On one side is everything that was, on the other is everythig that will be. Stay the right side.

The Divider

some colours can never be seen
some shades of blue and green
can't unsee what i've seen
can't undo what has been

but it's a long time living and working
loving in monochrome
part of me says look closer now
at the periphery
any old town is good enough
for me to call home
doesn't matter where you lay your head
if in dreams you roam

some words should never be said
some shades of yellow and red
can't get back what has fled
can't flee from what you dread

there are ways, means, things you can do
if you ever wanna get anywhere
better be sure it's where you want
cos you could be forever stranded there
some of these men will lie 
some of these women ain't what they claim to be
try to keep yourself free
try to keep yourself free

in dreams we roam
in dreams we roam

but it's a long time living and working
loving in monochrome
part of me says look closer now
at the periphery
any old town is good enough
for me to call home
try to keep yourself free
try to keep yourself free
try to keep yourself free
try to keep yourself free

Monochrome

Words, music written and played by Charlie. Instruments:
Acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, snare, tambourine.

The Crow

Simple Song

Just Be

The story of William Guise, who in 1651 was executed without trial by royalists after the Battle of Worcester. He was a local tailor who supported Oliver Cromwell (i.e. anti-monarchy). He spied on Charles II and his cavaliers discussing battle plans, then told Cromwell, leading to the King's defeat and England's only period as a republic. But the royalists hanged him before Cromwell could take control of the city. They made a death mask of his head and embedded it in a wall as a warning to royalist traitors. It is still there today, and is the cover image for this song.

Lyrics:
i heard the call 
the summon to the hall in the commandery
it's a good job that i did
i heard it all 
the reckless few, the fearing of the many 
though they kept their true thoughts hid

but if they'd said what's in their head
i doubt that history would change
but maybe some things would

armour-clad 
a camisado, fifteen hundred royal men to hit the rebel camp
i was glad 
i think i had always suspected i would upon history leave my stamp

i'd heard my fill 
up to redhill i ran and did the only thing
i'd do it all again
the king's men struck, but with no luck
the rebels knew to be prepared and drove them whence they came

face on a wall 
i didn't mean to wreck it all
the dreams we had of children playing and never saying no

i kind of knew 
that short of you no one would understand me
not the people roundabout
and that was true 
as i came to our home again they grabbed me
and they crowned me with a shroud

still on my feet 
down to broad street they bundled me and strung me up, a symbol on a pole
for those who might 
one autumn night
defy the herd and speak what they believe, not what they're told
and so my name was cast in shame
how can they call it treachery if to yourself you're true

face on a wall 
i didn't mean to wreck it all
the dreams we had of children playing and never saying no
face on a wall 
i guess i heard the rebel call
and if our children hear it too please never tell them no
just let them go

Face On A Wall

I Wonder

Pretty soon things will come undone
Despite the bounty we have won

Silver Screen

Dave

falling from a lime tree
another heart-shaped leaf
summer's all behind me
autumn is a slow thief

you were set on a goal
an obsession you hold
you were ready to go to war
your possessions were sold
you could probably sell some more

it feels cold, the waiting
it feels cold, the waiting
it feels cold, the waiting
are you feeling the cold wind too?
or is somebody warming you?

you sentenced me to three
months of loneliness
you made it clear that i've been
the cause of all this stress

when i came up to you
as the summer wind blew
on a thursday up in crewe
i was falling for you
but in my heart i knew

it feels cold, the waiting
it feels cold, the waiting
it feels cold
are you feeling the cold wind too?
it feels cold
it feels cold
it feels cold, the waiting
it feels cold
but it's warmer than yesterday
i believe the wind changed today

The Waiting (remaster)

i fall in
i fall because i'm needing
the spaces are receding
the avenues back home

i wanted
to feel that i was haunted
my patience has been taunted
by tormentors unknown

where you stood
the withering of wormwood
i'd walk away if i could
if i was not alone

i'm seeing
i see where this is leading
the passages revealing
the sun destroy the haze

time frozen
this moment has been chosen
a gradual explosion
of all i kept at bay

where you stood
the fripperies of falsehood
if i could make my thoughts good
i'd stick to what i say

muscle memory
what remains of me
instinct drives
what's inside
muscle memory

Muscle Memory (acoustic)

Vid of performance: https://youtu.be/eZnLMwdDWeI?si=31l8qKbK66d27sk_

Bag Of Pills by Arlo McKinley (live cover)

i fall in
i fall because i'm needing
the spaces are receding
the avenues back home

i wanted
to feel that i was haunted
my patience has been taunted
by tormentors unknown

where you stood
the withering of wormwood
i'd walk away if i could
if i were not alone

muscle memory
what remains of me
instinct drives
what's inside
muscle memory

i'm seeing
i see where this is leading
the passages revealing
the sun destroy the haze

time frozen
this moment has been chosen
a gradual explosion
of all i kept at bay

the fripperies of falsehood
if i could make my thoughts good
i'd stick to what i say

muscle memory
what remains of me
instinct drives
what's inside
muscle memory
*2

Muscle Memory

Vid of this recording: https://youtu.be/O8LqrZeDDnE?si=9Gc8ncjARQjv9lOb

Meds (live cover of Placebo song)

It's a Rolling Stones song but I know the Townes Van Zandt version just as well. Here is a vid of this performance:
https://youtu.be/IlnZ3aj_yi8?si=40h43RQCFDiDMQ4v

Dead Flowers (live cover)

A country folk tune about having a hard time keeping your partner. And making cider! Throw in guitar, banjo and some percussive things and we have a song! It is named after a famous novel written by a distant relative. 

Cider with Rosie

So @markcombs-928282858 sent me a track and said, Charlie, can you lay down some words to this? I clicked play and boy, was I inspired. Combstead is a wizard of guitarness. Is that a word? Yes! I don't know when I'll get my supper, but hopefully this song will help.

Singing For My Supper

I guess a folk song can't technically be original (since they are all attributed to "anon") but to me it's a folk song. The Battle of Worcester was fought between the Parliamentarians led from Oliver Cromwell, and the Royalists led by Charles II. Most of the king's troops were Scottish foot soldiers. They were recruited based on familial and community pressure, propaganda and outright lies, and marched hundreds of miles south to a confrontation that looked increasingly unwinnable. When the battle was inevitably lost and Charles fled to safety the Scottish troops were left to flee north (those who weren't slaughtered on the field). Pretty much all were rounded up and either executed on the spot or sold to slavery. Victims of the Civil Wars.

#englishcivilwar #battleofworcester #worcester #folksong #acousticmusic #acousticguitar #originalsong #scotland

North (live demo)

Vid of this performance: 
https://youtu.be/6GKBOA8wZ2g

Blood In A Tin Cup (rough demo)

Never Tear Us Apart (live cover)

Just The Reckoning

Tree On A Hill

21 Summers

1992

When The Devil Rides

Blood In A Tin Cup

Normal Working People

Check out my debut album The Divider. Thank you to all on Soundcloud who have encouraged or helped me in any way.

Charlie Williams

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