THE BUSKING YEARS ALBUM WITH YOU TUBE LINKS

 

 The Busking Years Album

 

Off the Street          The Rat Race         We Better Keep Rocking       

         The Local Pub Nightclub                    Take a Walk      


         The Bad Old Boys                     Stop                        Is it Real       


              The Blood of Jesus                        Never Gonna Do it

             

                          The Tipi Song                    Troppo Love              


The Freedom Song            Actions Speak Louder Than Words       

                                    The Trail of Broken Hearts

                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDnaR5ZzhVY&t=3s

Off The Street and On the Road

When I was a kid I was a problem child.

Well I didn't fit in cause I was, born wild.

They threw me out of school when I was sixteen

because I whistled at the high school beauty queen.

So I tried my hand, at any job I could find.

But you can't hold a job when you're singing all the time.

A stable existence, was not for me.

Well I might be poor, but at least I'm free.

 Chorus

 And I'm, off the streets and on the road

but where I'm heading I, just don't know.

I'm here today, and gone tomorrow, I'm on the move so don't

try to follow me.

I've been singing on the streets for ten long years

for a packet of tobacco and a bottle of beer.

I've seen the best and worst, of human kind

and they call me a legend in my own mind.

Yea! but I don't listen, to praise or blame

from those who ride, on the gravy train.

Retirement plans, are not for me

Well I might be poor, but at least I'm free!

And I'm, off the streets and on the road

but where I'm heading I, just don't know.

I'm here today, and gone tomorrow, I'm on the move so don't

try to follow me.

When I was a kid I was a problem child.

I didn't fit in cause I was born wild.

They threw me out of school when I was sixteen

because I gave it to the high school beauty queen.

I've been singing on the streets for ten long years

for a packet of tobacco and a bottle of beer.

I've seen the best and worst of human kind

and they call me a legend in my own mind.

Yea! but I don't listen to praise or blame

from those who ride on the gravy train.

Retirement plans are not for me

Well I might be poor, but at least I'm free!

And I'm, off the streets and on the road

but where I'm heading I, just don't know.

I'm here today, and gone tomorrow, I'm on the move so don't

try to follow me.

 Musical contribution courtesy of Gwyne Ashton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe8koiQ5eGY

The Rat Race

Speeding in the fast lane, all systems go.

Bands of light in the corner of my eye, but the traffic is so slow tonight.

Screaming like a banshee, I think I need a rest.

My nerves are shot with a hair trigger.

I've got something, to get off my, chest tonight.

 Chorus

 I know, I can handle the pressure, I know I can take the pace.

I've heard all about, the tall poppy syndrome but I know I will win the rat race.

 I will win the rat race, I will win the rat race, I will win the rat race

it's only a matter of time.

 Fighting off exhaustion, hanging out for sleep.

Always at home with the rising sun, I fall down in a heap don't wake me.

Dreams turn into nightmares, plans go astray.

Another day, another dollar, but still I know that they won't break me.

 I know, I can handle the pressure, I know I can take the pace.

I've heard all about the tall poppy syndrome, but I know I will win the rat race.

 I will win the rat race, I will win the rat race,

I will win the rat race, it's only a matter of time.

I will win the rat race, I will win the rat race, I will win the rat race

when I leave you behind.

 Speeding in the fast lane, all systems go.

Bands of light in the corner of my eye but the traffic is so slow tonight.

Screaming like a banshee, I think I need a rest.

My nerves are shot, with a hair trigger

I've got something, to get off my, chest tonight.

I know, I can handle the pressure, I know I can take the pace.

I've heard all about the tall poppy syndrome, but I know I will win the rat race.

I will win the rat race, I will win the rat race,

I will win the rat race, it's only a matter of time.

I will win the rat race, I will win the rat race, I will win the rat race ...

when I leave you behind … when I leave you behind …

when I leave … you … behind.

Musical contributions courtesy of Chris Kaye, Ian Purdy and Peter Head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVZYAFpFTrM

We Better Keep Rocking

Well it's one long night, from Monday to Sunday

it's a Rock N’ Roll night club, celluloid dream.

Load in, sound check, hyper tension

load out and then crash, with a gig in between.

Forty two dates, booked for eighteen new cities

on the final leg, of a twelve week tour.

Three grand over budget, with a broken down truck

for Rock and Roll madness, there's no quick cure.

Chorus

So we better keep rocking, and we better keep, rolling.

Rocking and rolling, till the naked, light of day.

There' a girl on the stage with an all access pass

but she's just another groupie, some promoter let through.

They're knocking down the fence, one side of the stadium

there's a riot breaking out, in aisle sixty two.

The crowd starts to boo! after no second encore

the front man's collapsed, on his way to the van.

So they powder his nose and they boost up his Ego!

he hit centre stage like, no-body else can.

So we better keep rocking, and we better keep, rolling.

Rocking and rolling, till the naked, light of day.

At the back stage party, straight after the concert

it's a would be if they could be, star studded affair.

Rock N' Roll hopefuls and cheap champagne,

if there weren't any free bee's, they would not be there.

Tinsel top dance girls, hunting for husbands

vie for attention, from any or all.

the roadies are happy and the dealers cleaned up.

When the boss gets the bill, he's gonna climb the wall.

So we better keep rocking, and we better keep rolling …

Rocking and rolling till the naked light of day.

Musical contribution courtesy of Chris Kaye.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQBE0_KmdHo

The Local Pub Nightclub

The taxi driver told me, as we reached our destination

he could smell another war, in the air.

I said look at all the headlines, you don't have to be a genius

to feel the tension, rising everywhere.

Then as I approached the entrance, to the ‘All Night Street Café’

there was a fight in progress, just inside the door.

I had to duck, to miss a bottle, and step over all the bodies

from the top of the stairs, right down to the floor.

I said good evening to the doorman, on another busy night

he said, occupational hazards, of the game.

I made a bee-line for the bar and a place to get my bearings

and I wondered why the  .... I even came?

Chorus

At the local pub, nightclub it's cops and robbers ... cat and mouse.

They've got, sex and drugs and, 'Rock and Roll'

and they, pack em in until they, fill the house.

I saw my old friend Foxy, he was talking to the Moose

and Bear was there, Spider and all the lads.

They know the words to every chorus

and they sing until they're hoarse

and every nights, the best they … ever had.

At the local pub, nightclub, it's cops and robbers ... cat and mouse.

They've got, sex and drugs and, 'Rock and Roll'

and they pack em in ... until they fill the house.

There is a vast selection of ladies, painted faces straight from Hades

that would make the Adams family, look quite, straight.

In the age of the militant single, it’s a scream to watch them mingle.

They drink and they dance, then they all go home and mate.

The band was really pumping, so I thought I’d boogie on over

Just to check out, all the action, on the floor.

I copped a high heel shoe, right in the foot, an elbow in the face

and various other wounds that, left me sore … ow!

At the local pub, nightclub it's cops and robbers ... cat and mouse

they've got, sex and drugs and, 'Rock and Roll'

and they, pack em in ... until they fill the house.

Musical contribution courtesy of Peter Head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ioyxLkxB08

Take a Walk

I took a walk in the city tonite, the neon lights just passed me by, one by one , two by two

I thought about you and I, walking hand in hand, eye to eye, one by one , two by two

Chorus

Take a walk, Take a walk, Take a  walk, Take a walk, Take a walk, Take a walk,

In the city tonite, oh! In the city tonite,

Walking down that lonely street, where all the lonely people meet, one by one , two by two

I thought about you and me, and the way it used to be, one by one, two by two

Take a walk, Take a walk, Take a  walk, Take a walk, Take a walk, Take a walk,

In the city tonite, take a walk with your baby, yeah! Yeah!

The night is calling, I got to move my feet.

I feel so restless, surrender to that beat.

Take a walk, Take a walk, Take a walk,

Take a walk, Take a walk, Take a walk,

Take a walk, Take a walk, Take a walk,

Take a walk, Take a walk, Take a walk, yeah!

    Take walk, Take walk, Take walk,

Take walk, Take walk, Take walk,

In the city tonite, take a walk with your baby yeah! Yeah!

The night is calling, I got to move my feet.

I feel so restless, surrender to that beat.

Take walk, Take walk, Take walk, Take walk, Take walk, Take walk,

In the city tonite, , take a walk with your baby, yeah! Yeah!

Take walk, Take walk, Take walk,

Take walk, Take walk, Take walk,

Musical and lyrical contributions courtesy of Steve Wall and Lee Johnson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kspt7nRTFzg

The Bad Old Boys From The Good Old Days

Now I can be a good man, oh! and I can, be a bad man.

I can be anyman, anyman that you want me to be.

There are two sides to every story, the pain and the glory.

Success and failure go, hand in hand, walking along, beside me.

Chorus

They're the bad old boys, from the good old days.

Lock up your daughters, it's time to play.

They make you throw down your tools, and pick up your guitars.

They howl at the moon and they sing to the stars.

Cowboy hats and blue jeans, snakeskin boots and limousines.

Hair brained schemes in the middle age teens.

They're a flock of wild geese just chasing their dreams.

Out along the open highway, in all of your towns a bi-ways.

They come and go with the rodeo show

they love you and leave you and, then they go.

They're the Bad old Boys, from the good old days ...

Sitting in a country bar, they sing for their supper with old guitars.

T chest bass is rumbling, bring on the drinks the boys are grumbling.

That's the life for me, sing it in three part harmony.

Those good old favourite songs, just keep on coming out all night long.

They're the Bad old Boys, from the good old days ...

Now I can be a good man, oh! and I can be a bad man.

I can be anyman, anyman that you want me to be.

There are two sides to every story, the pain and the glory.

Success and failure go, hand in hand, walking along beside me.

They're the bad old boys, from the good old days …

They howl at the moon and sing to the stars.

They love good women and old guitars.

They howl at the moon and sing to the stars.

They love good women and fine guitars.

Musical contribution courtesy of Ian Mortimor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOx8amDcRI4

STOP

One day you're gonna stop. You're gonna look in the mirror.

 Oh! and that child you were won't be there anymore.

 But in that mirror you will see, the person you've grown up to be

and you won't be who you used to be before ...

Chorus

You know the summer changes into the autumn

Oh! And the winter changes into spring,

When the night is gone and the sun comes up

It throws a new light on everything.

With my pen in my hand, I stare at the paper.

With every page I write another tree is gone.

The school of life is a never ending lesson

About the way that we should learn to carry on.

The summer changes into the autumn

Oh! And the winter changes into spring,

When the night is gone and the sun comes up

It throws a new light on everything.

The seconds turn into the minutes, oh!

and the hours turn into days,

the weeks, the months and all the years.

Life is a game so come on everybody let’s play.

You know the summer changes into the autumn

Oh! And the winter changes into spring,

When the night is gone and the sun comes up

It throws a new light on everything.

One day you're gonna stop. Your'e gonna look in the mirror.

 Oh! and that child you were won't be there anymore.

 But in that mirror you will see, the person youv'e grown up to be

and you won't be who you used to be before ...

Musical contribution courtesy of Kevin Borich.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQyvRG_JjSk

Is it Real?

Flying like an angel, with the devil at my heels.

I'm on my way to Heaven, just to find out how it feels.

I need to know the answer, to a most important question.

Tell me is it real or, is it just a dream?

Chorus

Well! ... is it real or is it just a dream, is it just a dream or is it real?

Oh! and is life a big illusion, I  imagine in my own mind?

Where nothing really is the way it seems.

Walking through the moonlight, with my head so full of stars.

I saw my own reflection and I asked him where we are?

He said I need to know the answer, to a most important question.

Tell me is it real or, is it just a dream?

Is it real or ... is it just a dream ...

Flying like an angel, with the devil at my heels.

I'm on my way to Heaven just to find out how it feels.

I need to know the answer to a most important question.

Tell me is it real or ... is it just a dream?

Well! … is it real or is it just a dream, is it just a dream or is it real?

Oh! and is life a big illusion I imagine in my own mind?

Where nothing really is ... the way it seems.

Musical contribution courtesy of Ian Mortimor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxEuUCe0aQ8

The Blood of Jesus

I took a walk, on a Sunday morning

down to the old church, at the edge of town.

Outside that church I saw three old men drinking

Sitting on a park bench,  pass the bottle of wine around.

One man sees God, and another sees the devil

in his own reflection, in a glass of wine.

Praise be to the man, who sees the danger

of the slithering snake that, twists upon the vine.

Inside that church, the congregation

took the holy communion, in their usual way.

But the wine they drank, was the blood of Jesus.

Then everybody got down on their knees, and began to pray.

Chorus 

One man sees God, and another sees the devil ...

When the wine ran out, at the bottom of the bottle

An old hat hit the pavement, as the sun went down.

And then those good old boys sang, ‘Fare thee well Titanic’

and the evening choir sang harmonies, all around.

One man sees God, and another sees the devil ...

Now hear me well, and tell your children

of the risk they're taking, in the name of fun.

You know that drunk, sitting over there, dinking on a park bench

can emerge from deep inside of, everyone.

One man sees God, and another sees the devil,

in his own reflection, in a glass of wine.

Praise be to the man, who sees the danger,

of the slithering snake that, twists upon the vine.

Watch out! For, the slithering snake, that twists upon ... the vine.

Musical contributions courtesy of Dennis Aubrey and David Hilder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZzZW60W1_Q

 Never Gonna Do It

 Oh! You’ve been running around, playing easy to get

for everybody but not for me.

I had you once but you flew away.

Is that what they mean by free?

Was it something I said? did I come on too strong?

or was it something that I, didn't do?

If I was wrong, I apologise girl, I'd like to make it all up … to you.

 Chorus

And I'm never gonna do it,  never gonna do it.

I'm never gonna do it again ... oh! no no no, I'm ...

never gonna do it,  never gonna do it,  never gonna do it ... again.

You know I, never learn from my own mistakes

and that's where I went wrong.

Older now, but none the wiser.

Singing the same … old song.

And I'm never gonna do it, never gonna do it ...

I’m never gonna do it ... again.

Love can be so complicated, there's got to be a simple way.

Oh!  we’ve got to forget all about the past

Tomorrow is another day. Hey! … Hey! and I'm …

never gonna do it, never gonna do it, never gonna do it ... again.

I never learn, from my own mistakes

and that's where I went wrong.

Older now, but none the wiser.

Singing the same old songs.

And I'm never gonna do it, never gonna do it

I'm never gonna do it again oh! no no no, I'm ...

never gonna do it ...  never gonna do it ...  never gonna do it ... again.

Musical contribution courtesy of Tewi Richards

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mqx6NZ86uw

The Tipi Song

Chorus

It was the moon coming out, over the tipis tonight

that made me do the things I did.

It was the moon coming out, over the tipis tonight

that made us say those silly things we said.

It was the moon shining down on the ... tipis

that made me, want to hold you tight.

It was the moon shining down over the ... tipis

that made us feel like, dancing all night.

Well it was quite coincidental that, we should meet like this.

I found you on the dancefloor, and it started with a kiss.

We did the light fandango, when the band began to play.

We looked into each others eyes and there was nothing left to say.

It was the moon shining down, over the tipis tonight ...

I feel like dancing ... I feel like dancing ...

I feel like dancing ... all night long.

You turned their heads in that low cut dress, and the party just went wild

now you're back in our tipi, wearing nothing but a smile.

Making love as the sun comes up, lets forget the world today.

There's nothing to do but,  koo ... koo … kachoo, and nothing left to say.

It was the moon shining down, over the tipis tonight

that made me do the things I did.

It was the moon shining down, over the tipis tonight

that made us say those, silly things we said.

It was the moon shining down, on the ... tipis

that made me want to hold you tight.

It was the moon shining down, over the ... tipis

that made us feel like dancing all night.

I feel like dancing, I feel like dancing, I feel like dancing ... all night long ...

Musical contribution and lead vocals courtesy of Ian Mortimor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dOJ-ebdAQs

Troppo Love

Did you ever feel the mountains calling your name in early spring?

Or lie on a hill in the wonderland and watch the waves roll in.

I'm talking about the way I feel when I'm over whealmed by you.

I think you know,  you know how I feel,

there's  magic in all you do.

Chorus

I feel like a king when I'm with you

and you are the queen of my heart,

we are the new way of Adam and Eve

and nothing could keep us apart,

                                                     Yeah! …...

Once in a tropical jungle, a vision of beauty entranced a young boy

a girl of the forest was reclining in a pool,

indulging in natural joy.

An orange hybiscus was in her hair,  no cloth was upon her form,

and as our eyes met, the world came to life

and a vision of majesty was born.

I feel like a king when I'm with you

and you are the queen of my heart,

we are the new way of Adam and Eve

and nothing could keep us apart,

Yeah! …...

You were that maiden alone in the pool

and I the young boy who entered your realm.

Still to this day our love is a romance, a bond of perfection that overwhealms.

Love at first sight is instant affection, total acceptance means no second thoughts,

falling in love is the meaning of life, and this is the jewel that can never be bought.

I feel like a king when I'm with you

and you are the queen of my heart,

we are the new way of Adam and Eve

and nothing could keep us apart,

                                           Yeah! …...

I feel like a king when I'm with you

and you are the queen of my heart,

we are the new way of Adam and Eve

and nothing could keep us apart,

                                      Yeah! …...

Musical contribution courtesy of Kevin Borich.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVtKp5Vp6Pg

The Freeedom Song  

It seems like only yesterday, you and I were free’er, than the wind

We were living for each moment, with a passion, that grew stronger

With each note, in all the songs, that we used to sing.

Those days turned into years and our dreams have almost faded out of view

The past remains behind us, but those songs can still remind us

Of all the crazy, crazy things that we used to do.

I don’t know about tomorrow but I do know that I’m grateful, for today

There’s no time like the present but it won’t take long before it, slips away

The freedom trail is calling me and I’ve got to go before my time is through

The past remains behind us, but those songs can still remind us

Of all the crazy, crazy things that we used to do.

Chorus

So come on and sing me, a song about freedom

A happy song about the good old days.

Now won’t you just sing me, a song about freedom

Because those good old days are not too, far away.

The children of tomorrow are searching for something, they can’t find

They are restless for adventure and some have revolution, on their minds

They are just like us in younger days when we were out there chasing rainbows too

The past remains behind us, but those songs can still remind us

Of all the crazy, crazy things that we used to do.

So come on and sing me, a song about freedom

A happy song about the good old days.

Now won’t you just sing me, a song about freedom

Because those good old days are not too, far away.

Now come on and sing me, a song about freedom

A happy song about the good old days.

Now won’t you just sing me, a song about freedom

Because those good old days are not too, far away.

Musical contribution courtesy of Dennis Aubrey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUDJYWFreVQ

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

If I am indeed the monster, that you, make me out to be.

Why do you lie naked still and, give yourself to me ... in my bed?

The gypsy and the princess, was a tale that, didn't come true.

So alone I'll venture, into the world, with memories of you ... in my head.

And it's so hard, for me to say, I am sorry ... Actions speak louder than words.

If you give me one good reason, why you think that I, should stay,

we might prolong the agony for, just another day ... in my heart.

Well … every dog must have it's day, and it's useless to pretend.

Before we went our separate ways, we knew it had to end ... from the start.

Chorus 

And it's so hard, for me to say, I am sorry.

Actions speak louder than words ...

If I am indeed the monster, that you, make me out to be.

Why do you lie naked still and, give yourself to me ... in my bed?

                                 Well … every dog must have it's day and it's useless to pretend.

Before we went our separate ways, we knew it had to end ... from the start.

And it's so hard, for me to say, I am sorry ...

Actions speak louder than words ...

And it's so hard, for me to say, I am sorry ...

Actions speak louder than words ... Actions speak louder than words ...

Actions speak louder than words ...

Musical contribution and lead vocals courtesy of Ian Mortimor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63SFQzrReQI

The Trail of Broken Hearts

It seems to me that out of, all of the women

who have come into my life.

There was not one among them that I, loved enough,

I could ask her, to be my, wife.

Oh!, no ... oh no, ... oh no, ... oh no ...

It's true we had some, good times together.

For a while my life was, such fun.

But the I always got that, feeling deep inside of me

that she was not the, one.

Oh! ... no ... oh no ... oh no ... oh no ...

Chorus

And there's a trail of broken hearts behind me, everywhere I go.

Incomplete relationships, with the women I never,  got to know.

Don't you ever stop searching, until you find the one for you.

Well at the end of the trail of, broken hearts

your wildest, dreams will all, come true.

Now if the stars above are shining, in my favour

I will find the one, for me.

But now I'm shaking off all my old preconceptions of

how she is, meant to be.

Oh! ... yeah ... oh yeah ... Oh! ... yeah ... oh yeah ...

And there's a trail of broken hearts behind me, everywhere I go.

Incomplete relationships, with the women I never,  got to know.

Don't you ever stop searching, until you find the one for you.

Well at the end of the trail of, broken hearts

your wildest, dreams will all, come true.

Musical contribution and backing vocals courtesy of Ian Mortimor.

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