1. |
The Football Song (Live)
02:52
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The boss invented football for his workers to distract
So he could hide behind town pride when conditions were attacked
And the workers grew to love the game
We claimed it as our own
And in it saw a metaphor
We win together or we lose alone
The toffs they loved the game as well
They played it at their schools
And felt they were superior cos they'd made up the rules
In order for to prove their strength
They came up with a scheme
They'd gather their finest players
And they'd challenge a workers' team
So they searched the old boy networks
The Oxbridge playing fields
In the public schools and boardrooms
They sent out their appeal
To build a team so mighty success would come their way
And they played a humble factory team on a wintery Saturday
But the rulers they are selfish in all they think and do
So whenever they would get the ball they'd just try to dribble through
But the workers knew togetherness
The football they did pass
And in unity and teamwork they beat the ruling class
Cos you have to stand together, divided we must fall
And you'll never win a single game
If you don't share the ball
For it's not the skill or technique that set those teams apart
But the way each saw their fellow man and the values in their heart
The workers they were organised
The football they did pass
And in unity and teamwork they beat the ruling class
Like in unity and teamwork we can beat the ruling class
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2. |
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Hello Rosalita, well I know your name
I've learned to pronounce it again and again
For I got to know you and I know you well
So I don't believe all the tales that they tell
No I don't believe Rosalita's a threat
Or that she's a strain on the national debt
For Rosa has spirit and courage galore
To brave every ocean to land on this shore
chorus
I want Rosa to stay
I want Rosa to stay
I want Rosa to stay
Not just today
Or tomorrow
But forever
Well I've read the headlines in papers I've bought
The panic that passes as rational thought
Written by peddlars of falsehood and fear
Who say its a problem that Rosa is here
And want to make Rosa their next deportee
Sayin she takes resources intended for me
And rich men in mansions say that's why I'm poor
But I don't remember being wealthy before
So I won't be swayed by the things that you say
Cos I understand why you play it this way
For I see a world that is owned by the few
And run in your interest to benefit you
So if we get angry at what we obtain
You need someone easy to carry the blame
So Rosa's the one that you hope we'll pursue
So we won't go pointing the finger at you
But we want Rosa to stay
We want Rosa to stay
We want Rosa to stay
Not just today
Or tomorrow
But forever
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3. |
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I could be your bluebottle - you could be my venus flytrap
I could be your entertainer - you could be my slow handclap
I could be your trailer park - you could be my tornado
I could be your lovesick spider - you could be my black widow
I could be your bumper crop - you could be my plague of locusts
I could be your science book - you could be my hocus pocus
I could be your vegetation - you could be my forest fire
I could be your urgent journey - you could be my flat tyre
chorus
You are my addiction and I need my fix of you
And I know that you're no good for me but what am I to do?
I should have gone for crack cocaine or heroine or booze
You are my addiction and you screw me up, but I'm just hooked on you
I could be your non believer - you could be my God Almighty
I could be your night of passion - you could be my flannel nighty
I could be your perfect cabbage - you could be my caterpillar
I could be your sexy football - you could be my Aston Villa
I could be your ozone layer - you my CFC emission
I could be your listed building - you could be my demolition
I could be your free range chicken - you could be my Colonel Sanders
I could be your Homer Simpson - you could be my Ned Flanders!
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4. |
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You wrote to me on new years day
A simple wish you had to say
And so I send you my reply
To tell you all the reasons why
I love you
After all of this time
I hear your voice for old times sake
On old recordings we would make
Your name it takes my breath away
To see it there on new years day
I love you
After all of this time
That festive tune has got it wrong
Saying I wish it could be Christmas every day
I sing a different song
Raise a cheer for new years day
I love you
I miss you
I need you
After all of this time
I know no more from you I hear
At least until the next new year
And so I wait upon the day
When next i'll have the chance to say
I love you
After all of this time
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5. |
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My fathers name is Alec
He's a most respectful man
He upholds the laws and customs
Of society when he can
He's not the kind to shout and swear
Unless he's at the match
But here's a tale I'll share with you
Of when he flipped his latch
On the train from Barcelona
In 1962
My dad fought for the dignity
Of folk like me and you
There were soldiers heading home from leave
Sat on each other's heads
There were breastfeeding mothers
Trying to keep their babies fed
There were women
There were children
There was old and fair of face
All tightly crammed together
In the tiniest of space
On the train from Barcelona
In 1962
My dad fought for the dignity
Of folk like me and you
He said I've never seen
Such crowded squalor in my life
It isn't fit for cattle
Never mind my brand new wife
So he marched her to the first class coach
So spacious and so grand
But a most officious ticket guard
Had a very different plan
On the train from Barcelona
In 1962
My dad fought for the dignity
Of folk like me and you
The guard he poked my mother
Just beneath the shoulder blade
And yelled get out but that's the worst mistake he could have made
My dad grabbed his lapels
And lifted him into the air
Then saw a coat hook up above
And he hung the bugger there
On the train from Barcelona
In 1962
My dad fought for the dignity
Of folk like me and you
The ending of this story
Which I swear to you is true
He demanded extra carriages
For comfort is our due
And the carriages were added
So my dad he got his way
As they all stretched out they lauded him
The hero of the day
On the train from Barcelona
In 1962
My dad fought for the dignity
Of folk like me and you
On the train from Barcelona
In 1962
My dad fought for the dignity
Of folk like me and you
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6. |
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If I should reach the night again
I'll be a lucky man
If I should reach the night again
Will you hold my hand
I've been sitting up all night
Counting my regrets
Through the debris of my life
And all my losing bets
And surely I cannot deny
That I'm a gambler still
I'll only reach the night tonight
By fortune over will
If I should reach the night again
I'll be a lucky man
If I should reach the night again
Will you hold my hand
Will you hold my hand
There's many ways a gambler pays
In money, friends and time
Each passing day I am always
Amazed I stayed alive
If I should reach the night again
I'll be a lucky man
If I should reach the night again
Will you hold my hand
Will you hold my hand
Will you hold my hand
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7. |
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They got money but they never worked a railway line
They got money but they never drove a bus
They got money but they never worked a hospital
They got money but all of that was us
So if you feel intimidated by a higher power
Just stop what you're doing and right within the hour
You'll see the power that we got
Is we can make the world stop
We can make the world stop and start again
We can make the world stop
We can make the world stop and start again
They make laws but their laws have never dug for coal
They make laws but have never cleaned a school
They make laws but their laws have never worked the land
They make laws but hey that was me and you
So if you feel intimidated by a higher power
Just stop what you're doing and right within the hour
You'll see the power that we got
Is we can make the world stop
We can make the world stop and start again
We can make the world stop
We can make the world stop and start again
We bloody well should
We bloody well should
We bloody well should
Every power that they hold
Every law or block of gold
Every policeman, every jail
Is guaranteed to fail
Everything that they demand
Is a powerless command
Unless we obey
Do what they say
But if we say no way
Is we can make the world stop
We can make the world stop and start again
We can make the world stop
We can make the world stop and start again
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8. |
Settling Down (Live)
02:36
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When I was young we roamed the land
(Hey where did those good times go?)
Home was a horse drawn caravan
(Where did the good times go?)
I slept with breeze upon me face
(Hey where did those good times go?)
Woke up in a different place
(Where did the good times go?)
This trav’llin life is over
No trav’llin days for me no more
Trav’llin life is over
Settlin down settlin down
My playground was the open air
(Hey where did those good times go?)
I had not a single care
(Where did the good times go?)
We were such a merry band
(Hey where did those good times go?)
Friends and fam’ly close at hand
(Where did the good times go?)
This trav’llin life is over
No trav’llin days for me no more
Trav’llin life is over
Settlin down settlin down
The lawman said you can’t stop here
You can’t stop here nor anywhere
A way of life under arrest
It’s time you were settlin’ down
They put me in a council flat
(Hey where did those good times go?)
What would a trav’ller want with that
(Where did the good times go?)
Me fam’ly scattered far away
(Hey where did those good times go?)
I guess the lawmen got their way
(Where did those good times go?)
This trav’llin life is over
No trav’llin days for me no more
Trav’llin life is over
Settlin down settlin down
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9. |
Woody's Song (Live)
03:25
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I hate a song that makes you think that you're no good
I'm out to fight those songs with my last drop of blood
I hate a song that makes you think you're born to lose
I hate a song, sung just to abuse
Because you're too young, too old, too meek, too bold
Too thin or too fat, too this, too that
Don't care what size you are, don't care what race you are
Don't care how old you are
This is Woody's Song
I hate a song that runs you down without a care
I'm out to fight those songs with my last breath of air
I hate a song that sneers because you're down in luck
I hate a song only sung to mock
I sing a song that helps us prove that we are strong
I'm out to show this world was ours all along
I sing a song that helps us see ourselves with pride
I sing a song to fill us up inside
Because now...
We're brave! We're smart! We're tough! We got heart!
Stand up! Don't wait! It's time to celebrate!
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10. |
Bring Love (Live)
03:15
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Hang my head, I want to drown my sorrows
Won’t somebody make some plans for me
I am weary from my daily labours
And I pray, I pray each day
To set me free
You gotta be proud and brave and strong
You gotta find a light in the darkest times
You gotta play loud your favourite songs
You gotta hold on til the sunlight shines
You gotta reach out to find a friend
You gotta be the hand that they can hold
You gotta bring love
You gotta bring love
Playing safe’s my favourite form of failing
Not for me the glories of the few
And this burden sits upon my shoulders
And I pray, I pray each day
To pull me through
You gotta be proud and brave and strong
You gotta find a light in the darkest times
You gotta play loud your favourite songs
You gotta hold on til the sunlight shines
You gotta reach out to find a friend
You gotta be the hand that they can hold
You gotta bring love
You gotta bring love
Every turnin’, every turnin’,
Every turnin’ hears this song
Every journey every journey
Every journey keeps me strong
Now I walk amongst this town of strangers
And no face of comfort do I see
These old boots are ragged from my wanderings
And I pray, I pray each day
To rescue me
You gotta be proud and brave and strong
You gotta find a light in the darkest times
You gotta play loud your favourite songs
You gotta hold on til the sunlight shines
You gotta reach out to find a friend
You gotta be the hand that they can hold
You gotta bring love
You gotta bring love
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11. |
Sonny (Live)
02:39
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Sonny, tell me why you're looking down
Did no-one tell you 'bout the tears of a clown
And someday soon we'll turn this whole world upside down
And the days are gonna be much better
Sonny, tell me why you seem so blue
Did no-one tell you that these feelings pass on through
And someday soon you'll see the sunlight shines on you
And the days are gonna be much better
And then our days will be
Out of a fantasy
There will be you and me
And we'll be happy
Sonny, tell me why your day's so long
Did no-one tell you that you've got to sing along
And someday soon we'll play a different kind of song
And the days are gonna be much better
And then our days will be
Out of a fantasy
There will be you and me
And we'll be happy
Oh Sonny, tell me why you seem so blue
Did no-one tell you that these feelings pass on through
And someday soon you'll see the sunlight shines on you
And the days are gonna be much better
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12. |
Over The Water (Live)
02:52
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Our faces
Look over the water
Our backs are to England
Our eyes to the sea
And we stand proud
As Ireland's daughter
America's cousin
Rebellious and free
Through the ages long and short
The world and its people
Have flocked to this port
Fortunes for to seek and find
Leaving the old ways behind
Our faces
Look over the water
Our backs are to England
Our eyes to the sea
We stand proud
As Ireland's daughter
America's cousin
Rebellious and free
Here on the riverside
The rhythm of life, it belongs to the tide
From the day we left the womb
We lived by the call of the moon
Our faces
Look over the water
Our backs are to England
Our eyes to the sea
And we stand proud
As Ireland's daughter
America's cousin
Rebellious and free
And all that we are (and all that we are)
And all we can be (and all we can be)
We owe to the fact
We are joined by the sea
Our faces
Look over the water
Our backs are to England
Our eyes to the see
And we stand proud
As Ireland's daughter
America's cousin
Rebellious and free
Our faces
Look over the water
Our backs are to England
Our eyes to the see
And we stand proud
As Ireland's daughter
America's cousin
Rebellious and free
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13. |
Climb (Live)
03:49
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Well it is what it is
Said the man in the petrol station, putting in the gas
And there ain’t nothing better in this whole wide world
Than emptying a whisky glass
Cos nobody cares if you’re telling all your troubles
If you’re wounded all of the time
But when faced with a mountain, we climb
When faced with a mountain, we climb
Well there’s lots of wrongs in this wrong old world
That are never gonna be put right
And there’s fifty days that you’ll walk on by
For the one that you stand and fight
Still the happiest man is the one who can smile
When he’s covered in the grit and the grime
But when faced with a mountain we climb
Well climbing is all you can do with a mountain
When you don’t have the time to go round
You can make where you stand just the start of a journey
You can make it a burial ground
When the top seems a long way off from the bottom
Just you and the rocks and the slime
But when faced with a mountain we climb
Well I guess some roads are gonna be bumpy
And some roads gonna be smooth
And the bumpier ones will jiggle you a little
But you’ll take it just so you can move
And the smartest fella has got an umbrella
He knows the sun don’t always shine
But when faced with a mountain we climb
Well climbing is all you can do with a mountain
When you don’t have the time to go round
You can make where you stand just the start of a journey
You can make it a burial ground
When the top seems a long way off from the bottom
Just you and the rocks and the slime
But when faced with a mountain we climb
Well climbing is all you can do with a mountain
When you don’t have the time to go round
You can make where you stand just the start of a journey
You can make it a burial ground
When the top seems a long way off from the bottom
Just you and the rocks and the slime
But when faced with a mountain we climb
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14. |
One Last Try (Live)
03:45
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The carpet is fading fast
Seems like you waited past
the sell by date of us
Now it's too late for trust
Go if you must
The pictures upon the wall
They seem to say it all
Seeing the smiles we shared
Back in the times we cared
We were so unprepared
Woah-oh just one last try, give it
One last try
For me and you
Woah-oh just one last try, give it
One last try
For me and you
The curtains are torn and thin
Who could have warned back then
When love was new and bright
That all we'd do is fight
Ah get out of my sight
Woah-oh just one last try, give it
One last try
For me and you
Woah-oh just one last try, give it
One last try
For me and you
Now that you've finally gone
Seems like our time has come
Leaving me all alone
Time now to call your phone
Honey come home!!!
Woah-oh just one last try, give it
One last try
For me and you
Woah-oh just one last try, give it
One last try
For me and you
Woah-oh just one last try, give it
One last try
For me and you
Woah-oh just one last try, give it
One last try
For me and you
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15. |
Lockdown Lover (Live)
03:07
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She's just a lockdown lover
Using me to get through
She's in my bubble
Whole load of trouble
What’s a boy to do
She's a lockdown lover
Under the cover
Wasting time for two
When she first kissed me
She didn’t even ask
But truth be told
She had to be bold
Well I was wearing a mask
We were skin to skin
And she moved into my pad
She's just a lockdown lover
Using me to get through
She's in my bubble
Whole load of trouble
What’s a boy to do
She's a lockdown lover
Under the cover
Wasting time for two
She said the world’s gone crazy
We're taken by surprise
So why be bored
Alone indoors
When we can’t go outside
Hold your horses
Let’s join forces she cried
She's just a lockdown lover
She's using me to get through
She's in my bubble
Whole load of trouble
What’s a boy to do
She's a lockdown lover
Under the cover
Wasting time for two
When the lockdown lifted
I had a heavy heart
I debated getting vaccinated
Cos I knew that we would part
She said pull yourself together
As soon as it’s winter weather
We’ll restart
She's just a lockdown lover
Using me to get through
She's in my bubble
Whole load of trouble
What’s a boy to do
She's a lockdown lover
Under the cover
Wasting time for two
She's a lockdown lover
Under the cover
Wasting time for two
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16. |
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I tried
So hard I near lost my mind
Love is more crazy than blind
Big as the sky
Oh you and I
In this reality
There’ll be no you and me
Here where the worlds won’t collide
In some other universe
For better and for worse
I pass the years at your side
You too
Wished it so hard to be true
And all of the things you would do
To push it on through
For me and you
But in this reality
There’ll be no you and me
Here where the worlds won’t collide
In some other universe
For better and for worse
I pass the years at your side
Oh oh
For I, oh I tried
So hard I near lost my mind
Love is more crazy than blind
Big as the sky
Oh you and I
But in this reality
There’ll be no you and me
Here where the worlds won’t collide
In some other universe
For better and for worse
I pass the years at your side
Oh at your side
Oh oh at your side
Oh at your side
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17. |
If Harry Don't Go (Live)
03:32
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If Harry don't go then I don't go
If Harry don't go then I don't go
If Harry don't go then I don't go
The docks were at a standstill
If Harry don't go then I don't go
If Harry don't go then I don't go
If Harry don't go then I don't go
The docks were at a standstill
His mother was of Irish stock
His dad and granddad worked the dock
To hear him speak the men would flock
Harry was no traitor
Every docker filled with pride
When they had Harry on their side
In London or in Merseyside
No honour could be greater
The bosses broke into a sweat
This Harry is an awful threat
When you're hiring don't forget
Leave Harry in the pen
If Harry don't go then I don't go
If Harry don't go then I don't go
If Harry don't go then I don't go
The docks were at a standstill
They were smart in how they fought
They waited first until the port
Was crammed with cargo to import
Then demanded Harry
Did you think we'd go ahead
And take your coin and bow our head
As you rob our brother of his bread
You'd be better bring back Harry
The bosses knew they must agree
Their game was up and they could see
There's no beating unity
All because they said
If Harry don't go then I don't go
If Harry don't go then I don't go
If Harry don't go then I don't go
The docks were at a standstill
If Harry don't go then I don't go
If Harry don't go then I don't go
If Harry don't go then I don't go
The docks were at a standstill
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18. |
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Up and down the nation
He gave the workers strength and courage
Up and down the nation
He taught us to prevail
He fought for safer building sites
He argued for a pound an hour
He was so successful that they put him in the jail
Some workers leaders
They are sent to royal garden parties
Some workers leaders
Are sent to the House Of Lords
Some workers leaders
They are sent to jail they’re sent to prison
Which ones sold you down the river
Which ones fought your cause
The guard said whats your number boy
He said: My name is Dessie Warren
The guard said that’s your name you fool
Your number’s what I need
(And he said)
My name is Dessie Warren
Do you hear my name is Dessie Warren
The number it belongs to you
I’m only saying my name
The bosses and the Tory Party
Plotted to imprison Dessie
Labour came to power but
Still Dessie was not free
So don’t just point your finger at
The ones who framed him in the first place
Also at the scoundrels who clung on to the key
The guard said whats your number boy
He said: My name is Dessie Warren
The guard said that’s your name you fool
Your number’s what I need
And he said
My name is Dessie Warren
Do you hear my name is Dessie Warren
The number it belongs to you
I’m only saying my name
Dessie Warren he refused to take the label of a criminal
So they branded him awkward to be broken and denied
They drugged him and infected him with chemicals and tranquilisers
The bastards went and killed him cos he dared to take our side
The guard said whats your number boy
He said: My name is Dessie Warren
The guard said that’s your name you fool
Your number’s what I need
And he said
My name is Dessie Warren
Do you hear my name is Dessie Warren
The number it belongs to you
I’m only saying my name
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19. |
The Ship Song (Live)
04:33
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Sir Desmond was a wealthy man, a leader of the fold
He'd win respect and influence on account of his bags of gold
He said I want to see the world before my bones grow old
So he got a ticket on a sailing ship, its' treasures to behold
Jim Jenkins was a lowly man, a toiler from the town
He'd work each day for minimal pay all of the whole year round
He said I want to see the world 'fore fate should cut me down
So he got a job on a sailing ship and left the solid ground
chorus
Naa naa naa naa
Upon a narrow shipdeck saw a meeting of the two
Sir Desmond barked Get out my way and let your betters through
Jim said What makes you think that I'm a lesser man than you
But he waved his money in the air and pushed his way on through
Sir Desmond in his cabin he was building up a stack
While counting out his shiny coins he heard an awful crack
He gathered up his money and returned it to its sack
But the next thing he knew the ship was through and laying on her back
chorus
Naa naa naa naa
Almost noone from that ship was ever seen again
A distant desert island saved two very different men
One came ashore with a bag of gold, the other some food and then
Both could see their destinies were meant to cross again
Sir Desmond said I'm hungry and I really must implore
For you to share some food with me, I need a little more
Jim said What's wrong with your bag of gold you were pleased with that before
Ha! It seems that I'm the rich man now - and you're the one who's poor
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20. |
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1919 was the year the trouble all went down
The Defence of the Realm Act was invoked by the Crown
They imposed martial law upon old Limerick Town
And they made the local people foot the bill
The local trades and workers council met for 12 long hours
They said we will not recognise the British Army's powers
This city is the people's, we reclaim it now as ours
It ever was and shall be ever still
We are the Limerick Soviet
We answer only to the people's plea
We care no more for their martial law
Than the British Army cares for you and me
Than the British Army cares for you and me
The printing workers laboured through the darkness of the night
To urge the population to resist the Army's might
Within 2 hours the city walls proclaimed a General Strike
And Limerick responded to the call
Workers in their thousands were parading through the streets
The Irish Times was horrified and called for their defeat
For the people were in charge now not the Army or elite
So they held the torch of freedom for us all
We are the Limerick Soviet
We answer only to the people's plea
We care no more for their martial law
Than the British Army cares for you and me
Than the British Army cares for you and me
The Soviet of Limerick it lasted 2 weeks long
A forgotten Revolution overlooked by history's song
John Cronin and his Strike Committee's beacon has not gone
It lights the path to justice for us still
We are the Limerick Soviet
We answer only to the people's plea
We care no more for their martial law
Than the British Army cares for you and me
Than the British Army cares for you and me
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21. |
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Whatever your struggle Sister
Whatever the fight
Whatever your mountain Mister
It'll still be alright
Whatever your burden Brother
Whatever you do
Whatever your load is lover
I will bear it with you
When you find, life's unkind
You gotta get away, gotta find another way through
Don't despair, it will repair
Something brighter and a-lighter is a-waiting for you
And we're together on this ride
I am right here by your side
I'm on your crew
Though it seems you're on your own
You're not doing this alone
I'm telling you
Whatever your struggle Sister
Whatever the fight
Whatever your mountain Mister
It'll still be alright
Whatever your burden Brother
Whatever you do
Whatever your load is lover
I will bear it with you
When you're sore, can take no more
You gotta get away, gotta find a way to get free
Take your time, let life unwind
You're never going to know what tomorrow could be yeah yeah yeah
Cost it's not over til it's done
There's no sky without a sun
Each day anew
Though it seems you're on your own
You're not doing this alone
I'm telling you
Whatever your struggle Sister
Whatever the fight
Whatever your mountain Mister
It'll still be alright
Whatever your burden Brother
Whatever you do
Whatever your load is lover
I will bear it with you
Whatever your struggle Sister
Whatever the fight
Whatever your mountain Mister
It'll still be alright
Whatever your burden Brother
Whatever you do
Whatever your load is lover
I will bear it with you
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Alun Parry Liverpool, UK
Known as the UK's Woody Guthrie, Alun Parry's music is uplifting, soul stirring, defiant, and tons of fun!
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