you.
Oooh, how sweet to be an idiot.
How sweet. How sweet. How sweet.

You get up every morning 'fore the sun comes up
Toss a lunch box into a pickup truck
A long hard day sure ain't much fun
But you gotta get it started if you wanna get it done
Just set your mind and roll up your sleeves
You're workin' on a working man's PH.D.

With your hear and your hands and the sweat on your brow
You build the things that really make the world go 'round
If it works, if it runs, if it lasts for years
You can bet your bottom dollar it was made right here
With pride and honor and dignity
From a man with a working man's PH.D.

Well, there ain't no shame in a job well done
From driving a nail to driving a truck
As a matter of fact, I'd like to set things straight
A few more people should be pullin' their weight
If you want a cram course in reality
You get yourself a working man's PH.D.

When the quittin' whistle blosw and the dust settles down
There ain't not trophies or cheering crowds
You'll face yourself at the end of the day
And be damned proud of whatever you've made
Can't hang it on the wall for teh world to see
But you got yourself a working man's PH.D.

Well, there ain't no shame in a job well done
From driving a nail to driving a truck
As a matter of fact, I'd like to set things straight
A few more people should be pullin' their weight
If you want a cram course in reality
You get yourself a working man's PH.D.

If you look at my quizzes sorted by date, you'll notice something a little peculiar: a gap of about a year between the summers of 2005 and 2006. Well, that was a pretty rough time for the Stumeister. A lot of things happened that some folks on the site know about; others don't. Anyway, I'd like to dedicate this song to one of my best friends - probably the person who most helped me get through that time. Thanks, Amy.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When I think of those East End lights, muggy nights
The curtains drawn in the little room downstairs
Prima Donna lord you really should have been there
Sitting like a princess perched in her electric chair
And it's one more beer and I don't hear you anymore
We've all gone crazy lately
My friends out there rolling round the basement floor

And someone saved my life tonight, sugar bear
You almost had your hooks in me, didn't you dear?
You nearly had me roped and tied
Altar-bound, hypnotized
Sweet freedom whispered in my ear
You're a butterfly
And butterflies are free to fly
Fly away, high away, bye bye

I never realized the passing hours of evening showers
A slip noose hanging in my darkest dreams
I'm strangled by your haunted social scene
Just a pawn out-played by a dominating queen
It's four o'clock in the morning, damn it
Listen to me good
I'm sleeping with myself tonight
Saved in time, thank God my music's still alive

And someone saved my life tonight, sugar bear
You almost had your hooks in me, didn't you dear?
You nearly had me roped and tied
Altar-bound, hypnotized
Sweet freedom whispered in my ear
You're a butterfly
And butterflies are free to fly
Fly away, high away, bye bye

And I would have walked head on into the deep end of the river
Clinging to your stocks and bonds
Paying your H.P. demands forever
They're coming in the morning with a truck to take me home
Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight
So save your strength and run the field you play alone

And someone saved my life tonight, sugar bear
You almost had your hooks in me, didn't you dear?
You nearly had me roped and tied
Altar-bound, hypnotized
Sweet freedom whispered in my ear
You're a butterfly
And butterflies are free to fly
Fly away, high away, bye bye

Someone saved my life tonight

Nice choice Stu and good to see you got through that time with Friends & your humour still in tact:-)

"Wonderful life" by Black

Here I go out to sea again
the sunshine fills my hair
and dreams hang in the air
Gulls in the sky and in my blue eyes
you know it feels unfair
there's magic everywhere

Look at me standing
here on my own again
up straight in the sunshine

No need to run and hide
it's a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to hide your face
it's a wonderful, wonderful life

Sun in your eyes
the heat is in your hair
they seem to hate you
because you're there
and I need a friend
Oh, I need a friend
to make me happy
not stand here on my own

Look at me standing
here on my own again
up straight in the sunshine

I need a friend
oh, I need friend
to make me happy
not so alone.......

Look at me here
here on my own again
up straight in the sunshine

I heard this yesterday for the first time. I think it'll be my theme song.

Remember when you ran away and I got on my knees and begged you not to
leave because I'd go berserk?? Well...
You left me anyhow and then the days got worse and worse and now you see
I've gone completely out of my mind.. And..
They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa!!
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa
To the funny farm. Where life is beautiful all the time and I'll be
happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats and they're
coming to take me away, ha-haaa!!!!!

You thought it was a joke and so you laughed, you laughed when I had said
that loosing you would make me flip my lid.. RIGHT???
I know you laughed, I heard you laugh, you laughed you laughed and
laughed and then you left, but now you know I'm utterly mad... And..


They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa,
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa.
To the happy home. With trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket
weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes and they're
coming to take me away, ha-haaa!!!

I cooked your food, I cleaned your house, and this is how you pay me back
for all my kind unselfish loving deeds.. Huh??
Well you just wait, they'll find you yet and when they do they'll put you

in the ASPCA, you mangy mutt!!! And...

They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa.
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa.
To the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time and I'll be happy
to see those nice young men in their clean white coats and they're coming
to take me away, ha-haaa!!!
To the happy home, with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket
weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes and they're
coming to take me away, ha-haa!!!
To the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time... (fade out)

Hey, buddy!
Yes officer..
You a head?
No, but I'm catching up, ha ha ha....

Ah, one of my childhood favorites, rayven.
I still have that on 45 somewhere. I also still have something to play it on...
45s...*sigh* I'm old.

My life was hauled away in boxes and bags.
As if my possessions were nothing but rags.

Had it value? He sold it. So all of it’s gone.
My heart has been emptied. For things I don’t long.

I’ve reinvented myself more times than you’ll know.
Is it me that you see? My heart that I show?

What matters? They matter. My heart and my soul.
My life is but theirs now. Only they make me whole.

I’ll be in your life and I’ll share in your space.
Don’t expect – don’t put pressure. I’ll leave with no trace.

Once I was weak but now I am strong.
Don’t think I’m so fragile…you would be so wrong.

You can’t have what’s mine. I have nothing to give.
I died and came back…It’s for them that I live.


This is an original - by me. I'm working with someone to put it to music. It still needs some work.

Another favorite of mine that doesn't get played nearly enough.

Well I used to wake the morning before the rooster crowed.
Searchin for soda bottles to get myself some dough.
Brought them down to the corner, down to the country store.
Cash em in and give my money to a man named Curtis Loew.

Old Curt was a black man with white curly hair.
When he had a fifth of wine he did not have a care.
He used to own an old Dobro, used to play it across his knee.
I'd give old Curt my money he'd play all day for me.

Chorus: Play me a song Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew.
Well I got your drinkin money tune up your Dobro.
People said he was useless, but them people all were fools.
Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues.


He looked to be 60 and maybe I was 10.
Momma used to whoop me, but I'd go see him again.
I'd clap my hands, stomp my feets, try to stay in time.
He'd play a song or two then take another drink of wine.

Chorus:
Lead: (verse and chorus background).

On the day old Curtis died, nobody came to pray.
Old preacher said some words, and they chucked him in the clay.
Well he lived a lifetime of playing the black man's blues.
And on the day he lost his life, well that's all he had to lose.

Chorus.

This is probably my favorite song of all time.

Well my name's John Lee Pettimore
Same as my daddy and his daddy before
You hardly ever saw Grandaddy down here
He only came to town about twice a year
He'd buy a hundred pounds of yeast and some copper line
Everybody knew that he made moonshine
Now the revenue man wanted Grandaddy bad
He headed up the holler with everything he had
It's before my time but I've been told
He never came back from Copperhead Road

Now Daddy ran the whiskey in a big black Dodge
Bought it at an auction at the Mason's Lodge
Johnson County Sheriff painted on the side
Just shot a coat of primer then he looked inside
Well him and my uncle tore that engine down
I still remember that rumblin' sound
Well the sheriff came around in the middle of the night
Heard mama cryin', knew something wasn't right
He was headed down to Knoxville with the weekly load
You could smell the whiskey burnin' down Copperhead Road

I volunteered for the Army on my birthday
They draft the white trash first,'round here anyway
I done two tours of duty in Vietnam
And I came home with a brand new plan
I take the seed from Columbia and Mexico
I plant it up the holler down Copperhead Road
Well the D.E.A.'s got a chopper in the air
I wake up screaming like I'm back over there
I learned a thing or two from ol' Charlie don't you know
You better stay away from Copperhead Road

Copperhead Road
Copperhead Road
Copperhead Road

Picking just one theme from that previous song...

As a schoolboy I played with a plastic grenade
It was grey and with caps it was loaded
In the dirt we would cry and dramatically die
As it flew through the air and exploded
As a young man my dream was to be a marine
My flag was worth all I could bring it
The country felt young. When the anthem was sung
Well it gave me the goosebumps to sing it.

Chorus -
I was born on the fourth of July
No one more loyal than I
When my country said so, I was ready to go,
And I wish I'd been left there to die.

When I landed in 'Nam I was great Uncle Sam
I was fighting for God and my mother.
And I knew what to do when my first tour was through,
I signed up and went back for another.
But it all tumbled down when we ambushed the town,
In the night how the metal was flying.
We blew it to hell. Really did our job well,
But just women and kids did the dying

[Cho.]

In the damn DMZ it all ended for me,
The fighting broke out and we scattered.
One shot hit my heel, the last thing I'd feel,
The next hit my spine and it shattered.
In my hospital bed I could hear what was said,
And the word will stay with me forever.
With my whole life ahead, my body was dead,
And the word they were using was never.

[Cho.]

Now I wheel myself down to the crossroads of town,
To see the young girls and their lovers.
And my mind is afire, it's alive with desire,
Christ, I'd barely begun, now it's over.
In my wheelchair for life, my mechanical wife,
I'm supposed to be cheerful and stoic.
I'm your old tried-and-true, Yankee Doodle to you,
Clean-cut, paralysed and heroic.

[Cho.]

["Born on the Fourth of July"
Words and Music by Tom Paxton.
Inspired by the book by Ron Kovic]

Time for a repeat, folks:

Quote:

---

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing stretching every nerve
Had to listen had no choice
I did not believe the information
(I) just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom boom boom
"Son," he said "Grab your things,
I've come to take you home."

To keep in silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Tho' my life was in a rut
"Till I thought of what I'd say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey" he said "Grab your things
I've come to take you home."

When illusion spin her net
I'm never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free
Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me
Today I don't need a replacement
I'll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey" I said "You can keep my things,
they've come to take me home."

---