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William, You Were Really Something

from Mad Martins by Gary Miller with Keith Armstrong, Iain Petrie & Friends

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a gorgeous deluxe book-format packaging, including approximately 100 pages featuring lyrics to all 50 tracks, additional interlinking text, a host of beautiful pictures and illustrations throughout, as well as a comprehensive list of credits and acknowledgements. This wonderful and unique presentation, designed by Helen Temperley at helentemperley.myportfolio.com has been a true 'labour of love' and is a fascinating and real work of art in its own right.

    Includes FREE Bonus CD 'Fair Flowers Among Them All (The Mad Martins instrumentals)' while stocks last.

    IMPORTANT MESSAGE for non-UK buyers:
    Please be aware that if you are ordering from outside the UK, due to reasons beyond our control, you may be liable for additional charges, e.g. customs tax. Please note: we will NOT refund payment for any items refused or returned to us due to non-payment of these charges at point of delivery.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Mad Martins via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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      £24.99 GBP

     

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about

In 1849, having published his last leaflet 'The Philosopher on the Millennium’ and being short of money and tired of the ridicule his eccentricities received, he was invited by his brother John to stay in his grand new home, Lindsey House, on the Chelsea Embankment. William lived out the last few years of his life there in comfort and ease before dying on February 9th 1851.

lyrics

WILLIAM, YOU WERE REALLY SOMETHING

Thunder and lightning attended your birth,
God’s message to you to inherit the earth:
To conquer with genius for all you were worth;
All in your dreams.

Like a lion poised to rush from his den,
And defeat all abusers of the pen,
And bring divine wisdom for the good of all men;
New ideas, new machines.

The Martinian system, a new guiding light,
To put all ignorance and false prophets to flight:
If Newton was wrong, then you must be right;
Maybe in another life.

Oh, William, William, you were really something;
In between the medals and the madness, your genius shone through.
Oh, William, William, you were really something;
In between the mockery and the sadness, was a glimpse of the real you.

Stephenson and Davy stole your dream,
Though your Safety Lamp was best it would seem:
A magnificent man in your flying machine;
Broken dreams and bones.

While your devoted wife sewed her heart out for you,
You chased your half-hidden, unsolvable truths:
So many years wasted in the season of youth;
Quickly fading away.

Her star burned out, leaving you to survive,
On a diet that barely kept you alive:
Man can’t live alone on ambition and drive,
Loneliness and pain.

Oh, William, William, you were really something;
In between the medals and the madness, your genius shone through.
Oh, William, William, you were really something;
In between the mockery and the sadness, was a glimpse of the real you.

The pamphlets you wrote, the false medals displayed,
The tortoiseshell cap in your twilight days;
Only seen by others as proof of your craze,
Yet precious to you.

Bard of skill from Bardon Mill,
Curer of all earthly ill:
Respect is due; your light shines still,
Here’s to you.

Oh, William, William, you were really something;
In between the medals and the madness, your genius shone through.
Oh, William, William, you were really something;
In between the mockery and the sadness, was a glimpse of the real you.

(Lyrics & Music: Gary Miller)

credits

from Mad Martins, released April 3, 2017
Gary Miller - Lead & Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Hand-Claps
Iain Petrie - Electric Guitar, Organ, Bass, Guitar, Drums, Tambourine, Hand-Claps, Backing Vocals

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about

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

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