1. |
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The year was 1940, our country overrun
We sailed out of the fjord, bonny Scotland bound
A boy of only 17 at sea to serve our land
The dangers of the North Sea we could not understand
Patrolling coastal waters to keep the harbours clear
Our life at sea was never dull we often lived in fear
Of U boats down below us or fighters in the air
But one thing kept us going, our captain’s teddy bear
Chorus
Bamse, standing proudly at the bow
Bamse, thinking back about you now
You turned us all from boys to men your bravery shone through
A hero to our nation, a brother to the crew
Our captain got his orders, for Iceland he was bound
He packed up his possessions, told us to make him proud
We said we will not go to sea if Bamse cannot stay
So off he went a promise made to return in peaceful days
When in port this gentle giant was a star around the town
On the bus, in the pub or on the football ground
He looked after his crewmates, stopping many fights
And saving one from drowning in the harbour late at night
Chorus
Four years on, still at war when Bamse lost his fight
The streets were lined 800 strong, goodbye our northern light
We buried him beside the Esk us crewmen racked with tears
A statue now stands tall and proud watching sailors through the years
Chorus
Repeat last line
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2. |
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Little bird come and sing me your song
Don’t be afraid I won’t do you no wrong
Come in close I only want to hear
Little bird sing it loud, sing it clear
Chorus
There’s a whole big world out there
Far beyond what we can see
There’s a whole big sky above
But you still come back to me
Little bird what wonders have you seen
Over the mountains in the valleys in between
Where the river runs down to the sea
Little bird sing your stories to me
Chorus
Little bird are you returning home
Is this from where you and yours have flown?
Are you together with your family once again?
Little bird I can understand that when
Chorus x 2
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3. |
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4. |
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As we make our way through life’s short journey
Taking things for granted day to day
There’ll always be tomorrow but tomorrow never comes
And the sands of time keep slipping through our hands
As a boy the days stretched on forever
An age till birthdays, Christmas, holidays
At school we did our time and wished away the years
Till one day off we went for one last time
Chorus
I could’ve walked for days among majestic mountains
Their coires echo to a thousand songs
And as the years go by I marvel at their beauty
And know that unlike them my time’s not long
We settled down got married had children of our own
And wished them walking, talking off to school
And then before you know it they’ve children of their own
And the wheel keeps on turning one more time
Chorus
Looking back on all that now it passed by in an instant
Losing friends and family on the way
So I’m gonna slow it down and savour every moment
And count my blessings now before I’m gone
Chorus
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5. |
Hair o' the dog
02:59
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Thrown on the rubbish heap of life abandoned and alone
We looked into his gentle eyes and knew he’d found a home
Drawn into our family lives he fitted like a glove
In our never ending circle he’s surrounded by our love
Chorus
He is our red haired handsome man
His nature to behold
He brought us love and loyalty
And worth his weight in gold
An unseen thread binds him to us and us to him as well
If he could only speak his mind what stories would he tell?
Of running swimming at the beach or hunting rabbits out
This is his life, he seems content, of that there is no doubt
Chorus
Like everyone he’s older now his coat is turning grey
This hairy messy family pet will leave us all one day
And when he does we know full well just where he’ll want to be
That’s running full pelt on the beach for all eternity
Chorus
He brought us love and loyalty
And worth his weight in gold
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6. |
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In 1769 and into poverty
This Ayrshire lad was born for all the world to see
Working on the land, grafting night and day
The hours long and hard for a pittance of a pay
Chorus
So come the 25th we’ll raise a glass once mair
To Scotland’s favourite son and his talent so rare
In countries far and wide through centuries of time
We’ll raise a glass once mare tae auld langsyne
A man of many words in poetry and song
Spreading social conscience, what is right and what is wrong
Not favoured by the kirk, holy Willie and his throng
But a man’s a man for a that and his memory lives on
Chorus
He loved the lassies weel and mair than just a few
Elizabeth and Jean, Mary, Nancy, Jenny too
A red red rose to each, aye fond kiss afore we’re through
A romantic to the end wi love that grew and grew
Chorus
So as the years go by we’ll remember once again
The greatest ever Scot and other absent friends
We’ll raise a whisky glass oor voice resounding strong
To the work o Ayrshire’s bard and Scotland’s favourite son
Chorus x 2
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7. |
Snowdrops
04:06
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Chorus
When the snowdrops appear my mind takes me back
To the day we laid you in the cold winter ground
But just like the flowers you rise up again
In our heads and our hearts you’ll always be found.
Unconditional love from mother to child
A bond never broken forever held true
From a first tiny breath however they’re strained
Feelings so deep and deeply ingrained
Chorus
On your own walk of life you travelled along
A rock in the background of so many lives
Always a smile and kind words for all
And stood up so strong when expected to fall
Chorus
A promise fulfilled when left on your own
To look after us no matter how grown
But this vow went two ways, we promised the same
Till you left to become a partner again
Chorus
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8. |
Link in the chain
03:31
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The first time I heard your voice my heart began to soar
You held the crowd tight in your hand each one cried out for more
Singing in your home town or anywhere besides
You touched our hearts with every note around this country wide
Chorus
And I’m proud, yes I’m Proud
I’m proud to be a link in the chain
Your songs melt my heart, your voices warm my soul
And I’m proud to be a link in the chair
You bare your souls with every word, your lives in every line
The lyrics and the melodies I wish each one was mine
Supporting one and other has always been such fun
Collaborations now and then I treasure every one
Chorus
If I start unravelling your always there for me
To set me back upon the tracks where I need to be
And in my wake I hear you call encouraging me on
Two better friends I could not find to help my music on
Chorus x 2
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9. |
Turning tides
02:33
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I walked the beach this morning saw footprints in the sand
Of others gone before us that’ll I’ll never understand
Cos when the tide has turned
They all get washed away
We remember all the great and good the ones that changed our land
But a thousand generations disappear into the sand
Cos when the tide has turned
They all get washed away
And some that we remember we wish had never been
They brought their eve down on us the likes we’ve never seen
Instrumental
And some that we remember we wish had never been
They brought their eve down on us the likes we’ve never seen
I walked the beach this morning
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Kinnaber Junction Montrose, UK
Kinnaber Junction is the musical vehicle for Montrose singer/songwriter Gary Anderson. With over 30 years of gigging behind him Gary has gained a wealth of experience covering a wide range of instruments and genres . Looking at the tracks pulls all this experience together ... more
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