1. |
Manet and Monet
06:04
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Chorus: Harvey Andrews
Verses: Minutes of The Yardley Arts Club, 1949
The Yardley Arts Club is formed in the hope that it will become a long standing fellowship of men and women who, through mutual encouragement and individual effort, will stimulate all who have a desire to develop their appreciation and creation of the visual arts.
It is our aim to extend an open invitation to all who respond to the beauty of life to join us in creating a pictorial record.
We hope some of these representations may be of such promise that they will be handed down for all time in respect to their creators who lavished such loving care and time on them
And they were Manet and Monet
Van Gogh and Gaugin
Rockwell and Rodin
Cezanne and Sisley
Pointer and Poussaint
Wilkie and Whistler too
They were artists their whole lives through
Sunday 10th of July dawned bright and clear as members gathered to board the coach for the annual outing.
Arriving at Ludlow, the club members settled down to lunch and then to sketching the castle and town. Artists were to be seen in various attitudes, some drawing buildings, others sketching the artists. Mr Rowley was to be seen propped in doorways, sitting on kerbstones, or draping himself langourously on people's doorsteps.
At 7 o'clock in the evening it was decided by certain members that the return journey should be via Tenbury and the 100 House where, naturally, it was intended a stop should be made.
Once there the more degenerate members revelled in the spectacle of the secretary, well known for her temperate habits, endeavoring to down the contents of a pint tankard, others were accepting their pints with such alacrity that eventually it proved necessary to extricate their owners from beyond the swing doors on the pretext of a group photograph.
As we continued towards Droitwich Mr Vic Andrews gave us a solo. Apparently, he alone knew the words, and the bus microphone was employed to good effect by Mr Sam Bailey, who gave a fine rendition of "Suzanna's a funicle man".
We have often heard this being sung, but now we have seen it we realise why it always makes people laugh.
Our driver, somewhat mellowed by our stop, then took over the microphone and despite notices which stated that it was not to be used when the bus was in motion, gave us an excellent imitation of Bing Crosby, meanwhile driving with one hand.
A further attempt was made to stop and have another, but Mr Rowley steadfastly refused.
Mr Newman was last seen staggering along station road with a nightwatchman's lamp held on high, but those at the back of the bus reported that he did return it before setting off homeward with an unusually jaunty step.
As we walked home we thought what a good day it had been, and hoped we should have another such in the very near future!
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2. |
It's a Wonderful Day
04:12
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It's a wonderful day for dumping our rubbish
At the side of the road
Such a wonderful day for dumping our rubbish
We can take a big load
There's a plastic bag full of something smelly
A mattress, a mower, a pram and a telly
It's a wonderful day for dumping our rubbish
At the side of the road
It's a wonderful day for spreading our nitrates
On all available fields
Such a wonderful day for spreading our nitrates
And increasing our yields
And if it crawls or it creeps be it slugs or snails
We can chemically kill it and it never fails
It's a wonderful day for spreading our nitrates
On all available fields
It's a wonderful day, such a wonderful day
For dumping bedding, digging, spreading
And blowing things away
It's a wonderful day for taking our shotguns
And killing beautiful birds
Such a wonderful day for taking our shotguns
And culling deer in their herds
There's foxes for hunting, badgers for baiting
Pardon me, I mustn't keep the Prince of Wales waiting
It’s a wonderful day for taking our shotguns
And killing beautiful birds
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3. |
Never Noticed
04:43
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I was never noticed, though I was always there
Working with the others, doing my fair share
But I was never noticed, the others got the praise
So I just kept on working and hours turned to days
Though I was never noticed, my work was always good
But somehow, all the others, did better than I could
As I was never noticed, I never made my mark
The others held the spotlight, I laboured in the dark
If I could start again, you'd see me very clear
Big and brash and bright, the winner every year
If I could start again, I’d make it to the top
You'd all want to be me, if only I could stop
Being never noticed, another also ran
Too gentle and too caring
To be a real man's man
So being never noticed I just live everyday
As best as I am able, and in my own sweet way
Being never noticed, though I was always there
Working with the others, doing my fair share
But being never noticed, the others got the praise
So I'll just keep on working, blending with the greys
Never ever noticed, counting off the days
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4. |
Press Ganged
03:23
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There's a crowd outside peering through his window
And he strains to hear the words the people say
There's a crowd outside peering through his window
And he wishes that the crowd would go away
He was happy, he was working one fine morning
Then a friend waving a paper ran his way
Now there's a crowd outside peering through his window
And he wishes that the crowd would go away
He was just a Joe, a John, a Phil, a Michael
Just an ordinary man with feet of clay
Now every move he makes the camera follows
And all he's ever done is on display
He'd never hurt a soul, he'd never argued
He'd never dreamed his life could go astray
Now there's a crowd outside peering through his window
And he wishes that the crowd would go away
Friends he trusted once have turned their faces
Now he sits alone there every day
Ex-lovers have been paid for their confessions
For photographs and lies and hearsay
He reads and reads and reads again the letters
From strangers saying God comes if you pray
But there's a crowd outside peering through his window
And he wishes that the crowd would go away
The phone rings in the hall he does not answer
They're beating on his door, he stands at bay
There's a crowd outside, a stone comes through the window
Now he knows the crowd will never go away
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5. |
Life!
03:05
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Well, somebody had to come second
I think it's the best that I've done
As I entered the straight, the tape beckoned
But he just chested past me and won
Still, I'm only 18, I'll get faster
I started this sport just for fun
But there's lots more to learn, lots to master
You don't just go out there and run
Well, somebody had to come third love
I gave it my lot, all the way
I flew round that bend like a bird, love
But then, it just wasn't my day
Still, I'm 23, getting stronger
And I'm certain I'm giving my all
It's just that the distance seems longer
And the pleasures beginning to pall
Well, somebody had to come fourth, dear
I tried just as hard as I could
But the wind at this track's from the north dear
And that never does me any good
Still, at 30, you’ve got to be sure, love
These youngsters are lacking the skill
And I've grown to be fast and mature love
I'll win, I believe that I will
Well, somebody had to fill fifth place
My legs were like lead at the end
I know, it's a terrible disgrace,
But that's it, I'm finished my friend
At 35 nobody fears you
Nobody cheers at your name
No need for that blanket, no tears now
You remember that early acclaim
Well, somebody had to come last now
Or else how could we have a race?
I let all the others go past, how
They elbowed and pushed and lost face
Me? I enjoyed the fine weather
And kept myself clear of their maul
At 40, just finishing’s clever
And the pleasures in running, that's all
Well, I've never been first 'cross the line love
I've not made a penny o’ brass
But I reckon it all worked out fine love
I just never reached the top class
Now I see 'em all jiggered with joggin'
Their faces distorted with pain
Such grief, it makes me need a noggin
Let's be first down the tavern again
Such grief it makes me need a noggin
Let's be first down the King's Head again
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6. |
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I could've worked a whole lot harder
Could've listened to my father
Could've forged ahead, rather than just drifted through
Could've been a top man somewhere
Could've done that, lived that dream there
Could've been so keen there'd be so much to do
I made mistakes that led me nowhere
Mistakes that made me go where
I found a locked door labelled déjà vu
And though I see so clearly, every locked door cost me dearly
As I look back I see that's how I grew
And the one mistake I didn't make was you
I wouldn't network with the winners
Wouldn't get beyond beginners
Always thought the sinners better than the saints could be
I wouldn't join the corporation
Wouldn't rise up to their station
Always felt that levitation was too much for me
I couldn't solve the big conundrum
So I settled for the humdrum
Decided that I didn't have a clue
And though I see so clearly, they all thought it cost me dearly
As I look back I see that's how I grew
And the one mistake I didn't make was you
I didn't make, that big mistake
Though I made a lot of small ones
Made a lot of trip and fall ones
Now we're free, that's history
So let's take our time don't hurry
There's no need for all that worry
'Cause I'll never be a grafter
It's not money that I'm after
I just need to hear your laughter in the afternoon
I'm not chasing any dream now
Haven't got the perfect scheme now
Let it all be as it seems, just one long honeymoon
They can drive their big Mercedes
On their journey down to Hades
They can have the whole damn world till payment’s due
Because now I see so clearly
It'll cost them all so dearly
For there's only so much time as we pass through
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7. |
On My Way
04:18
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When I leave every morning I go out to my car
It's big and it's bright and it says who you are
And the neighbours all watch me and say I'll go far
Yes, I'm on my way
I cruise like a shark, I'm the great carnivore
It's kill or be killed and that's all that life's for
So I hire and I fire, but I guard my own door
'Cause I'm on my way
The weak go to lunch and the losers go home
When it comes to the crunch I work on alone
When I leave, as I drive, I use my mobile phone
'Cause I'm on my way
See that man over there, well he'll just have to go
He's been here too long and his work's getting slow
Besides, men over fifty, who wants to know?
So he's on his way
And that picture you see, it's me and the kid
When I sued for divorce, you know what I did?
I said you have him dear, I'm not making a bid
'Cause I'm on my way
The kid's doing well, I pay for his keep
I thank God every night as I lie counting sheep
That his Dad's got the time to sing him to sleep
'Cause Mom's on her way
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8. |
I'm Here
05:12
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If you ever feel you’d rather talk it over with your father
I’m here
If you ever need that fiver, a chauffeur for a driver
I’m here
If you ever feel like thinking aloud when choice is shrinking
And you’d like to talk whilst drinking a beer
I’ll buy the pints and I’ll listen
I’m here
If you need a cook-a-luncher, a rustle-up-a-bruncher
I’m here
If you need someone to hold on when you’ve been knocked down and rolled on
I’m here
If you’ve ever been so lied to by someone your love was tied to
I can tell you that I’ve cried too, King Lear
But I promise I won’t joke, I won’t jeer
I’m here
Yes I’m here because that’s all I can be
I’ve raised you and I’ve praised you, now you’re free
And my days go by so fast, I’ve less future and more past
And there’ll come that day at last I’ll disappear
There’ll come that day at last I won’t be here
So if you ever need a shoulder when your warm world’s getting colder
I’m here
If you ever need an old man to talk sport with your new man
I’m here
If you ever feel like some days your life is rainy Sundays
And you only think of Mondays with fear
Three sixty five days a year
I’m here
And if you ever feel that maybe you’d like to leave the baby
I’m here
If you need the family story, the mad, the bad, the gory
I’m here
If you need the why and wherefore, the this, the that, the therefore
If you need someone to care for and be near
If there’s no one else around
I’m here
Take the time, use me
'Cause I'm here
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9. |
Leaving Home
03:55
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Now you're all past twenty-one
We think it's time that you were gone
Time you started on your own
If you were birds, you would have flown
We've had a talk, your Mom and me
We're sorry if you don't agree
You can shout and you can moan
But Mom and me, we're leaving home
You've had the best days of our lives
So never doubt our love survives
But when we think of all we've spent
We think we should have charged you rent
We've pushed the trolleys then we've queued
To fill the fridge and buy the food
The fridge was empty the next day
So fridge and us, we're on our way
'Cause there's so much we've never seen
So many places we've not been
So many dreams we'd like to dream
We'll trade conformity for cream
And if you think we won't get far
Well, sorry kids, we'll take the car
You've got ten days, no time to grouse
You see we've gone and sold the house
You've taken all that we could bring
You've never wanted for a thing
In fact you've had it so damn good
You wouldn't leave it when you could
That's why we're taking all TVs
To share our leisured life of ease
And in a month, well, more or less
You'll get our P.O. Box address
'Cause we're leaving home!
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10. |
The Waiting Room
03:31
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I don't like it here,
It's cold and it's lonely and the light has gone
I can remember when it always shone
Shone on my very, very special one
But now she's gone, and...
I don't like it here
Day after day the empty hours to fill
Day after day the hours grow on their bill
Me, I sit silent as an act of will
Remembering still
Remembering still
When I wasn't here
I had the morning and the clear blue sky
I raced the river as the sun climbed high
Made love in shadow where we used to lie
My love and I
My love, and...
I don't like it here
They talk like we're children in a nursery
For we are old and such a mystery
Locked in the prison of a history
They'll never see
And I don't like it here
Waiting for God to come and find my door
And when he does, my God, he'll get what for
I've been the bull he's been the Matador
The Picador, Toreador
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11. |
The Centurion
07:11
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I was born in 1900,
Victoria was queen
The first of seven children
Only three made sweet sixteen
It was hard but it was happy
It was roses around the door
'Till we all saluted father
As he went of to the war
I was tea boy in the factory
The day the news arrived
Making mother one more widow
But together we survived
Now the century's near over
I've watched it wax and wane
And as I recall it
All in all
It's a life I'd live again
At 18 I was courting,
Mary filled my heart with pride
20 saw us married
Stepping out there side by side
The work was never easy
But we did it day by day
Saving halfpennies and farthings
Till we'd ten pounds put away
Then the slump took jobs and savings
And I had a lot of time
So I learned the old mouth organ
Buddy, can you spare a dime?
With two sons fast a'growing, 1925
Mary wanted so a daughter
But her health it didn't thrive
She died that distant summer
But our daughter made it through
Until the influenza took her
At the age of two
In the 30's I was busy
Like all other folk deprived
Picking coal from off the slagheaps
My two sons and me survived
'36 and I met Lucy
We were married in the spring
The boys were new apprenticed
And we didn't fear a thing
It was hard but it was happy
It was roses around the door
Till we both saluted my sons
As they went off to the war
I lost one in the navy
A convoy in the med
Once again for king and country
Our name numbered with the dead
The other lad was lucky
And in 1945
Me and Lucy lit a candle
Giving thanks he was alive
I turned 50 then and wondered
What the future held in store
I'd work on to the pension
If we all avoided war
Soon my son walked down the aisle
With a sweet girl as his bride
She made me think of Mary
As she stood there by his side
I retired in the 60's
To a bungalow downtown
Did the gardening with Lucy
Till the years just wore her down
I lost her then with sorrow
But remember her with joy
And I'll take her flowers tomorrow
When I go there with the boy
For he is a fine great grandson
Wears his cap the wrong way round
And what I bought with a farthing
Seems to cost the kid a pound
And he asks me have I really
Really lived the century
And I wink and whisper ‘nearly’
And that's good enough for me
I was born in 1900
Victoria was queen
The first of seven children
Only three made sweet sixteen
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12. |
The Journey
04:21
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It's the journey, isn't it?
That's why we're here
It's the where we go in the time we've got
It's the course we steer
It's the journey, isn't it?
The joy we make
The dream we chase, the hope we hold
The chance we take
On the journey
It's the journey, isn't it?
The words we say
The things we do to clear a path
To make our way
It's the journey, isn't it?
The way we try
The way we win, the way we lose
The reason why, is the journey
And it's so hard to make it alone
It's desert sand, it's stormy seas, it's broken stone
So when you came to me to walk along
You made the stone a garden
Made the sea a song
For the journey
It's the journey, isn't it?
Short and unplanned
From dark to light, from light to dark
So here's my hand
It's for the journey, isn't it?
All else above
For good or ill, for now, until
There's only love
Love's the journey
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