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The Boarding House

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

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?

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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