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Songs from the Solway EP

by Gandalf's Fist

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1.
2.
It whipped up the sea into a boiling broth flinging boys and sailors to and forth It were like a storm from the gates of hell from the crow's nest there came a mighty yell the captain fought against the wheel trimming sail and ballast but to no avail the water sprayed into the sky all aboard knew they would surely die The unforgiving sea, it will take more lives today ride the waves unto the wind well we all just hope and pray Sail away, ride the waves... The bosun called 'man overboard' as the crippled ship heads for the shore The rocks rise up as the ship smacks down the captain knows that all must drown One man lies upon the beach Up on the shingle, out of water's reach the bosun of the ship has survived while the crew and the captain gave their lives The unforgiving sea, it will take more lives today ride the waves unto the wind well we all just hope and pray Sail away, ride the waves...
3.
She dwelt among the untrodden ways Beside the springs of Dove, A Maid whom there were none to praise And very few to love A violet by a mossy stone Half hidden from the eye! Fair as a star, when only one Is shining in the sky. She lived unknown, and few could know When Lucy ceased to be; But she is in her grave, and, oh, The difference to me!
4.
Time has come on this winters day, All the voices I hear all the passion play, Over seas and tides, tonight we pray, Seek the shadow of the Betsy Jane. Morning bells for the lives that passed, All the souls we gave are tied to the mast, And we sail along this holy day, Fear the shadow of the Betsy Jane. Never free from our ghostly veil, And no mortal port will welcome our sail, As the waves lap the shore, evermore we pray, For death from the gallows of the Betsy Jane.
5.
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Stakes at low tide, you'll see run aground comfortably Don't sleep, never die, a sigh from deep will rise Hunted down, rampent tide don't you see the moon will rise sing now, come what may Tonight the beast be slain Stake down, Flooding tide As you sleep you hear no rhyme it swims towards first-light we hunt our pray tonight Morning breaks across the sand loud cries and clapping hands Crimson-soaked crashing waves we pray our lives be saved Dragon speared amidst the stakes a frightful scream does make for three days Dragon pained The serpent now be slain.
7.
I am the dark, I am the light I am the ships that pass in the night Out in the distance, waiting for me fortune, favor, devil and sea. I am the their, the traitors hand I take what I want and keep what I can I am the beggar, I am the king I am the fool and nothing in-between And all my Life I never seem to fade away I turn my Back unto the west and I look to the sea. Sleepless nights, restless dreams playing with fire, playing for greed all my nightmares trying to wake, trying to tell me all my mistakes I can't tell you why - you don't want to know I can't tell you why - I lost self control waves on the shore line, I have lost my mind Lanterns burning bright - madness in my eyes And all my Life I never seem to fade away I turn my Back unto the west and I look to the sea I turn my back unto the west and I look to the sea Splendor and opulence, riches are mine regency waits on me, brandy and wine out on the sea all are my pray the riches of man are what I crave I can't tell you why - you don't want to know I can't tell you why - I lost self control waves on the shore line, I have lost my mind Lanterns burning bright - madness in my eyes And all my Life I never seem to fade away I turn my Back unto the west and I look to the sea I turn my back unto the west and I look...
8.
In the middle of my thoughts, in the corner of my mind, Lives a lone voice, that I cannot hide, saint dressed in white, the devil that you know, He lives in side of me, everybody knows him, King Dunmail, Raise your crown of stone, King Dunmail, Carry the warrior home, Now on this battle of the Northern Throne, We must join forces for the elder foe, Betrayed by the Celtic king of old, Slain in battle by the just mans sword, And now my kinsman before they die, Lay down the stones on the Dunmail rise, Climb from the mountain and lay down their arms, Throwing the crown in the grisdale tarn, King Dunmail, Raise your crown of stone, King Dunmail, Carry the warrior home, Now we’re back as the spears climb higher, To the brave soul who we all admire, Carriy the crown of the Saxon gold, Lay it on high on the Dunmail stones.

about

Songs from the Solway was recorded around the same time as “Road to Darkness”, with every discernible effort made to make sure we used up all the material before starting the next record! It was put together in a matter of weeks and probably contains some of our most diverse sounding songs... as such, we always hesitated to call it a full-length release!

That said, it remains a special record to me as it recounts many Folk tales and stories from my home County of Cumbria, an ancient place filled with Kings, Warriors and Ghosts… many of these tales are lost from common knowledge so it's somewhat of a history lesson to be able to encapsulate them in song!

The album features, for the first time, a new collaborator to Gandalf's Fist - Local Vocalist Beccie Watson, who guests on three of the Tracks!

Grab an ale and enjoy the ride!


Cheers,

Dean

credits

released December 7, 2011

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Gandalf's Fist UK

Prog/Folk/Rock from the UK. Aided by a merry band of misfits, Gandalf's Fist are your new favourite Cult band waiting to be discovered!

Gandalf's Fist draw on their mutual love for classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd, The Who, and even the likes of Iron Maiden.
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