1. |
||||
THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING
Sitting on my golden throne
I'm the man who would be king
Trembling at the thought of what
Each new day may bring
I'll scream at all my screaming hordes
And hoard the hoards they bring
I'll stop the tide and in my pride
I'll make my subjects sing
I'm the man who would be king
I'm the man who wouldn't sing
So sing out now in praise
Of the man who would be king
The Devil grant me all the power
And riches I have seen
To buy all the land in Durham
And all the things between
I'm not content to be king for a day
I want to rule for ever more
And every precious thing I covet
Will be added to my store
I'm the man who would be king
Hear the sirens sweetly sing
Of the powers to be gained
By the man who would be king
Dream on
Robin Hood is no good
Chop him up for firewood
Some say my heart is as black as coal
But my favourite colour is gold
And my eyes turn green at the things I've seen
Any other false king own
And dare the man who'll come to raid
The Kingdom that I rule
I'll have his head I'll flog him dead
To no man am I fool
I'm the man who would be king
To my kingdom I will bring
All the richest hearts desires
Of fine and wonderous things
Yet I'll usurp my neighbouring friend
And my brothers I have sold
For the stakes are high and my men will fight
My kingdom to uphold
So who will join this merry farce
Come rally unto me
And break the chains of meekness
Locked by a golden key
I'm the man who would be king
See the swift bird on the wing
Proclaiming to the world
I'm the man who would be king
I'm the man who would be king
Now I've lost my magic ring
No more my subjects sing
To the man who would be king
I'm the man who would be king
There are countless songs to sing
Of pretenders to the throne
Of men who would be king
(Gary Miller)
|
||||
2. |
||||
WHEN THE WIND BLOWS, BILLY BOY
Where have you been all the day Billy Boy
Now you have put away all of your toys
I wish I had known you when you were a boy
But that's all gone now
I'll never forget when I first put you now
You were dancing all round the town
With your shoes all scuffed and your curly hair brown
But that seems such a long time ago now
When the wind blows you've got time on your hands
But when the time comes it blows by so fast
I'll dream of the days that are coming at last
When the wind blows Billy Boy
You in your innocence were such a sweet little thing
Now that's gone forever flown like birds on the wing
Did you ever regret it did you lose anything
Now it's all in the past Billy Boy
Where have you been all the years Billy Boy
You threw them away like you didn't know how
All for the sake of just living for now
Well I still love you Billy Boy
Now you and your sweetheart will walk hand in hand
You and the world and his wife make a stand
For all that we've ever held at our command
As you count down the years Billy Boy
Now the wind's blown all the time from your hands
Now the time's come will you blow by so fast
Or welcome the days that are here at last
When the wind blows Billy Boy
(Gary Miller)
|
||||
3. |
Manimal Farm
03:38
|
|||
MANIMAL FARM
The cock crows dawn and signals time to rise
Manimal Farm is soon full of life
The horse is in the field or down the mine
The cock just sits there and bides his time
The cock just sits there and bides his time
Spring brings in the lambing time
School days over in summer time
We bring in the harvest at autumn time
But winter is cold at the slaughter time
Winter is cold at the slaughter time
We will grow old before our time
We will taste sorrow and bitter wine
We will bring the crops in until the day that we die
We will feed the swine
The power of authority is thine
The power of the Lord is mine
The harvest fails when God is unkind
He will punish us and we will cry
He will punish us and we will cry
(Gary Miller)
|
||||
4. |
Land Of The Dinosaur
03:38
|
|||
LAND OF THE DINOSAUR
Here amongst the memories
That belong to yesterday
The monolithic metal beasts
No longer rule the waves
The ruins of a greater age
Lie strewn across wasteland
The dinosaurs are now extinct
Their bones rust in the sand
The timbers burned
The wheels have turned
The ships have sailed away
Yet the dinosaurs stand tall and proud
In the graveyard that remains
See the greatness now expired
In the hearts and lives of men
Monuments of men
Monumental men
And their epitaph shall be:
'They walked on water
They parted the waters
Until the seas of power engulfed them'
(Gary Miller)
|
||||
5. |
Shot At Dawn
05:02
|
|||
SHOT AT DAWN
See the white crosses at the top of the hill
Where foreign winds do blow
The chill air is haunting and all is still
Where the ghosts do gently moan
Young Tommy Atkins is with them
He never reached his eighteenth year
It broke his poor mother's heart in two
She never saw her young son again
Mary Johnson would never wed
Through the passing of long years
Yet the saddest grief must surely fade
After long and bitter tears
But young Tommy Atkins stole her heart
To take wherever he did go
And he lies in a field forgotten now
Far away from where the flowers of England do grow
With the eyes and ears of history
Can we judge both king and pawn
And can we point the finger of guilt
At the graves of those who were shot at dawn
Tommy Atkins was a daring soul
As brave as any man
But a scapegoat cannot defend itself
When it's made to carry the can
The disease was never diagnosed
He was marched out in the early dawn
And did they hide the disgrace of cowards
When they had him shot at dawn
Does the conscience of kings
Hide a brotherhood of thieves
That plucked the rose from the thorn
Can we wipe the blood from those fingers
That had flowers of England shot at dawn
Now the swelling pride of history
Casts a shadow over graves
Where flowers once bloomed and took the wind
But now the winds have changed
A fabled path of glory
Long trodden carries on
Remembering those who gave their lives
While condemning those shot at dawn
"So praise the heroes yea none but the brave
Three cheers for our favourite sons
A blood red poppy for a red English rose
And a curse on those cowards who were shot at dawn"
Is the simple question of life and death
One we can all understand
And will the question be ringing in your ears
"For what died the flowers of England?"
(Gary Miller)
|
||||
6. |
Three Rivers
04:57
|
|||
THREE RIVERS
An old man once told me a story
Of three rivers running through this land of mine
And men who would die to feed their loved ones
Now the work is all gone the rivers run clear again
And who would believe they've seen three rivers running clear
Who am I well I'll tell you I'm Jack Robson
And I'd cut you down with words as well as blows
I used to make the steel down at the foundry
Now it's gone the steel is rust the furnace cold
I had a wife and bairns who felt my kindness
And my belt and my rage when hard times came
They left one day to look for something better
I wonder if they found it
If the wounds upon my body had been money
If the tears I've shed for you had all been gold
If the times that I've been drunk had all been diamonds
Would the love you had for me have been so cold
I'm a welder by trade my name is Wilson
And I built the ships that fought my country's wars
I'd take my lad to see the game at Roker
Where he would dream of being captain of the team
To score a goal and get a winner's medal
And hold the cup for everyone to see
His sisters used to sing of Bobby Shaftoe
And what he'd do when he came home from sea
Those who knew me they all would call me Tommy
A geordie collier to the core
Unsung hero of this country
Who never went away to fight a war
Fought my battles down there at the coal face
Two thousand feet below my home
Until a wiser man said "Tom the war is over
There's nothing left for you now go on home"
What's my name it really doesn't matter
I'm the eyes now blinded by hot steel
I'm the hands all bloody black and broken
I'm the ears that heard the last ship leave
I'm the father crying for his children
I'm the husband begging to his wife
I'm the voice of doubt and fear politicians never hear
As three rivers run on silent to the sea
(lyrics: Mick Tyas / music: Gary Miller)
|
||||
7. |
||||
LEAD THEM TO THEIR GRAVES
The moon is up the stars are out
You're in your shining tower
And love is shining down on you
From its heavenly bower
But the man in the moon will come too soon
Destroying all he saves
And you'll catch a falling star tonight
As you lead them to their graves
Bite the hand that feeds
Are the words you know so well
Yet you fight the hand that bleeds
In your self made living hell
Your love has withered down the years
Yet theirs grows with the days
And you'll reap their crop until they drop
As you lead them to their graves
A million tears count the years
From your cradle to their graves
On faces once so beautiful
Which love could not have saved
Do the flowers of romance still touch their hearts
Do they yearn for days now past
Will they bloom again in their twilight years
Or will they just fade away
The moon is up the stars are out
You're in your shining tower
Yet the architects have failed you
Their work has never flowered
A deep dungeon hides the greatest gift
Once beheld by eyes now glazed
Will they finally free what they long to see
As you lead them to their graves
As you lead them to their graves
As you lead them to their graves
(Gary Miller)
|
||||
8. |
||||
RIME OF THE NOT-SO-ANCIENT MARINER
When the mariner sailed the ocean wide
With freedom in his sails
His hair was radiant with pearls of stars
As he searched for untold tales
From his bow all crystal clear
Big fish swam before his eyes
But as the wind ruffled his shining air
They saw through his disguise
The glittering stars were in his eyes
The sun and moon your slaves
You held the whole world in your hands
But now you've lowered your sails
Your clear skies were a sapphire blue
Your rivals' skies were grey
The race was won if you had known
Why did you delay
The seven seas denied your quest
To win Poseidon's crown
Maidens fair cursed you in despair
As you failed to win renown
Dark streets shone as you walked on
All carpeted in gold
Bedecked in jewels of dazzling hue
A treasure for your hold
But your mistresses are the masters now
Your raiment turned to grey
The stars went out now no sun shines
The sparkle's gone away
Now all that glitters isn't gold
Now all the secrets have been told
The sailors have all returned home
Adventurous hearts have turned to stone
Now as you sit and count your gold
They were all lies those stories told
Safe and sound and lost at home
An ancient curse turned you to stone
(Gary Miller)
|
||||
9. |
||||
BRANDON, BROWNEY AND BOYNE
I was born a miner's son
And a miner's son I'll die
My memories have lived with me
I'll think of them in time
I dreamed about a river flowing
Swiftly brown and blue
And it broke my heart to feel the start
Of remembrance breaking through
The beck became a river
And it's course reflected my life
It broke no banks; it broke no rules
As it meandered out of sight
I felt it's magic in my heart
It's growing pains and joy
My life was linked by heart and soul
To Brandon, Browney and Boyne
The haunting greyness of my father's house
Was the haven of my youth
It taught me all that I now hold dear
Both the illusions and the truth
Now the childhood dreams and the house have gone
Like my past, the past is pulled down
Yet the river keeps flowing ever on
Through Brandon, Browney and Boyne
Times may have changed, yet the river remains
Though it's course has strayed down through the years
And in the hard times of my life
It's washed away all of the tears
I've walked the shadows of my heart
And crossed swords with all that I've loved
And held my desires a lifetime away
I've chained myself with blood
I've grown into a bitter man
Whose life's now stained with hate
I've lost faith in my fellow man
And I'm closeted within my fate
If solitude was my rise and fall
I'd throw it all away now
And then I'd leave to return and stay
In Brandon, Browney and Boyne
This river and land have felt the hand
Of many a generation's toil
The land-locked blood of brotherhood
Flows through Brandon, Browney and Boyne
Now I'll take the road that others tread
I'll see you down the line
And I'll meet you where the river ends
In Brandon, Browney and Boyne
(Gary Miller)
|
||||
10. |
See The Whippet Run
02:49
|
|||
SEE THE WHIPPET RUN
I was born and bred into a race of skill
It's the drug that gives me speed and thrills
With a never ceasing heat in my heart and brain
To give me the power of a speeding train
See the whippet run
Watch it leap the highest hurdles
Run rabbit run
Keep on heading down that track
See the whippet run
As it hurtles to the finish line
Racing past your train and never looking back
There's many a pleasure and delight
In being the victor through another man's plight
I can see the gold at the rainbow's end
So carry me up as the gods descend
This race has led me to grief and woe
And brought me to arms against friend and foe
Yet the fire still burns as bright as before
I can win this race and a thousand more
(lyrics: Gary Miller / music: Glenn Miller)
|
||||
11. |
||||
EPITAPH AND LAMENT FOR THE SETTING SONS
EPITAPH FOR THE SETTING SONS
The sacred hearts have crumbled
The black crow is on the wing
The sun has set on Easington
The Tempest was in Vane
And the setting sons are tempered
By the rising flames again
And as a frost descends in winter
They melt the coldest stone
The feast is left uneaten
No banquet comes to town
No roast is spitted on the fire
Unburned and underground
We dug a million tunnels
We shouldered through the gloom
And we shouldered arms with hands on hearts
As we forged a living tomb
Now who will scale the mountains
That rise up from the ground
Who will climb the ladders
As they sink without a sound
Who will build foundations
Now that we are gone
Where is the rock that stops the tide
Beneath the setting sun
(Gary Miller)
LAMENT FOR THE SETTING SONS
[Instrumental]
(Glenn Miller)
|
||||
12. |
Pitman Tom
04:02
|
|||
PITMAN TOM
Well I know of this little old gadgie
You can call him Pitman Tom
With lots of bairns and an indomitable thirst
How could the bugger go wrong?
Not so tall, bow-legged an' all
He looked a little bit frail
But stick a tanner in his pocket
And he was ready for his ale
He was down the pit at the age of nine
His brother carried him to work
And the first thing he could remember
Was sitting in the dark
Now the coal dust made him thirsty
And inspired him to verse
So he sold his songs so that all night long
He could satisfy his thirst
His glory was his pen
His muse was a mug of ale
His wit was as sharp as a knife in the dark
How could the bugger fail?
His legs were made of rubber
His hands were made of clay
His throat was made of sawdust
But his words were made to stay
One day he went to the co-op
But ended up in Durham Gaol
He nicked a pair of stockings
And the judge refused him bail
He said "Tom why did you nick 'em?"
And he answered in reply
"I'll never see another pair of bow-legged leggings
Until the day I die"
His glory was his pen
His muse was a mug of ale
His wit was as sharp as a knife in the dark
How could the bugger fail?
His legs were made of rubber
His hands were made of clay
His throat was made of sawdust
But his words were made to stay
But now the bugger's gone
And buried in his grave
And all the folks from 'round about
Never recognise his name
But if he was alive today
He'd write them all a song
About that silly old gadgie
By the name of Pitman Tom
His glory was his pen
His muse was a mug of ale
His wit was as sharp as a knife in the dark
How could the bugger fail?
His legs were made of rubber
His hands were made of clay
His throat was made of sawdust
But his words were made to stay
(Gary Miller)
|
||||
13. |
Digging For Victory
05:20
|
|||
DIGGING FOR VICTORY
I always felt I could go it alone
Didn't need anyone to say I was wrong
Right all the time was my favourite line
I could write a book about it now
Friendship came and friendship went
Like the devil collecting unpaid rent
Growing fat on appreciation of myself
I never knew love and it never knew me
So close the door behind you
There's coal upon the fire
See you when I see you
Tonight I'm bloody tired
But I'll be digging for victory
While you're snuggled up in bed
And while I'm thinking of tomorrow
Will you think of me instead
Take these coals to Newcastle
For that's all you mean to me
And hold that light up higher
While I dig for victory
Just don't ask to join me
For I'm standing on my own
Where the shadows lengthen on the hearth
And the sad winds howl and moan
So here's one for the morning
And here's one for me
Will you toast this master plan of mine
That's going to set us free
Will you come at last to see me
Will you mourn when I come to die
Will your love reach out to touch me
And hold me as I cry
So close the door behind you
There's coal upon the fire
See you when I see you
Tonight I'm bloody tired
But I'll be digging for victory
While you're snuggled up in bed
And while I'm thinking of tomorrow
Will you think of me instead
The door's now closed behind you
There's no warmth from the fire
Tonight I'd love to see you
Even if you're tired
I've stopped digging for victory
Now I'm snuggled up in bed
And I don't think about tomorrow
I just long for you instead
(Gary Miller)
|
||||
14. |
||||
HOUSE AND HOME
The chill of winter's icy blast
Brings the Ghost of Christmas Past
At this time of family
Will my loved ones think of me?
A friendly visit never goes amiss
And my mistletoe will accept a kiss
From those who fear to tread my door
And remind me of the times before
My savings are all in the poet
To cheer them as they carve the roast
I may not have their luxury feed
But all their love is all I need
And when the chill is in my bones
I may not be here when next Christmas comes
And when all is said and one
Will you love me when I'm gone
Well how are you? Long time no see
I hear you're married with a child of three
Maybe one day I'll meet him yet
And we'll share the times that we have left
The biscuits are a kind return
For all the years that I have yearned
To be a full part of your lives
But no charity can buy my pride
And when the chill is in my bones
I may not be here when next Christmas comes
And when all is said and one
Will you love me when I'm gone
And as I sit here all alone
I may not be here when next Christmas comes
When the Ghost of Christmas Future calls
Will you cherish house and home?
(Gary Miller)
|
||||
15. |
||||
DOL-LI-A
It's fresh I come down Sandgate Street
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
My best friends here to meet
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, the Dillen Doll
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, the Dillen Doll
Dol-Li-A
Dolly Coxon's pawned her shirt
Dol-li, Dol-Li
To ride upon a baggage cart
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li-A
The green cuffs have gone away
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
That will be a crying day
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, the Dillen Doll
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, the Dillen Doll
Dol-Li-A
The black cuffs are coming in
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
That will make the lasses sing
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, the Dillen Doll
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, the Dillen Doll
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, the Dillen Doll
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, the Dillen Doll
Dol-Li-A
(Trad. arr. The Whisky Priests)
|
||||
16. |
||||
DOL-LI-A
It's fresh I come down Sandgate Street
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
My best friends here to meet
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li-A
Dolly Coxon's pawned her shirt
Dol-li, Dol-Li
To ride upon a baggage cart
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li-A
The green cuffs have gone away
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
That will be a crying day
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li-A
The black cuffs are coming in
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
That will make the lasses sing
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li-A
(Trad. arr. The Whisky Priests)
|
||||
17. |
||||
DOL-LI-A
It's fresh I come down Sandgate Street
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
My best friends here to meet
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li-A
Dolly Coxon's pawned her shirt
Dol-li, Dol-Li
To ride upon a baggage cart
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li-A
The green cuffs have gone away
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
That will be a crying day
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li-A
The black cuffs are coming in
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
That will make the lasses sing
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li-A
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li, Dol-Li
Dol-Li, De-Dillen-Dol
Dol-Li-A
(Trad. arr. The Whisky Priests)
|
The Whisky Priests Durham, UK
The Whisky Priests (1985-2002) was founded by twin brothers, Gary & Glenn Miller (“the Joe Strummer and Mick Jones of Folk Music”). The band was internationally renowned for its energetic live shows, released a number of critically acclaimed albums, toured extensively and developed a worldwide cult following. The band reunited to tour in 2018 and release a 12-disc Complete Discography CD Box-set. ... more
Streaming and Download help
The Whisky Priests recommends:
If you like The Whisky Priests, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp