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Songs from the Solway (Special Edition)

by Gandalf's Fist

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1.
(Instrumental)
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 (Land ho!) 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 boatswain 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 boatswain 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.
Lyrics: Time has come on this winter’s 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.
(Instrumental)
6.
Stakes at low tide, you'll see run aground comfortably Don't sleep, never die, a sigh from deep will rise Hunted down, rampant 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 prey 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, favour, devil and sea. I am the thief, the traitor’s 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 Splendour and opulence, riches are mine regency waits on me, brandy and wine out on the sea all are my prey 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 Man’s’ 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, Carry the crown of the Saxon gold, Lay it on high on the Dunmail stones.

about

"Songs from the Solway" is an EP originally put together quickly in the winter of 2011. It recounts many Folk tales and stories from Dean's 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!

For the Special Edition we have remixed and remastered the release from the ground up, with extensive audio restoration and some brand new instrumentation.

CD Digipaks Available for a LTD time here: gandalfsfist.com/product/948660

credits

released April 15, 2024

Dean Marsh: Instrumentation & Lead Vocals
Luke Severn: Backing Vocals & Lead Vocals on "The Betsy Jane"
Rebecca Watson: Lead Vocals on "She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways" & "Regency Rascal"
Natasha Jaffe: Cello on "She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways"
Faliq Auri: Uilleann Pipes and Whistles on “Stakes at Low Tide”

Originally Recorded & Mixed by Dean Marsh December 2011
Remixed & Remastered by Dean Marsh February 2024
Artwork by Dean Marsh, inspired by original Watercolour by Ronnie Collins

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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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