Hear Something Fresh: Motorcycle Country, Climate Changing Rock, Old Fashioned Love Songs, Contemporary Social Ballads & Conclude it with a Finger Licking Guitar Boogie Blues.

10 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Country Folk, COUNTRY: Country Rock



Details:
Hello.
Thatâs me sitting on my Triumph motorcycle, besides UK guitarist Steve Odd.
Iâd like to tell you something about the songs on our new album. To make it easier to follow me, if you look over to your left and click 'PLAY ALL SONGS', you will get a good feel for the sound of the whole album, or if you prefer, just click on any individual track that interests you. It's up to you? The words to each song are also written down at the end of this page.

OK, so I'll start by saying that I wrote most of these songs over a long period of time, often stretching to years. They contain impressions about things, taken from real life. The only exception to this is the first track. You may realise that the words on the opening track, the classic âColumbus Stockade Bluesâ, are different from the original Tom Darby & Jimmie Tarlton composition. This is because I never actually learned that song. I once heard a version of it sung by an old drinking pal of mine called Derroll and it kinda just stuck in my head. When the time came to record this album, well, these words are what came out of my head! I hope you like our version of it?

I wrote âAbsent Friendsâ to play at those special occasions when all are gathered, but some are sadly missing. A toast to bless all those dear departed friends and loved ones from our past - "Absent Friends !".

The title track â Snowshipâ came from dream I had years ago. The song ripened and matured over time and, when I finally finished it last week, I realised that it actually took me nineteen years to complete! So why hurry?

I wrote âAntwerp Handsâ for my beautiful Flemish wife Martine.

The next track âEarthboundâ is about climate change. It's for good people like you, me, Steve and Al Gore. To those who guard this lovely planet,â...may our children live for ever, on their rightful place of birthâ.

When the first American astronauts stood on the moon and gazed at the Earth from a distance, they reported that they could see a small pin prick of light on a spot to the west of Europe. It turned out to be the lights of the Belgian highways, shining out accross space. âEuropean Lightsâ is a fitting name for this wonderful compact European country, which has given me great friends and such a loving home these past twenty years. You should visit the battle grounds and the amazing old cities in Belgium when you're over.

Steve's a really modest person. We were in the studio last week when he mentioned that he had composed a little tune that heâd like to play. Fortunately the âRecordâ button was âONâ and so the enchanting melody âDNAâ was captured for public record.

I wrote âSunday Papersâ in the fond memory of an old love.

More recently, âShadowsâ was not an easy song to write. Steve and I are both Englishmen. When those bombs went off in London in 2005, We just wanted to do something to help and comfort the innocent people who had been hurt. The song began to evolve around the news reports of the courage and fortitude of many modern British people: black, white, Asian, Muslim, Christian, you name it. We were all facing it together â one family! Elizabeth, the Queen of England, said that this amazing spirit in London reminded her of the British people during the second war. So it was that âShadowsâ began to emerge, but the song still took another two years to complete.

The last song on the album âWatch Outâ is my personal tribute to Woody Guthrie, whoâs courageous support for the working man lead to many a beating. I would that we were all so brave.

Bob Rowley, Antwerp; Belgium, 1st September 2007.
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Song Lyrics:

1. Columbus Stockade Blues (5.09)
2. Absent Friends (4.34)
3. The Snowship (4;29)
4. Antwerp Hands (4.30)
5. Earthbound (5.48)
6. European Lights (4.35)
7. DNA (2.21)
8. Sunday Papers (3.22)
9. Shadows (4.09)
10. Watch Out (3.53)


1. Columbus Stockade Blues

Way down, in Columbus Georgia, I got trouble on my mind.
Way down in Columbus Stockade, I just hung my head and cried.

Oh pretty babe, you can leave me. Never let it cloud your mind.
For your heart is with another. Leave me darling, I donât mind.

The other night, as I lay sleeping. I dreamed I held you in my arms.
When I awoke, I was mistaken. Peering through these prison bars.

Oh pretty baby...

Many days, with you I rambled. Many nights with you I spent.
Now youâve left, youâve left me for another. In my prison to lament.

Oh pretty baby...

Way down, in Columbus Georgia. Wish I was back in Tennessee.
Way down in Columbus Stockade. My friends all turned their back on me.

Oh pretty baby...
For your heart is with another.
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2. Absent Friends

I wonder, wonder...âbout the time, âbout the time.
I sometimes wonder, what ever happened to absent friends of mine ?

Did you ever go â Did you ever leave it ; just leave it all behind ?
Oh the mystery - gaps in silent history unwind, through the mist of time.

Breath of life, warm & cold. Ancient pilgrim, warrior bold.
Coloured shadow â bitter sweet. In grace abide - thy destiny complete.

My song for you - will never fade, you will always stay right here,
right here in my heart.
In Vlaanderen land (On promised land) â together we did stand. Our footprints in the sand, Turning circles with the stars

Did you ever go â Did you ever leave it ; just leave it all behind ?
Oh the mystery - gaps in silent history unwind, through the mist of time.

I wonder wonder...âbout the time, âbout the time.
I sometimes wonder, whatever happened â to absent friends of mine.
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3. The Snowship

When I was young...
I took a new direction. Hit on some loose connections.
Tasted my affections. Let my hair hang down â
Listened to my intuition. Let go of all ambition.
And that was my condition when I first blew into town

Stepping out or steppinâ in. Upon the ice, both thick and thin.
Centre stage of every busking day. I played for kings and done my time,
deep down in the silver mine. Just another troubadour, learning how to play.

Hey you on the big white snowship. Hey you on the big white bird.
Tell me why Iâm looking for an answer, when I donât hear a word ?

Then a dream about a big white plane, came down and landed in my brain.
The pilot called to ask the way, I pointed him across the bay.
Six engines roared in harmony. She rose and headed out to sea.
With many friends I recognised, waving me goodbye.

Hey you...

That plane left me in a power climb. I was alone inside my mind.
I awoke in my own bed. The plane was flown out of my head.
Thereâs things you lose & things you win & places you have never been.
My only wish for you my friend â be happy in your skin !

Hey you...

Now many years have passed away, since I dreamed about that plane.
Spring has turned to autumn. My hair to silver grey.
Iâm with the last men standing now, out somewhere on the border.
So hand me down my old guitar, and let me sing and play.

Hey you...
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4. Antwerp Hands

Stay on this ship of fools with me, itâs heading for the sun.
Leave worry far behind you now. Let two become as one.
The ship donât carry passengers, the cargoe down below is just a little box of hands.

Stay on this ship of fools with me, I want you by my side.
Weâve been through heavy weather, now the way is clear and wide.
Listen to the water gently cutting as we go.
It sings donât break my heart. Donât bring me down. Donât leave me alone.

I love you for your trouble. I love you for your pain.
I love you without reason and nothing to be gained.
I love you for your laughing eyes, that dance and light so well.
I love you, in the silence, of your company.

Stay on this ship of fools with me. I cannot swim ashore.
Your love is my protection. I want for nothing more.
Moving through the water âtill we reach the golden sand,
And the cargo down below, is just a little box of hands.
A box of Antwerp hands.
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5. Earthbound

I musta busted out of heaven âcos I needed a beer.
No recollection what Iâm doing here.
My headâs stopped spinning things are getting clear.
Been talking to the weather at Kyoto,
Like I could be Italian when you call me Romeo.

Iâm Earthbound, made of clay. Earthbound, in every way.
Dreaming my life away. Earthbound, each and every day.

Well if the way to get out ainât the way to get in.,
How did we reach the end at the beginning again â Somewhere â Over there ?
I wanna live right now â Not the other way.
Tomorrowâs just a shoulder, looking over today.

Iâm Earthbound, made of clay. Earthbound, in every way.
Dreaming, my life away. Earthbound, each and every day.

Get in touch with letting go. Thatâs the trip of rock nâ roll

If Humpty Dumpty met Al Gore,. Al could keep him from the fall.
The truth âaint inconvenient at all. Blow the whistle. Ring the bell.
Donât poison the well.

Iust look out of the sky - Feel the Earth -
Turn in space and time.

Go for the distance. Put it on a plane. Fly it in the sky, high above the rain.
Go down on the mountain. Fathom where the seaâs ignite !
You are born to be as one, with the gift of creation

Earthbound, made of clay. Earthbound, in every way.
Dreaming this life away. Earthbound, each and every day.

Stop injustice. Clean the planet. Guard us from our selfishness.
May our children live forever, on their rightfull place of birth.
On this planet Earth.
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6. European Lights (We flew into Belgium)

Weâve been travelling the road. Getting in and out of crazy situations.
Sometimes this life can be a fight. Doing what is right, can leave you on your own.
With your back against the wall. People saying that youâre crazy not to quit.
Well may you stand each time you fall. Raise your head and feeling tall.
May the spirit hear you call.

We flew into Belgium last night. Above the killing fields - European lights.
On our left and on our right, we could see the black snow turning into white.

Weâve been travelling for years. Underneath a cloak of sheer indifference.
You can feel the wind is cold. You ask the rain to stop, before the whistle blows.
But you go over the top. Like so many thousand generations.
Someday, somehow, this thing will stop. You pray before you drop,
into the earth below.

We flew into Belgium last night. Above the killing fields - European lights.
On our left and on our right, we could see the black snow, turning into white.

We flew into Belgium last night. Above the killing fields - European lights.
On our left and on our right, we could see the black snow...
We could see the black snow.
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7. DNA instrumental (Steveâs Song)
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8. Sunday Papers

Can you come on round. Be a friendly face. Bring some tea with the Sunday papers.
Baby it seems like weâve been going on too long, for this whole affair to end.

Can you come on round to my helpless way of thinking.
Iâve been sleeping in shady places.
Baby it seems so long since we were on the prowl. And I miss those Sunday papers.

Have you gone? Have you gone from me? Have you gone? Have you gone from me?

Told me on the radio, that the weather would be fine, but maybe itâll rain all day.
Talking with a quiet friend about an old love of mine,
there wasnât very much I could say.

Have you turned? Have you turned from me? Have you turned from me?

Can you come on round, itâs getting really cold. All the news is brought by strangers.
Can you please come round, I really feel that cold. And I miss those Sunday papers.
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9. Shadows

Early in the morning ; the 7th of July.
Tragedy in London town, like sixty years gone bye.
Shadows dance together on the Berlin Wall.
All as one, all for one and one for all.

Four men at Kings Cross station. The camera does not lie.
Of murderous persuasion. No mercy ; no goodbye.
Shadows dance together on the Berlin Wall.
All as one, all for one and one for all.

Cool Brittanic Islands ; this land where I was born.
In your fond asylum, everyone may find their own way home.
Give shelter to the needy. Defend the refugee.
The welcoming tradition. The democratic creed.
Shadows dance together on the Berlin Wall.
All as one, all for one and one for all.

Cool Brittanic Islands. This land I call home.
Forever on your hillside and ever more to roam.
Always I will remember, in 2005, Sixty million people stood united by the fire.
Shadows dance together on the Berlin Wall.
All as one, all for one and one for all.
Shadows dance together on the Berlin Wall.
All as one, all for one and one for all.

Climb any mountain. Fathom the sea.
One Earth. One people. One family.
Climb any mountain. Fathom the sea.
One Earth and one people,
just like you and me.
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10. Watch Out

Set up, set down, kicked round, not trusted.
Low down, slowed down, broke down and busted.
Well I wish that it would stop. Iâm only trying to get up.
Wish that it would end next time Iâm brought round.

To get slung back, backâs up, held up and dusted.
Been raised up, warn down, broke & disgusted.
Now you strike out sundown down town, youâre shot down.
Fight back, get sick, too slow - youâre dead quick.

Watch out babe.

Can get wrote up, picked off, still you might refuse.
To get laughed out, no room for jokers with the blues.
Can get wrote up, picked off, still you might refuse.
To get laughed out, no room, for honkies with the blues.

Watch out babe.

When youâre found, you get bound. You get hauled before some crowd.
To get nailed down, hung up, strung up and dried out.
You get burned down, turned round, paid off and sent back.
You get warned upon and scorned. Screamed upon and warned.
You get shot at and get missed. Spat upon and get hit.

You been set up set down, kicked round, not trusted.
You got low down, slow down, broke down and busted.
Well I wish that it would stop. Youâre only trying to get up.
Yes I wish that it would end next time youâre brought round.

So watch out & take care.


© R. M. Rowley, Lint-Antwerp, SABAM,24th August 2007.