![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Sleeve Notes
My gratitude and sincere thanks to them all. As always, it was a privilege and a pleasure to work with such a group of supremely talented musicians.
This CD is dedicated to Australian Democracy, which, after a vicious and sustained assault over the past twenty years or so by various cynical and self-serving politicians, greedy corporate robber barons, and a colourful assortment of loud-mouthed media personalities, is at present in a critical condition in the Joh Bjelke-Petersen Memorial Ward of the Humbug Hill Hospital in Canberra. Get well soon …
A Fork In The Road — the premise for this song, and a couple of the lyric lines, were borrowed (stolen) shamelessly from Robert Burns, unquestionably Scotland's greatest poet … written as a tribute to my partner in crime for the past 35 years, John Campbell Munro, unquestionably Maryhill's greatest musical export …
Once Upon A Time — No fairy story this, and no guarantee of a happy ending either.
The Best Of Times — Every second Saturday back in Glasgow, my family would gather for a singalong. My dad and his brothers and sisters would harmonise on the big songs of the day. Their voices were good as indeed were the times — the best in fact … The voice you hear at the end of the song is my father Charlie, recorded in Glasgow in 1963. He's long gone now, my dad, but after all these years I finally get to harmonise with him and that makes me happy — John
When I'm Dead — This will hopefully occur around 2045AD
First The Children — I've drunk at this particular well a few times in my song writing career, and will probably visit it again, as the predilection of the human race to regularly slaughter each other in obscene wars shows no signs of stopping any time soon.
Heartland — It's out there somewhere. Or maybe it's inside us somewhere. Either way we only seem to glimpse it occasionally.
The List — I've lived in Australia now for 47 years, twice as long as I lived in Scotland, so I suppose now I'm an Aussie rather than a Scossie. I certainly have the citizenship papers to prove it, and I've had the operation as well. I still miss a few things about Scotland of course, wouldn't be human if I didn't.
Farewell Fitness — I asked Pete Titchener to write a song for the CD that sums up his life's philosophy, something that would give those who hear it an emotional and spiritual lift … .this is his contribution.
Ballad For Billy — Bill Spencer was 26 years old when he lost his life in a tragic accident. In spite of their grief, his parents decided to donate his organs to help others because "that's what Bill would want" … So Bill's heart then gave another chance of life to the young father of three beautiful little girls, and, through an amazing set of circumstances, a few months later Bill's mum and dad listened to their son's heart beating in that young father's body … .imagine, if you can, how that would feel … And a further four more lives were saved by other organs that Bill provided, that's some legacy. This song was written by Bill's uncle Simon the night after Bill died. He sent it to me, I liked it, and have included it on this CD. Needless to say the song is dedicated to Peter and Linda, and Simon, and all those people who loved Bill. And from what I gather, there were a lot of people who did.
Freedom Lost — This song is based on the famous quotation by a German Pastor, Martin Neimoller, about the persecution of various sections of the population in Nazi Germany in the 1930's:
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
Breakup — Some relationship break-ups are civilised, even cordial affairs. Others, however …
Voices — The voices of singers, poets and artists have inspired, informed, and changed us through the centuries. This song is for them. Dedicated to my friends Leonie and Terry — John