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Allan J. Ryan Songbook

Lyrics

PM Pierre
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

There's a new infatuation that's been sweepin' the nation
Shakin' the roots in the ground
Of an old generation, a new inspiration
Takin' a new look around
But he's quickly disarming and utterly charming
Quite enough to make you let down your hair
In a Society Just, a society must
Check out PM Pierre

PM Pierre, with the ladies, racin' a Mercedes
Pierre, in the money, find him with a bunny
Pierre, a little brighter than the northern lights
He oughta add a lotta colour to the Ottawa nights
Charismatic and dynamic with a trans-Atlantic flare
Regardez PM Pierre

In the new administration there's an open situation
For a slightly more exciting regime
For a bachelor pad doesn't seem half that bad
For making the Parliament scene
But can a party attender become party mender
And clear all the dust from the air
In a Society Just a society must
Check out PM Pierre

PM Pierre, diplomatic in the press when he says
You can quote him in English or en francais
Pierre, very stubborn with an iron will
Sock it to me Trudy from Parliament Hill
Punchin' Judy's kinda moody like a big mama bear...

Because according to Miss LaMarsh there's room in the capitol city for only one eligible swinger, and unfortunately for her this seems destined to be...PM Pierre

PM Pierre, in the Commons with a new pair of sandals
Well its better than a new pair of scandals
Pierre, everybody sittin' wonderin' whether
He'll show up any day in a suit of Spanish leather
If the adoration adulation of the Trudeau generation
Fills your lovin' heart with despair
In a Society Just a society must
Check out PM Pierre, Pierre
Check out PM Pierre, Pierre
Check out PM, hey! Sock it to me Trudy from Parliament Hill!

Winner of the Lloyd E. Moffat Memorial Award for "Best Originality and Creativity" in Canadian recording.

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My Judy LaMarshmellow Doll
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Judy, Judy, Judy, its my patriotic duty
To send you my heart in the mail
I couldn't think of nothin' better
Than to write a love letter
To my local MP at the CBC
A lippy kinda hippy with a runaway tongue
But a psychedelic swingin' butterball
You're the biggest and the best that's ever come from Osgoode Hall
You're my Judy LaMarshmellow Doll

Judy, Judy, Judy, my sweet judicial cutie
I love you and I always will
Now you tell me that you're quittin'
But next to Charlotte Whitton
You could be the Great Pumpkin on Parliament Hill
Lavishly admired like a Hollywood queen
But you're an all round Canadian dream
You're a credit to the country
And the nation's hallowed halls
You're my Judy LaMarshmellow Doll

Judy, Judy, Judy, you've a special kind of beauty
That sets you apart from the start
I wouldn't doubt that you could pass
For another Mama Cass
Such a cultured Aphrodite and a goddess of the arts
A legendary lady on the social carousel
And a temperamental governmental belle
You're the hostess with the mostest
On the diplomatic ball
You're my Judy La Marshmellow Doll
The belle of Niagara Falls
My Judy LaMarshmellow Doll

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For You To Know Me
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

I never dated the carnival queen, I was much too shy
I never made the football team, I didn't even try
And now for you to know me you must understand why
The world I knew was the one that I drew
And it helped to pass the time
My friends were few, my guitar was new
And it helped to pass the time

Nobody said "I love you" out loud when I lived at home
Everything was kept inside and I stayed on my own
And now for you to know me you must find me alone
That's the only way that I can prove to you I've grown
That's the only way I can sing all the songs that I've become

For you to know me you would have to throw away
All the painted preconceptions of the words that I should say
Little girl, woman child, pardon me can I buy you a smile
Would you wear it for me with all your burgundy beads
For a while

I'll never fit in your sociology patterns of a man
And if you class me please don't ask me to tell you who I am
But if you'd like to know me I will give you what I can
And lead you through the quietness of loving in my land
And lead you to the quietness of loving in my land.

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The House With The Mandarin Doorway
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

If you're ever in this part of town
And your hopes are up but your dreams are down
Don't despair there are friends that can be found all around
There are people you can meet
Round the corner down the street
Past the neon signs and the faded blinds
They're not very hard to find

In the house with the Mandarin doorway
Underneath the stairway
That leads up to the tenements above
It's a house that's filled with love
It's a house that's filled with love

Take your boots off in the hall but don't miss the writing that's on the wall
And winds around the flowers
In profusion and for hours
You can wander in the wonder Of the Lord's whole creation

Sit down by the fireplace
There's a welcome smile on every face
You know the reason why
You don't even have to try
And its very clear that there's something here
All your money just can't buy

In the house with the Mandarin doorway
Underneath the stairway
That leads up to the tenements above
It's a house that's filled with love
It's a house that's filled with love

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Green Velvet and Fine White Lace
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Green velvet and fine white lace
I would buy for you if you wanted me to
Golden bracelets and silvery things
And a bright amber jewel just to be your fool
On the stage
Every song that I sing is for you
I could change all the words and the music, it's true
But the meaning comes through, its still for you
And I know its not becoming of a man
To be the way that I am
Feelin' like I do, hung up on you
Feelin' like I do, hung up on you

And it's been the better part of a year
That you've appeared in the streets of my mind
And you tell me its all very clear
And that the love that we're sharin', it's a different kind
Its not what I hoped I would find

And you'd like me to stay for a while
Play your games and continue to smile
But the sound of the poundin' rain on my brain
Says no, no no no, no no no
No no no, you'll never know

Green velvet and fine white lace
Green velvet and fine white lace
I'll continue to wait for the lady who walks
Through my dreams in velvet and lace
Green velvet and fine white lace
Green velvet and fine white lace

Green velvet and fine white lace
Green velvet and fine white lace

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I'm Goin' Back To University When I Die
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Got to thinkin' a lot just the other day
Of the cost of a plot for to put me away
And the price of a box to keep me unbelievably dry
So I've decided after checkin' around about
Reincarnation, incineration, cut-rate cremation
I'm goin' back to university when I die

When I die, when die
When I die, when I die
Well, you can swing down a chariot in search of me
But there'll be no real tellin' where I'll be
For the Lord's gonna understand
When they bottle me up all over the land
I'm goin' back to university when I die
When I die

It may seem perverse to be so ill-bred
To refuse the hearse when I'm finally dead
But I'd rather not play the centre of a flower display today
So I'm gettin' my hands into higher education
Don't talk to me of self-degradation
I'm goin' back to university when I die

When I die, when I die
When I die, when I die
Well in the monumental matter of layin' to rest
I'd like to leave my bladder in a medicine chest
For the Lord's gonna save my soul
And there's no way I'm stayin' in a six foot hole
I'm goin' back to university when I die
When I die

If you been fixin' my grave you'll have to cover it in
Cause I'll be makin' the grade while all the rest of my friends
Are under the grass, I'll be at the head of the class
In a glass
And if somebody's pokin' up in my cranium
Nobody will be out plantin' geraniums
I'm goin' back to university when I die

When I die, when I die
When I die, when I die
Well I can feel it in my bones and the back of my knees
I'm gonna maintain so many degrees
I know the Lord loves a cheerful giver
So I'm givin' my heart and my lungs and my liver
I am goin' back to university when I die
When I die

When I die, when I die
Glory hallelujah, when I die
Hear me talkin' to ya, when I die
When I die, brothers and sisters
When I die, praisin' the Lord God
When I die

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The Russian Circus
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

On a silent summer morning, still before the dawn
Shadows moved without a warning, caravans pushed on
Undetected, unexpected, two hundred thousand strong
And the Russian circus came to town
And we watched the dancing bear as it paraded all around

Occupation advertising, the carnival had come
Anticipation not surprising, the crowds came on the run
Tents were mounted, heads were counted, the big show had begun
And in the centre ring fine performing dogs
And we watched the bright red clowns as they marched all over Prague

Good King Wenseslaus looked out upon the festive square
Smiling down on revellers rejoicing everywhere
Break the kegs and spill the wine aged for thirty years
And with the bloody taste of memories and the smell of sweat and tears

Sunshine highway, crimson midway banners in the breeze
Down the sidestreet check the sideshow shooting galleries
Games of chance you bet your life, and you ask the magician why
As he clouds his crystal cannonball and you watch the human fireball
As it climbs into the sky

From the forum find the phantom Polish puppet show
Precision drilling gets top billing every place they go
Motorcycle majesty famed from sea to sea
And with no restrictions and free admission
To see the exhibition of Inquisition pageantry

Nine o'clock the lights go out, fireworks display
Very pretty, night in the city never seemed so gay
Burn the eyes from the midnight skies on the eve of a dying day
When the Russian Circus came to town
And still the dancing bear is parading all around

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My Canadian Maid
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Well I been sittin' in the park by the edge of the lake
Tryin' to write a letter to you
Well, doncha know I been pickin' my brain
I been blowin' my mind in the breeze
Messin' my feet through the leaves
And not quite knowin' just where to begin
But lovin' the thought of you bein' my friend
Sayin' your name and the feelin' the pain
Wishin' I could see you again

(chorus) My Canadian Maid
Well I wish you had stayed with me
My Canadian maid, I wish you had stayed
And we could have played pretty music together
But it don't matter wherever you go
I'll still be waitin' in southern Ontario
Waitin' for you just to bring it on home now
My Canadian maid

Do you ever get to thinkin' on me little girl
In the middle of the day or the night
When the rain is fallin' and the wind is callin'
From the northeast corner of the moonlight
Would you ever stop and wonder if
I might be somewhere adrift
Upon a log, and within a fog
Singin' a sweet song to you now

(chorus)

Hey, but well I heard you got married in a town down in Oregon
City by the sea, do you remember me anymore
Well, I was thinkin' if you ever thought of leavin'
Town for a while, I would give you a smile
And a one-way ticket on a passenger plane
All you gotta do is just mention my name
And then I'll come arunnin', I won't stop for nothin'
Baby, just to see you again

(chorus)

(recited)
I don't give up easy, girl
It don't matter to me that you're a married woman now
Why don't you come home for the weekend
Visit the folks
I'm sure they'd like to see you
Time to go north young lady, go north
Head for the border
Why you could be here in no time
We could have a good time
Wadaya say? Wadaya say?

(chorus)

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Haggadah
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Standing in the subway station searchin' for a place to crash
With everything she had in a sleepin' bag with eighty-seven cents in cash
Checkin' out the changin' faces movin' through the metal doors
Waitin' for a friend to open the end
Of something that had come before

(chorus)
Haggadah - the Lord has given
Haggadah - testament
Haggadah - unto the living
Haggadah - the word was sent
Haggadah, Haggadah, Haggadah

I am no gypsy woman
With gypsy magic ways
But I would like to spend a while with you
And share with you the days
And the dances of King David
And the wisdom I have learned
From the lips of every martyr
Who was ever set to burn

(chorus)

Stay with us awhile she did now
Turning on the summer sun
Offering much, stopping to touch
Part of each and everyone
Feeling what there was to know now
Knowing all there is to feel
Wandering cloud, whispering loud
Resting on the love revealed

(chorus)

Shadow of another season
Angel of another dawn
Softly she came and soft as the rain
In the morning she was gone
Leaving only prayers and pictures
Gifts of holy prophecy
Blessings of light left in the night
Secrets of eternity

(chorus)

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Harlequin Haven
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

In Harlequin Haven
Coloured clowns walk the backstreets all around you
One may stop you and pretend that he's found you
In Harlequin Haven, Harlequin Haven
And you say that it's a shame, I don't even have a name
It's a theatre game, and everyone's the same
In Harlequin Haven, Harlequin Haven

And its parsley and sage and Rosemary's time for a baby, become a lady
And you're burning the page and you've turned all the wine
Into gravy, you must be crazy, the sky is hazy
In Harlequin Haven, Harlequin Haven

In Harlequin Haven
You have buried your dreams in a black coffin cradle
And you're sipping your tea from a blue velvet ladle
And the witches are wending their way to the crypt in the park
Someone slipped in the dark, strike a match, find the spark
In your eyes, in your eyes
Surprise, surprise!
Surprise, surprise!

And the carriage is on fire as it rumbles down the street
And the hooded figure driving has you laughing at the heat
But you're standing on your feet and you're looking very neat
Outside of heaven
In Harlequin Haven, Harlequin Haven

In Harlequin Haven
The cobblestones are sinking in the road not far ahead
And the cobbler he is thinking of the words that would be said
If he were dead and gone, his hair was long,
He never knew the tune to any happy song, the papers read
In Harlequin Haven, Harlequin Haven

And it's a northeastern town in the midwestern state
Of your mind, its not hard to find
Follow the signs
To Harlequin Haven, Harlequin Haven

In Harlequin Haven
The local gentry have been startled by a stranger on the grass
Another guest all dressed in violet, and you know he's ot the last
For he looks a proper dandy in his silken cape and lace
And you offer him some candy as you reach out for his face
To see a man again, a faded mannequin
Another charlatan, another harlequin
In Harlequin Haven

Put on your mask again, you needn't ask again
In Harlequin Haven, Harlequin Haven

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Christmas Morning, Bang! Bang!
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Time has come again this year when Christmas magic fills the air
And music rings with festive cheer and gay felicity
When children wait with anxious eyes to see if Santa can surprise them with a toy they'd not imagined in their wildest dreams
When shoppers crowd the stores and streets to look for gifts that can't be beat and that promise more than anything they've had the year before
And they come home with a laser gun, and a one-man-army, lots of fun
And they wrap them up so carefully and lay them ‘neath the tree

And they'll celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace on earth
Christmas morning, bang! bang!
Without a warning, bang! bang!
Shoot your brother in the head, get your sister out of bed
First one up's the first one dead
Christmas morning, bang!, bang!

The stockings hung by the chimney base hold candy and cans of chemical mace
Just to keep the neighbour's kids in place, and you think that times have changed
Ah, but Johnny wants an aeroplane too, from the good old days of World War II – now those were the days my friend – And a hundred tubes of aeroplane glue, just in case he loses a few, or uses a few
And your son gets high in the sky with his aeroplane too
And you think that things have changed, ah, but something sure is strange
We've come a long way from the manger, now we're gunning down the stranger whose in town, look around

And we'll celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace on earth
Christmas morning, bang! bang!
Without a warning, bang! bang!
Shoot your brother in the head, fill the family full of lead
Turn your mother crimson red
Christmas morning, bang!, bang!

You see no cause for false alarm, seems it can't do any more harm
Than a diesel truck, or a plastic farm, or a clock to tell the time
For its just a stage of make-believe, when he's of age he's bound to leave
The battle and the boys, and the rattle of the toys will fall behind
And it's a silent and a holy night as you sit alone by the firelight
And you think of all the thoughts that might be racing through his mind
And I'm sure that he's elated at the world that we've created
And to know his dreams of Christmas Eve may someday all come true

When he can celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace on earth
Christmas morning, bang!, bang!
Without a warning, bang!, bang!
Shoot his brothers in the head, fill the future full of lead
Turn the country crimson red
Christmas morning, bang!, bang!

Deck the halls with cannon balls and hang them from the tree
There'll be silver bells and mortar shells enough for you and me.

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Be My Friend
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Be my friend, that's how I want it to be
Be my friend, it just can't be the way it used to be

When I went away in search of me I had no idea you were settin' me free
On a bus from New York all the way to Chicago
Down the Indiana turnpike lookin' out the window
Chicago's so lonely in the drizzlin' rain
Goin' down to the station, gettin' on the train goin' home I'm goin' home

Be my friend, that's all she said to me
Be my friend, you just can't put your claim on me

Ah, but you don't have to tell me when I sing my songs
That the sparkle that was there, well it's all gone
Cause I know that it's true and I'm wonderin' when
I'll look across the room, your eyes will tell me again
Be my friend, just be my friend

Oh, I understand the reasons why you want to be free
But the way it is now girl it just can't be
Oh, I've tried and I've tried to fight it inside
Lord knows I've prayed but I keep hearin' you say
That whatever we had before I went away had to end
Oh, it just had to end

Be my friend, be my friend
Just be my friend

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True Fine Virginia
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Smokestack woman stay away from my door
I just don't want to have you hangin' round me any more
Burnin' up the air with all your flamin' filter tips
And well I've had it up to here with kisses from your lava lips
And you may be fine Virginia but I swear I've had enough
Of the flavour of your favours and the poison in your puff

True fine Virginia ain't the kind of love I need
I gotta have a woman who will give me room to breath
Cause I can't cut the carbon and I can't hack the weed
Hey, true fine Virginia girl it's time for you to leave

Sweet menthol mama you done messed up my head
With your big black cloud hangin' over my bed
You know I love to love you but I get no relief
From the butts upon my blanket, powder burns upon my sheets
Holes in my pillow, girl, well its such a heavy load
Pack up your cigarillo, head on down Tobacco Road

Hey, true fine Virginia girl it's time for you to leave
Hey, true fine Virginia girl it's time for you to leave

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Honeymoon Darlin'
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Honeymoon darlin' carry me down again
Take me on board and fly me away
Over the clouds and then gather me round
In the light of the lovin' that can brighten my day
Show me the lovin' that can brighten my day

Sailin' down to the sunny Caribbean islands
On a lavender jet trailin' colour through the sky
Down below, you know the ocean waves were smilin'
And sparklin' like the lovin' in my lady's eyes

It was a time to grow and to gather brand new memories
That were there to find like the shells upon the shore
It was a time for shared adventure and for daring unspoken dreams
To chart the way and to lead us where we'd never been before

Honeymoon darlin' carry me down again
Take me on board and fly me away
Open your arms and then gather me round in them
Show me the lovin' that can brighten my day
Show me the lovin' that can brighten my day

Early mornin', walkin' together by the water
Where the people would say ghostly pirate ships might soon appear
Climbin' high above the town and gazin' on the harbour
We had kisses to share and orchids so rare to pick and place in your hair

I can still recall the Rain, and hitchin' in the afternoon
Through the green banana groves we'd ride in friendly cars
Until the evening sun descended like the chords in a beautiful tune
Then we'd steal away to a shady bay and love beneath the stars

Honeymoon darlin' carry me down again
Take me on board and fly me away
Open your arms and then gather me round
In the light of the lovin' that can brighten my day
Show me the lovin' that can brighten my night
Shine down and colour my day

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Leapin' Lily
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

My grandmother died a short time back at the age of seventy-eight. She was a large and most impressive woman -- one of my biggest fans. But you know, in the last few years of her life she suffered a lot from arthritis in her legs -- could hardly move about. It was during this time in a moment of ironic compassion my younger brother renamed her "Leapin' Lily" -- Leapin' Lily, on account of the fact that she could hardly move. I'd like to dedicate the following song to my grandma, Leapin' Lily. Alright!

She was a portly woman, make good Yorkshire puddin'
Chicken fried in wine, it taste might fine
She bake shortbread and rumballs anytime that I call
Day or night it was sure to be more than alright
I can tell ya she was
Proud and handsome and fond of talkin'
Bout her number one grandson, I was spoiled rotten
Down through the years she would send me a smile
On a card or letter from over the miles
And then the good Lord came to carry her home
When she could hardly walk, stand on her own
But I believe
And you know I believe I see my grandma

Leapin' Lily comin' cross the bog
Leapin' Lily runnin' home with God
Leapin' Lily high above the trees
Great Leapin' Lily from Leeds
And I can see her now
Leapin' Lily puttin' down the pain, and uh huh
Leapin' Lily throwin' off the cane, and uh huh
Leapin' Lily skippin' through the sky
Great Leapin' Lily now you can fly

I was a first-born boy, had my own room
And she used to come and hum that toora-loora tune
Say, sit by my bed, and we'd sing it in time
And I'd fall of to sleep with that good-lovin' sound on my mind
Well I can tell ya til the sun went down on the space between
The big rockin' chair and the TV screen
She was still hummin', singin' along
To the record machine, she was diggin' my songs
And then the good Lord came to carry her home
When she could hardly walk, stand on her own
But I believe Great God I believe
I see my grandma

Leapin' Lily comin' cross the bog
Leapin' Lily runnin' home with God
Leapin' Lily high above the trees
Great Leapin' Lily from Leeds
And I can see her now Leapin' Lily at the Jordan River
Gonna jump for joy when the Lord deliver
Put down your pain, throw away the cane
We're gonna promenade and do it again
Spread your wings out upon the sky
Great Leapin' Lily, now you can fly
Now you can fly
Well no need to worry Lily, hey hey
Now you can fly
Well, now you can dance, I said run, You can jump, I said skip, You can fly
You can fly

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Thoughts of You
Words by Allan J. Ryan, music by Allan J. Ryan and Bill Prosser

Mornin' comin' through to open my eyes
And from my pillow I can see the skies
Offer me another day and already I'm into
Thoughts of you
From the moment I rise til I finally rest
There's a feelin' of you
For you lighten my life
You shine into my life
Spread your love on everything I do

Sun come creepin' up and over my day
Stay for supper then he rolls away
Like the sun I move around but I'm only movin' to
Thoughts of you
More and more I'm amazed at the way
You've been takin' ahold of my mind
For you lighten my life
You shine into my life
Spread your lovin' out across my time

I'm prepared to believe what I'm sayin'
Might come to you as quite a surprise
Takin' note of the fact that I seldom admit
What I'm feelin' inside
But with your help I've been learnin' to give
Now I'm givin' this song to you
For you lighten my life
You shine into my life
Spread your love on everything I do

For you lighten my life
You shine into my life
Spread your love on everything I do

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Nighthawk
Words by Allan J. Ryan, music by Allan J. Ryan and Bill Prosser

Some people wake in the mornin'
When the dew is still fresh on the ground
They get up, they get dressed makin' breakfast
Find time to gobble it down
Dash out the door to the office
Where they sit and shuffle papers all day
Stop and go home in the late afternoon
Ah, but I couldn't live that way

Cause I'm a nighthawk, baby, that's what I am
I was never meant to be a good mornin' man
I need to see my shadow in the blue moonlight
To free my spirit and to bring me to life
Said I'm a nighthawk, from the day I was born
I was never meant to rise up and shine in the mornin'
With the sun, and the subway riders on the run
I'm a nighthawk and this is a nighthawk song

Meanwhile back home in the evenin'
After supper all the energy's gone
So they sit and they stare at the TV
Watchin' whatever comes on
All their life has been programmed
With commercials and short coffee breaks
They might be perfectly happy, I know
But I guess I don't have what it takes

Cause I'm a nighthawk, baby, and I pay my dues
As a full blood brother to the midnight muse
I need to see my shadow in the blue moonlight
To free my spirit and to bring me to life
Said I'm a nighthawk, from the day I was born
I was never meant to rise up and shine in the mornin'
With the sun, and the subway riders on the run
I'm a nighthawk and this is a nighthawk song

I'm a nighthawk and this is a nighthawk song
I'm a nighthawk and this is a genuine nighthawk song

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David's Song (Come For a Walk With Ely and Me)
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Oh, I don't rightly know where he came from
But I surely remember his smile
And the love for his lady and Ely their baby
That was so much a part of his style
David, he knew how to savour
The pleasure and joy in each day
And I knew when he'd come
To my door with his son on his shoulder
What he'd always say...

(chorus)
Come for a walk with Ely and me
It's a beautiful night to go walkin' and we could
Take in the sun goin' down on the river
Talk for a while about nothin' that matters
Come for a walk in the cool autumn breeze
We could shuffle our feet in the new fallen leaves
And maybe go down see the sun on the river
And sing an old song about livin' forever

Well, in no time at all he was leavin'
With his family and dreams well in hand
To find a new home out in old Idaho
Where the mountains grow wild on the land
But in less than a year came a letter
Sayin' David had died in the snow
And I stared into space
With a tear on my face
As I tried to remember once more
When he'd say...

(chorus)

Now the lady is still out in Idaho
With a son growin' taller each day
And I'm standin' here with the wind in my hair
The trees have gone gold and there's a chill in the air
And I think I can hear David say... (chorus)

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Michigan Wind
Words by Allan J. Ryan, music by Allan J. Ryan and Bill Prosser

Sayin' my prayers in the Michigan wind
And you know they do get dusty
Flyin' so high in the Michigan sky
My words get old and rusty
And when the rain come down to turn you around
You will find it hard to walk now
And when I'm gone and I'm travellin' on
I will leave you hear to talk now

Movin' on down to the border town
I come sailin' into Southfield
Slippin' on by the highway signs
I come down the line to Greenfield
Play for the raven, play for the dove now
Don't you know, well it's alright
Been singin' my song for the Lord above now
Every day and all night

Been lookin' for a lover in the afternoon
Kickin' rocks along the roadside
With Billy the Kid in a flat top lid
Kickin' along by my side
Nothin' to see, well hey, nothin' to do
But to hum a little tune without words
And to wait for the man to come round again
Deliver us up to the blackbird

Well I heard tell that this motel
Had a fair size reputation
For dark delight but Ifeel the lights
Have all gone on vacation
Too bad for me for I'm bound to be
All alone again in the mornin'
In the afterglow of the late late show
When the night turns into dawnin'

(refrain)
Michigan wind away, take me away
Back to where I belong
Where the pale north moon
An the wild black loon
Are waitin' to welcome me home
Waitin' to welcome me home

(repeat first verse and refrain)

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Grey Rain
Words by Allan J. Ryan, music by Allan J. Ryan , Bill Prosser and Don Horsburgh

Shinin' star fell down from my heaven
But Lord knows the glory won't be laid to rest
I swear I've seen more dark clouds in these last few months in the northeast
Than I can recall in all of two years in the southwest
Ah, but don't think that I complain'
I'm just takin' stock of my days
Starin' through a dirty window
Searchin' for a sign of sunlight somewhere
Somewhere behind this grey rain

Whatever became of sweet summer showers
When fine grains of sparkle seemed to blow so free
Now all I can see is autumn climbin' down from a white sky
Dark and brooding he's trying' to cast his spell on me
Ah, but don't think that I'm feelin' lonely
A bit melancholy but, oh, its such a pleasin' pain
Starin' through a dirty window
Searchin for a sign of sunlight somewhere
Somewhere behind this grey rain

Won't be long before its October
Already the tall trees have begun to blaze
But gold leaves and crimson lie so cold and black in the alley
Under a solemn and unsympathetic haze
Ah, but don't think I'm gettin' discouraged
I'm just reflecting on the day
Starin' through a dirty window
Searchin' for a sign of sunlight somewhere
Somewhere behind this grey rain

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Is That All I Get?
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Drivin' down the road on a Friday afternoon
Headin' for a small country town
We had speakers and guitars hangin' out of the trunk
When we pulled up to this hotel lounge
And as we started unloadin' all the clothes and equipment
I inquired where the band was to play
And when the manager pointed to a tiny red platform
In the corner, I proceeded to say

Is that all I get?, is that all I get?
It's not exactly what I was led to expect
I said is that all I get? Is that all I get?
Its got to be the smallest stage I've ever seen yet

Evenin' arrived and we began to play
Standin' closer than a sweet harmony
Oh, we were doin' alright but really goin' over
With the girl by the pinball machine
She was barely a woman but drinkin' like a trooper
And tryin' so hard to be cool
And when I gave her a picture instead of goin' later
To her place, she started to drool

She said, is that all I get?, is that all I get?
Its not exactly what I was led to expect
She said is that all I get?, is that all I get?
}You know, I really love your music
But is that all I get? (And I said, ...yes)

Saturday night was somethin' else again
With a rougher kind of crowd in the room
Yellin' give us some more of that good rock and roll
And skip your original tunes
And to top it all off I could see how the hotel
Patrons got in free at the door
So by the end of the evenin' I was slightly uptight
When the manager brought the reward

I said, is that all I get?, is that all I get?
Its not exactly what I was led to expect
I said, is that all I get?, is that all I get?
You know I love to play my music
But is that all I get?

I said, is that all I get?, is that all I get?
My shirt is torn and tattered and my mind is a mess
I said, is that all I get?, is that all I get?
I'm sippin' tea and honey and my throat is a wreck
Is that all I get?, is that all I get?
Thirty-seven fifty and your deepest regrets
Is that all I get?, is that all I get?
You call this makin' a livin'?
Is that all I get?, is that all I get?
How'm I gonna pay for my new home?
Is that all I get?, is that all I get?
Thirsty-seven fifty, I can't believe it!
Is that all I get?, is that all I get?
What am I gonna tell my wife when I get home?
Is that all I get?, is that all I get?
You know I love to play my music
But is that all I get?

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Unrecorded Songs

Child of the Buffalo Plain
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

He don't say much, but it really doesn't matter
Cause it seems like such a long time now we've been workin' together
Ever since that day we met when I said Billy I got a dream to share
Cause I've come to that place in my life where I need a friend
To help me put it in the air
And you can have a piece of that dream all your own
If you could come to care
If you could learn to care
If you think that's fair

And he said, yes I do believe I like the sound of your music
And the words you been layin' on my mind, I believe that they do fit
Cause you see now if there's just one thing in this whole wide world I can tell you that I know for sure
Its that as long as I can play for somebody somewhere
I'd be so self-assured, and so secure
I'd be so satisfied, and at peace inside
Inside a dream that wide

(chorus)
He's a child of the buffalo plain
Got a sun-shaggy buffalo mane
Flowin' down and all around
In the colours of corn I said, corn in the fall
And you can feel him movin'
Like a shadowy thunder
Drivin' deep in your soul
And rollin' out from under the rain
Whoaa, like a child
Like a child
Like a child of the buffalo plain

Furthermore, just in case you might be wondrin' I'd like to clarify a few things for you right now
And tell you somethin'...

Don't make no mistake, he's a genuine winner
In a buckskin jacket, kinda hard to figure
On a concrete corner he can set you back a pace
And do a little soft shoe right in front of your face
Race you to the bar, shuffle you the cards
And take your port wine cigars
Well a man like that, he's just gotta go far

Ridin' high on a dream, it's a strange way to see the land
But he's still here beside me now, why, sometimes I'll never understand
Ever since that day we met when I said Billy I got a dream to share
Cause I've come to that place in my life where I need a friend
To help me put it in the air
And you can have a piece of that dream all your own
If you could come to care, if you could learn to care
And I know you care

(chorus)

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Gift of Love
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Summer shadows find their way across my autumn skies
And like the leaves the change in me is there before your eyes
Do not take me for another lover from your past
For today I dare to say your man has come at last
In the hour of thanksgiving and forgiving won't you please
Allow me to confess to you the love that I would give to thee
In the presence of the Father, through the Spirit and the Son
Accept I pray this silver treasure
Symbol of what has been done

Hallowe'en came by in time to celebrate the dream
And on the altar of the night the jack-o-lantern beamed
Wake my love in the morn and early, please me to receive
My gift of precious oils in colours you might not believe
And like the liquid velvet water cast in patterns of delight
I swear that I would share with you the many varied shades of life
Until the final bell has spoken in the presence of the Son
Accept I pray this gift of colour
Symbol of what has begun

When the winter wind has fallen captive to the spring
Then I would but run to you and bring to you my ring
Wrapped around in webs of wonder like the ones of old
Gilded into gypsy splendour from the finest gold
And as a token of my solemn pledge I promise to be true
Upon the words and the music of this simple song I sing to you
In the presence of the Father, through the Spirit and the Son
Accept I pray this love forever
And forever

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The Gravediggers' Strike on New York
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

I remember the night, I remember the year
When the gravediggers struck on New York
All of Manhattan was trembling with fear
When the gravediggers struck on New York
Everyone hoping their time hadn't come
Not wanting to rest by the road in the sun
And everyone wishing it hadn't begun
The gravediggers' strike on New York

In the dim funeral parlour the curtains were closed
And the flowers were fixin' to die
While the anxious director was twitching his nose
And wondering if he were high
The caskets were left by the chimney with care
In hopes that the gravediggers soon would be there
But nobody came to collect any wares
When the gravediggers struck on New York

The bewildered mortician was trying to smile
At the desperate state of affairs
While most of his clients were starting to pile
In the freezer out back of the stairs
The markers were silent, the shovels were still
In the midwinter cold up on Monument Hill
For nobody'd left any holes to be filled
When the gravediggers struck on New York

In the midst of confusion and general alarm
The clergy proceeded to cry
That the wages of sin were the wages of men
If even the dead were denied
For the dearly departed who'd recently passed
Into the realm of the requiem mass
Had to be left at the edge of the grass
When the gravediggers struck on New York

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Living in the Days of the Second Creation (Song For Creation 2)
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

We have not always been so kind to each other I remind you now my friend we have battled well and often in the past
Poison words and empty prayers were all we ever seemed to share but somehow through the grace of God I find I love you now at last

O, ribbons of pure light have come
Streaming from the midnight sun
Like snowflakes fallin' through my eyes
Fill my heart with wild surprise
And its such a new sensation
Living in the days of the second creation

Within the sanctuary walls of our separate altar calls there exists a common space for us to stand upon
A solid rock forever warm, a living stage as you perform please remember me as I know I'll remember you

O, drummers and dancers and actors abound
Poets appear to rejoice in the sound
Of snowflakes fallin' through my eyes
Fill my heart with wild surprise
And its such a new sensation
Living in the days of the second creation

Once upon an emptiness
The Lord created and he blessed
All things above and those below
Man was made and the world did grow
Further on, on down the line
In the back of a barn where the sun don't shine
Boy child born and the birth divine
Great glory and the birth divine
Great glory and the birth divine
Great glory and the birth divine
Such a new sensation
Proclaim the days of the second creation

Well, I would like to make it clear before we scatter through the years that I'm proud to say today we are a family
And I'd like to thank you now, the only way that I know how
I will play for just the pleasure of your company

O, brothers and sisters and angels abound
Poets appear to rejoice in the sound
Of snowflakes fallin' through my eyes
Fill my heart with wild surprise
And its such a new sensation
Living in the days of the second creation
O, and its such a new sensation
Living in the days of the second creation

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Midian
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

It's a weird and most peculiar
Vision I've come to see
Pleasure boats ride on the old canal where the roadway seemed to be
And I fantasize within my eyes
And I watch the yachts go by
Takin' my dreams upon that stream
That flows into the sky

(chorus)
Goin' on up, goin' up to Midian
To get myself together
Comin' on back, back like Moses
From across the river
Goin' on up, goin' up to Midian
To get myself together
Comin' on back like Moses
From across the river

Been sittin' in the sun by the farmhouse
Thinkin' ‘bout the heavenly dove
Givin' up glory to the hollyhock
In a hundred shades of love
And not so far above my head
The barnswallows on the line
Rehearse their private lives
And more than likely mention mine

(chorus)
Such a fine oak tree on the front lawn
Like a holy sword in blossom
Would you cradle my song in the bows of Abraham
Never more forgotten
And lead me to rest in the shady nest
Of that old rugged wedding cross
Til I finally find that peace of mind
I'm afraid got a little bit lost

(chorus)

And Melanie, oh can you see now
How the sheep run down by the fence
To watch the cornfields bow to one another
Sayin, hey, hello, shall we dance
Til the night come down in harmony
With a mean devil dobro friend
Just pickin' and singin' for the children
Play a story that has no end

(chorus)

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Mom I Wanna War Toy
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Mom I wanna war toy, wanna be a big boy
Gunnin' down the alleyway, shootin' up the street
I've seen ‘em in the movies and the six ‘o clock news
And it doesn't seem to matter if you win or if you lose
For the fun is in the fightin' but you gotta do it right
Mom I need a war toy, wanna be a real boy
Wanna have the real joy of knowin' how to fight

Santa woncha hurry, are you comin' on the run
I wouldn't have to worry if I had another gun
But mom I need war toy, wanna be a real boy
Wanna have the real joy of knowin' how to fight

Mom I wanna war toy, wanna be a big boy
Smokin' up the sewer main, breakin' up the block
Ah, the kids are all excited and they're wishin' pretty hard
For the National Guard in their own backyard
And we're gonna have a riot, at least we're gonna try it
But mom I need war toy, wanna be a real boy
Wanna have the real joy of knowin' how to fight

Ah, but Santa woncha hurry, we've been waitin' so long
For a tommy gun for Billy, and a billy club for Tom
So mom I need a war toy, wanna be a real boy
Wanna have the real joy of knowin' how to fight
For soon I'll be a big boy and I should know how
To get out of trouble if I get in a row
So Santa I'll be waitin' here anticipatin'
All the goodies and guns, so much fun
Would you believe
Comin' Christmas Eve

La n dada, la n da n dada La n da n da, la n da da daaaa da

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Sometimes I Wish I Could Find Another Face
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Sometimes I wish I could find another face
One with a little more smile
One I could wear with a natural grace
One with a little more style
Sometimes I wish I could have another face
One with a little more grin
One I could wear with a natural grace
One to look out and not in

Well, everybody keeps sendin' me cards and sympathy letters
Hopin' that tomorrow will be a bit better
People been prayin' about my condition
Tryin' to relieve my solemn apparition

Oh, sometimes I wish I could rent another face
To paste on the front of my head
One I could wear with a natural grace
One that would never look dead

Sometimes I wish I could find another face
One I could learn to respect
One I could wear with a natural grace
Perched on the top of my neck
Sometimes I wish I could have another face
One I could train to be free
Free to connect, reject, reflect
One that could really be me

Ah, but now most of the time I feel pretty well
But to look at my face, you never can tell
And it gets kind of heavy when I gotta explain
To some stranger again about the state of my pain

Oh, sometimes I wish I could rent another face
To paste on the front of my head
One I could wear with a natural grace
One that would never look dead

Sometimes I wish I could find another face
One with a little more laugh
One I could wear with a natural grace
One I could scrub in the bath
Sometimes I wish I could have another face
One that would grin a whole bunch
One I could bundle in ruffles and lace
One that would take me to lunch

Ah, but now most of the time I feel pretty well
But to look at my face, you never can tell
And it gets kinda heavy when your friends all say
How long has it been since you passed away

Oh, sometimes I wish I could rent another face
To paste on the front of my head
One I could wear with a natural grace
One that would never look dead

I said dead, I mean dead

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Summer Girl
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

Summer girl with Spanish eyes
That laughed in the night at the morning skies
A vision of music played on the haze
Of a misty blue dream lost in far away days
Summer girl dressed in Spanish lace
Catch the midnight air, let it kiss your face
Summer girl, I'll remember you

Skipping down the streets of town
Like a painted clown
In the dark
Only shadows of the avenue
In the quiet park
Where we played on the grass
Velvet with the evening dew
It was new and so were you
Now you're gone
Now you're gone

Ah, but summer girl I still think of you
In sunflower yellow and cornflower blue
Reflections in faces and giant balloons
Crowded the fair on that late afternoon
Summer girl with flashing eyes
That lingered in traces of unspoken sighs
Summer girl, as you coloured the room
With kaleidoscope glances and Spanish perfume
Summer girl, I'll remember you

Oh my summer girl, angelica Muy hermosa, chica linda
Summer girl, I'll remember you

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Ulsterman
Words and music by Allan J. Ryan

There's a cold wind in the country and there's blood upon the corn
In the land across the ocean where my father's kin were born
And although I have not set my foot upon the banks of Bonn
A part of me is dyin' when I watch what's goin' on

Ulsterman, Ulsterman, why can't you see
This is not the way the good Lord would want for it to be
For your towns they are on fire, and you're at it once again
And you're makin' me ashamed of my own Irish name

La la ly, la la ly, la la ly ly la la ly La la ly, la la ly ly, la la ly ly la la ly

I have played your wild rover, I have sung all your tunes
Of the feudin' and the fightin' at the risin' of the moon
I have heard you proclaimin' from the mountains and the glen
That you're proud to be Irish and you're true to Ireland

The clouds are hangin' heavy in the Londonderry air
And the barricades of Bogside are burnin' everywhere
Your streets have all been shattered and your shrines have all been charred
And I fear the consequences of another civil war

From the battlements of Belfast you can hear the mournful cry
Of the righteous and the restless and the ravens in the sky
In the misty mornin' madness of the guns and gasoline
You can see the shape of Satan walk upon the village green

You're holdin' high the chevron of a holy ancient rite
That should have been discarded in the darkness of the night
You've taunted and paraded out your hate for oh so long
I swear to God the time has come to lay the banner down

Ulsterman, Ulsterman, when will you know
Only love can save you from the seeds of ruin that you sow
For the harvest is on fire and you're at it once again
And you're makin' me ashamed of my own Irish name