1. |
The Sisters
03:35
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A beautiful death
Such a beautiful corpse
No friends like old friends
That a body can trust
Fr. Flynn is gone
You’ll be sorry to hear
From madness to death
For eternity
[Chorus]
Nannie and Eliza lived in a time
Where hushed words could weave rumours to rhyme
Where lives were destroyed by victimless crimes
Poor Father Flynn struck down in his prime
From the great halls of Rome
To the catacombs
Where the latin he spoke
Earned him the stole
Then a paralysed mind
Stared into space
Like mutton in lamb
A secret disgrace
[Chorus]
Was the chalice he broke
Really the source
Of simoniac days
Spent in remorse
Mortal or venial
He was no trouble to us
Now it’s all over
We’ll miss him the most
[Chorus]
A beautiful death
Such a beautiful corpse
No friends like old friends
That a body can trust
Enough
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2. |
An Encounter
03:31
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[Chorus]
Two young boys a mitching from their school
Two young boys a breaking all the rules
Two young boys adventurous wee fools
But what lies in store if only they knew
[Chorus]
Every evening after school the boys went down the road
To Joe Dillon’s garden where mock battles ran their course
As time went by the two lads longed for something more
‘cause real adventures never happen to boys who stay at home
Oh where will we go said one boy to his mate?
Let’s take the Liffey ferry across the river bed
Pretend we’re in the Wild West and I have come prepared
As the other pulled a catapult from the pocket of his shirt
[Chorus]
They walked along the North Strand and down to the quays
There they gazed in awe at the big ships out to sea
Climbed aboard the riverboat feeling wild and free
With the wind in their hair and the world at their feet
By the time they got to Ringsend the boys began to tire
Lay down in a field without speaking for a while
Along came an old man shabbily attired
Sat down beside them with a yellow toothed smile
[Chorus]
“Do you read many books?” the old man asked the boys
The words that came from his mouth seemed innocent enough
But the boys became uncomfortable when asked about sweethearts
The man grew more excited shivering once or twice
Whipped into a frenzy the old josser took his leave
Barely made it over to the near end of the field
The boys could not believe what their eyes appeared to see
Daydreams full of hope turned to nightmares full of fear
[Chorus]
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3. |
Araby
03:12
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[Chorus]
Araby oh Araby
From faraway your mysteries
Am I too late to see your gifts?
For all the leaves have died
Growing up with simple needs
Yet tinged with curiosity
A schoolboy on a sombre street
Until the shadows woke his dreams
[Chorus]
Besotted eyes watched from afar
Would that he could speak with her
A flood of tears confused his heart
Her image filled his every thought
[Chorus]
Lost for words he followed her
A silent friend who wanted more
One day she spoke a spell she wove
Could Araby win him true love?
[Chorus]
With Eastern guards in solid gold
A temple silent darkness holds
Delayed by life and stories told
He gazed alone through empty cold
[Chorus]
A scorned young man returned at night
Burned by anger and desire
Slipped away through feeble light
For now his noble quest denied
[Chorus]
Araby oh Araby
Exotic tales from across the seas
Will you be there if I return
Tomorrow at the dawn
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4. |
Eveline
04:10
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I remember the day I first saw your face
At the house on the road I was stood by the gate
Then I’d meet you outside The Stores everyday
And see you home
Your father’s upset you met a sailor man
So we met in stealth and we made a plan
And then you were scared that he might raise a hand
‘Cause he’s angry as hell when three sheets to the wind
[Chorus]
Time to escape I’ll give you new life
In Buenos Aires I’ll make you my wife
Where the sun it shines where we can be free
Sweet Eveline come away with me
For so many years I sailed on the seas
Happy to roam wherever I pleased
And then I met you fell head over heals
And now the time’s come to settle my dear
Leave the two letters behind in your house
For your family and friends so they know you’re all right
We’ll take the night boat to America’s south
Through the Straits of Magellan where the future is bright
[Chorus]
Here we are now
In the sway of the crowd
It’s time to board
As the boat blows its horn
But chaos abounds
Chaos abounds
Come take my hand
Evvy it’s time
Quick take my hand
For the boat blows its horn
Chaos abounds
Chaos abounds
I know you’re afraid
But it’s our last chance
[Chorus]
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5. |
After The Race
02:41
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[Chorus]
Jimmy Doyle led a life of ease
Aspired to high society
With his father’s money t’invest as he pleased
Jimmy knew what a big deal this could be
After the race they’d celebrate
With fine wines and victory plates
Jimmy Doyle and his French comrade
Would toast the business they would soon make
Early that day the friends displayed
Panache and skill as they sped their way
Through Dublin town on the crest of a wave
The virtual victors in third place
[Chorus]
Jimmy Doyle a merchant prince son
Squandered money his father had earned
Spent time at Cambridge where he learned
How to rub shoulders with nouveau riche friends
It was there he met his friend Segouin
Who put to Jimmy a proposition
For in business Segouin knew how to win
And if Jimmy had funds he would count him in
[Chorus]
At a fine hotel near Stephen’s Green
The victorious party re-covened
There they drank a toast or three
To Segouin’s hospitality
Who did they meet when ‘twas time to go
American Farley ho! ho! ho!
They took a train from Westland Row
To Farley’s yacht at Kingstown port
[Chorus]
Aboard the yacht their drinking renewed
Cards were dealt as excitement grew
Play ran high and Jimmy mistook
His cards and racked up I.O.U.s
Oh what he would do to turn back the clock
His father's investment in the pot
What a big deal oh yes it was!
But alas his hand meant all was lost
[Chorus]
Jimmy knew what a big deal this would be
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6. |
Two Gallants
03:46
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Through faint moonlight two young men stroll
A closer look show life’s taken its toll
Well-dressed to deceive their eloquence hides
Dishonesty hiding behind tired eyes
At the corner of Hume St. half turned on her heels
Swirling a sunshade a slavey reveals
Her joy as one of the young men appears
Naively thinking his motives are real
[Chorus]
Under cover of darkness there’s no forgiving
The lying and the leaching the stern task of living
As the couple retreat into the warm night
The other young man feels hunger’s sharp bite
Gnaw at his stomach like often before
An unwanted visitor known to the poor
Retracing his steps to the cheap side of town
He seeks out an inn where comfort is found
Oh what he’d give for a good job that paid
To not have to pull the devil’s dark tail
[Chorus]
To settle be happy is all that he wants
To leave the streets that he constantly haunts
Dreams of a wife some ready a home
For all of his hopes have not yet gone
Killing time he circles the Green
Until his good friend and the slavey appear
From the shadows he watches his friend work a charm
Relieving the girl of a solid gold coin
[Chorus]
His heart leaps with joy at the sight of the haul
The biggest of fish they’ve caught in a while
Without even a nod to his earlier thoughts
He’s back in the game as a man about town
[Chorus]
[Chorus]
The lying and the leaching the stern task of living
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7. |
The Boarding House
02:55
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Bless me father for I have sinned
Bowed to temptation in delirium
Her knock on the door her soft perfumed skin
A temptress in flannel to break my will
[Refrain]
What am I to do what am I to do what am I to do at all?
Forgive me dear mother for giving my heart
To a man that you trusted to board in this house
It was not my intent to let down my guard
But now I’m afraid he will brazen it out
[Refrain]
Oh my dear Polly I fear I’ve been had
My years of long service thrown good after bad
But I must account for my own recklessness
Besides I find hope in your kind thoughtfulness
[Refrain]
Now my shrewd mother observed from afar
Keeping her counsel and counting her cards
But I had divined the intention behind
Her tolerant mind
And so I waited
Oh Bob sweet Bob what am I to do?
For a moment of weakness my whole life is ruined
Oh Polly don’t cry never fear what will be
Your mother is calling I must take my leave
What are we to do what are we to do what are we to do at all?
What are we to do oh what are we to do what are we to do at all?
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8. |
A Little Cloud
03:28
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In T. Malone’s mind lived a poet and a prisoner
Strange bedfellows for one mind to house
Inseparable souls in more ways than one
But both with very different desires
“Let me out!” screamed the poet “I’m mistakenly here
For I have a gift that I need to share”
Of easy and graceful verse that I’ll write
I will shine on the world sweet yellow sunlight
The prisoner he longed for a simple life
In melancholic tone he cried and he cried
Anxiety agitation and much indecision
So much to bear for a delicate confusion
T.Malone’s poet was a fearless young man
A figure of brilliance who deserved most to win
The praise of his peers in the world of great poems
If his lonely companion would not drag him down
By contrast the captive could find no way in
To the state of contentment for which he long yearned
But whenever he tried to live life in peace
His cell mate would call and beg him to leave
And on it went until they agreed
To meet at a place where they both could be freed
There they drank whiskey and smoked fine cigars
At a corner of hope in T.Malone’s mind
The poet waxed lyrical about the life he would lead
A dreamer a traveller the world at his feet
Wild and vagrant he would find a way out
Write stories and poems that would earn wide applause
Alas the prisoner was not convinced
He longed for a different sort of imprint
To live a plain life absent of charm
His wife on hand and his child in arms
And therein lies the rub you will see
For the prisoner would not let the poet go free
And yet the poet was a thorn in the side
Of a man who just wanted some peace and some quiet
Weighing their souls they soon both realised
In the end they must reach a fair compromise
The poet would go forth with his dreams on high days
While the prisoner remained set in his ways
Both would be sated and both would live on
Inside the strange mind of one T. Malone
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9. |
Counterparts
04:28
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[Chorus]
“Blast it blast it!” Farrington bayed
As the grey light of winter bid him good day
Oh the work to be done he’d left far too late
For to slake his thirst and to sate his rage
“Do you hear me now?” roared Mr. Alleyne
At Farrington’s face for slacking again
Four o’clock was the ultimatum
Or mark Alleyne’s words he’d be done for this time
Seething inside Farrington tried
To stay at his desk and meet his deadline
But the lure of plain porter in the snug of O’Neills
Compared with his work was too great an appeal
[Chorus]
Mr. Alleyne saw Farrington return
With unfinished work it was time for concern
A tirade of abuse but then Farrington’s retort
Stopped all in their tracks till an apology was forced
Farrington cast a picture of sorrow
Full of regret at what had just followed
He cursed the dry emptiness lining his pockets
For a night of good drinking he’d pawn his tomorrows!
[Chorus]
Holding court in Davy Byrne’s
Six shillings in hand his pride had returned
Now to all of the boys he recounted the story
Over half ones and whisky he basked in the glory
Then on to the Scotch House for Apollinaris
There they met Weathers a Tivoli artiste
Farrington stood rounds with gusto galore
Amid promises of meeting girls by the stage door
[Chorus]
When the Scotch House was closed they ventured to Mulligans
Hot specials all round they began to feel mellow
Farrington gazed at the women near Weathers
But they showed him no interest which ruffled his feathers
He rose to the challenge of Weathers’ loud boasts
But in two trials of strength he was beaten in both
To add to his troubles his funds had run low
He turned on the sponges who had led to this woe
[Chorus]
A sullen-faced man returned to his home
Where he unleashed his fury on his poor young son Tom
“I’ll say a Hail Mary if you don’t beat me pa!”
But his plea was unheard through a red mist of wrath
The wrath of his unfulfilled vengeful old man
[Chorus]
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10. |
Clay
04:03
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Did you ever hear the story
Of Ginger Mooney’s friend
Maria was a kindly soul
Always there to help
Ginger liked to use her fists
When she became aggrieved
Maria’s voice would calm things down
Until one Hallow’s Eve
Maria bought a plum cake
To bring to Mam and Joe’s
She somehow left it on the train
How she did Lord knows!
Joe said not to worry
We’ll have some nuts instead
When he couldn’t find the nutcracker
He nearly lost the head
[Chorus]
When things get tough Maria laughs
Her nose it nearly meets her chin
But where is Ginger Mooney
When the madness begins
Where is Ginger Mooney
When the madness begins
Maria mentioned Alphy
To try and clear the air
But Joe said God would strike him dead
If he saw that man again
Maria joined the children’s games
With blindfold on and spirits gay
She could not see the trick they played
For in her hands they placed wet clay
[Chorus]
And so it was the eve wore on
With mishaps tricks and schemes
Maria took a glass of wine
And sang of hopes and dreams
Poor Joe was overcome
His eyes they shone with tears
Alas a missing corkscrew
Realised his greatest fears
[Chorus]
So now you’ve heard the story
Of Ginger Mooney’s friend
Maria trying to keep the peace
It left her at wit’s end
And as she drank that Hallow’s Eve
She began to think
Maybe Ginger had it right
Next time she’d use her fists
[Chorus]
Where is Ginger Mooney
When the madness begins
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11. |
A Painful Case
03:55
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Mr. Duffy
So stark and austere
Often disappointed lived a distance from his being
No companions
No church nor creed
His life was safe adventureless a lonely sad routine
[Chorus]
Many days of loneliness
Lined his face
Master of his fate
Yet such a painful case
Such a painful case
Mr. Duffy
At a concert one eve
Met Mrs. Sinico who longed for company
That night turned to weeks
Of misread intensity
She took his hand excitedly and she pressed it to her cheek
[Chorus]
Mr. Duffy
Very much surprised
Agreed to meet her one last time to say goodbye
Four years later
A headline caught his eye
The death of Mrs. Sinico a journey gone awry
[Chorus]
Mr. Duffy
Felt anger in his throat
Such a vulgar death for her sins she should atone
Then overcome with grief
He rued what had he done
He could not feel her anymore he knew he was alone
[Chorus]
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12. |
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[Chorus]
I am the ghost of Ivy Day returned to cast an eye
On the voters of this time and who is on my side
Who can I trust in this darkened room?
Who are my friends and who would see me ruined?
There by the fire sits young Mat O’Connor
Staunchest of supporters he rolls his tobacco
Voices strong concerns against a visit from the King
Yet in order to avoid bad blood would he forsake my reign?
Now who have we here emerging from the dark
Some say a spy from the other camp?
Though he may be touting for the working man
In his words Joe Hynes still holds the cause at heart
[Chorus]
You may hear these men cry “he’s dead”
But in my time it was I who led
The fight for Irish Liberty
Now in my stead will that path be followed by Tierney?
[Chorus]
Henchy is a gentleman talking face to face
He backs ‘pig eye’ Tierney in this election race
Is Tierney his trojan horse now that I am dead?
To greet the King with open arms a ticket to great wealth
Down at Black Eagle not so far from here
Drinking with the Alderman is candidate Tierney
Will he guard the values that had I held so dear?
They call him ‘Tricky Dicky’ so no is my fear
[Chorus]
For I am the ghost of Ivy Day
10 years and more since I passed away
Celebrate with me the Fenian way
Once every year on Ivy Day
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13. |
A Mother
04:43
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She pushed the decanter towards Mr. Holohan
“Don’t be afraid” urged pale Mrs. Kearney
He had come to discuss a series of concerts
Would young Kathleen Kearney accompany the artistes?
Beaming inside with vicarious pride
That her daughter the pianist would headline each night
Oh the mother advised on this grand enterprise
A contract was drawn then she bade him goodbye
[Chorus]
All Kathleen desired was to do as she pleased
To play the piano and be at her ease
With a mother like hers unbending and stern
Will young Kathleen get caught in the crosshairs again?
Mrs. Kearney showed tact as she set to the task
Shaping the programme from the first to the last
Excitement increased as the concert dates loomed
Her greatness through Kathleen would finally be proved
Opening night came and left shadows of doubt
Weak acts were blamed for being far from sold out
She voiced her concern as four nights became three
Reminding Mr. Holohan of the contract they’d agreed
[Chorus]
When the last night came round a full house turned out
Yet still Mrs. Kearney sought payment upfront
A struggle of tongues with Holohan ensued
Until red faced he paid half of the dues
A relieved young Kathleen sought refuge on stage
Where for the next hour she was free from the cage
That had formed from the steel of her mother’s strong will
A short-lived reprieve to the show’s interval
She went back to the dressing room only to see
Mrs. Kearney demanding the balance of fees
Mr. Holohan refused and all were agreed
That the show would go on and the Kearneys would leave
All Kathleen desired was to do as she pleased
To play the piano and be at her ease
With a mother like hers unbending and stern
Young Kathleen was caught in the crosshairs again
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14. |
Grace
03:42
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We’ll meet at M’Auleys at a quarter to eight
For to wash the pot in Tenebrae
Lux upon lux crux upon crux
At the altar of Grace our belief is the same
One week earlier at the bottom of a stairs
Mr. Kernan was found the worse for wear
His silk hat dinged blood in his mouth
A policeman arrived drawing a crowd
'Who is the man?' 'What is his name?'
His companions deserted skirting the blame
Mr. Power was passing and took on the chore
Of getting him home and out of the bar
Mr. Kernan was once a man of success
But alas for his sins was too fond of the sauce
Mrs. Kernan despaired as they stood in the hall
“We’ll make a new man of him” Power resolved
Two nights later a trio arrived
Mr. Power Mr. Cunningham and Mr. McCoy
Immersed in the waters of philosophy’s ways
Mr. Cunningham had hatched a plan for great change
Still recovering from his travails
Mr. Kernan sat up and apologised
For the state of disorder around his bedside
As he looked at his friends with a veteran’s pride
They spoke of the mishap to Kernan’s distaste
He wished for the details to remain somewhat vague
His friends knew quite well the company he kept
Peloothered and boozing for days upon end
His blushes were spared by a knock on the door
In came his wife with three bottles of port
“Have you nothing for me?” Kernan implored
“The back of my hand” was his wife’s sharp retort
The gentlemen drank then the ruse began
Mr. Power said casually “On Thursday so Jack?”
“Thursday it is but we mustn’t be late”
Mr. Kernan’s ears piqued “so what’s in the wind?”
“Oh it’s nothing Tom it’s just a retreat
For us three rogues to be cleansed you see
Do you know my friend what’s occurred to me?
Maybe you’d join us in a four-handed reel?”
Mr. Kernan fell silent his mind ill-at-ease
To visit a church held little reprieve
For a man so suspicious of dogma decreed
But yet he still listened to the trinity’s beliefs
Finally he agreed that God could bear witness
But none of this magic-lantern business
To set things right he'd make the retreat
Credo! Credo! At last he believed
Credo! Credo! At last he believed
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15. |
The Dead
03:23
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Dear Michael I think of you tonight
As I write these words in January light
For not an hour ago I swear I heard your voice
Sing the Lass of Aughrim it took me back in time
[Refrain]
If we were young again if life replayed
We could have been a great affair a great affair if I had stayed
Oh this evening I spent at Morkans’ ball
A yuletide dance the talk of Dublin town
How the hours slipped by into the early morn
I turned to face the snow and then I heard your song
[Refrain]
Oh Michael the ball was gay and blithe
As we raised a toast a memory came to mind
Of that night when I had said my last goodbye
Your dark eyes said so much for such a gentle boy
[Refrain]
Oh Michael dear that night was oh so harsh
But you came nonetheless to show your heart
Shivering and wet asked me to stay
Said you'd rather die than live on in dismay
[Refrain]
Now I must go as darkness turns to grey
I often think of you memory never fades
What we might have been had I not gone away
In sleep I sit you where'er you lay
If we were young again if life replayed
We could have been a great affair a great affair if I had
[Refrain]
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Hibsen Dublin, Ireland
Hibsen are an Irish contemporary folk music ensemble formed by folk artists Gráinne Hunt and Jim Murphy. They released their debut album 'The Stern Task of Living' on 26th May 2023. The album was inspired by the book of short stories 'Dubliners' by James Joyce. Each of the 15 songs on the album is named after the short story on which it is based. ... more
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