Runrig

How can we close our eyes
Watch our world break down and die
How can we let it be
Slaves to world economy

How can we be like wood
Watch our world cry out for food
How can't we start to see
A glimpse of world simplicity

The hands of wealth are tied
Men of power run and hide
But we're players you and me
In the game of world duplicity

World appeal
World appeal
This is our planet
Let it heal
The earth, the rain, the air, the seas
This is our future
Let it breathe

Since I was young I've faced this pill
I've worked this land and I always will
Through life and death I've learnt the hill
A worker for the wind
I fake my sheeo and cattle days
The endless storm, the months of rain
But this land holds me ball and chain
A worker for the wind
You need heart, you need dreams
Laughter, joy, you need beliefs
But without love you sow an empty field
A worker for the wind
In the night the light grows thinner
The lust for love cuts like shiver
I need to hold you through the winter
A worker for the wind
Mary, I'll wait for you
Mary, I'll wait for you

Since I was young I've faced this pill
I've worked this land and I always will
Through life and death I've learnt the hill
A worker for the wind
I fake my sheeo and cattle days
The endless storm, the months of rain
But this land holds me ball and chain
A worker for the wind
You need heart, you need dreams
Laughter, joy, you need beliefs
But without love you sow an empty field
A worker for the wind
In the night the light grows thinner
The lust for love cuts like shiver
I need to hold you through the winter
A worker for the wind
Mary, I'll wait for you
Mary, I'll wait for you

When all the world is quiet and still
And doubts run deep as the ocean
Through troubled years and broken dreams
To the place where all silence has spoken

So wonderful, too wonderful
So wonderful, too wonderful

Immeasurable, invisible
The moment golden before me
I will walk with you through the beautiful gate
My hands and heart wide open

So wonderful, too wonderful
So wonderful, too wonderful

When all the world is quiet and still
And doubts run deep as the ocean
Through troubled years and broken dreams
To the place where all silence has spoken

So wonderful, too wonderful
So wonderful, too wonderful

Immeasurable, invisible
The moment golden before me
I will walk with you through the beautiful gate
My hands and heart wide open

So wonderful, too wonderful
So wonderful, too wonderful

When all the world is quiet and still
And doubts run deep as the ocean
Through troubled years and broken dreams
To the place where all silence has spoken

So wonderful, too wonderful
So wonderful, too wonderful

Immeasurable, invisible
The moment golden before me
I will walk with you through the beautiful gate
My hands and heart wide open

So wonderful, too wonderful
So wonderful, too wonderful

When all the world is quiet and still
And doubts run deep as the ocean
Through troubled years and broken dreams
To the place where all silence has spoken

So wonderful, too wonderful
So wonderful, too wonderful

Immeasurable, invisible
The moment golden before me
I will walk with you through the beautiful gate
My hands and heart wide open

So wonderful, too wonderful
So wonderful, too wonderful

When all the world is quiet and still
And doubts run deep as the ocean
Through troubled years and broken dreams
To the place where all silence has spoken

So wonderful, too wonderful
So wonderful, too wonderful

Immeasurable, invisible
The moment golden before me
I will walk with you through the beautiful gate
My hands and heart wide open

So wonderful, too wonderful
So wonderful, too wonderful

Failte gu mo dhan
Siol is means nam bard
Am foghar bha feitheamh orm
Bho an la a bha mi og

Failte gu mo thir
Eilean geal an iar
An t-ait a chi gach tuigse is firinn
Glaiste 'na mo chridhe

Failte gu mo chainnt
Is i dh'ionnsaich mi 'nam phaisde
Canan uasal mor nan Gaidheal
Mar bhratach dhomh gach la

Is ged a dh' fheuch iad ri cur as dhuinn
Chi mo theaghlach cnoc nan linn
Is ged tha ar canan leoint le stri
'S an tir seo bidh i beo

Trobhad is coisich rium
Ri taobh a' chuain
Is seallaidh mi dhuit
Tir a' Mhurain

Day was young and desire was
stirred. Summer was all but
gone. Light was fading from the
side of your face. Sinking low
in the corn. All that's constant
and wise I still see in your
eyes it was always this way from
the start. Right here whre I
stand on the last of the land.
Bur you're still breaking the
heart. Now all I have is rushing
right through my hands. Sailing
over the seas. Down that tide
where fresh and salt combine.
All victories are released. We
who wrestle the years have
traded our fears for a glimpse
of ecstasy in the dark. Turning
ice in the fire but still we're
denied. But you're still
breaking the heart. The skies
turned red without failure. They
held their promise and dread
till the last. You put all of my
youth in my future. You put the
future back into my past. So
shine a light and shine it
brightly now. You know it all
takes it's course. And all the
many ways I've tried so hard to
reach this potent source. On the
day behind time across the
divide. Along the cord came all
light out of dark. Now I stand
amaze in this beautiful pain.
But you're still breaking the
heart

Day was young and desire was
stirred. Summer was all but
gone. Light was fading from the
side of your face. Sinking low
in the corn. All that's constant
and wise I still see in your
eyes it was always this way from
the start. Right here whre I
stand on the last of the land.
Bur you're still breaking the
heart. Now all I have is rushing
right through my hands. Sailing
over the seas. Down that tide
where fresh and salt combine.
All victories are released. We
who wrestle the years have
traded our fears for a glimpse
of ecstasy in the dark. Turning
ice in the fire but still we're
denied. But you're still
breaking the heart. The skies
turned red without failure. They
held their promise and dread
till the last. You put all of my
youth in my future. You put the
future back into my past. So
shine a light and shine it
brightly now. You know it all
takes it's course. And all the
many ways I've tried so hard to
reach this potent source. On the
day behind time across the
divide. Along the cord came all
light out of dark. Now I stand
amaze in this beautiful pain.
But you're still breaking the
heart

She was the fairest
And her eyes shone of blue
I first fell in the autumn term
There was nothing I could do
School lovers swarmed
Around the courtyard wall
Then walked on up
The rapture road aglow

She kept me warm that winter
And winter turned to spring
We never looked round corners
To the changes they could bring
Her love was a dart
And I swore she broke my heart
The world would never turn
The same again

The things that are
And things that never can be
Are things that we must bare
To share our destiny

I saw her again last summer
Where the hard rains fall
The grass grew long around her feet
Where the years took their toll
She once meant the world to me
But we by-passed destiny
On the road not taken
The road unknown

(Chorus)

She was the only one
Eternity blindness could see
Our moments are rush and gone
All our pictures incomplete

(Chorus)

(Chorus)

Oh, the things that are

(Chorus)

We listened into the Iceage
And we built up man round the Picts
And the daybreak hammered out warning
To the weak

We dreamed on moor with passion
And on the long lochs bluer than eyes
'Till the mists of bygone ages
heard our cries

I've seen us among thousands
All of one name waiting to run
And when the charge came heather on heartbeat
Steel on gun

The old rock leaves us with fossil
From the ancient pagan rites
From the universal inroads
back to Christ

Transmitting, transmitting
Breaking down the wire
Transmitting, transmitting
Breaking down the wire

As we look out over the morning
And the days of this life's spring
And the joy of Gaelic's lifeblood
Made me sing

Watching your beauty on this journey
With the lick of youth in your eyes
Let us sow this olden heartland
Reap in time

Transmitting, transmitting
Breaking down the wire
Transmitting, transmitting
Breaking down the wire

We listened into the Iceage
And we built up man round the Picts
And the daybreak hammered out warning
To the weak

We dreamed on moor with passion
And on the long lochs bluer than eyes
'Till the mists of bygone ages
heard our cries

I've seen us among thousands
All of one name waiting to run
And when the charge came heather on heartbeat
Steel on gun

The old rock leaves us with fossil
From the ancient pagan rites
From the universal inroads
back to Christ

Transmitting, transmitting
Breaking down the wire
Transmitting, transmitting
Breaking down the wire

As we look out over the morning
And the days of this life's spring
And the joy of Gaelic's lifeblood
Made me sing

Watching your beauty on this journey
With the lick of youth in your eyes
Let us sow this olden heartland
Reap in time

Transmitting, transmitting
Breaking down the wire
Transmitting, transmitting
Breaking down the wire

he air was swaying round the first guitar I remember
We crossed the river by the Ostrum wall 'neath the stars
To where the wedding filled the hall
My father sang a song
Crossing the river, caught in the rain
Crossing the rhythm, caught in the rain

Chased Cathy round the trestles at the edge of the eightsome
We watched the lovers round the lodge at the edge of the sea
White lights and wooden boards
We watched the village take the floor
Crossing the river, caught in the rain
Crossing the rhythm, caught in the rain

There is so much I could say to you, but
Tonight I'm sticking to the past like glue
When life gets tough, when times get hard
You have to know exactly who you are
Arm in arm, hand in hand
You take this woman, you take this man
Spirit dancing evermore
Endless circles round the floor

Last night I drove my children down by the river
Past the windows of the hall and the dusts of our years
Then the radio came on
They said "someone's playing our song"
Crossing the river, caught in the rain
Crossing the rhythm, caught in the rain

Crossing the river, caught in the rain
Crossing the rhythm, caught (caught, caught) in the rain

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin

Between the shifting shadows
In the no-man's zone
There's a bar at the end of the street
Some poor country music
One or two sixty's songs
This is the place where the night owls sleep
Oh, lonliness
You're a hard earned crust
You're the night at the end of the day
'Cause you pay your dues
On the road you choose
With the price you have to pay

Down the neon aisles
And the twilight miles
Where the world takes comfort in shame
And all I can hear
Is a voice in my ear
And its calling out your name

Still the silence glows
The four winds blow
And a dark moon rising above
To rest by your side
In the heat of the fire
In the sleep of the night of love

When darkness hangs
On the dirty city
Winter falls on a foreign town
And it's all I can do
To be with you
Tonight as the sun goes down
But I would cross
The ocean wide
I'd walk the mighty foam
If I could lie
In your arms tonight
You're the only rose I know

Between the shifting shadows
In the no-man's zone
There's a bar at the end of the street
Some poor country music
One or two sixty's songs
This is the place where the night owls sleep
Oh, lonliness
You're a hard earned crust
You're the night at the end of the day
'Cause you pay your dues
On the road you choose
With the price you have to pay

Down the neon aisles
And the twilight miles
Where the world takes comfort in shame
And all I can hear
Is a voice in my ear
And its calling out your name

Still the silence glows
The four winds blow
And a dark moon rising above
To rest by your side
In the heat of the fire
In the sleep of the night of love

When darkness hangs
On the dirty city
Winter falls on a foreign town
And it's all I can do
To be with you
Tonight as the sun goes down
But I would cross
The ocean wide
I'd walk the mighty foam
If I could lie
In your arms tonight
You're the only rose I know

Between the shifting shadows
In the no-man's zone
There's a bar at the end of the street
Some poor country music
One or two sixty's songs
This is the place where the night owls sleep
Oh, lonliness
You're a hard earned crust
You're the night at the end of the day
'Cause you pay your dues
On the road you choose
With the price you have to pay

Down the neon aisles
And the twilight miles
Where the world takes comfort in shame
And all I can hear
Is a voice in my ear
And its calling out your name

Still the silence glows
The four winds blow
And a dark moon rising above
To rest by your side
In the heat of the fire
In the sleep of the night of love

When darkness hangs
On the dirty city
Winter falls on a foreign town
And it's all I can do
To be with you
Tonight as the sun goes down
But I would cross
The ocean wide
I'd walk the mighty foam
If I could lie
In your arms tonight
You're the only rose I know

For the roll of the wind
As we sail across the water
The roll of the sea
As we're taken through the night
The dimming lamp of day
Leaves the crimson foam and spray
Across the face of the mighty Atlantic

In this cradle we found love
In our lifetimes we were broken
By the spirit we were turned
Here we touched the hope divine
And in the rapture and the charm
Came the tranquil and the calm
On the rage of the mighty Atlantic

Deepest grave, supreme deceiver
Brave new worlds and cursed emotion
Let your people go, bring me a saviour
White doves rise above the ocean

For the brightness of the lights
As they stretch across the water
The excitement of the night
As we're carried through the seas
There's a welcome lies in store
The strongest arms I've ever known
In the homes of the mighty Atlantic

For the roll it is gentle
As the waves, they guide you over
Full new moon across the stern flag
Our different worlds in constant motion

For the roll of the wind
As we sail across the waters
The roll of the sea
As we're taken through the night
I'm coming home it's late
And you know I just can't wait
For the shores of the mighty Atlantic

For the shores of the mighty Atlantic
For the shores of the mighty Atlantic

For the roll of the wind
As we sail across the water
The roll of the sea
As we're taken through the night
The dimming lamp of day
Leaves the crimson foam and spray
Across the face of the mighty Atlantic

In this cradle we found love
In our lifetimes we were broken
By the spirit we were turned
Here we touched the hope divine
And in the rapture and the charm
Came the tranquil and the calm
On the rage of the mighty Atlantic

Deepest grave, supreme deceiver
Brave new worlds and cursed emotion
Let your people go, bring me a saviour
White doves rise above the ocean

For the brightness of the lights
As they stretch across the water
The excitement of the night
As we're carried through the seas
There's a welcome lies in store
The strongest arms I've ever known
In the homes of the mighty Atlantic

For the roll it is gentle
As the waves, they guide you over
Full new moon across the stern flag
Our different worlds in constant motion

For the roll of the wind
As we sail across the waters
The roll of the sea
As we're taken through the night
I'm coming home it's late
And you know I just can't wait
For the shores of the mighty Atlantic

For the shores of the mighty Atlantic
For the shores of the mighty Atlantic

For the roll of the wind
As we sail across the water
The roll of the sea
As we're taken through the night
The dimming lamp of day
Leaves the crimson foam and spray
Across the face of the mighty Atlantic

In this cradle we found love
In our lifetimes we were broken
By the spirit we were turned
Here we touched the hope divine
And in the rapture and the charm
Came the tranquil and the calm
On the rage of the mighty Atlantic

Deepest grave, supreme deceiver
Brave new worlds and cursed emotion
Let your people go, bring me a saviour
White doves rise above the ocean

For the brightness of the lights
As they stretch across the water
The excitement of the night
As we're carried through the seas
There's a welcome lies in store
The strongest arms I've ever known
In the homes of the mighty Atlantic

For the roll it is gentle
As the waves, they guide you over
Full new moon across the stern flag
Our different worlds in constant motion

For the roll of the wind
As we sail across the waters
The roll of the sea
As we're taken through the night
I'm coming home it's late
And you know I just can't wait
For the shores of the mighty Atlantic

For the shores of the mighty Atlantic
For the shores of the mighty Atlantic

For the roll of the wind
As we sail across the water
The roll of the sea
As we're taken through the night
The dimming lamp of day
Leaves the crimson foam and spray
Across the face of the mighty Atlantic

In this cradle we found love
In our lifetimes we were broken
By the spirit we were turned
Here we touched the hope divine
And in the rapture and the charm
Came the tranquil and the calm
On the rage of the mighty Atlantic

Deepest grave, supreme deceiver
Brave new worlds and cursed emotion
Let your people go, bring me a saviour
White doves rise above the ocean

For the brightness of the lights
As they stretch across the water
The excitement of the night
As we're carried through the seas
There's a welcome lies in store
The strongest arms I've ever known
In the homes of the mighty Atlantic

For the roll it is gentle
As the waves, they guide you over
Full new moon across the stern flag
Our different worlds in constant motion

For the roll of the wind
As we sail across the waters
The roll of the sea
As we're taken through the night
I'm coming home it's late
And you know I just can't wait
For the shores of the mighty Atlantic

For the shores of the mighty Atlantic
For the shores of the mighty Atlantic

The roll of the wind
As we sail across the water
The roll of the sea
As we're taken through the night
The dimming lamp of day
Leaves the crimson foam and spray
Across the face of the mighty Atlantic

In this cradle we found love
In our lifetimes we were broken
By the spirit we were turned
Here we touched the hope divine
And in the rapture and the charm
Came the tranquil and the calm
On the rage of the mighty Atlantic

Deepest grave, supreme deceiver
Brave new worlds and cursed emotion
Let your people go, bring me a saviour
White doves rise above the ocean

The brightness of the lights
As they stretch across the water
The excitement of the night
As we're carried through the seas
There's a welcome lies in store
The strongest arms I've ever known
In the homes of the mighty Atlantic

For the roll it is gentle
As the waves, they guide you over
Full new moon across the stern flag
Our different worlds in constant motion

The roll of the wind
As we sail across the waters
The roll of the sea
As we're taken through the night
I'm coming home it's late
And you know I just can't wait
For the shores of the mighty Atlantic

For the shores of the mighty Atlantic
For the shores of the mighty Atlantic

Like shadows on the wall
you come and you go
through the streets
and the rain that falls down
on our sin
no more good-byes
forever this way
whenever the greatest flame in the world
starts burning

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

always in your eyes
a waking of souls
we gaze out on the road
that brought us up
to this place
the signposts never change
we'll go where they lead
whenever the day to break us comes
we'll not give in



this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

live the day when the flame is strong
live the day when the flame is strong
come the day when love is gone
take it over, take it over

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own
this is our place, in our lives
and no one can ever change this moment
or pull this mountain to the ground

this is our life, this is our time
and no one can ever change this moment

Like shadows on the wall
you come and you go
through the streets
and the rain that falls down
on our sin
no more good-byes
forever this way
whenever the greatest flame in the world
starts burning

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

always in your eyes
a waking of souls
we gaze out on the road
that brought us up
to this place
the signposts never change
we'll go where they lead
whenever the day to break us comes
we'll not give in



this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

live the day when the flame is strong
live the day when the flame is strong
come the day when love is gone
take it over, take it over

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own
this is our place, in our lives
and no one can ever change this moment
or pull this mountain to the ground

this is our life, this is our time
and no one can ever change this moment

Like shadows on the wall
you come and you go
through the streets
and the rain that falls down
on our sin
no more good-byes
forever this way
whenever the greatest flame in the world
starts burning

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

always in your eyes
a waking of souls
we gaze out on the road
that brought us up
to this place
the signposts never change
we'll go where they lead
whenever the day to break us comes
we'll not give in



this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

live the day when the flame is strong
live the day when the flame is strong
come the day when love is gone
take it over, take it over

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own
this is our place, in our lives
and no one can ever change this moment
or pull this mountain to the ground

this is our life, this is our time
and no one can ever change this moment

Like shadows on the wall
you come and you go
through the streets
and the rain that falls down
on our sin
no more good-byes
forever this way
whenever the greatest flame in the world
starts burning

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

always in your eyes
a waking of souls
we gaze out on the road
that brought us up
to this place
the signposts never change
we'll go where they lead
whenever the day to break us comes
we'll not give in



this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

live the day when the flame is strong
live the day when the flame is strong
come the day when love is gone
take it over, take it over

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own
this is our place, in our lives
and no one can ever change this moment
or pull this mountain to the ground

this is our life, this is our time
and no one can ever change this moment

Like shadows on the wall
you come and you go
through the streets
and the rain that falls down
on our sin
no more good-byes
forever this way
whenever the greatest flame in the world
starts burning

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

always in your eyes
a waking of souls
we gaze out on the road
that brought us up
to this place
the signposts never change
we'll go where they lead
whenever the day to break us comes
we'll not give in



this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

live the day when the flame is strong
live the day when the flame is strong
come the day when love is gone
take it over, take it over

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own
this is our place, in our lives
and no one can ever change this moment
or pull this mountain to the ground

this is our life, this is our time
and no one can ever change this moment

Like shadows on the wall
you come and you go
through the streets
and the rain that falls down
on our sin
no more good-byes
forever this way
whenever the greatest flame in the world
starts burning

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

always in your eyes
a waking of souls
we gaze out on the road
that brought us up
to this place
the signposts never change
we'll go where they lead
whenever the day to break us comes
we'll not give in



this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

live the day when the flame is strong
live the day when the flame is strong
come the day when love is gone
take it over, take it over

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own
this is our place, in our lives
and no one can ever change this moment
or pull this mountain to the ground

this is our life, this is our time
and no one can ever change this moment

Like shadows on the wall
you come and you go
through the streets
and the rain that falls down
on our sin
no more good-byes
forever this way
whenever the greatest flame in the world
starts burning

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

always in your eyes
a waking of souls
we gaze out on the road
that brought us up
to this place
the signposts never change
we'll go where they lead
whenever the day to break us comes
we'll not give in



this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

live the day when the flame is strong
live the day when the flame is strong
come the day when love is gone
take it over, take it over

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own
this is our place, in our lives
and no one can ever change this moment
or pull this mountain to the ground

this is our life, this is our time
and no one can ever change this moment

Like shadows on the wall
you come and you go
through the streets
and the rain that falls down
on our sin
no more good-byes
forever this way
whenever the greatest flame in the world
starts burning

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

always in your eyes
a waking of souls
we gaze out on the road
that brought us up
to this place
the signposts never change
we'll go where they lead
whenever the day to break us comes
we'll not give in



this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own

live the day when the flame is strong
live the day when the flame is strong
come the day when love is gone
take it over, take it over

this is our life, and our time
and nothing, is ever going to break us
now we're on our own
this is our place, in our lives
and no one can ever change this moment
or pull this mountain to the ground

this is our life, this is our time
and no one can ever change this moment

Beside the braes of dawn
One clear new morning
Down where the lilies stood in bloom
I knew that I was just a stranger in this world
A wind just passing through
So we dared to stay
In these golden ways
We never never knew what to do
And the world kept coming screaming
All it's news at me
Well, now I've got news for you

So let me take you down to the dancing floor
You can walk out on the crowd
Let us waltz away what's left of the living years
In celebration of the loved

No nothing's all that it seems
In the strands and the waves
Our steps renewed our lips confess
We were stranded at the alter of unknown delights
Down on the road to happiness
And as the sunlight fills
The highland hills
It's all become so clear somehow
That the days we spend
Were not made to end
We stand forever in thier glow

So let me take you down to the dancing floor
You can walk out on the crowd
Let us waltz away what's left of the living years
In celebration of the loved
It's all glitz and sparkle down on the dancing floor
We can turn our lives around
Just leave behind that wretch that you have been
With the fool that I'd become

Now the hours are few
And the days can be so cruel (so cruel)
Yes, the night are getting long (the nights are getting long)
And that joy that you would always bring
It'll always keep me strong

So let me take you down to the dancing floor
You can walk out on the crowd
Let us waltz away what's left of the living years
In celebration of the loved
It's all glitz and sparkle tonight on the dancing floor
We can turn our lives around
Just leave behind that wretch that you have been
With the fool that I'd become

Beside the braes of dawn
One clear new morning
Down where the lilies stood in bloom
I knew that I was just a stranger in this world
A wind just passing through
So we dared to stay
In these golden ways
We never never knew what to do
And the world kept coming screaming
All it's news at me
Well, now I've got news for you

So let me take you down to the dancing floor
You can walk out on the crowd
Let us waltz away what's left of the living years
In celebration of the loved

No nothing's all that it seems
In the strands and the waves
Our steps renewed our lips confess
We were stranded at the alter of unknown delights
Down on the road to happiness
And as the sunlight fills
The highland hills
It's all become so clear somehow
That the days we spend
Were not made to end
We stand forever in thier glow

So let me take you down to the dancing floor
You can walk out on the crowd
Let us waltz away what's left of the living years
In celebration of the loved
It's all glitz and sparkle down on the dancing floor
We can turn our lives around
Just leave behind that wretch that you have been
With the fool that I'd become

Now the hours are few
And the days can be so cruel (so cruel)
Yes, the night are getting long (the nights are getting long)
And that joy that you would always bring
It'll always keep me strong

So let me take you down to the dancing floor
You can walk out on the crowd
Let us waltz away what's left of the living years
In celebration of the loved
It's all glitz and sparkle tonight on the dancing floor
We can turn our lives around
Just leave behind that wretch that you have been
With the fool that I'd become

Beside the braes of dawn
One clear new morning
Down where the lilies stood in bloom
I knew that I was just a stranger in this world
A wind just passing through
So we dared to stay
In these golden ways
We never never knew what to do
And the world kept coming screaming
All it's news at me
Well, now I've got news for you

So let me take you down to the dancing floor
You can walk out on the crowd
Let us waltz away what's left of the living years
In celebration of the loved

No nothing's all that it seems
In the strands and the waves
Our steps renewed our lips confess
We were stranded at the alter of unknown delights
Down on the road to happiness
And as the sunlight fills
The highland hills
It's all become so clear somehow
That the days we spend
Were not made to end
We stand forever in thier glow

So let me take you down to the dancing floor
You can walk out on the crowd
Let us waltz away what's left of the living years
In celebration of the loved
It's all glitz and sparkle down on the dancing floor
We can turn our lives around
Just leave behind that wretch that you have been
With the fool that I'd become

Now the hours are few
And the days can be so cruel (so cruel)
Yes, the night are getting long (the nights are getting long)
And that joy that you would always bring
It'll always keep me strong

So let me take you down to the dancing floor
You can walk out on the crowd
Let us waltz away what's left of the living years
In celebration of the loved
It's all glitz and sparkle tonight on the dancing floor
We can turn our lives around
Just leave behind that wretch that you have been
With the fool that I'd become

When you arrived in Canada you walked the streets
Out of work out of money, prospects bleak
Now the plane comes down from the morning sky
And you touch the land where the fire won't die

Johnny, you're home, man
It's a long road
You drove us down
It's only a moment
Since the diesels turned

Now the blade cuts clean through the island soil
The years roll back and the world grows small
You stand on the banks in the wind and the rain
And all of your money now can't hide this pain

So you hold your mother and you bless the air
With the tears of the emigrant, tongue of the Gael
And the plane takes off in a clear blue sky
Life's a long lost list of last goodbyes

The heath flame is burning bright
Burning every night
It's winter in Ontario
The wheels that turned us village kids
Still carry through the heaths
They no longer turn for you

When you arrived in Canada you walked the streets
Out of work out of money, prospects bleak
Now the plane comes down from the morning sky
And you touch the land where the fire won't die

Johnny, you're home, man
It's a long road
You drove us down
It's only a moment
Since the diesels turned

Now the blade cuts clean through the island soil
The years roll back and the world grows small
You stand on the banks in the wind and the rain
And all of your money now can't hide this pain

So you hold your mother and you bless the air
With the tears of the emigrant, tongue of the Gael
And the plane takes off in a clear blue sky
Life's a long lost list of last goodbyes

The heath flame is burning bright
Burning every night
It's winter in Ontario
The wheels that turned us village kids
Still carry through the heaths
They no longer turn for you

Life support genius at the end of time
The greatest living brain alive
A breath of chance matter from a falling star
The power is sour and reaches far

The apple came down
It had to fall
Where men grew wise
Minds grew small
Newton and Adam
Lost and found
The apple must fall
To the ground

There's not long left, it's a race against time
The saint's close, he could lose his mind
Like he lost his body here on planet Earth
When he holds the key to the universe

The apple came down
It had to fall
Where men grew wise
Minds grew small
Newton and Adam
Lost and found
The apple must fall
To the ground

A mighty spark to keep him there
Trigger to power, wire to pain
Direct inject pleasure when the going gets rough
Don't believe in God and all that stuff

The apple came down
It had to fall
Where men grew wise
Minds grew small
Newton and Adam
Lost and found
The apple must fall
To the ground

The apple came down
The atom must fall

Life support genius at the end of time
The greatest living brain alive
A breath of chance matter from a falling star
The power is sour and reaches far

The apple came down
It had to fall
Where men grew wise
Minds grew small
Newton and Adam
Lost and found
The apple must fall
To the ground

There's not long left, it's a race against time
The saint's close, he could lose his mind
Like he lost his body here on planet Earth
When he holds the key to the universe

The apple came down
It had to fall
Where men grew wise
Minds grew small
Newton and Adam
Lost and found
The apple must fall
To the ground

A mighty spark to keep him there
Trigger to power, wire to pain
Direct inject pleasure when the going gets rough
Don't believe in God and all that stuff

The apple came down
It had to fall
Where men grew wise
Minds grew small
Newton and Adam
Lost and found
The apple must fall
To the ground

The apple came down
The atom must fall

We grew up in the spaces
Where the four winds blow
We left these glens and valleys
Traitors to the plough

We thought we knew the answers
thought we had it made
We kissed down in the city
Swore we'd never change

We grew up young
And we played the years
Held out for love like it was fire
Now I can't wait any longer
Down that line
Going to walk with you
That final mile

Today there's gold an your finger
Today you're dressed in white
Today we stand alone together
Proud of you for life

Now the hurt is gone
Now the doubt is gone
I'm walking down
A clearway to your heart

(Original in Gaelic)

Choimhead mi ri m'chul
Gun neimh gun truas
Larach mo chasan mu sgaoil
'S iad a triall tron an uir
Gu toiseach 's gu deireadh uair
'S gu na laithean soilleir buan
Thairis Air a ghleann

Thainig thu nuas
Gu fasach truagh
'S thog thu am faileasbhon a ghleann
Buidheachas is naire
An tomhas air gach lamh
Togaidh sinn do chliu an aird
Air slighe Dhia

O mollaidh sinn
An gaol 's an gras
A thug dhuinn bith
Cho umhail fo ghrein
'S i dealradh sios
Air reultan cein.

English translation
Beyond the Valley

I looked behind me
Whithout rancour without pity
To where my footprints were scattered
On their journey through the dust
From the beginning to an end of time
And to the bright everlasting days
Beyond the valley

You came down
To a barren wilderness
And you raised the shadow
From the valley
Gratitude and shame
The measure in each hand
We will proclaim your name in voice
On Gods way

We will praise
The love and the grace
That gave us our existance
So lowly beneath the sun
As it poured out ist light
On alien stars.

In the slipstream of luck and democracy
A victim of chance and geography
I reap and I sow the face of the earth
While big guns play games with the land of my birth

I walk these hills and I sail the seas
I've weathered the storms of history
Created to live, created to share
With the fish of the sea, the birds of the air

I'm not too hot on Dukes or Earls or Graces
But I love respect and exhalted places
Give me the people with sod on the knee
The higher the monkey climbs the more he reveals

Tear down these walls
All men were born the same
You came here with nothing
But naked and a name
A name
Tear down these walls
They keep raising for you

How can't you see
The wilderness growing free
Time wounded and scarred
Stroking away the years
It's hard to believe
But memories are old ghosts
Mountains of black and gold
Sunsets falling over the moor
Oh take me there!

'S na horo eile, horo bho
'S na horo bho, hillean o
'S na horo eille ho
Take me there!

You take your dream
You make life what you feel
Appearances lead to deceive
This drama so far from me
Destiny
On facts aching wings
Wild geese fly low over your shores
Hearts sailing over the trees
Oh take me there!

'S na horo eile, horo bho
'S na horo bho, hillean o
'S na horo eille ho
Take me there!

Chi mi'n t-eilean uaine
Tir nam beanntann arda
Ceo a'tuiteam tron a'ghleann
Na shineadh air do raointeann

How can't you see
The wilderness growing free
Time wounded and scarred
Stroking away the years
It's hard to believe
But memories are old ghosts
Mountains of black and gold
Sunsets falling over the moor
Oh take me there!

'S na horo eile, horo bho
'S na horo bho, hillean o
'S na horo eille ho
Take me there!

You take your dream
You make life what you feel
Appearances lead to deceive
This drama so far from me
Destiny
On facts aching wings
Wild geese fly low over your shores
Hearts sailing over the trees
Oh take me there!

'S na horo eile, horo bho
'S na horo bho, hillean o
'S na horo eille ho
Take me there!

Chi mi'n t-eilean uaine
Tir nam beanntann arda
Ceo a'tuiteam tron a'ghleann
Na shineadh air do raointeann

How can't you see
The wilderness growing free
Time wounded and scarred
Stroking away the years
It's hard to believe
But memories are old ghosts
Mountains of black and gold
Sunsets falling over the moor
Oh take me there!

'S na horo eile, horo bho
'S na horo bho, hillean o
'S na horo eille ho
Take me there!

You take your dream
You make life what you feel
Appearances lead to deceive
This drama so far from me
Destiny
On facts aching wings
Wild geese fly low over your shores
Hearts sailing over the trees
Oh take me there!

'S na horo eile, horo bho
'S na horo bho, hillean o
'S na horo eille ho
Take me there!

Chi mi'n t-eilean uaine
Tir nam beanntann arda
Ceo a'tuiteam tron a'ghleann
Na shineadh air do raointeann

How can't you see
The wilderness growing free
Time wounded and scarred
Stroking away the years
It's hard to believe
But memories are old ghosts
Mountains of black and gold
Sunsets falling over the moor
Oh take me there!

'S na horo eile, horo bho
'S na horo bho, hillean o
'S na horo eille ho
Take me there!

You take your dream
You make life what you feel
Appearances lead to deceive
This drama so far from me
Destiny
On facts aching wings
Wild geese fly low over your shores
Hearts sailing over the trees
Oh take me there!

'S na horo eile, horo bho
'S na horo bho, hillean o
'S na horo eille ho
Take me there!

Chi mi'n t-eilean uaine
Tir nam beanntann arda
Ceo a'tuiteam tron a'ghleann
Na shineadh air do raointeann

How can't you see
The wilderness growing free
Time wounded and scarred
Stroking away the years
It's hard to believe
But memories are old ghosts
Mountains of black and gold
Sunsets falling over the moor
Oh take me there!

'S na horo eile, horo bho
'S na horo bho, hillean o
'S na horo eille ho
Take me there!

You take your dream
You make life what you feel
Appearances lead to deceive
This drama so far from me
Destiny
On facts aching wings
Wild geese fly low over your shores
Hearts sailing over the trees
Oh take me there!

'S na horo eile, horo bho
'S na horo bho, hillean o
'S na horo eille ho
Take me there!

Chi mi'n t-eilean uaine
Tir nam beanntann arda
Ceo a'tuiteam tron a'ghleann
Na shineadh air do raointeann

Ochd deug seisreach
Air raontainn Aird a' Mhorrain
Na fir a' treabhadh
An la a thainig na Sleitich

Dubh dath na fala
A dhoirt 'na tuil gu talamh
Saighead claidheamh
Tro chairdeas corp an Udail

Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill

Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd

Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein

Ochd deug seisreach
Air raontainn Aird a' Mhorrain
Na fir a' treabhadh
An la a thainig na Sleitich

Dubh dath na fala
A dhoirt 'na tuil gu talamh
Saighead claidheamh
Tro chairdeas corp an Udail

Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill

Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd

Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein

Ochd deug seisreach
Air raontainn Aird a' Mhorrain
Na fir a' treabhadh
An la a thainig na Sleitich

Dubh dath na fala
A dhoirt 'na tuil gu talamh
Saighead claidheamh
Tro chairdeas corp an Udail

Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill

Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd

Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein

Ochd deug seisreach
Air raontainn Aird a' Mhorrain
Na fir a' treabhadh
An la a thainig na Sleitich

Dubh dath na fala
A dhoirt 'na tuil gu talamh
Saighead claidheamh
Tro chairdeas corp an Udail

Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill

Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd

Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein

Ochd deug seisreach
Air raontainn Aird a' Mhorrain
Na fir a' treabhadh
An la a thainig na Sleitich

Dubh dath na fala
A dhoirt 'na tuil gu talamh
Saighead claidheamh
Tro chairdeas corp an Udail

Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill

Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd

Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein

She's late in years in the olden world
Sharing the old morality with the olden girls
Her only guide was the life in her hands
Ways that only the wise could understand

Satellite Flood
It's a world crusade
And it's pouring down
From the skies like rain
Satellite flood
From a nuclear town
If you don't stem the tide
You'll surely drown

So they take you down to the global stream
With the third and fourth worlds, the world extremes
Then they home their lasers in on you
And when they hit you they stick like glue

Satellite Flood
It's a world crusade
And it's pouring down
From the skies like rain
Satellite flood
From a nuclear town
If you don't stem the tide
You'll surely drown

It's the video beat and the suicide smile
Sex in the wilderness mile on mile
Every hotel room and every bar
American girls and American cars

Satellite Flood
It's a world crusade
And it's pouring down
From the skies like rain
Satellite flood
From a nuclear town
If you don't stem the tide
You'll surely drown

Here hangs an open landscape
A wild and huge frontier
From a harsh and a barren wasteland
Through the grave to the promised field

You came, you trapped, you charted
You laid the railraods and the schemes
And you tamed this land by enterprise
And by the power of your dreams

From the olden coasts of Ireland
From the Hebridean shores
With the forgotten chosen ones
Running from Europe in droves

There's a town in Manitoba
They say the windows touch the sky
But across the brine the shipyards close
In this garden flowers die

Still the homelands divide us
Like your blood red brothers of the plains
But where they grieve a candle still burns
A prayer from a flicker to a flame

But you made this Clan great
And you made this nation bloom
And you rose
With your people through the new world
Like a rocket to the moon

Here hangs an open landscape
A wild and huge frontier
From a harsh and a barren wasteland
Through the grave to the promised field

You came, you trapped, you charted
You laid the railraods and the schemes
And you tamed this land by enterprise
And by the power of your dreams

From the olden coasts of Ireland
From the Hebridean shores
With the forgotten chosen ones
Running from Europe in droves

There's a town in Manitoba
They say the windows touch the sky
But across the brine the shipyards close
In this garden flowers die

Still the homelands divide us
Like your blood red brothers of the plains
But where they grieve a candle still burns
A prayer from a flicker to a flame

But you made this Clan great
And you made this nation bloom
And you rose
With your people through the new world
Like a rocket to the moon

Here hangs an open landscape
A wild and huge frontier
From a harsh and a barren wasteland
Through the grave to the promised field

You came, you trapped, you charted
You laid the railraods and the schemes
And you tamed this land by enterprise
And by the power of your dreams

From the olden coasts of Ireland
From the Hebridean shores
With the forgotten chosen ones
Running from Europe in droves

There's a town in Manitoba
They say the windows touch the sky
But across the brine the shipyards close
In this garden flowers die

Still the homelands divide us
Like your blood red brothers of the plains
But where they grieve a candle still burns
A prayer from a flicker to a flame

But you made this Clan great
And you made this nation bloom
And you rose
With your people through the new world
Like a rocket to the moon

Here hangs an open landscape
A wild and huge frontier
From a harsh and a barren wasteland
Through the grave to the promised field

You came, you trapped, you charted
You laid the railraods and the schemes
And you tamed this land by enterprise
And by the power of your dreams

From the olden coasts of Ireland
From the Hebridean shores
With the forgotten chosen ones
Running from Europe in droves

There's a town in Manitoba
They say the windows touch the sky
But across the brine the shipyards close
In this garden flowers die

Still the homelands divide us
Like your blood red brothers of the plains
But where they grieve a candle still burns
A prayer from a flicker to a flame

But you made this Clan great
And you made this nation bloom
And you rose
With your people through the new world
Like a rocket to the moon

Here hangs an open landscape
A wild and huge frontier
From a harsh and a barren wasteland
Through the grave to the promised field

You came, you trapped, you charted
You laid the railraods and the schemes
And you tamed this land by enterprise
And by the power of your dreams

From the olden coasts of Ireland
From the Hebridean shores
With the forgotten chosen ones
Running from Europe in droves

There's a town in Manitoba
They say the windows touch the sky
But across the brine the shipyards close
In this garden flowers die

Still the homelands divide us
Like your blood red brothers of the plains
But where they grieve a candle still burns
A prayer from a flicker to a flame

But you made this Clan great
And you made this nation bloom
And you rose
With your people through the new world
Like a rocket to the moon

Here hangs an open landscape
A wild and huge frontier
From a harsh and a barren wasteland
Through the grave to the promised field

You came, you trapped, you charted
You laid the railraods and the schemes
And you tamed this land by enterprise
And by the power of your dreams

From the olden coasts of Ireland
From the Hebridean shores
With the forgotten chosen ones
Running from Europe in droves

There's a town in Manitoba
They say the windows touch the sky
But across the brine the shipyards close
In this garden flowers die

Still the homelands divide us
Like your blood red brothers of the plains
But where they grieve a candle still burns
A prayer from a flicker to a flame

But you made this Clan great
And you made this nation bloom
And you rose
With your people through the new world
Like a rocket to the moon

Here hangs an open landscape
A wild and huge frontier
From a harsh and a barren wasteland
Through the grave to the promised field

You came, you trapped, you charted
You laid the railraods and the schemes
And you tamed this land by enterprise
And by the power of your dreams

From the olden coasts of Ireland
From the Hebridean shores
With the forgotten chosen ones
Running from Europe in droves

There's a town in Manitoba
They say the windows touch the sky
But across the brine the shipyards close
In this garden flowers die

Still the homelands divide us
Like your blood red brothers of the plains
But where they grieve a candle still burns
A prayer from a flicker to a flame

But you made this Clan great
And you made this nation bloom
And you rose
With your people through the new world
Like a rocket to the moon

Sun comes up on these mountain braes
And it's breaking on the high ground
And the rolling road
And the rolling river
Are all that I have to hold
There in your arms
There in your arms

I went walking in the world
The voice of many waters
In the waking cascade
In the breathing we wait
On the rolling road
On the rolling road
May you always be freedom
On the rolling road
And the rolling river
Are all that I have to hold
There in your arms

There's a presence in the wind
And it holds all departed
And I'm here in the power
And the long passing hour
The light rushing in
Great great gentle giver
All the craving I see
Falling way beyond me
On the rolling road
On the rolling road
May you always be freedom
And the rolling road
And the rolling river
Are all that I have to hold
There in your arms
There in your arms

Sun comes up on these mountain braes
And it's breaking on the high ground
And the rolling road
And the rolling river
Are all that I have to hold
There in your arms
There in your arms

I went walking in the world
The voice of many waters
In the waking cascade
In the breathing we wait
On the rolling road
On the rolling road
May you always be freedom
On the rolling road
And the rolling river
Are all that I have to hold
There in your arms

There's a presence in the wind
And it holds all departed
And I'm here in the power
And the long passing hour
The light rushing in
Great great gentle giver
All the craving I see
Falling way beyond me
On the rolling road
On the rolling road
May you always be freedom
And the rolling road
And the rolling river
Are all that I have to hold
There in your arms
There in your arms

Sun comes up on these mountain braes
And it's breaking on the high ground
And the rolling road
And the rolling river
Are all that I have to hold
There in your arms
There in your arms

I went walking in the world
The voice of many waters
In the waking cascade
In the breathing we wait
On the rolling road
On the rolling road
May you always be freedom
On the rolling road
And the rolling river
Are all that I have to hold
There in your arms

There's a presence in the wind
And it holds all departed
And I'm here in the power
And the long passing hour
The light rushing in
Great great gentle giver
All the craving I see
Falling way beyond me
On the rolling road
On the rolling road
May you always be freedom
And the rolling road
And the rolling river
Are all that I have to hold
There in your arms
There in your arms

Across the street the river runs
Down in the gutter life is slipping away
Let me still exist in another place
Running under cover of a helicopter blade

The flames are getting higher in effigy
Burning down the bridges of my memory
Love may still be alive somewhere someway
Where they're downing only deer
A hundred steel towns away

Oh the rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum
With the words 'I love you' rolling off my tongue
No never will I roam for I know my place is home
Where the ocean meets the sky
I'll be sailing

Photographs and kerosene light up my darkness
Light it up, light it up
I can still feel the touch of your thin blue jeans
Running down the alley I've got my eyes all over you baby
Oh baby

Chorus

Oh I've got lightning in my veins
Shifting like the handle of a slot machine
Love may still exist in another place
I'm just holding back the handle
No expression on my face

Chorus x 3

Across the street the river runs
Down in the gutter life is slipping away
Let me still exist in another place
Running under cover of a helicopter blade

The flames are getting higher in effigy
Burning down the bridges of my memory
Love may still be alive somewhere someway
Where they're downing only deer
A hundred steel towns away

Oh the rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum
With the words 'I love you' rolling off my tongue
No never will I roam for I know my place is home
Where the ocean meets the sky
I'll be sailing

Photographs and kerosene light up my darkness
Light it up, light it up
I can still feel the touch of your thin blue jeans
Running down the alley I've got my eyes all over you baby
Oh baby

Chorus

Oh I've got lightning in my veins
Shifting like the handle of a slot machine
Love may still exist in another place
I'm just holding back the handle
No expression on my face

Chorus x 3

Across the street the river runs
Down in the gutter life is slipping away
Let me still exist in another place
Running under cover of a helicopter blade

The flames are getting higher in effigy
Burning down the bridges of my memory
Love may still be alive somewhere someway
Where they're downing only deer
A hundred steel towns away

Oh the rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum
With the words 'I love you' rolling off my tongue
No never will I roam for I know my place is home
Where the ocean meets the sky
I'll be sailing

Photographs and kerosene light up my darkness
Light it up, light it up
I can still feel the touch of your thin blue jeans
Running down the alley I've got my eyes all over you baby
Oh baby

Chorus

Oh I've got lightning in my veins
Shifting like the handle of a slot machine
Love may still exist in another place
I'm just holding back the handle
No expression on my face

Chorus x 3

Across the street the river runs
Down in the gutter life is slipping away
Let me still exist in another place
Running under cover of a helicopter blade

The flames are getting higher in effigy
Burning down the bridges of my memory
Love may still be alive somewhere someway
Where they're downing only deer
A hundred steel towns away

Oh the rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum
With the words 'I love you' rolling off my tongue
No never will I roam for I know my place is home
Where the ocean meets the sky
I'll be sailing

Photographs and kerosene light up my darkness
Light it up, light it up
I can still feel the touch of your thin blue jeans
Running down the alley I've got my eyes all over you baby
Oh baby

Chorus

Oh I've got lightning in my veins
Shifting like the handle of a slot machine
Love may still exist in another place
I'm just holding back the handle
No expression on my face

Chorus x 3

Across the street the river runs
Down in the gutter life is slipping away
Let me still exist in another place
Running under cover of a helicopter blade

The flames are getting higher in effigy
Burning down the bridges of my memory
Love may still be alive somewhere someway
Where they're downing only deer
A hundred steel towns away

Oh the rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum
With the words 'I love you' rolling off my tongue
No never will I roam for I know my place is home
Where the ocean meets the sky
I'll be sailing

Photographs and kerosene light up my darkness
Light it up, light it up
I can still feel the touch of your thin blue jeans
Running down the alley I've got my eyes all over you baby
Oh baby

Chorus

Oh I've got lightning in my veins
Shifting like the handle of a slot machine
Love may still exist in another place
I'm just holding back the handle
No expression on my face

Chorus x 3

Watching the morning come in on the land
See the moon roll over Skeabost
See the young men late in the glen
All with camans in hand.
Sea winds out on the wild
Sea waves crash onto Uig
See the black homes strung out in a line
Cross the island of Skye.

I can't believe
That it's taking all this time,
I can't believe
My life and my destiny
After the clans, after the clearings,
Here I am
Recovering.

Should have been home before daylight,
It's not easy when you're down and hungry
One from the late run rolled up in a coat
I make my way across the moor.
For a late summer in '84
But now there's a new day dawning
I've heard the Braes men talk in Portree
The news from Glendale.

And I can't believe
That it's taking all this time
I can't believe
My life and my destiny
After the clans, after the clearings
Here I am
Recovering.

Still the morning comes in on the land
See the new sun red and rising
See the corn turn ripe in the fields
See the growth in the glen.
And MacPherson's in Kilmuir tonight
What a night for a people rising
And oh God not before time
There's justice in our lives.

Word came like a hammer
Night fell down like a shroud
And it's caught me drinking, trying to turn back the clock
Through this industrial ghost town

I've known graft and I've voted well
Trying to keep the Lowlands red
But all I gets control in foreign hands
Other colours instead

All I want is a roof over my head
All I want is a steady job
All I want to do is say I love you
With every penny I've got
And all I think about are Debbie and Jane
To give them some kind of chance in life
But the long road running out the strip mill gate
Has got me walking that line

We never stretched our dance hall dreams
We got it just about right
There's little escape from a working town
And from a working life

I placed my future in the palm of your hand
One autumn Friday at the Church of All Saints
There's no investment here in life or in love
And now it's getting too late

All I want is a roof over my head
All I want is a steady job
All I want to do is say I love you
With every penny I've got
And all I think about are Debbie and Jane
To give them some kind of chance in life
But the long road running out the strip mill gate
Has got me walking that line

Has got me walking that line

Has got me walking that line

Word came like a hammer
Night fell down like a shroud
And it's caught me drinking, trying to turn back the clock
Through this industrial ghost town

I've known graft and I've voted well
Trying to keep the Lowlands red
But all I gets control in foreign hands
Other colours instead

All I want is a roof over my head
All I want is a steady job
All I want to do is say I love you
With every penny I've got
And all I think about are Debbie and Jane
To give them some kind of chance in life
But the long road running out the strip mill gate
Has got me walking that line

We never stretched our dance hall dreams
We got it just about right
There's little escape from a working town
And from a working life

I placed my future in the palm of your hand
One autumn Friday at the Church of All Saints
There's no investment here in life or in love
And now it's getting too late

All I want is a roof over my head
All I want is a steady job
All I want to do is say I love you
With every penny I've got
And all I think about are Debbie and Jane
To give them some kind of chance in life
But the long road running out the strip mill gate
Has got me walking that line

Has got me walking that line

Has got me walking that line

The red hot sun burns up the hill
The winter's bride, the summer's king
I tramp these acres and I feel
Once upon a time
Then it seemed that everything
You saw and touched and felt was real
You turned the tap and you turned the wheel
Breathing free

Now you search the open evening sky
Trace the memory in your eyes
For the prophet's hard rain and the deluge
Lie in tears around your door
Once there were trees and livestock here
A mother's love, the warnings clear
But you chose to turn away from fear
Breathing free

Now there's a faceless cross on a distant hill
A wasted voice, a silent scream
Where the lovers love and the dreamers dream
You stand and dream alone
You took your sacrifice to the gods of war
Traded your children's lives for a mess of gold
And you beat your ploughshares into swords
Breathing free

Once in a lifetime
You live and love
Once in a lifetime
You die
Once in a lifetime
The sun goes down
Protect and survive

The red hot sun burns up the hill
The winter's bride, the summer's king
I tramp these acres and I feel
Once upon a time
Then it seemed that everything
You saw and touched and felt was real
You turned the tap and you turned the wheel
Breathing free

Now you search the open evening sky
Trace the memory in your eyes
For the prophet's hard rain and the deluge
Lie in tears around your door
Once there were trees and livestock here
A mother's love, the warnings clear
But you chose to turn away from fear
Breathing free

Now there's a faceless cross on a distant hill
A wasted voice, a silent scream
Where the lovers love and the dreamers dream
You stand and dream alone
You took your sacrifice to the gods of war
Traded your children's lives for a mess of gold
And you beat your ploughshares into swords
Breathing free

Once in a lifetime
You live and love
Once in a lifetime
You die
Once in a lifetime
The sun goes down
Protect and survive

The red hot sun burns up the hill
The winter's bride, the summer's king
I tramp these acres and I feel
Once upon a time
Then it seemed that everything
You saw and touched and felt was real
You turned the tap and you turned the wheel
Breathing free

Now you search the open evening sky
Trace the memory in your eyes
For the prophet's hard rain and the deluge
Lie in tears around your door
Once there were trees and livestock here
A mother's love, the warnings clear
But you chose to turn away from fear
Breathing free

Now there's a faceless cross on a distant hill
A wasted voice, a silent scream
Where the lovers love and the dreamers dream
You stand and dream alone
You took your sacrifice to the gods of war
Traded your children's lives for a mess of gold
And you beat your ploughshares into swords
Breathing free

Once in a lifetime
You live and love
Once in a lifetime
You die
Once in a lifetime
The sun goes down
Protect and survive

The red hot sun burns up the hill
The winter's bride, the summer's king
I tramp these acres and I feel
Once upon a time
Then it seemed that everything
You saw and touched and felt was real
You turned the tap and you turned the wheel
Breathing free

Now you search the open evening sky
Trace the memory in your eyes
For the prophet's hard rain and the deluge
Lie in tears around your door
Once there were trees and livestock here
A mother's love, the warnings clear
But you chose to turn away from fear
Breathing free

Now there's a faceless cross on a distant hill
A wasted voice, a silent scream
Where the lovers love and the dreamers dream
You stand and dream alone
You took your sacrifice to the gods of war
Traded your children's lives for a mess of gold
And you beat your ploughshares into swords
Breathing free

Once in a lifetime
You live and love
Once in a lifetime
You die
Once in a lifetime
The sun goes down
Protect and survive

The red hot sun burns up the hill
The winter's bride, the summer's king
I tramp these acres and I feel
Once upon a time
Then it seemed that everything
You saw and touched and felt was real
You turned the tap and you turned the wheel
Breathing free

Now you search the open evening sky
Trace the memory in your eyes
For the prophet's hard rain and the deluge
Lie in tears around your door
Once there were trees and livestock here
A mother's love, the warnings clear
But you chose to turn away from fear
Breathing free

Now there's a faceless cross on a distant hill
A wasted voice, a silent scream
Where the lovers love and the dreamers dream
You stand and dream alone
You took your sacrifice to the gods of war
Traded your children's lives for a mess of gold
And you beat your ploughshares into swords
Breathing free

Once in a lifetime
You live and love
Once in a lifetime
You die
Once in a lifetime
The sun goes down
Protect and survive

The red hot sun burns up the hill
The winter's bride, the summer's king
I tramp these acres and I feel
Once upon a time
Then it seemed that everything
You saw and touched and felt was real
You turned the tap and you turned the wheel
Breathing free

Now you search the open evening sky
Trace the memory in your eyes
For the prophet's hard rain and the deluge
Lie in tears around your door
Once there were trees and livestock here
A mother's love, the warnings clear
But you chose to turn away from fear
Breathing free

Now there's a faceless cross on a distant hill
A wasted voice, a silent scream
Where the lovers love and the dreamers dream
You stand and dream alone
You took your sacrifice to the gods of war
Traded your children's lives for a mess of gold
And you beat your ploughshares into swords
Breathing free

Once in a lifetime
You live and love
Once in a lifetime
You die
Once in a lifetime
The sun goes down
Protect and survive

The red hot sun burns up the hill
The winter's bride, the summer's king
I tramp these acres and I feel
Once upon a time
Then it seemed that everything
You saw and touched and felt was real
You turned the tap and you turned the wheel
Breathing free

Now you search the open evening sky
Trace the memory in your eyes
For the prophet's hard rain and the deluge
Lie in tears around your door
Once there were trees and livestock here
A mother's love, the warnings clear
But you chose to turn away from fear
Breathing free

Now there's a faceless cross on a distant hill
A wasted voice, a silent scream
Where the lovers love and the dreamers dream
You stand and dream alone
You took your sacrifice to the gods of war
Traded your children's lives for a mess of gold
And you beat your ploughshares into swords
Breathing free

Once in a lifetime
You live and love
Once in a lifetime
You die
Once in a lifetime
The sun goes down
Protect and survive

The red hot sun burns up the hill
The winter's bride, the summer's king
I tramp these acres and I feel
Once upon a time
Then it seemed that everything
You saw and touched and felt was real
You turned the tap and you turned the wheel
Breathing free

Now you search the open evening sky
Trace the memory in your eyes
For the prophet's hard rain and the deluge
Lie in tears around your door
Once there were trees and livestock here
A mother's love, the warnings clear
But you chose to turn away from fear
Breathing free

Now there's a faceless cross on a distant hill
A wasted voice, a silent scream
Where the lovers love and the dreamers dream
You stand and dream alone
You took your sacrifice to the gods of war
Traded your children's lives for a mess of gold
And you beat your ploughshares into swords
Breathing free

Once in a lifetime
You live and love
Once in a lifetime
You die
Once in a lifetime
The sun goes down
Protect and survive

The red hot sun burns up the hill
The winter's bride, the summer's king
I tramp these acres and I feel
Once upon a time
Then it seemed that everything
You saw and touched and felt was real
You turned the tap and you turned the wheel
Breathing free

Now you search the open evening sky
Trace the memory in your eyes
For the prophet's hard rain and the deluge
Lie in tears around your door
Once there were trees and livestock here
A mother's love, the warnings clear
But you chose to turn away from fear
Breathing free

Now there's a faceless cross on a distant hill
A wasted voice, a silent scream
Where the lovers love and the dreamers dream
You stand and dream alone
You took your sacrifice to the gods of war
Traded your children's lives for a mess of gold
And you beat your ploughshares into swords
Breathing free

Once in a lifetime
You live and love
Once in a lifetime
You die
Once in a lifetime
The sun goes down
Protect and survive

I still hear the snares in the square
Colours ablaze in the evening
The air was still
Down the stormy hill
It's good to be young and daring

I still see the blood on the knees
The camans swing without warning
The lads in white
At the speed of light
It's good to be young and daring

Across the bay I still hear thee strains
The two step loud and Blair-ing
We walked hand in hand
To the accordian band
It's good to be young and daring

She was the pride of the summer that year
She was my sweetheart, my lady
We walked the black rock
And we stopped by the loch
It's good to be young and daring

Beat the drum
Beat the drum
Liek a heartbeat
Lonely and strong
Beat the drum

I still hear the snares in the square
Colours ablaze in the evening
The air was still
Down the stormy hill
It's good to be young and daring

I still see the blood on the knees
The camans swing without warning
The lads in white
At the speed of light
It's good to be young and daring

Across the bay I still hear thee strains
The two step loud and Blair-ing
We walked hand in hand
To the accordian band
It's good to be young and daring

She was the pride of the summer that year
She was my sweetheart, my lady
We walked the black rock
And we stopped by the loch
It's good to be young and daring

Beat the drum
Beat the drum
Liek a heartbeat
Lonely and strong
Beat the drum

I still hear the snares in the square
Colours ablaze in the evening
The air was still
Down the stormy hill
It's good to be young and daring

I still see the blood on the knees
The camans swing without warning
The lads in white
At the speed of light
It's good to be young and daring

Across the bay I still hear thee strains
The two step loud and Blair-ing
We walked hand in hand
To the accordian band
It's good to be young and daring

She was the pride of the summer that year
She was my sweetheart, my lady
We walked the black rock
And we stopped by the loch
It's good to be young and daring

Beat the drum
Beat the drum
Liek a heartbeat
Lonely and strong
Beat the drum

It's all over now, no more summers in heaven
After World War Two wed and a life of ups and downs
I see it now, precious even on paper
A young man and his bride and someone to make time stand still

All things remain to ignore and outlive you
From the man in the moon to the greenhills outside your door
Alone you came so alone you must go now
There's no mountain on earth can ever outlive your soul

I know you well, you'll be nothing but grateful
Never let it be said they were spent in thoughtless ways
Warm winds blow 'cross the ties that bind forever
For a place in the sun and for the hearts of love a home

But now I know and I don't want to believe it
Where does it leave you now
That the precious years are gone

It's all over now, no more summers in heaven
After World War Two wed and a life of ups and downs
I see it now, precious even on paper
A young man and his bride and someone to make time stand still

All things remain to ignore and outlive you
From the man in the moon to the greenhills outside your door
Alone you came so alone you must go now
There's no mountain on earth can ever outlive your soul

I know you well, you'll be nothing but grateful
Never let it be said they were spent in thoughtless ways
Warm winds blow 'cross the ties that bind forever
For a place in the sun and for the hearts of love a home

But now I know and I don't want to believe it
Where does it leave you now
That the precious years are gone