4 Characters
March 2011
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| 1 | OUT ON THE TILES |
| 2 | GATES OF HEAVEN |
| 3 | RUBY JADE |
| 4 | BAMBOO-ZLED |
| 5 | CHARACTERS |
| 6 | HITLER'S BLUNDER |
| 7 | WRIGGLY SNAKE |
| 8 | GRETA'S GARDEN |
| 9 | CIRCLES |
| 10 | BURIED TREASURE |
| 11 | YEAR OF THE DRAGON |
| 12 | EXPOSED |
| 13 | FOUR WINDS |
| 14 | DON'T LET THE DEVILS IN |
| 15 | PICKING THE MOON (from the bottom of the sea) |
| 16 | FLOWERS AND SEAONS |
These songs were written from 2005 to 2010, first planned as a short suite of 3 or 4 Mah Jongg-inspired songs for our previous CD Dreams & Tinsel. But the idea soon outgrew that, and we held the songs and started writing more for a whole CD.
We’ve played Mah Jongg since we were kids and loved its colourful words and phrases. It was a great starting point for musings not so much about the game as what it symbolises: the game of life. The songs are our usual eclectic mix of disparate influences – from pop to rock, folk, blues, funk, country, bluegrass, soul, jazz, 1930s swing, Buddhist chanting and surf music! We’re incurable dabblers and hey, why fight it?
Rod, Stafford and Paul recorded the first demos at Paul’s basement in Sydney. When he moved to Tassie in 2008 we pondered how to complete the album and came up with the idea of converging midway – at the Melbourne studio of Ken, our old friend and ex-bandmate from 30 years ago. He keenly (some would say foolishly) sprang in with multi-instrumental gusto, playing a huge role in the songs’ further development, recording and production. We were also graced by the golden voices of Jo and “HJ” Stephenson and Julianne Jessop.
We hope you enjoy listening to the result as much as we enjoyed making it. Thanks to Ken for being excellent, Jo, HJ & Julianne for singing like angels, Charlie for her pics and positive input, and all our friends and families. Bless the lot of ‘em for tolerating and even sporadically encouraging our obsessive desire to make this music… while keeping the Day Jobs.
All songs written and produced by R.Crundwell / P.Fenton / S.Sanders / K.Stephenson © 2010
1.Out on the Tiles
The game of Mah Jongg – and of Life - begins. First we hear the Twittering of the Sparrows,
the rattle of tiles shuffled on the table. What will turn up?
This sprang from Paul’s musings on fate after a life/death experience.
Like the tiles, and life, it shuffles along with an insistent rhythm.
You… you were a character - you played to the limit, we were two of a kind
But this game… can change in a moment - you’re taking the honours, then you’re crushed from behind.
I’m mixin’ in the circles, fixin’ on the smiles,
puttin’ you behind me - out on the tiles
Life… can deal you a dead hand - coins turn to bones,
see the blind curve too late
But I know… nothing’s impossible when luck bursts open the gate
So I stake another bet, stackin’ up the piles,
puttin’ you behind me – out on the tiles
But I know… nothing’s impossible when luck bursts open the gate
I’m lookin’ to the East, rackin’ up the odds,
fishin’ for a feast, trustin’ to the gods
I'm callin' out your name, to help me in my trials,
I face another game - out on the tiles…
But this game… can change in a moment - you’re taking the honours, then you’re crushed from behind.
I’m mixin’ in the circles, fixin’ on the smiles,
puttin’ you behind me - out on the tiles
Life… can deal you a dead hand - coins turn to bones,
see the blind curve too late
But I know… nothing’s impossible when luck bursts open the gate
So I stake another bet, stackin’ up the piles,
puttin’ you behind me – out on the tiles
But I know… nothing’s impossible when luck bursts open the gate
I’m lookin’ to the East, rackin’ up the odds,
fishin’ for a feast, trustin’ to the gods
I'm callin' out your name, to help me in my trials,
I face another game - out on the tiles…
2.The Gates of Heaven
One of the Special Hands, much sought. We all crave escape from the mad world,
whether to a church or temple or to some more fleshly comfort.
We might call this “Sex Gospel” then – Stafford providing the Call and our gorgeous gospel choir (Julianne, Jo and HJ) the Response.
Here we stand in the sunset, at the business end of the night
Licking wounds from our battles, limping slowly home in the fading light
So here I am in your doorway, too shell-shocked and weary to fight
Take me to the gates of heaven, lay me down by your shining sea
Lead me to the gates of heaven, take me in… and shelter me
Here we stand at the crossroads, while all around, the fires rage
Weasel words of fiddling tyrants trickle their final tears down history’s page
Surrounded by snake oil salesmen who use all the world as their stage
Take me to the gates of heaven, lay me down by your shining sea
Lead me to the gates of heaven, take me in… and set me…
Free – from the empires, the pressures and the load
Free from toil and trouble, and the madness of the road
Free to find the simple self, and let the world explode
- shelter me, shelter me…
You have always been my haven - I need some surrender tonight
Take me to the gates of heaven… Shelter me…
Lead me up, lead me up, lead me up, to the gates of heaven
Take me in, take me in, take me in, to the gates of heaven
Licking wounds from our battles, limping slowly home in the fading light
So here I am in your doorway, too shell-shocked and weary to fight
Take me to the gates of heaven, lay me down by your shining sea
Lead me to the gates of heaven, take me in… and shelter me
Here we stand at the crossroads, while all around, the fires rage
Weasel words of fiddling tyrants trickle their final tears down history’s page
Surrounded by snake oil salesmen who use all the world as their stage
Take me to the gates of heaven, lay me down by your shining sea
Lead me to the gates of heaven, take me in… and set me…
Free – from the empires, the pressures and the load
Free from toil and trouble, and the madness of the road
Free to find the simple self, and let the world explode
- shelter me, shelter me…
You have always been my haven - I need some surrender tonight
Take me to the gates of heaven… Shelter me…
Lead me up, lead me up, lead me up, to the gates of heaven
Take me in, take me in, take me in, to the gates of heaven
3.Ruby Jade
Another Special Hand, all red and green – suggesting a piece of rockabilly burlesque in which a girl with green eyes and red hair
is pursued in vain by Rod, as sandy-haired rustic, well beyond the realm of melodrama and deep into the chasm of country cliché, both musical and lyrical.
Ruby Jade had me on a string, she was everything to me
But I could not see that it was not to be… so young and fancy free
In innocence we played, and all the plans I made included Ruby Jade
Ruby Jade had me in her spell, I thought wedding bells would chime
Ev’ry mountain we would climb… but we ran out of time,
her light has gone and I’m Left counting in the shade,
the price that I have paid, for lovin’ Ruby Jade
Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring, I sit alone and sadly sing,
my love will never fade for Ruby Jade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,
Sunday I been hangin’ out my heart for Ruby Jade
Ruby Jade, though we’re far apart, you’re still in my heart today
I got to find a way to get you back to stay - I know it’s mad, but hey!
I never was afraid to call a spade a spade… still love ya, Ruby Jade
Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring… Ruby Jade…
Hangin’ out my heart for Ruby Jade
But I could not see that it was not to be… so young and fancy free
In innocence we played, and all the plans I made included Ruby Jade
Ruby Jade had me in her spell, I thought wedding bells would chime
Ev’ry mountain we would climb… but we ran out of time,
her light has gone and I’m Left counting in the shade,
the price that I have paid, for lovin’ Ruby Jade
Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring, I sit alone and sadly sing,
my love will never fade for Ruby Jade
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,
Sunday I been hangin’ out my heart for Ruby Jade
Ruby Jade, though we’re far apart, you’re still in my heart today
I got to find a way to get you back to stay - I know it’s mad, but hey!
I never was afraid to call a spade a spade… still love ya, Ruby Jade
Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring… Ruby Jade…
Hangin’ out my heart for Ruby Jade
4.Bamboo-zled
In Mah Jongg, the Bamboo suit is green and organic, and inspired this small instrumental fantasy of a frenzied dash through a maze of impenetrable sturdy stalks.
This is done in 7/4 tempo with marimbas, drums, guitars and their bodies, and Ken’s woody samples, all at full tilt.
5.Characters
Another of the Mah Jongg suits, characters also surround us in life. At times, possibly a little too much so.
Paul tries hard to preserve his personal space in this humorous, folky 3/4 singalong that grins gently at our not always strictly Zen reaction to eccentricity.
5.36 on the outbound express, the strap-hangers heading for home
When a man with big eyes and a gently crazed voice
strikes up a tune on his paper and comb
It breaks the monotony, lightens the mood,
the world seems so shiny and new
And I’d love to join in with a song and a grin…
but I’ve got my crossword to do
All the world loves a character - without them, how dull would life be?
So do what you do, never let them stop you…
but please don’t sit right next to me
Time for lunch at the fountain-side park - a peaceful and placid pursuit
Until this old dear in a large floral hat lights up our lives with her banter and cat
As she makes a big beeline for my quiet bench, I whip my bag up on the seat - Creative expression is all very well… but I need some calm when I eat
All the world loves a character…
There’s the man who trains pigeons to tango,
the woman who thinks she’s a ghost
And the old bloke who drags a big trolley around
- and inside it, just a spare wheel can be found
Eccentrics are all right in theory at least -
but not when they’re right in your face
‘Cause my space is all mine, I know it takes all kinds…
but kindly take off and sit some other place!
All the world loves a character…
When a man with big eyes and a gently crazed voice
strikes up a tune on his paper and comb
It breaks the monotony, lightens the mood,
the world seems so shiny and new
And I’d love to join in with a song and a grin…
but I’ve got my crossword to do
All the world loves a character - without them, how dull would life be?
So do what you do, never let them stop you…
but please don’t sit right next to me
Time for lunch at the fountain-side park - a peaceful and placid pursuit
Until this old dear in a large floral hat lights up our lives with her banter and cat
As she makes a big beeline for my quiet bench, I whip my bag up on the seat - Creative expression is all very well… but I need some calm when I eat
All the world loves a character…
There’s the man who trains pigeons to tango,
the woman who thinks she’s a ghost
And the old bloke who drags a big trolley around
- and inside it, just a spare wheel can be found
Eccentrics are all right in theory at least -
but not when they’re right in your face
‘Cause my space is all mine, I know it takes all kinds…
but kindly take off and sit some other place!
All the world loves a character…
6.Hitler’s Blunder
Gleeful satire inspired by a British prince’s gaffe of going out dressed as a Nazi.
Reminded us that royalty has tended to sympathise with totalitarians – can’t think why.
A Special Hand given 1930s treatment with kazoos, woodwind samples and Rod’s shonky-tonk piano and megaphonic vocal.
I’m going out tonight, my jackboots laced up tight
Brown shirt with SS trim - I wanna be just like him
He wanted strong firm rule, gave us pure blood and thunder
He just went round the bend, a bit towards the end
- that was Hitler’s blunder
This modern democracy is such a poisoned chalice
Give me autocracy - with HQ right here at the Palace
Those days will rise again - no Mr Nice Guy then
You can be sure that I’m not holding back this time
- that was Hitler’s blunder
Brown shirt with SS trim - I wanna be just like him
He wanted strong firm rule, gave us pure blood and thunder
He just went round the bend, a bit towards the end
- that was Hitler’s blunder
This modern democracy is such a poisoned chalice
Give me autocracy - with HQ right here at the Palace
Those days will rise again - no Mr Nice Guy then
You can be sure that I’m not holding back this time
- that was Hitler’s blunder
7.The Wriggly Snake
Another Special Hand, the Wriggly Snake promises much but can be slippery.
In this slither of venomous funk-rock, Stafford takes a snaky lash at the cult of car and road running roughshod,
flanked by Ken’s screaming lapsteel and Paul’s driving drums.
Foot down, to the floor… he comes snakin’ round your front door
He’s got the power, he’s got the speed… big mates and a big fat need
So mind where you stand, watch every word you say
Or you’ll feel his bite, you’ll get the pain… whenever you stand in his way
You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
He will surround you, snakin’ all around you, chokin’ off your will to fight
You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
He’s got connections, in all directions, eatin’ everything in sight
When there’s a hole in the sky, and you start to bake
Time to recognise, you have made a big mistake (too late!)
- you can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
Smell the smoke, hear the noise… he’s got the action with the big boys’ toys He’s cost-defective, loser pays… he’s tolled us off on his motorways
And just when you think you’re safe, here he comes again
His eyes on the prize, fangs in the flesh He’s got you at the stroke of a pen
You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
He’ll override you, sneakin’ up beside you, strikin’ when you glance away
You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
He’ll hynotise you, coil up and surprise you, it’s your death dance today
When he’s squeezed you dry, taken all he can take
Time to recognise, you have made a big mistake (too late!)
- you can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
When there’s a hole in the sky…
He’s got the power, he’s got the speed… big mates and a big fat need
So mind where you stand, watch every word you say
Or you’ll feel his bite, you’ll get the pain… whenever you stand in his way
You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
He will surround you, snakin’ all around you, chokin’ off your will to fight
You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
He’s got connections, in all directions, eatin’ everything in sight
When there’s a hole in the sky, and you start to bake
Time to recognise, you have made a big mistake (too late!)
- you can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
Smell the smoke, hear the noise… he’s got the action with the big boys’ toys He’s cost-defective, loser pays… he’s tolled us off on his motorways
And just when you think you’re safe, here he comes again
His eyes on the prize, fangs in the flesh He’s got you at the stroke of a pen
You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
He’ll override you, sneakin’ up beside you, strikin’ when you glance away
You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
He’ll hynotise you, coil up and surprise you, it’s your death dance today
When he’s squeezed you dry, taken all he can take
Time to recognise, you have made a big mistake (too late!)
- you can’t escape the Wriggly Snake
When there’s a hole in the sky…
8.Greta’s Garden
A special hand suggesting a sexy Earth Mother figure who leads us by the (slow-) hand into a laid-back blues-rock orgy of “herbal entendre”.
It’s led lazily along by Paul’s good-lookin’ but down-to-earth voice and Ken’s languid lap steel guitar.
If your heart is troubled, bad health got you on your knees
Said if you’re feeling troubled, bad health got you on your knees
Go down to Greta’s Garden - get some natural remedies
She’s got cures for every ill, she can get your mojo startin’
Said she’s got cures for every ill, gonna get your mojo startin’
No need for the needle, point for the pill - get down to Greta’s Garden
She’s got sage advice, you’ll be in clover…
don’t you be ginger, look her rose hips over
If you chamomile, she’ll give you some thyme…
make yourself comfrey, and she’ll blow your mind
Marjoram – mar – mar, mar – marjoram… gonna earn her celery
Get down to Greta’s Garden - get that natural remedy
Said if you’re feeling troubled, bad health got you on your knees
Go down to Greta’s Garden - get some natural remedies
She’s got cures for every ill, she can get your mojo startin’
Said she’s got cures for every ill, gonna get your mojo startin’
No need for the needle, point for the pill - get down to Greta’s Garden
She’s got sage advice, you’ll be in clover…
don’t you be ginger, look her rose hips over
If you chamomile, she’ll give you some thyme…
make yourself comfrey, and she’ll blow your mind
Marjoram – mar – mar, mar – marjoram… gonna earn her celery
Get down to Greta’s Garden - get that natural remedy
9.Circles
As well as being the third suit, the Circle is a powerful symbol.
Stafford sings all the vocals on this Latin ‘a cappella’ experiment suggested by his 1991 interview with a hospitalised
Brazilian Yanomami who spoke (via a circle of translators) of cycles of life, death, nature and time.
Circles of straw surround me, in this house of dust where I lie
wasting away, so far from healing waters,
ever flowing, growing with life
Always coursing, swirling round in …
Circles of light, on pools left humming with the swarms of your
invasion of gold… skin pale, eyes bright, entranced with treasures coldly glowing with greed… no sense, no thought, no need,
racing round in circles
Don’t understand your apology, can’t comprehend your thanks
No farewells to another time, somewhere beyond the banks of swirling…
Circles of eyes surround me, voices so polite but still
invading my space, my dreams, stirring,
seeking prizes in confusion of worlds, mis-translations,
talking round in circles…
wasting away, so far from healing waters,
ever flowing, growing with life
Always coursing, swirling round in …
Circles of light, on pools left humming with the swarms of your
invasion of gold… skin pale, eyes bright, entranced with treasures coldly glowing with greed… no sense, no thought, no need,
racing round in circles
Don’t understand your apology, can’t comprehend your thanks
No farewells to another time, somewhere beyond the banks of swirling…
Circles of eyes surround me, voices so polite but still
invading my space, my dreams, stirring,
seeking prizes in confusion of worlds, mis-translations,
talking round in circles…
10.Buried Treasure
A secret blessing that you might find yourself already dealt without realising.
Ken joins us in song and on several stringed instruments as all 4 Characters go chasing dreams at furthest horizons – and find the most important ones closest to home.
I have this program, wide applications,
great expectations that I can take it far
If I could just win that big contract,
I could be a late-blooming star
I have this novel, deep inside me
- I tried surgery, but it could not be removed*
If they would only sense my genius,
think of how all their lives could be improved
All I need is buried treasure, all I crave is on the ocean floor
All I seek is a great adventure, on some far-flung shore
- what am I waiting for?
I’ve got problems, can’t crack the system,
big competition from bigger fish than me
Need more investment, need more commitment
- into the headwinds, and away out to sea
All I need is buried treasure, all I crave is on the ocean floor
All I seek is a ship to take me, to that far-flung shore
- what are they waiting for?
All we crave is some understanding,
some forgiveness for our crimes
All we know is, we’re no angels
- only creatures of our times
See, I have this lover, I have these children,
I have this family mean all the world to me
If I should lose them, I’d be drowning… all alone on the wide blue sea
So we dream of buried treasure, leave our fantasies on the ocean floor
What we do is, keep our hands on the things we treasure more
- that’s what we’re staying for!
* acknowledgment to Leunig for the line about the novel
great expectations that I can take it far
If I could just win that big contract,
I could be a late-blooming star
I have this novel, deep inside me
- I tried surgery, but it could not be removed*
If they would only sense my genius,
think of how all their lives could be improved
All I need is buried treasure, all I crave is on the ocean floor
All I seek is a great adventure, on some far-flung shore
- what am I waiting for?
I’ve got problems, can’t crack the system,
big competition from bigger fish than me
Need more investment, need more commitment
- into the headwinds, and away out to sea
All I need is buried treasure, all I crave is on the ocean floor
All I seek is a ship to take me, to that far-flung shore
- what are they waiting for?
All we crave is some understanding,
some forgiveness for our crimes
All we know is, we’re no angels
- only creatures of our times
See, I have this lover, I have these children,
I have this family mean all the world to me
If I should lose them, I’d be drowning… all alone on the wide blue sea
So we dream of buried treasure, leave our fantasies on the ocean floor
What we do is, keep our hands on the things we treasure more
- that’s what we’re staying for!
* acknowledgment to Leunig for the line about the novel
11.Year of the Dragon
The Dragon plays a key role in MJ, and is also one of the 12 Chinese calendar years.
Stafford and his life partner were both born in Years of the Dragon, and began their relationship in another.
This Oz folk-country ballad in 6/8 celebrates these three years and ends with a fourth, 2000.
Seaside in the Lucky Country, 1952:
a couple’s fourth production gives the Baby Boom its due
He breathes in the sunshine, feels the ocean spray,
swims toward the bright light of this luminous day
It’s the Year of the Dragon, and there’s laughter on the sand
He opens his eyes to the bluest of skies and the kindest of hands
He will be powerful and lucky, in keeping with the sign
This is his time, this is his time:
the Year of the Dragon
A dozen years later, other side of the world:
a young English family greets its second baby girl
Mersey beats overshadowed by exuberant noise
She will outsmart the Sisters and run faster than the boys
It’s the Year of the Dragon, and change is in the air
Pendulum swings, and bright silver wings will carry her who knows where
She will be powerful and lucky, with a fierce will to survive
She has arrived, she has arrived
- in the Year of the Dragon
Fast forward to a city office, Bicentennial Year :
of all the places she could have gone, she turns up here
He is warm and determined, she is fiery and bold
Shakes him out of his downtime, and it’s on for young and old
In the Year of the Dragon, celebrations in the air
Taking each day, picking their way on a journey they can share
They are powerful and lucky, as dragons always are
They will go far, they will go far
- in the Year of the Dragon
The turn of the century, Y2K: once more the dunes echo
with the laughter of children at play
It’s been a time of great changes, battles lost and won,
magical adventures, lives lost and begun
It’s the Year of the Dragon, and there’s fire in the sky
In this puzzling nation, a new generation is learning to swim and fly
Will we be powerful and lucky? Stare into the glass and see
Where will we be, where will we be
- next Year of the Dragon?
a couple’s fourth production gives the Baby Boom its due
He breathes in the sunshine, feels the ocean spray,
swims toward the bright light of this luminous day
It’s the Year of the Dragon, and there’s laughter on the sand
He opens his eyes to the bluest of skies and the kindest of hands
He will be powerful and lucky, in keeping with the sign
This is his time, this is his time:
the Year of the Dragon
A dozen years later, other side of the world:
a young English family greets its second baby girl
Mersey beats overshadowed by exuberant noise
She will outsmart the Sisters and run faster than the boys
It’s the Year of the Dragon, and change is in the air
Pendulum swings, and bright silver wings will carry her who knows where
She will be powerful and lucky, with a fierce will to survive
She has arrived, she has arrived
- in the Year of the Dragon
Fast forward to a city office, Bicentennial Year :
of all the places she could have gone, she turns up here
He is warm and determined, she is fiery and bold
Shakes him out of his downtime, and it’s on for young and old
In the Year of the Dragon, celebrations in the air
Taking each day, picking their way on a journey they can share
They are powerful and lucky, as dragons always are
They will go far, they will go far
- in the Year of the Dragon
The turn of the century, Y2K: once more the dunes echo
with the laughter of children at play
It’s been a time of great changes, battles lost and won,
magical adventures, lives lost and begun
It’s the Year of the Dragon, and there’s fire in the sky
In this puzzling nation, a new generation is learning to swim and fly
Will we be powerful and lucky? Stare into the glass and see
Where will we be, where will we be
- next Year of the Dragon?
12.Exposed
The Exposed hand means showing tiles face up. This can be risky – but in life and relationships, such risks can yield new freedom.
Ken’s shining production highlights Rod’s haunting piano as he sings of one who takes this delicate gamble, his soul laid bare to the most intimate scrutiny.
Light… came shining sharp into my secret hide
Seeking out the darkened corners trapped inside
these trappings of a man
Bright… eyes burning through the layers and the lies
You’ve stripped away the shreds of my disguise and
seen me as I am
I am exposed, I am laid bare
Standing naked as a newborn, showing stark emotions,
never thought I’d feel - all is revealed
No dark delusion masking me, you’ve shown me what it means
to feel this way
Light… so light that I could click my heels and rise
Swimming slowly to the surface of your eyes, so free and so alive
I am exposed…
No dark delusion masking me, you’ve shown me what it means to be…
Exposed - to your close examination -
every fault, every folly on display
No escape from my salvation -
crying torrents, all defences blown away
I am exposed… You’ve shown me how surrender truly feels,
I am revealed I will answer all you ask of me
… I’ve waited all my life to be exposed
Seeking out the darkened corners trapped inside
these trappings of a man
Bright… eyes burning through the layers and the lies
You’ve stripped away the shreds of my disguise and
seen me as I am
I am exposed, I am laid bare
Standing naked as a newborn, showing stark emotions,
never thought I’d feel - all is revealed
No dark delusion masking me, you’ve shown me what it means
to feel this way
Light… so light that I could click my heels and rise
Swimming slowly to the surface of your eyes, so free and so alive
I am exposed…
No dark delusion masking me, you’ve shown me what it means to be…
Exposed - to your close examination -
every fault, every folly on display
No escape from my salvation -
crying torrents, all defences blown away
I am exposed… You’ve shown me how surrender truly feels,
I am revealed I will answer all you ask of me
… I’ve waited all my life to be exposed
13. The Four Winds
They set the direction of the game, blowing us where they will - like a surfer seeking the perfect wave.
This is how this instrumental was conceived by Rod, who plays most of the instruments - as a theme to a non-existent surf movie in which primal forces of wind and wave prevail.
14.Don’t Let the Devils In
Building the MJ wall of tiles, you must not admit devils by leaving gaps – a metaphor for China’s old fear of invasion
by “foreign devils”, and echoed more recently by xenophobes within our own shores.
Nothing some Paul-led killer rock won’t fix, or at least take a sledgehammer swing at.
We’re gonna build a wall, we’re gonna build it high,
put it out in the sun and stack it up to the sky
We’re gonna make it tough, we’re gonna make it hard
We’ve got more than enough in our own backyard
We gotta stop them dead, we gotta stop them cold
We gotta break ‘em and shake ‘em and take ‘em out…
We’ll build the home of the gods
in the land of the purest skin - don’t let the devils in (don’t let ‘em in)
We got the razor wire, we got electric fence
we got billions and billions and billions
tied up in coastal defence
We got the finger on the pulse, got the eye on the polls
We’ve sold everything off except border controls
We’re gonna beat them off, we’re gonna shut them out
We’re gonna rock ‘em and sock ‘em and lock ‘em up…
We’re gonna play the race card in a game we’ll play to win
- don’t let the devils in (hear those devils!)
We got the hand on the heart, got the talk jocks’ ear
We don’t care where they been, we don’t want them here
Another nail in the cask, another brick in the wall,
we’re gonna nail ‘em and jail ‘em and sail ‘em off…
We’ll build the home of the gods… We’re gonna play the race card…
put it out in the sun and stack it up to the sky
We’re gonna make it tough, we’re gonna make it hard
We’ve got more than enough in our own backyard
We gotta stop them dead, we gotta stop them cold
We gotta break ‘em and shake ‘em and take ‘em out…
We’ll build the home of the gods
in the land of the purest skin - don’t let the devils in (don’t let ‘em in)
We got the razor wire, we got electric fence
we got billions and billions and billions
tied up in coastal defence
We got the finger on the pulse, got the eye on the polls
We’ve sold everything off except border controls
We’re gonna beat them off, we’re gonna shut them out
We’re gonna rock ‘em and sock ‘em and lock ‘em up…
We’re gonna play the race card in a game we’ll play to win
- don’t let the devils in (hear those devils!)
We got the hand on the heart, got the talk jocks’ ear
We don’t care where they been, we don’t want them here
Another nail in the cask, another brick in the wall,
we’re gonna nail ‘em and jail ‘em and sail ‘em off…
We’ll build the home of the gods… We’re gonna play the race card…
15.Picking the moon (from the bottom of the sea)
Stafford in sage and optimistic mode, his acoustic guitar building from a traditional Buddhist chant.
Drawing the One of Circles to win the hand becomes an image for being blessed with fortune – worth striving to imagine, even from the deepest troughs of despair.
I could have been nowhere, I have never been strong
Things could have been different, gone so wrong
But now, beautiful fortune smiles all around me
I am picking the moon from the bottom of the sea, lucky me
You, you have your troubles, life laying you low
I know what you’re feeling, believe me, I know
But see, there in the distance - look, where you could be
One day, picking the moon from the bottom of the sea
- wait and see…
You could be catching the bird in the bamboo tree…
plucking the fruit from the balcony…
Picking the moon from the bottom of the sea, like me - lucky me!
Things could have been different, gone so wrong
But now, beautiful fortune smiles all around me
I am picking the moon from the bottom of the sea, lucky me
You, you have your troubles, life laying you low
I know what you’re feeling, believe me, I know
But see, there in the distance - look, where you could be
One day, picking the moon from the bottom of the sea
- wait and see…
You could be catching the bird in the bamboo tree…
plucking the fruit from the balcony…
Picking the moon from the bottom of the sea, like me - lucky me!
16.Flowers and Seasons
Small, colourful blessings, symbolising showbiz success. Timing is all, and the last note lingers.
Old dance couple chooses upbeat exit – wise move whether in dance, career, relationship or life.
We end our offering in jazzy celebration, Rod joined by the soaring voice of Jo Kelly Stephenson. Thanks for the game !
We’ve been a long time on the dance floor, but now the writing’s on the wall
It seems our show will soon be over - that’s all
We can’t dispute the final notice, no more encores for us now
Let’s end the number with a high kick, and take a bow
We’ve had our share of flowers and seasons,
we could linger on for thousands of reasons
But you and I always did what we did with style
- so let’s go out with a smile
The crowds are heading for the exits, the band is packing up to go
Let’s take a last spin round the dance floor… real slow
We’ve hit the heights, we’ve held the spotlight,
but never stayed onstage too long
Let’s have no anticlimax ending to our song
We’ve had our share of flowers and seasons,
we have survived all their trials and their treasons
But you and I always did what we did with style
- so let’s go out with a smile
We’ve had our share of flowers and seasons,
we could linger on for thousands of reasons
But now it’s time to trip down that golden aisle
- so let’s go out with a smile
It seems our show will soon be over - that’s all
We can’t dispute the final notice, no more encores for us now
Let’s end the number with a high kick, and take a bow
We’ve had our share of flowers and seasons,
we could linger on for thousands of reasons
But you and I always did what we did with style
- so let’s go out with a smile
The crowds are heading for the exits, the band is packing up to go
Let’s take a last spin round the dance floor… real slow
We’ve hit the heights, we’ve held the spotlight,
but never stayed onstage too long
Let’s have no anticlimax ending to our song
We’ve had our share of flowers and seasons,
we have survived all their trials and their treasons
But you and I always did what we did with style
- so let’s go out with a smile
We’ve had our share of flowers and seasons,
we could linger on for thousands of reasons
But now it’s time to trip down that golden aisle
- so let’s go out with a smile