John Gibbs Song Lyrics
John has been writing and singing songs for over 30 years. He has had his songs recorded by some of the top names on the Irish music scene including Christy Moore and Sinead O'Connor. John has also had verses of songs, "Irish Ways and Irish Laws Song" and " The Great Hunger "published by Gill and Mc Millan and Cambridge University Press
Anne Frank
Hide out in an attic with a diary as a friend
25 whole months within a sheltering from them
Hide out in an attic with a diary as a friend
25 whole months within a sheltering from them
Anne frank a crystal ball
Embroidered thoughts for you
Would you reveal that vicious wheel?
With walls all barbed for you
Would you recall those terror halls?
With walls all barbed foe you
Would you reveal that vicious wheel?
With walls all barbed for you
I ventured in that history
Not very old in years
Where rivers flowed and valleys filled
All naked broken tears
The victim crowd without a shroud
And no chance to go free
The gateway gone before the dawn
A warped and twisted sea
Although the past has been and gone
The memory still sighs
Time can’t forgive or can’t forget
No matter how it tries
The children cold deserted souls
All lined on sliding sand
The gateway gone before the dawn
Take time to understand
John Gibbs
Singer and songwriter Johnny McEvoy also wrote a Song About Anne Frank
which is included here.
Why? - John Gibbs
Why does the world keep on turning?
Why does my heart keep on yearning?
Yearning to be in a world that is free
In a world that is pleasant and charming
Why does the wind keep on blowing?
Why does the river keep flowing?
Flowing to be in a world that is free
In a world that is pleasant and growing
Why does the sun keep on shinning upon?
Everyone like a star keep on shinning
Why does the moon keep on calling the tune?
And the tide to keep coming and going.
Why does the world keep on burning?
Mothers and children keep on yearning
Yearning to be in a world that is free
In a world that is pleasant and knowing
Why does the sun keep on shinning upon?
Everyone like a star keep on shinning
Why does the moon keep on calling the tune?
And the tide to keep coming and going.
The Ballad Of Anthony Lee Song Lyrics By John Gibbs
Where the wind is wild and free
Far across the deep dark sea
I could hear somebody whispering
She was whispering to me
Is there anybody there?
If I only knew your name!
If you only knew I’m missing you
Are you missing me the same?
I can almost hear you sing
Cleaning out that old fireplace
If I close my eyes to visualize
“I can almost see your face “
Come and see me in your dreams
When I’m in my sleep
Come and see me in your dreams
Like the river deep
Is there anybody there?
Who can lend a helping hand?
Is there anyone to help me on?
Help me find out who I am!
Come and see me in your dreams
When I’m in my sleep
Come and see me in your dreams
Like the river deep
Where the wind is wild and free
Far across the deep dark sea.
The Ballad of Martin Steed
My name is Martin Steed
And I am all but free
My heart is oft alone
From wanting for my own
My longing like a song
That just keeps flowing on
Upon the wings of time
To take my love to mine
A whisper or a flame
A candle in the rain
They help to ease my pain
Till I see you again
My name is Martin Steed
And I am all but free
My heart is oft alone
From longing for my own
For all those Little Darlings
I dreamed you sang a song
Came chiming in my chamber
Meandering along
And flowing like a river
A dreamy winding tune
The strings they found it charming
Enchanted by the moon
For all those little darlings
It came in from afar
It surely was no stranger
A little silver star
Will live and shine forever
How many tides have gone
How many leaves have fallen
How many broken hearts
How many angels calling
So many mothers cried
So many words unspoken
So many little hearts
So many hearts were broken
So many tides have gone
So many tides returning
You sang it in a song
For all those hearts still yearning
Mise Eire and the Black Fields
The black fields they weigh me down
They burden me with misery
The cold ground on you
An ill wind is on the air
And hunger flows it’s everywhere
The devils hand too
I wander on my own, upon the sodden ground
No place to call my home, the landlord tore it down
The landlord tore it down, the landlord tore it down
Mourning the loss of mine
I have no-one but must go on
Till I am with you
I wander on my own, upon the sodden ground
No place to call my home, the landlord tore it down
The landlord tore it down, the landlord tore it down
The black fields they weigh me down
They burden me with misery
The cold ground on you
Blood Red Rose Song Lyrics
written by John Gibbs.
Credits, The Shutter Boys, John Gibbs, John Beardsly and Ken Cook.
I found a blood red rose in there
And she was beautiful and fair
I dropped a loosened petal down
And she her loosened hanging gown
And when the last sweet petal gone
Her thighs the moon and stars and sun
And then upon a bed of lace
The sweetest breath upon my face
The gentlest hands the softest kiss
And when those velvet thighs caressed
No longer wandering lonely beast
What have I now that love has gone
And taken with her moon and sun?
And left me here beneath the stars
To wander near and wander far
Until this weary life is done.
The Home
I was taken to The Home for something I had done
Seventeen and innocent and I was on the run
When we drove into those grounds my father was a stone
Rang the bell and he was gone I was on my own
In behind the stone and steel many “fallen souls”
How could they protect their little ones from burning coals?
Floating in the universe where only angels dwell
How could I have ever dreamed we’d be damned to hell?
Demons with their fiery eyes silence was their law
Just one word was good enough to crack you with their claw
Love was nowhere to be found hate it fuelled the flame
Crushed beneath the tyrants hand drowning in your pain
On your knees or laundries laboured hard and long
Freedom was a memory it had up and gone
Demons with their fiery eyes with their fiery coals
Working in the name of God to cleanse our “wicked souls”
Found an little apple red and rosy in the grounds
Hid it in my pocket what a treasure I had found
Later in the evening I was taken to the store
Beaten like a rag-doll left me half dead on the floor
Don’t talk back you Magdalene sign above the line
Everything will be okay Jimmy will be fine
Kiss and hug you’re little one kiss your little star
Outside in the courtyard they are waiting with the car
The Ballad of Botton Jack
Botton is a small village in Danby Dale and Westerdale is a village over the hill where Jack tried to hide.
He would have succeeded had he not lost his pill box that had his name inscribed on it.
When the sheriff found the pillbox he thought ahha it was Jack. " He is bound to be at Lilys, lets go dog ".
Someone robbed a bank up in Botton in the sticks
Everybody said he got a grand but he got six
He went into the lobby said this holdup is for real
And waved about a shotgun shining of the brightest steel
I like to run, I like to hide, I like the sun, I like the tide
I like the wind, I like the sea I like the way that she loves me
The robber grabbed the money and he ran across the hill
He ran so fast he didn’t notice that he dropped his pills
After him the sheriff with an aging sniffer dog
He found it hard to keep up he was croaking like a frog
I like to run, I like to hide, I like the sun, I like the tide
I like the wind, I like the sea, I like the way that she loves me
The robber ran across the hill and made for Westerdale
The sheriff moaned and groaned and wheezed I’ll put that boy in jail
The robber didn’t like jail and ran faster than the wind
And knocked upon sweet Lily’s door and said please let me in
I like to run, I like to hide, I like the sun, I like the tide
I like the wind, I like the sea, I like the way that she loves me
Lily she was kind and she made the man a feast
And tucked him nice and warm and read him beauty and the beast
And when the sheriff reached the house the beast was on his back
The sheriff and the dog howled out hands up we’ve got you Jack
I like to run, I like to hide, I like the sun, I like the tide
I like the wind, I like the sea I like the way that she loves me
Goodbye Lily, Sweet Sweet Lily. Goodbye Lily.
Beggars Bridge Song Lyrics By John Gibbs
I sat me down on Beggars Bridge
To watch the river flow
I had a lot of time
And didn’t need no place to go
Tried really hard to visualise
The stories it might tell
Come on mighty bridge
And take me underneath your spell
I am a beggar man by trade
That is plain enough
I don’t look like a sovereign
Cause my cloths are worn and rough
I see a lot of gentlemen
And ladies on their way
Sometimes there’s a tinkle
And I smile back and I say
Thank you for your thoughtfulness
Thank you for your sight
Would you like to take me?
To your castle for the night
Let me taste your sweet red wine
And sample your sweet well
Take me into Heaven
Take me out of this cold Hell
Once I met a maiden
Dressed up in the finest cloths
She sat down beside me
For to watch the river flow
Hazel eyes all sparkles
And I thought I saw her glow
She was soft as apple blossom
Fragrant as a rose
She reached out and took my hand
I fell into a dream
Off we went a rambling
Along a silver stream
Slumbered in a meadow
Daisies, buttercups and gold
When the moon came out to play
The sun was going home
Birds of Eros Song Lyrics By John Gibbs
A special thanks to John for the lovely guitar work.
Look into those dark brown eyes
Look into a sea
What is it that draws me in
Calling out to me
Hair a kind of waterfall
Coal black Ravens wing
And lips as sweet as cherries red
Where the Birds of Eros sing
Smiling are those dark brown eyes
Soft as soft and fair
What is it that draws me in
Calling me in there
Hair a kind of waterfall
Coal black Ravens wing
And lips as sweet as cherries red
Where the Birds of Eros sing.
The Ballad of Gracie Robinson By John Gibbs
The sun is shining down
Upon a very holy ground
And I was out in Danby Dale
And sat my body down
I heard a small bird singing
Somewhere up among the leaves
I sat me down and listened
Let it fill my heart with ease
I laid my head upon a stone
I fell into a dream
I thought I heard a whisper
Thought it be a singing stream
But when I listened closely
To the murmur in my head
I realised that it was someone
Whispering instead
My name is Gracie Robinson
I be here where I lie
Together with my children
Beneath a Danby sky
A graveyard is a lonely place
But must that surely be
A golden sun a silver moon
Keep shining down on me
My name is Gracie Robinson
And stories I could tell
I’ve had my great misfortunes
Like others just as well
But what’s the use in grieving
A songbird in the leaves
A golden sun a silver moon
Keep shining down on me
Céide Fields Lyrics by John Gibbs
It`s been a long time now
Since I tilled the land
In the Ceide Felds
I worked with my hands
And I worked with my sweat
In the ground
I gathered and broke up the stone
So that I could plough ground
In the Ceide Fields
I worked with the sun
As she warmed up the land
In the ceide Fields
The song in the air
Was a song in my heart
That I knew
The autumn was dreamy
The winter was rough and the dew
In the Ceide Fields
The evening would come
And I 'd stare at the sun
she'd be going down
I'd gaze at the stars
And the moon lift my heart
From the ground
The sound of the breeze
And the sound of the sea all around
In the Ceide Fields
Dry Stone Walls Song Lyrics By John Gibbs
The sun is going down behind the hill
And I have toiled all day and have my fill
My back is heavy with that old sandstone
And building dry stone walls
A linnet singing out her evening song
The day was heavy and the day was long
Just like a river meandering fine
Stone after stone they lie there layer after line
Stone after stone they lie there layer after line
A golden chain in sunlight they look so fine
My heart is easy with that old sandstone
And building dry stone walls
The sun is going down behind the hill
Now I am off to Blakey’s to have my fill
My back is heavy with that old grey stone
And building dry stone walls
The Yorkshire moors can be a crystal ball
A gem in sunlight and a beast in storm
A misty morning in the twilight zone
Along those dry stone walls
Stone after stone they lie there layer after line
A golden chain in sunlight they look so fine
My heart is easy with that old sand stone
And building dry stone
And building dry stone
And building dry stone walls
Fair Land Song Lyrics About Oliver Cromwell
About Oliver Cromwell's Reign Of Terror In Ireland From 1649-53. Words and music by John Gibbs. Recorded by the Shutter Boys Vocals : John Gibbs, Guitar :John Beardsley, Bass : Ken Cook.
Accross the deep ocean
The sailboats came in
The Cromwellian soldiers
Brought a cold bitter wind
The cold blooded devils
They carefully planned
They plundered and tortured
To steal the Fair Land
When castles were burning
The rivers ran red
The soldiers were forging
The battle ahead
The people fell heavy
Beneath a Puritan hand
That spread like a shadow
Across the Fair Land
Apart of the sorrow
Alone with the pain
The blood of the innocent
Flowing again
The wind blew right hard
On child, woman and man
Still left them unyielding
To keep the Fair Land
In spite of oppression
The little church bell
In spite eviction
" To Connacht or Hell"
In spite of destruction
And barbarous plans
A river flowed on
Singing for the Fair Land
A mystical people
With courage and dreams
A beautiful country
With mountains and streams
As tides came and went
Turning stones into sand
A spirit lived on
Roaming through the Fair Land
The Ghost of John Henry
Words and music by John Gibbs. Guitar chords by Marc, credit also to John Beardsley for the wonderful guitar work in the song.
My (D)name is John Henry and (A)I am from (D)Slade
My mother and (A)father and (D)me
I worked with my hands and I (A)worked with the (D)spade
And sometimes I (A7)worked on the (D)sea
I (A)loved the white (A7)horses that (D)ride on the foam
On (G)that deep cold (A)ocean where (D)they chose to roam
That (A)noble ex(A7)panse keeps on (D)calling them home
To a place where theres (G)hope and theres (A)plenty
The (D)pain and the hunger drove (A)us from the (D)land
They paid us a (A)Guinea to (D)sail
To some far off country to (A)some far off (D)land
Men women and (A7)children were (D)frail
We (A)watched the white (A7)horses as (D)they rode the swell
And (G)dreamed of some (A)nice place where (D)we would be well
For (A)any place (A7)better than (D)this rolling hell
And a ship load of (G)ghosts damned and (A)empty
I (D)gazed o’er the tide and I (A)gazed o’er the (D)bough
I tried to es(A)cape in my (D)head
I dreamed of the fields and I (A)dreamed of the (D)plough
I dreamed I was (A7)back home in(D)stead
And (A)dreamed of white (A7)horses that (D)ride on the foam
On (G)that deep cold (A)ocean where (D)they chose to roam
I (A)never thought (A7)I would be (D)leaving my home
For a guinea and (G)some foreign (A)country
But (D)I never got to that (A)far distant (D)land
Before that I (A)met with my (D)end
And I never got to that (A)city of (D)dreams
My fortune my (A7)guinea to (D)spend
And (A)dream of white (A7)horses that (D)ride on the foam
On (G)that deep cold (A)ocean where (D)they chose to roam
They (A)buried me (A7)here in the (D)deep like a stone
Now I am the (G)ghost of John (A)Henry - D
It‘ Not Easy Singing Songs Lyrics by John Gibbs
It‘s not easy singing songs
When you’re in shit all day long
Though it helps to keep you strong
It‘s not asy singing songs
It’s not easy to get by
When you’re underneath a sky
That keeps raining cats and dogs
It‘s not easy singing songs
If I don’t have much to say
It‘s my dreams are on their way
If it was’nt for the song
That keeps turning me on
It‘s not easy singing songs
When you’re in shit all day long.
Lovely Danby Dale Song
I sat me high on Danby Head
And gazed out on the vale
The sun was like a blood red rose
The sky was blue and pale
I thought I heard a whisper
Or a distant calling quail
In lovely Danby Dale
I called upon the whisper
To stay there and be with me
Would you have time to spend a tale
And what would your name be
I am the ghost of Danby Head
It’s here I be and sail
In lovely Danby Dale
When I was small in Stormy Hall
I used to run and play
The spring was like a crystal ball
The summer in the hay
The autumn golden heather purple
Winter sleet and hail
In lovely Danby Dale
I married with young Josephine
When I was just a lad
She always was a blood red rose
The good times and the bad
She blessed me with a little child
Though it was weak and frail
In lovely Danby Dale
We had a hard and simple life
Like all the other farms
Still we remained enchanted
By her secrets and her charms
For we still had the music
And the stories and the tales
In lovely Danby Dale
Now we all lie in Danby soil
Our gravestone plain to see
My Josephine and little boy
We’re altogether we
The sun still shines upon the ground
The moon a silver vale
O’er lovely Danby Dale.
Magdalene Laundry Song Lyrics By John Gibbs
Magdalene laundry is hanging over me
Like a shadow in the night
It’s hanging over me
Like a shadow in the night
Crawling over me
Magdalene laundry a terrible domain
Locked me up and stole my youth
Lashed me with your cane
Crushed me in the name of God
Flogged me in his name
Black the cloth and hard the face
Eyes as cold as stone
Never got a penny
Worked our fingers to the bone
Crushed us in the name of God
“To save our wicked souls”
Take me in your arms a while
Let me cry my eyes
Out until my heart is free
Of all the pain and lies
Cry until my heart is free
Hold me for a while
Magdalene laundry the granite and the steel
No time left for growing up
Or running in the fields
No time left for growing up
Or running in the fields
Take me in your arms a while
Let me cry my eyes
Out until my heart is free
Of all the pain and lies
Cry until my heart is free
Hold me for a while
Hold me for a while
Hold me for a while
Hold me
John Lennon Song Lyrics
John Lennon was a fine man he was witty and dear
He could riddle his images and return the so clear
He could sing you a song that would help you along
Now a million tears falling for the lose of the man
He was born in the heartland of old England
To be shot down in New York by a maniac hand
But his spirit wont die not as easy as that
He’ll continue to live on for a long, long, long time
I’ve been out in the rain I’ve been out in the night
I’ve been on the slow train rolling close to the light
And he sang songs of freedom and he sang anti -war
And he sang love songs sweetly that went right to the core
Now a million tears falling, falling on a cold shore
He’ll continue to live on for long time and more
I’ve been out in the rain I’ve been out in the night
I’ve been on the slow train rolling close to the light
Now I know who I am and I know whre I be
And I miss you John Lennon for all that that means
The Moment Song
As I was out walking
A mighty fine sea
I rambled along by the water
A nice place to be
I like to sit gazing
Deep into the sky
And sitting and thinking
And wondering why
But I never come up with an answer do I
The tide it keeps coming and going
And telling her tales
A fisherman out there and busy
The wind in his sails
He likes to be rolling
And out there and free
And taking his catch
From the great mighty sea
But he never comes up with an answer does he
The sea is a mighty companion
White horses and all
The wind is out there with the sailors
She knows when to call
She likes to be roaming
She likes to be free
Out there on the ocean
A wild place to bee
But she never comes up with an answer does she
It might just be that I am dreaming
Now that you are gone
But life always has its surprises
You just carry on
If I was a wizard
I’d gaze in the glass
Then I would be sure
That the moment won’t last
For I turn around then I find that its past
Sweet Love Song Lyrics
By John Gibbs And The Shutter Boys.
I met her in the market place
The sun was shining there
And she was trading silk and lace
The morning it been fair
I asked her if she had costain
Among her velvet wears
And when she looked into my eyes
Sweet love was in the air
I asked her if she would be kind
And spend some time with me
I said I am a fisherman
And live down by the sea
She said I’ll meet you over there
When chiming bells are three
And I’ll be glad to take a walk
With you down by the sea
I dreamed away beneath the bells
Till chiming they came three
Then out of nowhere came a dream
And standing close to me
She said I see you’re free and wild
I’m charmed with you to be
And take some time to spend with you
Out walking by the sea
The wind was playing with her hair
The tide was coming in
The sea was breathing everywhere
My head began to spin
Her eyes as black as fiery coals
She placed her hand in mine
The lapping waters whispering
My heart began to chime
The Sound
Written by John Gibbs.
As I was walking out, down by the sea
I listened to the tide, the tide to me
I sat my body down and listened to the sound
The sound that filled the air and you were everywhere
I listened to you singing out your song
It came in on the wind and I was gone
I listened to you sing I listened to the wind
I listened to the sound the tide was coming in
I sometimes see you when I`m in my sleep
And you still love me like the river deep
I dream I see you there and love is all around
And you are everywhere and everywhere the sound
And now it`s time for me to leave you here
Together with the sound that charms the air
But I`ll be back again togeather with the wind
Together with the sound the tide is coming in
Tin Can Joe
By John Gibbs And The Shutter Boys. Joe was a forman on a site in Berlin, Murphys brother in law and a terrible man for the gargle.
Tin Can Joe tried to run the show
On the east side of the town
His head was like a carousel
His brain was upside down
He could have been somebody
But he did’nt want to know
And everybody had to laugh
The way the jackdaw crowed
Up and go Tin Can Joe
Up and go Tin Can Joe
Josephine was pretty
And he crept into her soul
Then he was garanteed a place
Right up spud Murphys pole
He could have been somebody
But it did’nt seem to flow
And this is how the story went
For Murphy and the show
Up and go Tin Can Joe
Up and go Tin Can Joe
Mary had a little lamb
Who the hell was Desperate Dan
Everybody had a laugh on Tin Can Joe
Tin Can Joe tried to run the show
But he turned it round and round
He had’nt got the sence to see
The whole thing tumble down
He could have been somebody
But he heard the whistle blow
And this is how the story ends
For Murphy and the show
Up and go Tin Can Joe
Up and go Tin Can Joe
Mary had a little lamb
Who the hell was Desperate Dan
Every had a laugh on Tin Can Joe
Two Swans
Shutter Boys. Guitar : John Beardsley. Bass : Ken Cook. Vocals: John Gibbs.
Two Swans
A lovely lady came and lay
Beside a burning tower
Her skin as soft as satin white
Fragrant as a flower
Her hair a kind of waterfall
Coal black ravens wing
And lips as sweet as cherries red
Where the birds of Eros sing
Her fingers gentle touching things
( roaming tingling loving things )
Soft as soft on skin
They fed the flames that burned the tower
A victory to win
Her cherry lips caressed the tower
Loving every flame
Until she too was burning
And blazing just the same
And when the two fires merged and mingled
Raging on as one
She cradled over burning tower
Descending down upon
And when she reached its battlements
Her thighs began to melt
And melted on the burning tower
Until its fires were quenched
Then there they lay two holy things
The flames of love burnt out
All cosy in their comeliness
Two swans in love no doubt
Their breathing slowed right down
In unison and deep
Then off they went
Wrapped up as one
On the winding path of sleep.
Topsy Turvy
By John Gibbs. Chords by Angela.
(D) The world is Topsy- (A) Turvy
The (G) weather is in(A)sane
One (D) day it's dry and (A) sunny
And the (G) next day damp with (A) rain
The (G)other night I (D) heard the wind
Go (G) howling in the (A) lane
And I (G) thought the devil (D) came to play
Be(G)fore my window (A) pane
Last (D) week a touch of (A) springtime
The (G) leaves they start to (A) grow
But they (D) did'nt stand a (A) monkies chance
For the (G) freeze came by the (A) sea
One (G) night the moon was (D) in the sky
A (G) beauty glowing (A) strong
And the (G) next day every(D)thing was white
And the (G) next day it was (A) gone
There (D) must be something ' happening
Out (G) in the athmos(D)phere
There ' must be something ' changing
For the (G) seasons are at (D) war
It's ' flooding in the ' desert
And it's (G) burning in the (D) sea
And it's ' on it's way to ' everywhere
And (G) nowhere can be (D) free
The big tall factory (A) chimneys
They (G) vomit in the (A) sky
Then the (D) wind comes on and (A) blows it on
To (G) where the pastures (A) lie
The (G) rivers take the (D) leftovers
And they (G) drag it to the (A) sea
Then it's (G) on it's way to (D) everywhere
And (G) nowhere can be (A) free
There (D) must be something ' happening
Out (G) in the athmos(D)phere
There ' must be something ' changing
For the (G) seasons are at (D) war
It's ' flooding in the ' desert
And it's (G) burning in the (D) sea
And it's ' on its way to ' everywhere
And (G) nowhere can be (D) free
Where ' are those heroes (A) leading us
With their (G) plans to forge a(A)head
They (D) garantee a (A) simple life
With a (G) tombstone for your (A) head
They (D) garantee a (A) cosy life
For the (G) whole damned human (A) race
As they
(D) battle on to (A) beat themselves
For the (G) power to rule the (A) world
There (D) must be something ' happening
Out (G) in the athmos(D)phere
There ' must be something ' changing
For the (G) seasons are at (D) war
It's ' flooding in the ' desert
And it's (G) burning in the (D) sea
And it's ' on it's way to ' everywhere
And (G) nowhere can be (D) free
The world is Topsy-Turvy
The weather is insane
One day it's dry and sunny
And the next day damp with rain
The other night I heard the wind
Go howling in the lane
And I thought the devil came to play
Before my window pain
Last week a touch of spingtime
The leaves they start to grow
But they did'nt stand a monkies chance
For the freeze came by to be
One night the moon was in the sky
A beauty glowing strong
And the next day everything was white
And the next day it was gone
There must be something happening
Out in the athmosphere
There must be something changing
For the seasons are at war
It' flooding in the desert
And it's burning in the sea
And it's on it's to everywhere
And nowhere can be free
The big tall factory chimneys
The vomit in the sky
Then the wind comes on and blows it on
To where the pastures lie
The rivers take the leftovers
And they drag it to the sea
Then it's on it's way to everywhere
And nowhere can be free
There must be something happening
Out in the athmosphere
There must be something changing
For thr seasons are at war
It's flooding in the desert
And it's burning in the sea
And it' on it's way to everywhere
And nowhere can be free
Where are those heroes leading us
With their plans to forge ahead
They garantee a cosy life
With a tombstone for your head
They garantee a cosy life
For the whole damned human race
As the battle on to beat beat themselves
For the power to rule the world
By John Gibbs. Chords by Angela.
(D) The world is Topsy- (A) Turvy
The (G) weather is in(A)sane
One (D) day it's dry and (A) sunny
And the (G) next day damp with (A) rain
The (G)other night I (D) heard the wind
Go (G) howling in the (A) lane
And I (G) thought the devil (D) came to play
Be(G)fore my window (A) pane
Last (D) week a touch of (A) springtime
The (G) leaves they start to (A) grow
But they (D) did'nt stand a (A) monkies chance
For the (G) freeze came by the (A) sea
One (G) night the moon was (D) in the sky
A (G) beauty glowing (A) strong
And the (G) next day every(D)thing was white
And the (G) next day it was (A) gone
There (D) must be something ' happening
Out (G) in the athmos(D)phere
There ' must be something ' changing
For the (G) seasons are at (D) war
It's ' flooding in the ' desert
And it's (G) burning in the (D) sea
And it's ' on it's way to ' everywhere
And (G) nowhere can be (D) free
The big tall factory (A) chimneys
They (G) vomit in the (A) sky
Then the (D) wind comes on and (A) blows it on
To (G) where the pastures (A) lie
The (G) rivers take the (D) leftovers
And they (G) drag it to the (A) sea
Then it's (G) on it's way to (D) everywhere
And (G) nowhere can be (A) free
There (D) must be something ' happening
Out (G) in the athmos(D)phere
There ' must be something ' changing
For the (G) seasons are at (D) war
It's ' flooding in the ' desert
And it's (G) burning in the (D) sea
And it's ' on its way to ' everywhere
And (G) nowhere can be (D) free
Where ' are those heroes (A) leading us
With their (G) plans to forge a(A)head
They (D) garantee a (A) simple life
With a (G) tombstone for your (A) head
They (D) garantee a (A) cosy life
For the (G) whole damned human (A) race
As they
(D) battle on to (A) beat themselves
For the (G) power to rule the (A) world
There (D) must be something ' happening
Out (G) in the athmos(D)phere
There ' must be something ' changing
For the (G) seasons are at (D) war
It's ' flooding in the ' desert
And it's (G) burning in the (D) sea
And it's ' on it's way to ' everywhere
And (G) nowhere can be (D) free
The world is Topsy-Turvy
The weather is insane
One day it's dry and sunny
And the next day damp with rain
The other night I heard the wind
Go howling in the lane
And I thought the devil came to play
Before my window pain
Last week a touch of spingtime
The leaves they start to grow
But they did'nt stand a monkies chance
For the freeze came by to be
One night the moon was in the sky
A beauty glowing strong
And the next day everything was white
And the next day it was gone
There must be something happening
Out in the athmosphere
There must be something changing
For the seasons are at war
It' flooding in the desert
And it's burning in the sea
And it's on it's to everywhere
And nowhere can be free
The big tall factory chimneys
The vomit in the sky
Then the wind comes on and blows it on
To where the pastures lie
The rivers take the leftovers
And they drag it to the sea
Then it's on it's way to everywhere
And nowhere can be free
There must be something happening
Out in the athmosphere
There must be something changing
For thr seasons are at war
It's flooding in the desert
And it's burning in the sea
And it' on it's way to everywhere
And nowhere can be free
Where are those heroes leading us
With their plans to forge ahead
They garantee a cosy life
With a tombstone for your head
They garantee a cosy life
For the whole damned human race
As the battle on to beat beat themselves
For the power to rule the world.
The Great Hunger
Written by John Gibbs. A song about The Irish potato blight that started in 1847 and continued until 1852. We Irish were almost totally reliant on potatoes as nourishment that when the blight came there was precious little other food left to eat in rural Ireland. Over one million people died of starvation and disease and as many more emigrated in coffin ships. During this time vast quanties of food was been exported by British landlords in Ireland to England.There are many songs written about this period of Irish history but this one by John Gibbs is one of the finest I have heard. John also wrote Irish Ways And Irish Laws which was recorded by Christy Moore and also by Sinead O'Connor.
Intro, Bridge and Outro: D-D-A-A D-D-A-A
In (D)eighteen forty-five the blight came
(A)tearing at potato (D)fields
Black as night potatoes withered
(A)Dying never more to (D)yield
Confiscated wheat and barley
(A)Left the shore to cross the (D)sea
Leaving nothing for the people
But (A)tides of pain and mise(D)ry.
In (D)eighteen forty-six oppression
(A)Flooded right across the (D)land
Sweeping poverty the tyrant
(A)Crushing with his ruling (D)hand
Those who could not pay evicted
(A)Thrown out, to the ways and (D)lanes
Hunger like a river flowing
(A)Through the valleys and the (D)plains.
In (D)early eighteen forty-seven
(A)Coffin boats they start to (D)sail
Leaving Sligo overcrowded
(A)Destined for Ameri(D)ca
Destitute they left the mainland
(A)Dreaming of their desti(D)ny
Many of them died like vermin
(A)Buried in the deep cold (D)sea.
In (D)eighteen forty-eight the sky was
(A)Blacker than was ever (D)seen
Hanging low above the country
(A)Dealing out her blackest (D)queen
Food was plenty for the gentry
(A)Fever raging through the (D)fold
Hoping that the coming winter
(A)Burn the demon from the (D)ground.
In (D)eighteen forty-nine more than
(A)Two million people dead or (D)gone
Diseased and starving homeless people
(A)Doing their best to carry (D)on
Voices calling through the country
(A)Come and change your desti(D)ny
Dreaming of the flower so pretty
The (A)purple white on fields of (D)green.
The Forgotten Children song lyrics
( Empty Cradles ) Song Lyrics By John Gibbs. Up to 1968 Children from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales from child care institutions were sent to Australia to increase the % of white blood there. I believe 8000 in all.In many cases the children were told the parents were dead and the parents told the children were given up for adoption!. They were forced to work, were mistreated and abused.
C) I was (a) ten years (G) old and (C) cried
(Am) Under (d) neath a (G) starry (C) sky
(F) On the (C) deck a (G) waving (C) hand
(Am) Steaming (G) off, she (F) left the (C) land
Six weeks (Am) long we (G) ploughed the (C) mane
(Am) Through the (D) wind and (G) through the (C) rain
(F) Sixty (C) children (G) one and (C) all
(Am) Inno(G)cent as (F) leaves that (C) fall
Docked be(Am)neath the (G) burning (C) sun
(Am) Half of (d) us shipped (G) further (C) on
(F) Sorted (C) out like (G) sheep by (C) noon
(Am) We were (G) trucked off (F) to Bin(C)doon
(F) Bindoon ' was the (C) devils ' home
(Am) Built on (G) blood and (F) sweat and (C) stone
(F) No es'caping (C) from the ' heat
Ce(Am)ment would (G) burn your (F) hands and (C) feet
Labored (Am) hard and (G) labored (C) long
(Am) First chance (d) I was (G) on the (C) run
(F) Caught me (C) with a (G) horse and (C) claw
(Am) Flogged me (G) till my (F) back was (C) raw
(F) Keaney ' was the (C) devils ' kind
(Am) He was (G) fierce and (F) he was (C) wild
(F) Knuckled ' stick down (C) on your ' head
(Am) Little (G) skulls are (F) easily (C) bled
Labored (Am) hard and (G) labored (C) long
(Am) What the (d) hell did (G) we do (C) wrong?
(F) No one’s (C) love to (G) make you (C) strong
(Am) No one (G) there where (F) you be(C)long
(F) Bindoon ' was the (C) devils ' home
(Am) Built on (G) blood and (F) sweat and (C) stone
(F) cought me with (C) a horse and claw
Fl(Am)ogged me (G) 'till my (F) back was (C) raw
Hide your (Am) eyes and (G) close them (C) tight
(Am) Footsteps (d) on the (G) floor at (C) night
(F) Waken (C) taken (G) from your (C) dreams
(Am) Jesus (G) cant you (F) let me (C) be
(F) Bindoon ' was the (C) devils ' home
(Am) Built on (G) blood and (F) sweat and (C) stone
(F) hide your eyes and (C) close them tight
Foot(Am)steps (G) on the (F) floor at (C) night
Empty (Am) cradles (G) know no (C) sighs
(Am) Know no (d) laughs and (G) know no (C) cries
(F) Broken (C) wings have (G) taken (C) flight
(Am) From the (G) darkness (F) of the (C) night
(F) Bindoon ' was the (C) devils ' home
(Am) Built on (G) blood and (F) sweat and (C) stone
(F) Broken wings (C) have taken flight
From(Am)the (G) darkness (F) of the (C) night
The Wind and the Sea Song Lyrics
Written By John Gibbs
Credits : Shutter Boys. Vocals John Gibbs. Guitar John Beardsley. Bass Ken Cook.
In comes the morning the dawn of the day
The moon and the stars have gone home
In you come yawning and sleepy and say
Have your dreams also gone home
Where do they go when you open your eyes?
Do they go back to their home in the sky?
When you are dreaming they’re crystal and clear
Open your eyes and they soon disappear
I dreamed that you told a real fairytale
I can’t remember its name
Sixty white horses up in the blue pale
Racing with flowing white manes
Beautiful castle cloud there in the east
Calling us in to take part in the feast
All of my friends came to dance and to play
I had my whistle and played it all day
How long will it take me to be big like you?
And strong just as one of your arms
How bright is the sun and how cold is the moon
Where does she get all of her charms?
My little darling I wish that I knew
Some of those answers so I could tell you
My little darling the wind and the sea
Don’t you go growing up to fast on me!
( inspired by a Shanes dream )
The Witch Of Glencarn
Credits, The Shutter Boys, John Gibbs, John Beardsly and Ken Cook.
The world is turning, for every moment
There’s one less heartbeat, that has been woven
By the hand of knowing
The sun is shining, the sky as blue as
Some ladies garment that was embroidered
By the hand of knowing
Wizened lady what you doing?
Gazing in that crystal ball
Have you been chosen?
By the hand of knowing
The wind is calling and going somewhere
And I’ve been thinking of going nowhere
By the hand of knowing
Misty morning, crystal sunlight
Sunny afternoon and velvet silver moonlight
By the hand of knowing
25 Years Growing old
By John Gibbs.
John wrote 25 years growing in 1994 25 years after the 1969 civil rights movement in the north of Ireland.
25 years growing 25 years on
Many wheels are turning
Many trains have gone
25 years reaching out reaching to the sky
Many autumn come and gone
Many leaves have died
Many mothers weeping still
Thoughts as black as coal
Many children dreaming now
Thoughts as pure as snow
25 calling out calling to the wind
Many tides have come and gone
Many boats come in
Many mothers weeping still
Thoughts as black as coal
Many children dreaming now
Thoughts as pure as snow
25 years growing 25 years on
Many wheels are turning
Many trains have gone.
Christmas Song Lyrics
Written by John Gibbs and recorded by Shelley Patt
Silence fills the household and the candle in the window
Show the presents that are scattered round the tree
Nothing to be heard because all children are asleep
And wrapped in their little beds so cosily
Dreaming presents that are on their minds
Very soon they will awake to find
Joseph and Mary make their way to find a manger
Where to wrap their little infant in the hay
He’s just been born and is the son of God
And that is why the people give this name to Christmas day
Breathing animals to keep him warm
On this very cold, cold winter morn
Happy Christmas to you
Happy Christmas to you my friends
Old friends and neighbours visiting each others houses
And relaxing in each others company
All children playing and the elder people saying
Just how wonderful if this could always be
This season comes just once a year
Try and make this day a happy prayer
Happy Christmas to you
Happy Christmas to you
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Irish Ways and Irish Laws has been recorded 70 or 80 times because it is a powerful song. This is Sinead O'Connor's version.
One night after a Hearts gig in The Baggot Inn Dublin. John Gibbs the author of the song [ Irish Ways And Irish Laws ] sent up on an empty Major packet with the song written on the back of it. We were so taken with it that we started rehearsing it the same night and two years later found that it had passed into the tradition. Of all the songs I have ever done, this and Only Our Rivers Run Free were the songs that became part of the general Irish repertoire in a very quick time. From the Christy Moore songbook |
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