Bless ’em all, bless ’em all, the long and the short and the tall…
The First
The Second
Bless ’em all, bless ’em all, the long and the short and the tall…
The First
The Second
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I Return to the Place I was Born
From my youth up I never liked the city.
I never forgot the mountains where I was born.
The world caught me and harnessed me
And drove me through dust, thirty years away from home.
Migratory birds return to the same tree.
Fish find their way back to the pools where they were hatched.
I have been over the whole country,
And I have come back at last to the garden of my childhood.
My farm is only ten acres.
The farm house has eight or nine rooms.
Elms and willows shade the back garden.
Peach trees stand by the front door.
The village is out of sight.
You can hear dogs bark in the alleys,
And cocks crow in the mulberry trees.
When you come through the gate into the court
You will find no dust or mess.
Peace and quiet live in every room.
I am content to stay here the rest of my life.
At last I have found myself.
— Tao Yuan Ming (Tao Qian) Chinese, 365-427
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Lindsay was my first love
She was in my class
I would have loved to take her out
But I was too shy to ask
The fullness of my feeling
Was never made clear
But I send her my love
And a bang on the ear
Nora was my girl
When I first was in a group
I can still see her to this day
Stirring chicken soup
Now she’s living in Australia
Working for an auctioneer
But I send her my love
And a bang on the ear
Deborah broke my heart
And I the willing fool
I fell for her one summer
On the road to Liverpool
I thought it was forever
But it was over within the year (oh dear)
But I send her my love
And a bang on the ear
The home I made with Bella
Became a house of pain
We weathered it together
Bound by a ball and chain
It started up in Fife
It ended up in tears
But I send her my love
And a bang on the ear
Krista was a rover
From Canada she hailed
We crossed swords in San Francisco
We both lived to tell the tale
I don’t know now where she is
Oh, but if I had her here
I’d give her my love
And a bang on the ear
So my woman of the hearth fire
Harbor of my soul
I watch you lightly sleeping
I sense the dream that does unfold…like gold
You to me are treasure
You to me are dear
So I’ll give you my love
And a bang on the ear
—Mike Scott
The Waterboys 1988
Good short video clips. I’d bet each of those women received a good dose of what they’ve earned.
Aw, that’s sweet! A “bang on the ear” is an Irish term for an affectionate pat or kiss on the cheek or ear. “Fisherman’s Blues” is still my favorite.
I know a lot of Irish lore and phrases. I didn’t know that one!
I’m not sure this Mike Scott isn’t just some sort of ear pervert
I seriously need glasses. I misread the last line as “a bang on the car.”
No, the lady in black wasn’t “my” first wife — but I think I once dated her mother!