1. |
Agincourt
03:27
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With God and my Right and a handful of sinners
we sang for our suppers and stole for our dinners.
This ramshackle army - this vane motley crew!
In 1415 we set sail for Harfleur
to harry those messieurs – Agincourt.
“We’ll fill up our train with French silver and Gold.
Riches for all!” - least that’s what we were told
but the pickings were meagre, the good days were few
and to the wettest of summers we bade fair adieu
and with French forces massing and sorely opposed
we counted our losses and turned for the coast
longing for England’s shores – Agincourt.
But the game was afoot as they’d picked up our scent.
With sickness and wounded our force was nigh spent.
They shadowed our movement, they matched us for pace-
always disposed between us and escape.
At the river which we planned to cross at low tide
the French force was massing upon the far side.
“Time to string up our bows” – Agincourt.
By morning, outmarched and outnumbered by far,
there glistened the pennants of the French Royal Court.
All France was assembled at the end of the field
“We are dead by the evening our destiny’s sealed.”
“If we can bring them to us we may yet have a chance!”
Then the French herald sounded a general advance.
“Well praise be to the Lord” – Agincourt
This levelled the contest - advantage was gone,
Though the French force outnumbered us nigh ten to one,
for they could not outflank us for the woods left and right
so they’re coming head on – “My God what a sight.”
“Exeter, Bedford, Warwick, and York
Cry God for Harry, England - and Saint George.”
“Now time to settle old scores” – Agincourt.
Loose! - And the French forlorn hope all went down
Loose! - And another rank sank to the ground
These vane prancing princes, the flowers of all France,
are pressed in the mud as their vanguard advanced.
Then like lambs to the slaughter, with daggers and knives,
we gave them no quarter we snuffed out their lives.
We slashed and we stabbed them we ripped and we tore
And we sent them to hell - in this hundred years war
Thereafter and evermore, the legend will endure – Agincourt
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2. |
Armada
03:38
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King Philip of Spain was a wicked young man
And he dreamed of a Spanish Armada
To kill our Queen – invade our land
A mighty Spanish Armada
When the Queen of Scots she played too rough
and good Queen Bess had her head cut off
Says Philip of Spain, “Enough is enough
I’ll send them a Spanish Armada!”
So he dipped into his treasure chest
To fund his Spanish Armada
And every able man was pressed
From Coruna to Granada
In time a mighty fleet had grown
Too mighty for the English throne
Till Drake sailed into Cadiz town
Sank half his Spanish armada
But the Spanish King he would not fold
And with help from Medina Sidonia
And Spaniard’s tax and Popish gold
Rebuilt his Spanish Armada
Carrying fifty thousand men
Two hundred ships were readied when
King Philip prayed “Amen” and then
dispatched his Spanish Armada
Lord Howard and Sir Francis Drake
They met the Spanish armada
For three days there was give and take
With a mighty Spanish Armada
Then the Lord revealed his hand
He blew a gale straight off Portland
Against his fury none could stand
Not even Phillip’s armada
Off Calais sheltering from the gale
We found their mighty armada
Our fire ships made those Spaniards quail
Dispersed them in disorder
The Spanish captains all took fright
Cut anchor lines and then took flight
There never was such a long dark night
For the humbled Spanish Armada
Regina Gloriana!
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3. |
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The clipper set her sails
carrying a young boy’s hopes and dreams and aspirations.
Apprenticed to a carpenter, though secretly he planned
that one day, with his hand upon the wheel, he’d take his stand.
And bosuns, mates and carpenters would be his to command
As the captain of a ship ‘o’ the line.
But for now he’d bide his time -
diligently learn his trade according to instruction.
On a sailing ship there are sufficient hardships to endure
And though it lacked excitement there’d be time enough, for sure,
for cruising on the Spanish Main in search of men-‘o’-war
As the captain of a ship ‘o’ the line
Nine days under sail
Still wet behind the ears and knowing little of his craft,
The brigant out of Genoa they spied on the horizon
And though they tried to run, she was fleet and they were carrion
So all hands up on decks my boys and each man to his station
And clear the decks for action
And the cannon roared
And sulphur filled the air he breathed and the acrid smoke it blinded
And ball and chain and grape and shot with deadly force collided
And Neptune tossed with Davy Jones on a game of chance presided
Three hundred souls decided
The clipper limped away
And in one hour the boy and all his wishful dreams were gone
And the man who took his place he ne’er more spoke of war and glory
What marked him out was only that he’d lived to tell the story
For the screaming of the dying have often since returned to haunt him
And they sing a different story
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4. |
When Our Ship Sails In
04:58
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When our ship comes sailing in when April comes around
Oh my lads we’ll very merry be and we’ll drink her health all round
We’ll bathe in gin and we’ll go all in for a penny or a pound
Fortunes she will bring when our ship comes sailing in
When our ship comes sailing in, in the merry month of May
Oh my lads we’ll very merry be and we’ll gambol on that day
Our wives we’ll treat and our bairns will eat when we queue for our back-pay
We’ll be spending tin when our ship comes sailing in
Oh my lads for the sweat upon your backs I do solemnly promise and I do contract
To feed your families should the worst occur - I will see you settled in your fading years.
And oh my lad’s for your loyalty and trust I will honour my commitment once this bargain’s struck
Now haul! Haul! Haul!
When our ship comes sailing in, in the far off month of June
Oh my lads we will grateful be - it won’t be a day too soon
We’ll find relief by the skin of our teeth - she is long since overdue
We’ll have been through thick and thin when our ship comes sailing in
But - Oh my lads for the sweat upon your backs I did solemnly promise and I did contract
But I gambled all your money and I lost the lot- now you haven’t got a penny for to piss into a pot
And oh my lad’s with your loyalty and trust - I did scorn and foul abuse and trample in the dust
Now haul! Haul! Haul!
When our ship comes sailing in, in the last days of July
Oh my lads ‘tis too late for us - we are dead men by and by
We are bound six feet underground, our lifeblood all run dry
Inform our next of kin should our ship sail in
And when our ship comes sailing in to a haven in the sky
Oh my lads we will very merry be and we’ll drink the taverns dry
We are the toast of the Holy Ghost and the Seraphim on high
Fortunes she did bring. We’ve been spending tin. Let the revelry begin
Now our ship’s sailed in
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5. |
Born and Bred
03:38
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We were born and bred for business you and I
And together we will make the shuttle fly
We’ll turn coppers into gold
So much that legends will be told of us
We’ll spin a yarn to span the River Mersey deep and wide
So if you have a shilling and if you have a mind
To pool all our resources and join forces you may find
That with my head for figures and with you skilful hands
Our industry will see this union thrive upon this land
For we were born and bred for business you and I
And together we will make the shuttle fly
We’ll turn coppers into gold
So much that legends will be told of us
We’ll spin a yarn to span the River Mersey deep and wide
It cannot be denied from modest means we may have come
Why ever should we hide our roots below? But once begun,
through graft and honest toil we will see our time in the sun
This match was made in heaven – now by God we’ll see it done
For we were born and bred for business you and I
And together we will make the shuttle fly
We’ll turn coppers into gold
So much that legends will be told of us
We’ll spin a yarn to span the River Mersey deep and wide
I have the keys to our own lock-up shop in Harpurhey
I have the rent to see us through till one week Saturday
I have the plan. Do you have guts and nerve to make it pay?
Come – I’ll have an answer. I propose – what do you say?
That we were born and bred for business you and I
And together we will make the shuttle fly
We’ll turn coppers into gold
So much that legends will be told of us
We’ll spin a yarn to span the River Mersey deep and wide
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6. |
Flash Hard
04:29
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Two tribes fought a battle to settle an old score
Two tribes fighting battles, I s’pose, it’s better than all-out war
One man stands outnumbered - eleven to one - t’aint fair
Surrounded by his enemies and standing in the square – let’s go
One man hurls a missile with all his power and might
Our hero ducks out of the way – his future don’t look bright – no sir
The elders of both villages watch on from the side
Offering words of wisdom as another missile whistles wide – let’s go
This next one’s got your number on - if the devil’s marked your card
So take your chances while you may and if you’re gonna flash - flash hard son!
With slash and hook and cut and slice somehow our man survives
While comrades come and go and all around him lose their lives
To snatch a famous victory from the ashes of defeat
Our hero battled all day long ‘til victory was complete - let’s go
This next one’s got your number on - if the devil’s marked your card
So take your chances while you may and if you’re gonna flash - flash hard son!
This next one’s got your number on - if the devil’s marked your card
So take your chances while you may and if you’re gonna flash - flash hard son!
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7. |
The Long Goodnight
03:42
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The parcel you sent me arrived yesterday
the photograph showed me my children at play
it comforts me greatly to see you and them doing fine
My sergeant believes that the job’s nearly done
Our splendid young men have the hun on the run
By Christmas or sooner he swears that this war will be won
But tonight I feel a little lonely won’t you help me get through this black night
Take me in your arms – kiss me gently and tell me “sleep tight”
I can’t tell you the truth but the thought of you makes me feel better - tonight
Can you believe I’m a leader of men?
At home I command only boys around ten
My weapons of choice? My red pen and a schoolteacher’s frown!
These men are so brave they deserve more than I
I tremble and quake while they show how to die
I pray God my duty be done and I don’t let them down
But tonight, I feel a little lonely won’t you help me get through this black night
Take me in your arms – kiss me gently and tell me “sleep tight”
I can’t tell you the truth but the thought of you makes me feel better
As we go into that long goodnight.
As we go into that long goodnight…
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8. |
Crazy For You
02:19
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It’s really easy to find the words to say
And the words mean more to me with every day
You amaze me I’m really crazy for you
Your laughter can brighten up my day
Your smile can chase the darkest clouds away
You amaze me I’m really crazy for you
I look into your blue eyes
It’s like I’m gazing into paradise
No-one else can make me feel the way you do
I feel a tingle when you touch my hand
You mean the world to me so I don’t understand
Why you amaze me I’m really crazy for you
My head is spinning – it’s in a whirl
I’m just a boy but you’re not just a girl
You’re my love my life. You’re my best friend
And that won’t end
So don’t imagine I don’t appreciate
The things you do for me it’s time to celebrate
That despite my faults you must love me a little too
Beautiful lady – I’m in love with you
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9. |
The Temp
04:25
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Seven a.m. and just another ordinary day
I never realised she was going to pass my way.
Walking along down the street with my head in the clouds
Already dreaming of the end of the day
I clocked into work at seven forty five a.m.
Took off my coat – I picked up my coffee that was when
I saw an angel standing there right in front of me
I’d never seen such a vision before
But what are the rules? What do you do
When you want someone to notice you and you can’t find the words to say?
Do you just say hello and ask for her name? I’ve never been good at this kind of game
You feel such a fool when you don’t know the rules
I asked around and found she was only here for the day
She was an office temp how I wish that she would stay
She walked up to me and she smiled and she said “Hello”
Can you believe it she’s talking to me
We went for a bite to eat at the best restaurant in town
We talked for hours as the sun was going down
I felt so alive like I was in another world
I couldn’t believe it I’m dating this girl
We finished our drinks and we left the bar
We kissed for a while and then we got in her car and we drove back to my place
We made love till the morning light. I heard a bell ring and I opened my eyes
It was seven a.m. and I’d been dreaming again
Dreaming about my temporary lover
Dreaming about my temporary lover
Dreaming about my temporary lover
Dreaming about my temporary lover
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10. |
The Whippersnapper
04:49
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People are dying, she said to me.
for the want of the price of a cup of tea
and to be frank, there is only one cause and that is our greed.
If you’ll allow me one moment to put my case,
they are part of our family - the whole human race
and I’ll thank you to wipe that wry smile from off of your face.
And I said…
You have me mistaken for someone else
Tell it to someone who cares
I’m too busy having the time of my life
And it’s bliss to be unawares
So I’ll thank you to take it elsewhere
The planet is dying, she said to me.
The ozone is coming apart at the seams
and it seems that we’re burning it all to satisfy greed.
While we search for ways to save mother earth
you blow it all. Where’s the point? There’s a dearth
of sane reason on your part I think that your judgement’s impaired.
And I said…
You have me mistaken for someone else
Tell it to someone who gives a damn
What you say might be true – I’m aware of it too
But I will not be lectured by you
For the sake of the peace change your tune
We are arming dictators, she said to me.
To bomb their own people – I can’t help but see you
in uniform standing in line with a gun in your hand.
Does right and wrong hold any sway with you?
Is gold your sole motive – your prime directive?
You morally bankrupt old sad and despicable fool.
I said – can you see me from way up there
sitting astride your high horse?
I’ve been down this road and it’s lonely and cold
Now it’s your turn to weather the storm
Good luck on your journey
I hope you return with more success than ever did I
While my race is run yours is only begun
And despite your invective I won’t be deflected
From wishing you well – we need you
Good luck now goodbye!
Then she left me alone.
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11. |
Gambling and Drinking
04:19
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It’s five o’clock and the full time scores are in
Our betting slips are all consigned to the bin
Except for one lucky beggar who knows nowt ‘bout football
He’s won seven hundred - and his name is John Tattersall
Oh no!
It’s Friday night and it’s euro lottery time
We’re camped round the telly – six numbers will do just fine
Life changing numbers if we drop the big one
How many did we get? let me think - we got none!
Oh yes that’s right – we got one!
Gambling and drinking - horses for courses
I know what you’re thinking - a waste of resources
Economies shrinking - and all the world pauses
While we do nothing at all!
On Monday’s and Wednesdays we all turn out for the quiz
Free beer for the winners while Bob tells us all what it is … is
Amnesia takes over - contentedly numb
The death of a soldier - in Afghanistan
Doesn’t get the same rating - as who’s in the final
Or what’s won the racing - or American Idol
Wake up – what you waiting for?
There’s Superleague on Channel 4
Oh no it’s the news
So we can all go back to sleep
The weekend comes round and we’ll do it all over again
Let’s have one for the road and one more for absent friends
At the Wagon and Horses drinking emporium
You don’t have to like - but you have to adore ‘em - well I like them anyway!
Gambling and drinking - horses for courses
I know what you’re thinking – a waste of resources
Economies shrinking - and all the world pauses
While we do nothing at all!
……Rock all!
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The Mather Robinson Band Salford, UK
Dave Mather and Pete Robinson grew up together in the north of England in the nineteen sixties and have been writing and performing music individually and as a team ever since. From Opera to rock to pop and now back to their roots in folk music. Mather & Robinson entertain audiences in the north west of England but if you ask them - they will hummmm. ... more
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