The Alzheimer Society of  Ireland – National Choir Song Booklet 3

INDEX

                                                                                      Page No

Morning has broken                                                           3

Just a closer Walk with thee                                             4

Wind in the Willows                                                           5/6

Down by the River                                                              7

Fields of Athenry                                                                8

Spancil  Hill                                                                          9

Star of County Down                                                         10/11

Slieve na Mon                                                                      12

Streets of London                                                               13

Matchstick Men and Matchstick Cats and Dogs         14/15

The Boxer                                                                             16

Leaving on a Jet Plane                                                       17

All Kinds of Everything                                                    18

Rock and Roll Kids                                                            19

Save your Kisses for Me                                                    20

Waterloo                                                                               21

MORNING HAS BROKEN

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world

Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God’s recreation of the new day

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world

JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE

Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be

I am weak but Thou art strong
Jesus keep me from all wrong
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee

Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be

When my feeble life is o’er
Time for me will be no more
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom’s shore, to Thy shore

Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be

WIND IN THE WILLOWS

As I went a walking, One morning in spring
I met with some travellers
On an old country lane

One was an old man, The second a maid
The third was a young boy who smiled as he said

With the wind in the willows
And the birds in the sky
There’s a bright sun to warm us wherever we lie…
We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of mankind.”

So I asked them to tell me their name and their race
So I could remember each smile on their face
Our names, they mean nothing…
They change throughout time
So come sit beside us and share in our wine”

With the wind in the willows
The birds in the sky
There’s a bright sun to warm us wherever we lie…
We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of mankind.”

So I sat down beside them, With flowers all around
We eat from a mantle, Spread out on the ground
They told me of prophets, And peoples and kings
And all of the one god that knows everything

We’re traveling to Glaston, Over England’s green lanes
To hear of men’s troubles, To hear of their pains

We travel the wide world, Over land and the sea
To tell all the people, How they can be free…”

With the wind in the willows
The birds in the sky
There’s a bright sun to warm us wherever we lie…
We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of mankind.”

So sadly I left them, On that old country lane

For I knew that I never would see them again

One was an old man The second a maid

The third was a young boy who smiled as he said…

With the wind in the willows
The birds in the sky
There’s a bright sun to warm us wherever we lie…
We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of mankind.”

With the wind in the willows
The birds in the sky
There’s a bright sun to warm us wherever we lie…
We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of mankind.”

DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE

I’m gonna lay down my heavy load, down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my heavy load, down by the riverside,
I’m gonna study war no more

I ain’t a gonna study war no more, ain’t gonna study war no more

I ain’t gonna study war no mo—–ore

I ain’t a gonna study war no more, ain’t gonna study war no more

I ain’t gonna study war no more

I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside
I’m gonna study war no more

I ain’t a gonna study war no more, ain’t gonna study war no more

I ain’t gonna study war no mo—–ore

I ain’t a gonna study war no more, ain’t gonna study war no more

I ain’t gonna study war no more

I’m gonna meet my dear father Lord, down by the riverside,

Down by the riverside, down by the riverside,

I’m gonna meet my dear father Lord, down by the riverside

I’m gonna study war no more

I ain’t a gonna study war no more, ain’t gonna study war no more

I ain’t gonna study war no mo—–ore

I ain’t a gonna study war no more, ain’t gonna study war no more

I ain’t gonna study war no more

I’m gonna meet my dear mother Lord, down by the riverside,

Down by the riverside, down by the riverside,

I’m gonna meet my dear mother Lord, down by the riverside

I’m gonna study war no more

I’m gonna put on my starry crown, down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna put on my starry crown, down by the riverside,
I’m gonna study war no more

I ain’t gonna study war no more …..etc.

FIELDS OF ATHENRY

By a lonely prison wall, I heard a young girl calling,

Michael they have taken you a way,

For you stole Trevelyn’s  corn,

so the young might see the morn,

Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay.

Low lie the fields of Athenry,

Where once we watched the small free birds fly,

Our love was on the wing,

We had dreams and songs to sing,

It’s so lonely round the fields of Athenry.

By a lonely prison wall, I heard a young man calling,

Nothing matters Mary when you’re free,

Against the famine and the Crown,

I rebelled, they cut me down,

Now you must raise our child with dignity.

Low lie the fields of Athenry,

Where once we watched the small free birds fly,

Our love was on the wing,

We had dreams and songs to sing,

It’s so lonely round the fields of Athenry.

By a lonely harbour wall, she watched the last star falling,

As the prison ship sailed out against the sky,

For she’ll live in hope and pray, for her love in Botany Bay,

It’s so lonely round the fields of Athenry

Low lie the fields of Athenry,

Where once we watched the small free birds fly,

Our love was on the wing,

We had dreams and songs to sing,

It’s so lonely round the fields of Athenry.

It’s so lonely round the fields of Athenry.

SPANCIL HILL

Last night as I lay dreamin’ of pleasant days gone by
Me mind been bent on ramblin’ to Ireland I did fly
I stepped on board a vision and I followed with a will
when at last I came to anchor at the cross at Spancil Hill

It was on the twenty third of June the day before the fair
where Ireland’s sons and daughters and friends assembled there
the young, the old, the brave and the bold came their duty to fulfill
at the little church at Clooney a mile from Spancil Hill

I went to see my neighboUrs to see what they might say
the old ones they were dead and gone the young ones turnin’ grey
I met with Tailor Quigley, he’s as bold as ever still
for he used to make me breeches when I lived in Spancil Hill

I paid a flying visit to my first and only love
she’s as white as any lilly and as gentle as a dove
she threw her arms around me sayin’, “Johnny, I love you still!”
she’s Ned the farmer’s daughter and the pride of Spancil Hill

I dreamt I hugged and kissed her as in the days of yore
she said, “Johnny, you’re only jokin’ as manys the times before!”
the cock he crew in the mornin’ he crewed so loud and shrill
and I was back in California many miles from Spancil Hill

STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN

Near Banbridge town in the County Down
One evening last July
Down a bóithrín green came a sweet cailín
And she smiled as she passed me by

She looked so neat from her two bare feet
To the sheen of her nut-brown hair
Such a coaxing elf, I’d to shake myself
For to see I was standing there

From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay
From Galway to Dublin town
No maid I’ve seen like the fair cailín
That I met in the County Down

As she onward sped, sure I scratched my head,
Then I looked with a feeling rare,
And I says, says I, to a passer-by,
“Who’s the maid with the nut brown hair?”

He smiled at me and he says, says he,
“That’s the gem of the Ireland’s crown.
Young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann,
She’s the star of the County Down”.

From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay and
From Galway to Dublin Town,
No maid I’ve seen like the brown colleen
That I met in the County Down.

At the harvest fair she’ll be surely there
So I’ll dress in my Sunday clothes,
With my shoes shone bright and my hat cocked right
for a smile from my nut brown rose.

No pipe I’ll smoke, no horse I’ll yoke
‘Till my plough is rust coloured brown.
‘Till a smiling bride, by my own fireside
Sits the star of the County Down.

From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay and
From Galway to Dublin Town,
No maid I’ve seen like the brown colleen
That I met in the County Down.

From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay and
From Galway to Dublin Town,
No maid I’ve seen like the brown colleen
That I met in the County Down.

SLIEVENAMON

Alone, all alone, by the wave washed strand
All alone in the crowded hall
The hall it is gay, and the waves they are grand
But my heart is not there at all
It flies far away, by night and by day
To the times and the joys that are gone
I never can forget the sweet maiden I met
In the valley near Slievenamon

It was not the grace of her queenly air
Nor her cheek like the rose’s glow
Nor her soft black eyes, nor her flowing hair
Nor was it her lily-white brow
’twas the soul of truth and of melting ruth
And her smile like the summer’s dawn
That stole my heart away, one soft summer day
In the valley near Slievenamon

In the festive hall by the star-watched shore
Ever my restless spirit cries
My love, oh my love, shall I ne’er see you more
Oh my land, will you never uprise
By night and by day, I ever, ever pray
While lonely my life flows on
To see our flag unrolled and my true love to enfold
In the valley near Slievenamon

STREETS OF LONDON

Have you seen the old man in the closed down market

up the paper with his worn out shoes

In his eyes you see no pride, Hand held loosely by his side

Yesterday’s paper telling yesterday’s news

So how can you tell me you’re lonely

And say for you that the sun don’t shine

Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London

I’ll show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old girl who walks the streets of London

Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags

She’s no time for talking  

She just keeps right on walking

Carrying her home in two carrier bags

So how can you tell me you’re lonely

And say for you that the sun don’t shine

Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London

I’ll show you something to make you change your mind

In the all night cafe at a quarter past eleven

Same old man sitting there on his own

Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup   

And each tea lasts an hour and he wanders home alone

So how can you tell me you’re lonely

And say for you that the sun don’t shine

Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London

I’ll show you something to make you change your mind  

Have you seen the old man outside the seamen’s mission

Memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears   

And in our winter city the rain cries a little pity   

For one more forgotten hero and a world that doesn’t care

So how can you tell me you’re lonely

And say for you that the sun don’t shine

Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London

I’ll show you something to make you change your mind

MATCHSTALK MEN AND MATCHSTALK CATS AND DOGS

He painted Salford’s smokey tops
On cardboard boxes from the shops
And parts of ancoats where I used to play
I’m sure he once walked down our street
‘Cause he painted kids who had nowt on their feet
The clothes we wore had all seen better days

Now they said his works of art were dull
No room all round, the walls are full
But Lowry didn’t care much anyway
They said he just paints cats and dogs
And matchstalk men in boots and clogs
And Lowry said that’s just the way they’ll stay

CHORUS

And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
He painted kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs
Now he takes his brush and he waits
Outside them factory gates
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

Now canvas and brushes were wearing thin
When London started calling him
To come on down and wear the old flat cap
They said tell us all about your ways
And all about them Salford days
Is it true you’re just an ordinary chap?

CHORUS

And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
He painted kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs
Now he takes his brush and he waits
Outside them factory gates
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

Now Lowrys hang upon the wall
Beside the greatest of them all
And even the Mona Lisa takes a bow
This tired old man with hair like snow
Told northern folk it’s time to go
The fever came and the good lord mopped his brow

CHORUS

And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
He left us kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs
Now he takes his brush and he waits
Outside them pearly gates
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
He left us kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs
Now he takes his brush and he waits
Outside them pearly gates
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

THE BOXER – Simon & Garfunkel

I am just a poor boy though my story’s seldom told
I have squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles
Such are promises
All lies and jest
Still, a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest

Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm
Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm

When I left my home and my family, I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers, In the quiet of the railway station
Running scared
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters
Where the ragged people go
Looking for the places only they would know

CHORUS

Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie

Asking only workman’s wages I come looking for a job
But I get no offers
Just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there

Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, Lie- lie-lie-lie

Then I’m laying out my winter clothes
And wishing I was gone, Going home
Where the New York City winters aren’t bleeding me
Leading me
Going home

In the clearing stands a boxer, And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders, Of every glove that laid him down
Or cut him till he cried out, In his anger and his shame
“I am leaving, I am leaving”, But the fighter still remains

Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, Lie- lie-lie-lie

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE

All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go
I’m standin’ here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye

But the dawn is breakin’, It’s early morn
The taxi’s waitin’, He’s blowin’ his horn
Already I’m so lonesome, I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go

CHORUS

‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

There’s so many times I’ve let you down
So many times I’ve played around
I tell you now, they don’t mean a thing
Every place I go, I’ll think of you
Every song I sing, I’ll sing for you
When I come back, I’ll bring your wedding ring

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go

CHORUS

‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time, Let me kiss you
Then close your eyes, And I’ll be on my way

Dream about the days to come, When I won’t have to leave alone
About the times, I won’t have to say

Kiss me and smile for me, Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go

CHORUS

ALL KINDS OF EVERYTHING

Snowdrops and daffodils,
Butterflies and bees,
Sailboats and fishermen,
Things of the sea,
Wishing wells, wedding bells,
Early morning dew,
All kinds of everything
Remind me of you.

Seagulls and aeroplanes,
Things of the sky,
Winds that go howling,
Breezes that sigh,
City sights, neon lights,
Grey skies or blue,
All kinds of everything
Remind me of you.

Summer time, winter time,
Spring and autumn too,
Monday, Tuesday, everyday,
I think of you.

Dances, romances,
Things of the night,
Sunshine and holidays,
Postcards to write.

Budding trees, autumn leaves,
A snowflake or two,
All kinds of everything
Remind me of you.

Summer time, winter time,
Spring and autumn too,
Seasons will never change
The way that I love you.

Dances, romances,
Things of the night.
Sunshine and holidays,
Postcards to write,
Budding trees, autumn leaves,
A snowflake or two.

All kinds of everything, Remind me of you.

All kinds of everything, Remind me of you.

ROCK AND ROLL KIDS

I remember ’62
I was sixteen and so were you
And we lived next door
On the avenue
Jerry Lee was big and Elvis too
Blue jeans and blue suede shoes
And we never knew
What life held in store.
We just wanted to rock ‘n’ roll forever more

We were the Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids
And rock ‘n’ roll was all we did
And listening to those songs on the radio
I was yours and you were mine
But that was once upon a time
Now we never seem to rock ‘n’ roll anymore

Now Johnny’s in love with the girl next door
And Mary’s down at the record store
They don’t want to be… around us no more
“Golden Oldies” but we hardly speak
Too busy running to a different beat
Hard to understand, we were once like them
How I wish we could find those rock ‘n’ roll days again

We were the Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids
And rock ‘n’ roll was all we did
And listening to those songs on the radio
I was yours and you were mine
But that was once upon a time
Now we never seem to rock and roll anymore

I was yours and you were mine
That was once upon a time
Now we never seem to rock and roll

We just never seem to rock and roll anymore

SAVE YOUR KISSES FOR ME

Though it hurts to go away it’s impossible to stay
But there’s one thing I must say before I go
I love you (I love you) you know
I’ll be thinking of you in most everything I do

Now the time is moving on and I really should be gone
But you keep me hanging on for one more smile

I love you (I love you) all the while
With your cute little way will you promise that you’ll save, your,

Kisses for me?
Save all your kisses for me
Bye, bye, baby, bye, bye
Don’t cry honey, don’t cry

Gonna walk out that door, but I’ll soon be back for more
Kisses for me, save all your kisses for me
So long, honey, so long
Hang on, baby, hang on
Don’t you dare me to stay, ’cause you know I’ll have to say

That I’ve got to work each day and that’s why I go away
But I count the seconds till I’m home with you
I love you (I love you), it’s true
You’re so cute honey gee
Won’t you save them up for me?

Your kisses for me, save all your kisses for me
Bye, bye, baby, bye, bye
Don’t cry, honey, don’t cry
Gonna walk out that door, but I’ll soon be back for more
Kisses for me, save all your kisses for me
So long, honey, so long
Hang on, baby, hang on
Don’t you dare me to stay, ’cause you know you’ve got to save

Your kisses for me, save all your kisses for me
Bye, bye, baby, bye, bye
Don’t cry, honey, don’t cry
Won’t you save them for me even though you’re only three?

WATERLOO

My, my
At Waterloo, Napoleon did surrender
Oh, yeah
And I have met my destiny in quite a similar way

The history book on the shelf, Is always repeating itself

Waterloo, I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo, Promise to love you forever more

Waterloo, Couldn’t escape if I wanted to
Waterloo, Knowing my fate is to be with you
Wa-Wa-Wa-Wa-Waterloo
Finally facing my Waterloo

My, my
I tried to hold you back, but you were stronger
Oh, yeah
And now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight

And how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose

Waterloo, I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo, Promise to love you forever more

Waterloo, Couldn’t escape if I wanted to
Waterloo, Knowing my fate is to be with you
Wa-Wa-Wa-Wa-Waterloo
Finally facing my Waterloo

So how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose

Waterloo, Couldn’t escape if I wanted to
Waterloo, Knowing my fate is to be with you

Wa-Wa-Wa-Wa-Waterloo
Finally facing my Waterloo
Ooh-ooh, Waterloo
Knowing my fate is to be with you

Wa-Wa-Wa-Wa-Waterloo
Finally facing my Waterloo
Ooh-ooh, Waterloo
Knowing my fate is to be with you