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Deliberate Distractions

by Roving Crows

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1.
In the rare old times, the good old days, Wine got strong, the ferry man paid, I picked up my dreams, dropped my father’s load, Said “goodbye” and hit the road. I was young, all my stars did shine. She was just nineteen, out of the west, I threw her some mumbles, lord I did my best, She was hanging loose, on the run, We ditched her man ‘cause he wasn’t fun. I was young all my stars did shine. I did my job, earned my pay, Got enlightened by the books of the latter day, With all guns blazing there was nowhere to hide, From the serene song on the Brighton seaside. I was young, all my stars did shine. New York, February, mighty cold, For a butcher or a barman seeking gold, I read the book of Christ, sought the Holy Grail, Found love in a subway and a balcony rail. I was young, all my stars did shine. I left her with a smile at Dublin docks, She’d swelled in the belly I’d grown my locks, But that was what she wanted, easy to see, Someone to manipulate, a living effigy. I was young, all my stars did shine. I crossed the water, it was often done, Learned my trade by twenty one, London town, the beast of old, I bought some lines, I was never sold. I was young, all my stars did shine. She turned up again, I was seeking fame, The child by her side bore my mother’s name, The terms we agreed mean I travel on, With my heart full and journey a song. I’m getting old, all my stars did shine. Now what I’ve learned from moving as a master, Is the more you got the more you got to look after, The centre of my world is where I stand, With love in my heart, love in my hand. I’m getting old, all my stars still shine.
2.
The Hitchhiker’s got no home, Rambling from coast to coast, Smiling at unfamiliar cars, Just another boy with his guitar. When we were kids we believed, Opened up our hearts with ease, Running by the factories, Emboldened by our Spring trapeze, Before the girls and summer love, Racing in the fields above, The cooling river ran below, Like silver out of gold we’d flow, Sailing under cloud pillow skies. They tried to make me understand, The money junkies own the land, I shined your silver, cleared your plate, I’ll leave you know to shift your weight. I’ll join the revolution, positive that I am not too late, The refugee returned to save his faith. The entertainer now has lost his touch, The crowd don’t gather quite so much, His smile has faded with his coat, Comfortably he wears them both. He’s abandoned all his subtlety, Politeness and harmony, And every word is calculated, Weighted, anticipated, In the evening, he chases shadows home. They tried to make me understand, The money junkies own the land, I shined your silver, cleared your plate, I’ll leave you now to shift your weight. I’ll join the revolution, positive that I am not too late, The refugee in time to save the state. The Hitchhiker’s got no home, Rambling from coast to coast, Smiling at unfamiliar cars, Just another boy with his guitar. They tried to make me understand, The money junkies own the land, I shined your silver, cleared your plate, I’ll leave you now to shift your weight. I’ll join the revolution, positive that I am not too late, The refugee in time to save the state.
3.
Weather 03:24
I could be the sunshine and you could be the rain, Between us we’d bring happiness and take away the pain. We’d create a rainbow to brighten up our sky, Should the darkness question us, we’d have an alibi. We could be the weather. In the fresh of Springtime, you’d be the morning dew. Sparkling among the fields, a symbol of what’s new. I’d dry up all those tears, my love, with the summer sun. The time to weep is yesterday, there’s a new smile to come. We could be the weather. You could be the Autumn wind and blow among the trees, You think that it would bother me but you do what you please, I could be the fallen snow that follows in your path, All those leaves that you displaced I’d cover like a hat. We could be the weather.
4.
There’s a new moon rising, on her face today. A new game for boys, and old men to play, The love of a stranger, now her best friend, After all those years of worry, she needs to make amends. Oh, oh, oh you know, days of stories, nights of wine, Who could change the face of love for Nancy Valentine? Her eldest's got a baby now, all on her own, But who feels grandma’s kisses so far down the phone? And babies grow up quick, she’s got an aching head. You’d think her new found friend, would learn to leave her bed. Oh, oh, oh you know, days of stories, nights of wine, Who could change the face of love for Nancy Valentine? Her youngest crashed her car today, just showing off. He turns up to tell her, how much it’s gonna cost. He says “Hey, Ma, I love you. I won’t do it again.” She best close the door, before he sees her friend. Oh, oh, oh you know, days of stories, nights of wine, Who could change the face of love for Nancy Valentine? You can hide the truth, in your own house. You can lock the cold, and the darkness out. Inside you’re a stranger, to your best friend. Take another drink or two, it helps to make amends. Oh, oh, oh you know, days of stories, nights of wine, Who could change the face of love for Nancy Valentine?
5.
Rollin' Home 04:35
Rollin’ home to Lisdoonvarna, rollin’ home, No thought of tomorrow. The consequences of my journey, lead me home, back to you. Trusting you can love me like I can love you. I’ve been away for far too long, I’ve been away, Lighting up the stars. I’m not afraid to dream big dreams, it’s personal, like a thought. Before you start to speak, and nothing's lost. You say my charm is my disorder, what a charm, what a trap. I never did take love too seriously, not at all. Changing these gears, I can feel the fall. Coming close to memories, coming close, A feeling I can taste. The line is soft on my horizon, misty eyes, You and home. Blurring into real, between the stars and the stones. Rollin’ home to Lisdoonvarna, rollin’ home, No thought of tomorrow. The consequences of my journey, lead me home, back to you. Trusting you can love me like I can love you.
6.
One Day 03:32
One day, I went walking, holding an old man’s hand. He told me how the world turned, in a way I’d understand. He said, “Never do anything, unless it’s in your heart”. Now the outline of his shadow keeps the cold and I apart. One day. One day, I went walking for a friend to see. The time we spent together, is a golden memory. We said, “All for one and one for all, I’ll be there for you”. That bond is closer in distance, the words still shining through. One day. One day, I went walking with a lovers hand in mine. Embraced our lives of difference, lost our innocence in time. We said, “Our love’s a love forever, but you are bound to move”. Now the outline of her body, against mine is a permanent grove. One day. One day, I went walking with a child at my fingertips. I tell her how the world turns through a father’s worried lips. I say, “Never do anything, unless it’s in your heart". Now the outline of my shadow keeps the cold and her apart. One day.
7.
Guns 04:48
8.
Too many distractions, can’t settle down. Too many heads, only one crown. So many ladders, only one wall. So many hands push me till I tall. Trying to live with my heart open wide, How can I ever keep you satisfied? Too many nights, not enough wine. So many ideas not enough time. Open opportunities, too long a race. So much love thrown back in my face. I’m taking you out, you’re taking me for a ride, How can I ever keep you satisfied? Walking a tight rope, On a road without hope, Take my name off your payroll. I need a helping hand, Just God On Demand, No flag can represent my soul. Too many hurdles, not enough track. So many battles gotta cover my back. Too many laws, not enough justice. Waiting for Jesus or someone to trust us. Is it any wonder, I’m losing my pride? How can I ever keep you satisfied? Walking a tight rope, On a road without hope, Take my name off your payroll. I need a helping hand, Just God On Demand, No flag can represent my soul. Too many bills, not enough cash. Too many hills pass by in a flash. So many voices, one pair of ears. So much beauty, not enough years. You take me to the front, then kick me to the side, How can I ever keep you satisfied? Walking a tight rope, On a road without hope, Take my name off your payroll. I need a helping hand, Just God On Demand, No flag can represent my soul. 
9.
Big Man 03:46
Out of the blue I hear from you, So I know there’s something that you want. Excusing you for everything you do, Is getting old and feeling wrong. Too often done! You got a smile, a nice smile. Always laugh when others fall. But in a while you lose your style. When you graft you’re not so tall. No fun at all! To you this world is just a game! Big Man, if it’s all the same, You need somebody to blame, Walk a long way to clear your name, You can’t lose the shame. Lose the shame! Used up your looks in so many books, Now those pages have been turned. Run out of luck, swung your last hook, All your bridges have been burned. There’s nothing learned! Once you were proud on number nine cloud, Entered tall with a bang. Now your crowd are not so loud, You’re so small without the gang. You let them hang! To you this world is just a game! Big Man, if it’s all the same, You need somebody to blame, Walk a long way to clear your name, You can’t lose the shame. Lose the shame! You make the sound you’re coming round, Swear you’ve a new attitude. On honest ground you won’t be found, Far too loose with the truth. You got no roots! To you this world is just a game! Big Man, if it’s all the same, You need somebody to blame, Walk a long way to clear your name, You can’t lose the shame. Lose the shame! Lose the shame!
10.
Familiar Man 05:06
He smiles when he’s social, safe in his local. Level with his vocal, the Familiar Man from the bank. Standing at his station, years of obligation, Living in frustration, the Familiar Man, from the bank. He said, “Son, I’m tired of working, Man, I’m glad you followed your dream. I hope you don’t mind my way of talking, I’m just another man in the machine”. Man in the machine, man in the machine. Between silence and dry wit, his wife is counterfeit. But one point she will hit, he’s got a medal from the Queen. Counting days to his pension, freedom from detention. Did I fail to mention, he’s got a medal, from the Queen. He said, “Son, I’m tired of working, Man, I’m glad you followed your dream. I hope you don’t mind my way of talking, I’m just another man in the machine”. Man in the machine, man in the machine. Everybody needs a treat now and then, No matter how old or how young. She’s a little shy, his bit on the side. No one knows she’s the one. Not even their son! He was something of a joker, I could tell he wasn’t sober. As he looked me over, he was listening with his eyes. I said goodbye as planned, and as he shook my hand. A tear began to land, he was listening, with his eyes. He said, “Son, I’m tired of working, Man, I’m glad you followed your dream. I hope you don’t mind my way of talking, I’m just another man in the machine”. Man in the machine, man in the machine.

credits

released November 5, 2013

Words & Music by Paul O'Neill, Arr. Roving Crows. Except Track 7, Trad. Arr. Caitlin Barrett & Roving Crows

Recorded at Rockfield Studios. Produced by Nick Brine.

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Roving Crows Ledbury, UK

Roving Crows are a Celtic Folk Rock band who play with genuine passion, energy and soul. A must see live act who showcase a mix of fiery, Celtic inspired fiddle, conscious intelligent lyrics backed by drums and driving bass. Roving Crows comprises; strong lead vocals, 4 part harmonies, guitar, fiddle, drums and bass ... more

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