First song to be taken from my new album "The Pleasures & Pains of Life" which is due to be released this spring 2023.
We all have ideas of what life means to us,  although birth & death & everything in between, has to be considered at some time or another.

"Life’s about change, leaders change.
So much stays the same, passions inflame.
Friendships fluctuate, some grow, degenerate.
Confidence proclaimed. That’s love rearranged.

Life ain’t all about good days,
Life ain’t all about bad days,
Life ain’t all about “Happy”,
Life ain’t all about sad.

If life is all about think & thought,
If life is all about taught & talk,
If life is how they fake it,
Life is what you make it.

Life’s about fate. Make no mistake.
Determination trait may compensate.
The inevitable end, spirits ascend.
The passing, demise. Irreversible surprise.

Life ain’t all about curtains,
Life ain’t all about sleep.
Life ain’t all about shallow
Life ain’t all about deep.

If life is all about birth & death.
If life is all about health & breath.
Life is love & heartbreak.
A work of art. Divine mistake.

If life is all about birth & death.
If life is all about wealth & breath.
We pay to breed, breathe then leave. 
Learning through life to love & to grieve."

Words, music & arrangements, vocals, piano & keys by X24.
Many thanks to Roger P  guitar, Jane B backing vocals, & Gary W mixing & drums

Life Is n ain't

The first track from a new four track ep I am releasing at Easter 2024. Anger which escalates could be replaced by forgiveness & love.

You took my spoon, I’d like it back, soon.
When it rained you took my mack, monsoon.
Thunder warning, potential typhoon.
Avoid the downpour, time to change your tune.

Children learn to give & take, & share.
Adults teach them love & hate, beware.
Their faith, beliefs, dreams & gifts compared
Realities of life, cause damage, un-repaired.

Unfair, We care. That prayer, Nightmare.

So when does borrow become steal?
Lines get crossed, old wounds revealed.
How does patience turn to outrage?
Stay cool & calm, avoid a rampage.

An eye for an eye
Will leave the whole world blind.

You took my land, my church, my gold 
People became slaves, were raped & sold.
Conflict rumbles on out of control.
A settlement, new peace a dreamy goal.

Unfair, We care. That prayer, Warfare.

An eye for an eye
Will leave the whole world blind.

X24 Feb 2024
Many thanks to Jane Barbara, flute & whistle, Pip, violin, Gary for drums & mixing, & the 3 Daft Monkeys for lending me their riff.

Eye For An Eye

The Tiger tales live at Source Fm Christmas Party 2016

Changing

Life's too short

The Tiger Tales live at Source Fm Christmas Party 2016.

New York

You took your heart to the show and tell
The teacher told you it was fake
You threw your dreams in the wishing well
Now they're lost, lost without a trace
And your fate, is written all over your face
And I can't help you

It's so much sweeter on the outside
I'm glad you see me as a freaky weirdo
Wouldn't wanna see through your eyes
No sale, I'll be on my way

You bought your thoughts from the Daily Mail
You raise a flag to Hope and Glory
You gave your reason to a jumble sale
Now it's lost, lost without a trace
And your pain, is written all over your face
And I can't help you

It's so much sweeter........

A fairly self explanatory ditty eh!

Demo

No Sale

A song that celebrates an enduring love, written by Fergus McNeill.
Guitars and vocals performed by Fergus and recorded and produced by Andrew Howie.
Violins performed and recorded by Jill O'Sullivan.
Final track mixed and produced by Fergus.
[Copyright Fergus McNeill 2019.]

Bloodrush

Bloodrush (original demo)

My self composed & performed observations on the covid virus, set to a dance club vibe. Play loud, jump up & down, let off some steam, stay safe, embrace!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU_z0ZEfuLQ&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1kBLF5qpKK9EZNmb0yHANM9suetua3vbSr4YCdSAZLQIZ0EM9FZDsOBEQ

Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.
Stay alert, control the virus, save lives.
Wash, cover, make, hands, face, space.
Wash hands, cover face, make space
Too late!

People will die. People complying.
People were listening. People aren’t listening.
People believing. Someone is lying.
Protest, an outcry. Someone’s deceiving.
Frustrate.

Covidiot, the RO climbs, covidio, we’re shielding.
The fear is spread around the planet
All humans share this pandemic panic.

Hospitals built, but never used, spread fear.
The numbers shared, twisted, compared, to scare.
Test and trace, the homework space.
Download apps, you will be traced
Lockdown time can’t be replaced.
Lockdown lives, the lockdown waste.
Disgrace.

Masks ineffective, the people submissive
Don’t question the narrative. Challenge non permissive.
Question inconsistencies , question  control.
Stand up for your freedoms. Be true to your soul.
Cajole!

Covidiot, flatten the curve, covideo, get tested.
The tests aren’t there, the tests go wrong.
The vaccine dream, heard immunity’s strong.

Stay at home, protect the NHS. We tried.
Stay alert, control the virus. Why lie?
Wash hands ,cover face, make space.
Alternatives ignored, debased
Confusing lockdown laws in place.
Love, feel, fight, heal. Truth revealed.
Embrace.

X24  28.09.20

Covidiots

Inspired by  Roger Waters song, "Is this the life we really want", I have changed the words, added some Gilmouresque  guitars, & Floydian Sax, to create an epic seven minute track. It's about our rapidly changing world in late 2020, the fears & the love........

The world is changing fast. Wars & famines, refugees.
The virus dread, unknown disease.
The media spreads fear. Endless warnings, droning whine.
Who needs reminding we’re not fine?

Stay safe, take the advice, but it will change.
Self isolation, stay in line. Avoid all strangers, all the time.

Is this the life we really need? It must be so the experts say.
Statistics changing every day.

Testing inconclusive, uncomfortable, intrusive.
Vaccines justifiable, expensive, unreliable.
The reassuring patronising words & explanations,
Spread confusion & concern, unacceptable sensations.

And every time protestors feel tear gas in their eyes,
Every time another death fails to arouse surprise.
Every time plumes of smog float up into our skies.
Every time we’re reassured, inside we agonise.

Is this the life we really need?
It’s not too late to make a stand . Make changes in this weary land.

Every time we sell a gun to topple a regime.
Every time we block our ears, ignoring desperate screams.
All the time we fail to see we’re all part of one team.
All the time we fail to share our love, our lives, our dreams.

All of us the birds & bees, the creatures & trustees.
The quirky, murky, perky souls, the preachers & the sleaze.
The rainforests, the earth’s core, the air, the fire, the seas.
Everything is relevant, selfishness & greed.

Is this the life we really need?
Don’t be sucked in by the fear. Love & healing reappears.

“Every time the curtain falls on some forgotten life,
It is because we all stood by silent & indifferent.”

X24 (& Waters)words & music, November 2020
X24, Vocals & keys
Pete Hambrook , Guitars.
Al stewart, Sax.
Gary Williams, Drums, engineering & mixing.

IS THIS THE LIFE ?

"X24" is a keyboard player and singer songwriter, based in West Cornwall. 
The songs are observations on love & life. Collaborations with local musicians & artisans are included here. If you would like to work with me, let me know!
I had an EP  in the spring of 2019,"Trust the writer", a 12 track album, "The Pleasures & pains of love" in 2021  & another ep, "Wake up" in 2021, & a covers ep called X24 Undercover in March 2022.
They are all on You tube, Spotify, amazon, Apple Music etc.
My second album, "The Pleasures & pains of life" came out in the spring of 2023. The next ep, "An eye for an eye" is being released in April  2024.
Thanks for looking and listening.

Eye For An Eye

x24

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