Songs

Fading away, I want you to stay In black & white we’re together day and night Colours fade away

 

We’re disappearing here in this frame Like a rainbow after the rain Don’t know how long we’ll remain.

 

In this picture there’s you and there’s me young lovers-walk in the sea One day they’ll no longer be.

 

I don’t know what to do with these photographs of you.

 

In these photos all jaded and curled You’re looking back through the eyes of a girl Don’t leave me you still mean the world.

 

Martin: 6 string, 12 string, vocals BJ Cole: Pedal steel Guitar Peter Robinson: Upright bass Tony Underwood: Electric guitar Gary Pullen: Washboard Hugh Whitaker: Percussion Mick Harding: Cajon Sarah Shiels: Backing vocals

 

It’s a fact that the chemicals in old colour photographs slowly causes them to fade away- even those hidden in albums out of sunlight. It seems black and white ones are safe. Sad in some ways, though this is about two people who appear to be surviving the problem. It features the great pedal-steel guitar playing BJ Cole- who has played on lots of chart hits-including perhaps most famously Elton John’s ‘Tiny Dancer’.

Shadows and candlelight, hush-a-bye dreams that excite The man in the moon, may just whistle our tune -if you stay with me tonight.

 

Here on the platform, we’ve just stepped off the train. and we’re running through the rain.

 

It’s like an old movie, we’re Bogart and Lauren Bacall The gangster and his moll.

 

On the clock in the station, the hands show this is our time Your hand in mine.

 

Martin: 6 string, vocals Peter Robinson: Bass Hugh Whitaker: Drums Keith ‘Ched’ Cheeseman: Lap guitar, baritone guitar Katie Spencer & Hollie Peirson: Backing vocals

 

A romantic encounter song written in black and white. Could be young lovers starting out together or an illicit saucy weekend-you decide.

This is not the time to sing the blues He scribbles down the songs we know he’ll choose. A quick call home then he silences his phone Here we go- time to start the show. The Singing Man The Singing Man He’s all on his own so clap your hands for the Singing Man.

 

His red guitar is waiting to be played Rock n’ roll or sixties hit parade. It’s green for go, the house lights dim low No turning back –just hit the rhythm track.

 

Classic rock from way back when. The songs have all become his friends. To get reverberation heaven -the echo sound is on eleven.

 

His final chord rings out from his guitar. He packs up all the gear into the car. It’s not for fame-no-one knows his name - So he slips away, to return another day.

 

Martin: 6 string, 12 string, vocals Peter Robinson: Bass, percussion. Tony Underwood: Electric guitar Hugh Whitaker: Drums Henry Priestman: Hammond Organ & backing vocals Emily Blackledge: Violin Molly Robinson: Piano Les Glover: Backing vocals Sarah Shiels: Backing vocals Les Glover: Backing vocals

 

Written after being at a folky event in a village hall- great act, great sound. The bar however was in a next-door social club- where on the same night a guy with Brian May hair was giving it welly with loud backing tracks, tons of vocal reverb and a Les Paul – with not many listening-or even there. He seemed quite happy and maybe in his head he was at Wembley.

You make me feel like there’s no tomorrow You make me feel like there’s no today. There’s a bird on the wire with the sound of summer If it gets any higher –I’m gonna scare it away. One for no money, two for no show Three to get ready - but let’s not go!

 

Out in the street there are children playing Sun’s going in and there’s a rumour going round There are tales to tell and a thousand stories Most lie forgotten only some are found.

 

We had 48 hours -this time was all ours to share There must be a reason, a really good reason you’re here.

 

To start up the day we’ll be rise and shining Not much to say in the morning haze But I’ve had a blast cos I’ve had you with me And I want it to last more than just two days.

 

Martin: 6 string, mandolin, vocals Peter Robinson:  Fretless bass Dez Allenby: Concertina, harmonica Gary Hammond: Percussion

 

Some songs don’t require explanations- this is one. It’s just two people that connect for a couple of days and don’t want it to end.

Here we are, you and me, and it’s very plain to see Sparks don’t fly between us anymore. It’s all been said, no more battles, -two lives lie broken Sparks don’t fly between us anymore.

 

Oh you had your chance you know Now you’ve gone and let it go Love slipped through our fingers just like sand And now it seems a real disgrace When I look around this place How can you dismiss it with a waving of your hand?

 

Martin: 6 string, vocals Peter Robinson: Bass, strings Emily Blackledge: Violin Hazel Richings & Linda Kelly: Backing vocals

 

At the end of a folk club evening many years back, I was given a piece of paper with some words on written by the girl behind the bar who was going through a break-up at the time. The challenge was to ‘do something with them’ – and I said I would IF she got up and sang it. I went home and actually crossed most lines out, but thought what was left was emotionally very powerful-and put a simple melody to it. Honouring the challenge, Kath did get up and sing it- revealing a wonderful voice, which she began to use regularly afterwards. Although we did a live rendition for a charity cassette release, this is the first time I’ve recorded it myself.

You’re giving me the ‘old sweet nuthins’ The c’mon wink, the hand firm against the hip It’s not love but it’s something It’s around me and closing in quick.

 

And they say ‘no way will it work out’- but I’d like it if it did They say ‘no way will it work out’- but I’d like it if it really went and did.

 

Tall palm trees in the cafe bow low, oh You’re pulling like a train An old steam loco, keen as the rain I’m going to get soaked.

 

What’s the use in carrying on, listening to the grumbling I can take the names- but I can’t take the blame. The woman at the missionary bookstall takes a nip of gin which is in a bottle kept behind a picture of Jesus, she doesn’t like me - but I don’t mind.

 

Martin: 6 string, vocals Peter Robinson: Bass, trombone, piano, percussion Paul Liddell: Trumpet Molly Robinson: Saxophone Nick Rooke: Banjo, mandolin, backing vocals Hazel Richings & Linda Kelly: Backing vocals

 

Just an assumed mismatch of two people. It’s great when you say about a relationship ‘I’ll give it a month’- and a pair are still together donkey’s years later.

It isn’t just the things you say It isn’t just the things you do Every time I go away, the more I miss you Like stars around the moon coming out soon there are two thousand reasons, to be with you

 

I think about tomorrow, watch the evening sky I’m playing on an old piano, ‘As Time Goes By’

 

Home is where the heart is, it’s where I want to be the fire in the evening and just you and me

 

When I wake up beside you, and Kindle lights the wall it shimmers in the morning like a waterfall

 

Martin: 6 string, vocals Peter Robinson: Bass, keyboards Simon Reeves: Piano

 

Very often being apart brings people closer- simple as that. Peter’s bass playing thoughout the album is so tasteful- but I especially love his playing on this one.

Swallows are leaving –don’t ask why Under a cloudy sky You won’t believe me –but I’m happy to lie Under a cloudy sky. Early this morning there was red in the air Sailors beware, I don’t care Lose all our troubles, let them pass by Under a cloudy sky.

 

This is now heaven, we don’t have to try Under a cloudy sky. Here’s an umbrella to keep us all dry Under a cloudy sky.

 

Swallows have flown –don’t me ask why Under a cloudy sky You won’t believe me it’s truth or lie Under a cloudy sky.

 

Martin: 6 string, vocals Peter Robinson: Fretless bass, strings

 

Two things cause a major amount of stress in many people- in their attempts to make them perfect- Christmas and family holidays. I’m not one of those-but thought that if you are, and find yourself on holiday with bad weather-then that’s great: it might have gone ‘wrong- but it’s not your fault – the pressure is off!

I still believe we’re here for a reason if not then what’s the point? There is a song for every season - everything you want.

 

The wind has blown along the way Are we who we want to be? On reflection all you get is what you see What you want to see.

 

I’ve found the bridge- water passes under It doesn’t all run deep I see calm before the thunder when I go to sleep.

 

Martin: 6 string, 12 string, vocals Peter Robinson: Bass, percussion, keyboards, guitar Paul Blackburn: violin

 

If things don’t turn out the way you wanted- there’s nothing to stop you imagining it different-we all do so to some extent. Very old people have every excuse to big things up a bit –why not. Reflection is a great word. As in ‘mirror-like’ it’s what you see now, but it also describes looking back on things.

All I can see are walls around me nowhere to get away Head’s in a spin at news just come in.

 

We can ride white horses waves break on the shore We can ride in the great outside when we can’t take anymore

 

If you can’t see wood for the trees That’s when you should get away You don’t have to hide what you’re feeling inside.

 

Martin: 6 string, 12 string, vocals Peter Robinson: Bass, percussion, guitar, keyboards Keith ‘Ched’ Cheeseman: Lead Electric guitar Tony Underwood: Electric guitar Mick Harding: Cajon Gary Pullen: Washboard Olivier Demers: Foot percussion Sue Murray, Sue Dyson, Jo Binnington: Backing Vocals

 

It doesn’t literally have to be riding horses along the beach- but we all have a zone we can mentally escape to when we need it-and this is just a reminder of that.