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Counterparts

from The Stern Task of Living by Hibsen

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    The CD for the Stern Task of Living is a beautifully designed 4 panel package with a booklet containing some background information about how the album was conceived plus lyrics of all the songs. The artwork, which was painted by Mark Keogh, captures the guests arriving at the 'Little Christmas' dinner from the short story 'The Dead', which is the most famous short story from James Joyce's Dubliners.

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lyrics

[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]

credits

from The Stern Task of Living, released May 26, 2023

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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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