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Song lyrics by Jim King

Blood Red Roses Blood Red Roses album There's no such thing as 'just a domestic'. Violence is violence, excuses are unacceptable.	Do you remember when the passion turned to pain? When did the sunlight first get shrouded by the rain? Has your home become an empty house, where every doorway closes? Will you try to buy your way back in with a dozen blood red roses? Has your drinking turned your wounded heart to stone? Does a bottle stop you feeling so alone? Are you always blaming them for the trouble that life poses? Will you try to buy your way back in with a dozen blood red roses? Blood red roses, blood red roses, There was a time when blood red roses used to mean a lot But now it’s roses when your sober And it’s only tears and bruises Only tears and bruises Only tears and bruises when your not When you’re left with only what you can recall The spring and summer leading to your fall Will you deny the pain you cause, seek another diagnosis? Will you try to buy your way back in with a dozen blood red roses? Blood red roses, blood red roses, There was a time when blood red roses used to mean a lot But now it’s roses when your sober And it’s only tears and bruises Only tears and bruises Only tears and bruises when your not
Beautiful Swimmers Views From The South album Inspired by  William Warner's wonderfully evocative book of the same name.	The sail canoe cuts like an eel through the water We slip the dredge in the four fathom lay The wind fills the jib and we head up to Tangier To catch the big Blues on Chesapeake Bay This bay has been giving me my way of living Was my father's before me and his father's too They sold in Virginia and up into Boston Then New York and Philly when the railroad came through Beautiful swimmers, beautiful swimmers The Chesapeake Blue is the sweetest of all Beautiful swimmers, beautiful swimmers I'll catch the big Blues when the Chesapeake calls This boat that I sail my grandfather bartered For a horse that he 'borrowed' on his way out of town She's patched and she's wheezing, she's re-rigged each season She skims through the shallows, the fastest around Now there's so little left for the crabs and the oysters The city folk came with their toy boats to play The noise and the traffic and the smell of the diesel They scared off the Blues from most of the bay Beautiful swimmers, beautiful swimmers The Chesapeake Blue is the sweetest of all Beautiful swimmers, beautiful swimmers I'll catch the big Blues when the Chesapeake calls I have no sons to take on the dredging But I'll shed no tears for I think it's as well There's so little to catch now I scarce fill a barrel And apart from who's listening there's no one to tell The sail canoe cuts like an eel through the water We slip the dredge in the four-fathom lay The wind fills the jib and we head up to Tangier To catch the big Blues in the Chesapeake Bay Beautiful swimmers, beautiful swimmers The Chesapeake Blue is the sweetest of all Beautiful swimmers, beautiful swimmers I'll catch the big Blues when the Chesapeake calls
Eastland Disaster Views From The South album Based on a true story. Further details  here	I was born and raised near Plymouth Quay A miller’s son, no life for me When I turned fifteen I went to sea On the steamship Aureole A stoker’s shovel replaced my toys Twelve hour shifts in the heat and noise Sorted out the men from boys 'Til we berthed in Montreal There I signed on board a Great Lakes tramp Shipping lumber from the logging camps The winters got so cold and damp I looked for a job on the land Learned the linesman’s trade and travelled around Then I found work in Chicago town Hired by Western I settled down Life started looking grand July 24, 1915 The biggest party there’d ever been Western’s workers filled the scene Five thousand, maybe more At the Eastland berth by Whacker Drive We started boarding at 7:05 She was moving like she was alive And tugging at the shore And I never felt so cold, If I think about it still it makes me shiver. When the Eastland rolled, In the dark and chill of the old Chicago River. To the Eastland we all joined the race Five other ships but she was the ace Nothing on the Lakes could match her pace The star of the cruiser queens By 8:15 we were crammed on board At least two thousand, maybe more Plenty others still on the shore And we started to feel her lean Up on deck a dance band played She leaned again and then she swayed Someone screamed, I think I prayed As she spilled and threw us down In the minutes that followed eight hundred died The Eastland settled on her side You couldn’t see the river for the tears we cried It’s a miracle I didn’t drown And I never felt so cold, If I think about it still it makes me shiver. When the Eastland rolled, In the dark and chill of the old Chicago River. Sixteen hundred survived that day I kinda recovered and I’m OK It was a hell of a price some had to pay So I count my blessings still Sometimes I go by Whacker Drive I know I’m lucky to be alive I mind the ones who didn’t survive And I think I always will And I never felt so cold, If I think about it still it makes me shiver. When the Eastland rolled, In the dark and chill of the old Chicago River.
Colour Of Chameleons Blood Red Roses album Sometimes, having integrity is a challenge	I have always found it hard to believe I have always longed for a sign I could perceive I have always worn my doubts upon my sleeve But I have always tried to see the real colour of chameleons I have always tried to see the real colour of chameleons I have always tried hard to make the grade I have always watched others join the big parade I have always stood behind the barricade But I have always tried to see the real colour of chameleons I have always tried to see the real colour of chameleons One day maybe I’ll cross the desert plain One day maybe I’ll stand in the hurricane One day maybe I’ll find the truth again Then I’ll see the real colour of chameleons I have always tried to see the real colour of chameleons I have always found it easy to begin I have always found it easier to lose than win I have always tried to take it on the chin But I have always tried to see the real colour of chameleons I have always tried to see the real colour of chameleons One day maybe I’ll cross the desert plain One day maybe I’ll stand in the hurricane One day maybe I’ll find the truth again Then I’ll see the real colour of chameleons I have always tried to see the real colour of chameleons
West Coast Days Blood Red Roses album A tribute to my favourite bit of the planet - admitedly, I haven't seen all of it yet.	When there’s a warm wind blowing in August Cuts the air right out of the day Carries the scent of the shore line ‘Cross the lowlands on its way I’ll take train out of Central Ride down to West Kilbride Stand on the beach at Seamill Where the ocean meets the Clyde Gaze across at the smoky hills and the islands in the haze Just another one of those sleepy west coast days Just another one of those sleepy west coast days Standing outside Nardini’s With a flavour to make you smile Catch a ferry and rent some wheels Cruise the island for a while The day cools down and the sea lights up With a thousand neon signs I’ll head home with a hot fish supper Wrapped in yesterday’s Evening Times Gaze across at the smoky hills and the islands in the haze Just another one of those sleepy west coast days Just another one of those sleepy west coast days When I hear stories people tell Recalling summertime dreams Sailing down the water to Rothesay Sand castles in the Bay at Wemys Maybe those times will come no more Forgotten good old days No more steamers going down the Clyde Just sleepy west coast ways Gaze across at the smoky hills and the islands in the haze Just another one of those sleepy west coast days Just another one of those sleepy west coast days When there’s a warm wind blowing in August Cuts the air right out of the day Carries the scent of the shore line ‘Cross the lowlands on its way I’ll take train out of Central Ride down to west Kilbride Stand on the beach at Seamill Where the ocean meets the Clyde Gaze across at the smoky hills and the islands in the haze Just another one of those sleepy west coast days Just another one of those sleepy west coast days
Roots and Wings Blood Red Roses album	It started so very long ago six days then one for rest Man arrived and turned it sour the cuckoo in the nest Brought greed and hunger fear and pain the list’s as long as time Was the young and innocent made to pay the victims of the crime And no matter what the future brings Give them roots and give them wings Give them hope but above all things Give them roots and give them wings Give them roots and give them wings Give them roots and give them wings Many are the ways of man there’s evil and there’s good We teach our children what we can though seldom what we should It’s from example that they learn not from the things we say So let them see us caring for tomorrow’s kids today And no matter what the future brings Give them roots... There are those who sing and those who play and those who bring us joy Their message is so plain to see help every girl and boy The third world is not far we stole their present for our past So help the children of today build a future that can last And no matter what the future brings Give them roots... The world is so much smaller now than it’s ever been before History has taught us much that we’ve chosen to ignore Poverty is with us still though there really is no need It’s not enough to teach our children how to work and how to breed And no matter what the future brings Give them roots... Hungry kids can walk like kings if you give them roots and give them wings
Psalm 9:11 Views From The South album When we see that someone needs help, why do we often end up giving them a kicking?	I’d like to send this message to our leaders everywhere You’ll know if this applies to you, you’ll think it’s a prayer I hope you receive it well, and my words are not in vain Please stop your righteous daydreams, wake up and smell the pain When I look to see who’s listening, might as well be on my own The lights are on...  but there’s nobody home You disregard so many views because these views aren’t yours You claim they’re irresponsible you damn them and their cause You tie them down with legal chains and gag them with your laws Then you tell the world you mean so well, do you think the world ignores? When I look to see who’s listening, might as well be on my own The lights are on...  but there’s nobody home I see through all the tricks you play with mirrors and with smoke All the demons and familiars you keep tucked inside your cloak You preach your rules and doctrine like a true evangelist But you’re the one who does the kissing, you’re not the one who’s being kissed When I look to see who’s listening, might as well be on my own The lights are on...  but there’s nobody home God knows I’ve tried to tell you year after bloody year You can’t win the peace with bombs, you can’t win hearts with fear But you smear your shiny leader’s grin across your front page views And you scribble out your lies and spin wrapped up in greasy news When I look to see who’s listening, might as well be on my own The lights are on...  but there’s nobody home So scrap your tanks and gunships, build hospitals and schools Build houses for the homeless, give your soldiers useful tools I’m not asking for Utopia that’s really not my aim I just want all the players to get a chance to play the game When I look to see who’s listening, might as well be on my own The lights are on...  but there’s nobody home
Acceptance Speech from the Clark & King album Tougher Than Suet Written for a young man of my acquaintence who has more than his share of challenges, but is simply a plea for tolerance.	If I accept you for what you want to be If I accept you and everything you say to me If I accept you unreservedly Will you accept me just for what I am? If I accept the world is yours to see and hear and feel If I accept that I’m excluded from the deal And if I accept that I have no right of appeal Will you accept me just for what I am? My voice is joy in how I am My choices aren’t the ones I’d plan Put together altogether different There are flaws in my design But who’s to say yours is a better one than mine So if I accept you for every part you’ve ever played If I accept there’s no-one ever hears a word that’s prayed And if I accept it’s just the way we are made Will you accept me just for what I am? My voice is joy in how I am My choices aren’t the ones I’d plan Put together altogether different There are flaws in my design But who’s to say yours is a better one than mine If I accept you for what you want to be If I accept you and everything you say to me If I accept you unreservedly Will you accept me just for what I am? Will you accept me just for what I am? Please accept me just for what I am?
As Long As TheMemories Glow from the Clark & King album Tougher Than Suet I've met quite few 'Mrs. Haggertys'	Old Mrs. Haggerty lives in a home with a room overlooking a square She sits at the window describing the scene At breakfast and supper, sometimes in between To someone who’s not really there Mrs. Haggerty knows but she doesn’t care Old Mrs. Haggerty seems to spend much of her day in a world of her own Of the places she visits and the times that she goes If anyone asks, she may well disclose But she’s happy to be there alone Mrs. Haggerty simply recalls what she’s known For as long as the memories glow She’d have them light up again While she’s reminiscing, if she can remember Re-kindle what’s missing, some spark or an ember Of what happened so long ago For as long as the memories glow Old Mrs. Haggerty keeps track of time with a calendar pinned to the wall She ticks off the days with the greatest of care Tuesday it’s bingo, Thursday it’s hair And on Friday someone might call Mrs. Haggerty doesn’t miss much at all. For as long as the memories glow She’d have them light up again While she’s reminiscing, if she can remember Re-kindle what’s missing, some spark or an ember Of what happened so long ago For as long as the memories glow
Father And Son New album for 2010 Echoes of conversations I had, and others I could so easily have had, with my own dad	Won’t you tell me what you did in the war Dad And what was it that you got your medal for Dad Did you fly in dogfights up above the clouds Did you lead your men to battle marching proud. Did you send a U-boat to a watery grave Dad Did you take a gunpost with your last grenade Dad What’s the matter is there something in your eye You looked just like you were about to cry...    It’s just a bloody shame    It’s always been the same    Generals and politicians talk about the gains    They forget to mention all the pain    They forget to mention all the pain Don’t go they’ll have you knee deep in the mud Son The noise of all the shells will freeze your blood Son I was there remember I know what’s in store We never even knew what we were fighting for. When the captain put the whistle to his lip Son That’s when I felt my heartbeat skip Son He gave a blast we scrambled over the top And we ran like hell and prayed that it would stop    It’s just a bloody shame... But this time it won’t be like your war Dad We know what we’re fighting for Dad It’s all machines now no muddy trench for me It’ll all be over soon just wait and see There’s no more strike a match and light a fuse Dad It’s technology that I’ll be trained to use Dad They say these skills will stand me in good stead If I can learn it all and keep my head    It’s just a bloody shame... Won’t you tell me what you did in the war Son And what was it that you got your medal for Son I can’t read the words they’ve written where you lie I think I may have something in my eye...    It’s just a bloody shame...
Puppet Master Blood Red Roses Album Cascade economics? The bollocks some people will think up to justify being greedy bastards	When the puppet master pulls your string And tells you all to dance until you drop And the wealth that you create is like a spring The first flow always pours out at the top The first flow always pours out at the top For it takes a while to trickle down It just takes a while to trickle down Trickle down, trickle down, trickle down It takes a while to trickle down When he puts that word demand after supply When he talks about economies of scale When he promises a castle in the sky You know it’s just another fairy tale You know it’s just another fairy tale For it takes a while to trickle down It just takes a while to trickle down Trickle down, trickle down, trickle down It takes a while to trickle down When he talks of wealth to follow by and by And the sacrifices needed on the way Be wary of the toungue that tells the lie You could be looking at your final working day You could be looking at your final working day For it takes a while to trickle down It just takes a while to trickle down Trickle down, trickle down, trickle down It takes a while to trickle down He talks of cuts that may cause some slight pain If he only knew the fear that slices to the bone And the threat of never having work again The flood he stands in then would be his own The flood he stands in then would be his own For it takes a while to trickle down It just takes a while to trickle down Trickle down, trickle down, trickle down It takes a while to trickle down For it takes a while to trickle down It just takes a while to trickle down Trickle down, trickle down, trickle down It takes a while to trickle down
I Turn To You Blood Red Roses Album	When I’m standing in the shadows and the fat grey clouds go chasing ‘cross the moon With the morning breaks the dawn and then the twilight always comes around too soon And I’m aching for the longer days of spring to warm away the haze I’m in Then summer comes it’s quickly gone and leaves me with an autumn song of what has been That’s when I turn to you You always know what to do You guide me from the darkest night You take me out into the light So I can see again, see again When the wall I built around me stretches up so high it’s blocking out the sun And climbing’s an endeavour that is ended just as soon as it’s begun Despite how hard I try to grip I might as well give up and slip behind For there’s nothing to hold on to when the wall is only real inside my mind That’s when I turn to you You always know what to do You guide me from the darkest night You take me out into the light So I can see again, see again That’s when I turn to you You always know what to do You guide me from the darkest night You take me out into the light So I can see again, see again, see again, see again
Woodland Waltz Views From The South Album	Hornbeam and willow, maple and elm Sycamore, chestnut and yew Redwood and hazel, rowan and beech Oak and holly to name but a few. Can you imagine a world without trees? Do you think you'd survive it for long? Put yourself to the test, you can try it with ease Hold your breath for the rest of this song. The tropical rainforest burns day and night In Brazil they need land for the cow. The Amazon Basin, the lungs of the world Have a cancer that must be cured now Can you imagine - etc. The scale of destruction, to ease the production Of beef for the hamburger kings Those meat mafioso, who's motives are oh so Divorced from the haoc they bring Can you imagine - etc. So if you've no objection to making a buck And you don't think the future looks black When it comes to the end you could be out of luck When you have to inhale a Big Mac Can you imagine - etc. Hornbeam and willow, maple and elm Sycamore, chestnut and yew Redwood and hazel, rowan and beech Oak and holly to name but a few.