Swagger
[ print out    ]
 
1. Salty Dog
2. Selfish Man
3. The Worst Day Since Yesterday
4. Every Dog Has Its Day
5. Life in a Tenement Square
6. The Ol' Beggars Bush
7. The Likes of You Again
8. Black Friday Rule
9. Grace of God Go I
10. Devil's Dance Floor
11. These Exiled Years
12. Sentimental Johnny
13. Far Away Boys
 
Salty Dog

I’ll wait for you till I turn blue 
There’s nothin’ more a man can do 
Don’t get your bollocks in a twist 
Settle down, don’t take a fit 
Ya drank with demons straight form Hell 
They almost nearly won as well 
Ya wiped the floor with victory 
Then puked until you fell asleep

Blackened was the banshee’s wail 
These boot will never fill her jail 
So you crawled into an empty boat 
For the Gulf of Mexico 
Till Cortez came an’ when so did you 
From the ashes charred and blue 
Smellin’ like a Salty Dog 
Back from Hell where you belong

Anarchy, the scourge of every sea 
The Antichrist aboard a rig 
With us your cutthroat thieves 
The ship went down we all near drowned 
Ya stood there on the deck 
Till the Spanish came and flogged yer arse 
And dragged you from the wreck

They threw a rope around yer neck 
To watch you dance the jig of death 
Then left ya for the starvin’ crows 
Hoverin’ like hungry whores 
One flew down plucked out yer eye 
The other he had in his sights 
Ya snarled at him, said leave me be 
I need the bugger so I can see

back


Selfish Man

I don’t eat I just devour, everyone in every hour 
All is me, is all I need and that’s all that I care 
Propelled through all this madness, by your beauty and my sadness 
I’ll never change or rearrange, till I’ve finished what I’ve started.

And life leads me here 
It shows me, I have never really loved no one but me 
Like the time, you slipped through my hands 
I’ll never understand why I’m such a Selfish Man

Walk around me not before me 
I’ll pretend not to ignore ye 
But I’ll compromise if I realize you can do something for me 
I’m ugly and you know it, but you think that I’m a poet 
So I’ll keep the rhyme if I feel in time, it gets me where I’m going

And life leads me here 
It shows me, I have never really loved no one but me 
Like the time, you slipped through my hands 
And I’ll never understand 
No I’ll never understand, why I’m such a Selfish Man

All I heard was an unearthly silence 
Apart from the violence, explode in my head 
Where all at once was this moment of beauty 
No more since it slew me, no never again, again, again

No I’ll never understand 
No I’ll never understand, why I’m such a Selfish Man

back


The Worst Day Since Yesterday

Well I know, I miss more than hit 
With a face that was launched to sink 
An’ I seldom feel, the bright relief 
It’s been the Worst Day Since Yesterday

If there’s one thing I have said 
Is that the dreams I once had, now lay in bed 
As the four winds blow, my wits through the door 
It’s been the Worst Day Since Yesterday

Fallin’ down to you sweet ground 
Where the flowers they bloom 
It’s there I’ll be found 
Hurry back to me, my wild calling 
It’s been the Worst Day Since Yesterday

Though these wounds have seen no wars 
Except for the scars I have ignored 
And this endless crutch, well it’s never enough 
It’s been the Worst Day Since Yesterday

Hell says hello, well it’s time to I should go 
To pastures green, that I’ve yet to see 
Hurry back to me, my wild calling 
It’s been the Worst Day Since Yesterday

back

Every Dog Has Its Day

Well I’ve drunk to drown, on every ocean I’ve been 
Lake Tanganyika, where the crocodiles swim 
Halifax, Nova Scotia to Van Diemen’s land 
Well I drank with the Sultan, down the Suez Canal

Cause Every Dog Has Its Day 
Like every woman, she gets her own way 
And if there’s a ship that sails tonight 
I’ll captain that too, just to be there with you

Well there was old Jerry Rooney, who was mad as a mule 
Spillblood Maloney had a head like one too 
That night on the bridge, with my shovel in hand 
Well he threatened to kill me, for sure he picked the wrong man

Cause Every Dog Has Its Day 
Like every woman, she gets her own way 
And if there’s a ship that sails tonight 
I’ll captain that too, just to be there with you

Well there was mutiny in Lagos, aboard the mean ship Skondi 
Ten or twelve days in prison, till the bastards set me free 
McCloskey you’re free

Cause Every Dog Has Its Day 
Like every woman, she gets her own way 
And if there’s a ship that sails tonight 
I’ll captain that too, just to be there with you

Now I love the sea and she wants me back 
So I leave this ol’ harbor, with the wind at my back 
Goodbye mother Theresa, I hope the kids settle down 
I must head for the Chinas, pray to God I don’t drown

For Every Dog Has Its Day 
Like every woman, she gets her own way 
And if there’s a ship that sails tonight 
I’ll captain that too

Cause Every Dog Has Its Day 
Like every woman, she gets her own way 
And if there’s a ship that sails tonight 
I’ll captain that too, just to be there with you

back


Life In A Tenement Square

Well I kissed the day, I was on my way 
From those cold gray blocks of stone 
For seventeen years of squalor filled tears 
A time now with innocence lost 
As the sun split the room 
With its rays filled with gloom 
Turnin’ all hope to despair 
And the only thing left 
Was to flee from the nest 
That was Life In A Tenement Square…

I remember the song where the rats sang along 
And danced for their daily bread 
While the damp washed the walls 
That were twenty feet tall 
Not a child in the house was fed 
On the porter filled face 
Of the men left a trace 
Of the coin they had already spent 
While our mothers asked God 
What was Hell ever for 
When you lived in a Tenement Square

Grab what’s left of the coal 
From the ol’ cubbyhole 
These cinders need more to be a fire 
While the ghosts of the soldiers 
That lived there before us 
Laugh with their guns by their side 
I hear them laugh, with their guns by their side

Now politicians they dwell 
In that forgotten Hell 
Our misery’s been turned into mews 
Where the fat of the land 
Now hog, hand-in-hand 
A crime now of life was ever true 
As the sun split the room 
With its rays filled with gloom 
Turnin’ all hope to despair 
And the only thing left 
Was to flee from the nest 
That was Life In A Tenement Square…

back


The Ol' Beggars Bush

Stuck on limbo bridge 
Where below me ol’ Nick grins 
Then laughs through the chaos of it all 
Gets up off his chair 
Spins a jig to my despair 
He can’t wait to count the times where I went wrong

Underneath the bush, lay a beggar out of luck 
On his lips, was a taste he forgets 
His hopes were filled with sand 
That he watched fall through his hand 
Every grain, was a lifetime of regret

So go and bow your head and weep 
For your world won’t change while you sleep 
Yeah, go and bow your head and weep 
For the summer that was lost, now is gone

Fertile Mrs. Moore had thirteen kids 
But still looked good 
Till her ol’ man jumped leave on a ship 
She never read a book 
But by Christ she understood 
That the meanin’ of life 
Starts in bed

So go and bow your head and weep 
For your world won’t change while you sleep 
Yeah, go and bow your head and weep 
For the summer that was lost, now is gone

Killer Kilbain kicked me senseless everyday 
I hope that bastard is beneath a head of stone 
Where I’d dance upon his grave 
For all the madness I now crave 
While the scars that remain are still a curse 
So I’m stuck on a limbo bridge 
Where below me ol’ Nick grins 
Then laughs through the chaos of it all 
Gets up off his chair 
Spins a jig to my despair 
He can’t wait to count the times where I went wrong 
Yeah, he can’t wait to count the times where I went wrong

back


The Likes Of You Again

Here’s to you, I sing for my daddy-o 
As I lay him down to sleep 
It’s been so long, since I lost my daddy-o 
Hope he’s watchin’ over me

Wednesday night is mornin’ now 
As I’m walkin’ in the rain 
The birds are screaming in my ear 
Drivin’ me insane 
Half the clouds are empty 
So the sun burst through the sky 
The puddles show reflection 
Of a face about to die 
Just around the corner, I was goin’ round the bend 
I ran into a staggerin’ fool 
Who said he knew my name 
He poured himself a whiskey 
And his face began to glow 
Two men without an answer 
Like a dog without a bone

Bringin’ in the new year 
As the bells began to ring 
Fats is in the corner, she’s just about to sing 
Time to get another, before the final shout 
You should have heard them roarin’ 
When they dragged the bugger out 
And we’ll never see the likes of you again

Jimbo came from slummin’ town 
A cold and dreary place 
To summerland he found himself 
The sun shun on his face 
Met a girl called Minnie Pearl 
Swore she’d always be his girl 
Happy ever after, till the tide ran out again 
Pour me all your sorrows 
And I’ll drink till you are dry 
I’ll love you in the mornin’ 
Christ, I’ll love ya till you die 
I’ll never leave so never grieve 
I’ll be back before ya know 
But Jimbo fell into a well 
And never rambled home

Carried all his troubles in an unforgivin’ bag 
Back and forth through painted brick

The colours all seemed bland 
I’ve traveled all these years, he said 
To only get this far, so he crossed the street 
Found a seat, his home is now a bar

And we’ll never see the likes of you again

There must be more to life, than this poxie life 
All the agro, all the pain 
So he disappeared into his final beer 
But the glass was empty, once again, again, again

Woke up in an awful state 
Dreamt I was at Peter’s Gate 
Beggin’ for his mercy 
And the crimes that were at hand

He told me he was much amused 
To see this life I had abused 
Best be on your way, but have a swig before you go 
So I’m bringing in the New Year 
As the bells began to ring 
Fat’s in the corner, she’s just about to sing 
Time to get another, before the final shout 
You should have heard them roarin’ 
When they dragged the bugger out

And we’ll never see the likes of you again

back


Black Friday Rule

I want to believe in myself once again 
So I dream of a man whose hopes never end 
To kiss with a girl who’s as lovely as you 
I’d give you my heart, if you gave me the truth

And for every tear that is lost from an eye 
I’d dig me a well where no man could destroy 
I want to believe in a freedom that’s bold 
But all I remember is the freedom of old

Well I lost me a wife, so I found me a plane 
Flew all the way to California 
This mess in my head is a mess getting out 
Ya drink too much coffee, I drink too much stout

But after a while, when my mouth’s not so dry 
I’ll dance up a storm, sure life’s looking fine 
But as darkness falls, I return to my bed 
Don’t ask me more questions, don’t fuck with my head

I’ve been down in this world, down and almost broken 
Like thousands of people, left standing in their shoe 
I’ve been down in this world, down and almost broken 
As thousands they grieve, as the Black Friday rule

The buildings they shake but my heart it beats still 
Oh mother of Jesus, I feel pretty ill 
I want to go home where my feet both feel safe 
But there ain’t no jobs in the old free state

So I must remain in my new adopted land 
I’m doing the best, Hell I’m doin’ all I can 
So next time you see me, don’t ask for my name 
For I am the King and sure long may I reign

I’ve been down in this world, down and almost broken 
Like thousands of people, left standing in their shoe 
I’ve been down in this world, down and almost broken 
As thousands they grieve, as the Black Friday rule

I’ve been down in this world, down and almost broken 
Like thousands of people, left standing in their shoe 
I’ve been down in this world, down and almost broken 
As thousands they grieve, as the Black Friday rule

back


Grace Of God Go I

Lookin’ down through a tide of no return 
Is a field where the crops no longer grow 
Parched is the land, strangled an’ be damned 
There for the Grace Of God Go I

Down beside where the riverbed sleeps 
Is a man not knowin’ what he should feel 
Mocked by the wave that beats the waters edge 
There for the Grace Of God Go I

If I ever hurt another like thee again 
I would drown myself beneath your name 
Lost was the child, we all once did hide 
There for the Grace Of God Go I

back


Devil’s Dance Floor

Her breath began to speak 
As she stood right in front of me 
The colour of her eyes 
Were the colour of insanity 
Crushed beneath her wave 
Like a ship, I could not reach her shore 
We’re all just dancers on the Devil’s Dance Floor

Well swing a little more, little more o’er the merry-o 
Swing a little more, a little more next to me 
Swing a little more, little more o’er the merry-o 
Swing a little more, on the Devil’s Dance Floor

Pressed against her face 
I could feel her insecurity 
Her mother’d been a drunk 
And her father was obscurity 
But nothin’ ever came 
From a life that was a simple one 
So pull yourself together girl 
And have a little fun

Well she took me by the hand 
I could see she was a fiery one 
Her legs ran all the way 
Up to heaven and past Avalon 
Tell me somethin’ girl, what it is you have in store 
She said come with me now 
On the Devil’s Dance Floor

Well swing a little more, little more o’er the merry-o 
Swing a little more, a little more next to me 
Swing a little more, little more o’er the merry-o 
Swing a little more, on the Devil’s Dance Floor

The apple now is sweet 
Oh much sweeter than it ought to be 
Another little bite 
I don’t think there is much hope for me 
The sweat beneath her brow 
Travels all the way 
An’ headin’ south 
This bleedin’ heart’s cryin’ 
Cause there’s no way out

Well swing a little more, little more o’er the merry-o 
Swing a little more, a little more next to me 
Swing a little more, little more o’er the merry-o 
Swing a little more, on the Devil’s Dance Floor

back


These Exiled Years

It’s four in the mornin’ 
Battered and numb 
A loaded room, an empty gun 
I whistle a tune, I heard years before 
The clock started tickin’ 
Where did the time go 
I danced to the mornin’ 
She called out my name 
The wind was a howlin’ 
And down came the rain 
Her arms they caressed me 
Sweet was her brow 
She opened my eyes 
To banish the doubt 
Wash me down in all of your joy 
But don’t drag me through this again

I’ve heard all your sad songs I can hear 
It’s in with the whiskey and out with the gin 
I’ve heard all your sad songs I can hear 
It’s another day older 
In These Exiled Years

The dew on the ground 
Blankets the face 
Cold was the night 
Gone her embrace 
For your land of the free 
Now prisons me 
To rot in this jail 
Of lost liberty

Wash me down in all of your joy 
But don’t drag me through this again

I’ve heard all your sad songs I can hear 
It’s in with the whiskey and out with the gin 
I’ve heard all your sad songs I can hear 
It’s another day older 
In These Exiled Years

Walk away, watch me as I wave 
One foot here, but sure the other’s in the grave 
Walk away, walk away

I’ve heard all your sad songs I can hear 
It’s in with the whiskey and out with the gin 
I’ve heard all your sad songs I can hear 
It’s another day older 
In These Exiled Years

back


Sentimental Johnny

I’m goin’ back to Sentimental Johnny 
Cause Sentimental Johnny is your man 
Sunshine or rain, the man’s on his game 
The Chairman of the boards 
He said Jesus, he walks on water 
Not like us, he must have been sober 
Marching away, on top of his lake 
The Savior of all souls

Leave me to die in the wreckage 
As soon as it burns, I’ll be gone 
I’m goin’ back to Sentimental Johnny (what for?) 
To take in all I can (once more!) 
To take in all I can (once more!)

Well it was back in good ol’ 57 
When Johnny met Elvis in Memphis 
Rockin’ on sun 
Where it all begun 
A story yet to end 
And by this time, we’re drinkin’ up a fever 
And in me, he has a true believer 
If only I could, just for one word 
To live it all again

Leave me to die in the wreckage 
As soon as it burns, I’ll be gone 
I’m goin’ back to Sentimental Johnny (what for?) 
To take in all I can (once more!) 
To take in all I can (once more!)

Rio, why don’t you meet me down in Rio… again 
Down in Rio, the carnival it never ends 
Down in Rio, we’ll find a perfect world in Rio… again 
Down in Rio, where the women still love their men

Well Johnny, it’s two in the mornin’ 
Don’t you think, it’s time we should go 
Back to our millions of records we love 
Back to our sad little homes 
That was the last time I saw him 
Never, no never no more 
I wonder did Jesus, came to redeem him 
Save poor Johnny’s ol’ soul 
I wonder did Jesus, come to redeem him 
Save poor Johnny’s ol’ soul

Leave me to die in the wreckage 
As soon as it burns, I’ll be gone 
I’m goin’ back to Sentimental Johnny (what for?)
To take in all I can (once more!)
To take in all I can (once more!)

back


Far Away Boys

Well I worked on the railroad 
For t’pence a day 
Drank down one penny 
The other I’d save 
I hammered and I hammered 
For God knows how long 
Well into madness, with each setting sun 
I put my head down and I dreamt you were here 
With me by the ol’ tree, where no one could care

Far Away Boys, Far Away Boys 
Away from ya now 
I’m lyin’ with my sweetheart 
In her arms I’ll be found

Then the sun belched upon me 
You were no longer here 
Lyin’ in your place was my hammer and my gear 
So I stamped out the fire that kept us both warm 
The ashes were fallin’ 
Like the snow drops of old 
We came to a mountain 
Dynamite and she’ll blow 
A big hole in that rock 
Like the one in my soul

Far Away Boys, Far Away Boys 
Away from ya now 
I’m lyin’ with my sweetheart 
In her arms I’ll be found

We buried four workmen 
They dug themselves well 
From four empty coffins, to four early graves 
They’re only paddys, just paddys 
Don’t dig them too deep 
You’ll need all your strength boys 
And they’re replaced easily 
With the heat I was melting 
Into your sweet lips 
Ah, your kiss takes me back 
Takes me back from all this

Far Away Boys, Far Away Boys 
Away from ya now 
I’m lyin’ with my sweetheart 
In her arms I’ll be found

Someone said it was Christmas 
But not a tree was in sight 
The only thing growin’ was my will to die 
Till the gaffer said ‘men, your work here is done’
I said ‘I’ll see you in Hell, on that train we died for’ 
Never again, will I smell your sweet dream 
But a pissed stained ol’ gutter where… 
You lips used to be

Far Away Boys, Far Away Boys 
Away from ya now 
I’m lyin’ with my sweetheart 
In her arms I’ll be found

back