A melancholic, contemplative, somewhat eerie, frankly irregular piece for solo piano.

Time (2014 remastered version)

Recorded at IronJay Studios April/ May 2024
Engineered, produced by me
Music by me
Drums, bass and guitars generated by Band In A Box
Keyboards, acoustic guitar, percussion, hand claps and vocals by me
Lyrics by Carroll Kiphen (@carroll-kiphen)

There’s a question lurking in the deep blue of your eyes.
A truth to what you’re seeking buried in the lies.
It’s a single piece of puzzle missing from the board
That will give you what it is you’re looking for.
What you're looking for

You cruise each passing wave like some surfer in the sky.
Trying to get the most of life riding out your high.
Someday you’ll find the meaning in the meaning of it all.
But you won’t see or hear it when it comes to call.

Don’t convolute your logic with things you can’t control.
It’s the noose that hangs in waiting upon the gallows pole.

There’s no need to draw the blinds or pull the curtains tight.
Coz even in the darkness you can feel it’s sacred light.
Burning like some beacon from a tower strong and tall,
Some where in your wilderness you will hear its call.

Don’t convolute your logic with things you can’t control.
It’s the noose that hangs in waiting upon the gallows pole.

As a change begins to grow like a shadow on the wall,
And the pieces of the puzzle come together one and all

Don’t convolute your logic with things you can’t control.
It’s the noose that hangs in waiting upon the gallows pole

The Gallows Pole (Pieces Of The Puzzle)

It is 50 years today since my lovely Mum, Olive, passed away...18 July 1975. She was 44.

To mark this important date in my family's history, and in memory of her, I wanted to record Mum's favourite song.

The melody was composed by Antonín Dvořák in 1893 while he was the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America, and became the main theme of the second movement, the Largo, of his symphony number 9, known worldwide as the 'New World' Symphony.
The theme from the Largo was then adapted by Dvořák's pupil William Arms Fisher, who wrote the lyrics in 1922.

Mum's favourite version of this song was the one by Deanna Durbin, who sang it in the 1941 movie, 'It Started With Eve' and, if my memory serves me correctly, Mum liked Deanna Durbin because her parents were from Manchester!

This arrangement is based on the version by The Alan Parsons Project that came out in 2022. As Mum played the tenor horn in a brass band, I have integreated several brass band instruments into the arrangement.

It's sung by me and was recorded at IronJay Studios on 17 July 2025...with my Mum's spirit by my side.

Miss you x

Goin' home, goin' home
I'm just goin' home
Quiet like, some still day
I'm just goin' home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
Work all done, care laid by
Goin' to fear no more

Mother's there 'specting me
Father's waiting too
Lots of folk gathered there
All the friends I knew
All the friends I knew

Nothing lost, all's gain
No more fret nor pain
No more stumbling on the way
No more longing for the day
Goin' to roam no more

Morning star lights the way
Restless dream all done
Shadows gone, break of day
Real life just begun

There's no break, there's no end
Just a living on
Wide awake with a smile
Goin' on and on

Goin' home, goin' home
I'm just goin' home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
Through an open door
I'm just goin' home

Goin' Home

Lyrics by Carroll Kiphen (@carroll-kiphen)

Music, instruments, loops, samples, vocals, engineering and production by me.

They stood before the Oracle
Sacred and revered
Hoping for a miracle
Paralyzed by fear.
When it spoke they all listened
But did not comprehend.
The answer was a riddle;
“One God among men”

There was war between the nations
Hatred between race,
Prejudice and avarice
But no saving grace.
It was the brink of destruction;
It was the eve of the end.
They struggled for the answer;
But it eluded them.

They pondered, they prophesized;
They fought among themselves,
Turned Eden from paradise
Into a living hell.
Every wrong they blamed on God
They brought upon themselves. 

The thunder rolled around the world;
The rain began to fall;
Armies fell upon their knees
When they heard the call;
“There’s but one God for all men
I’m known by many names
And all men are my children
You are each and all the same.

Live together, die together
The choice is love or hate
When you choose what you believe
You have sealed your fate
One God among men
One God among men”

One God Among Men

Lyrics by Paul Beaumont
Music, instruments and vocals by Ian Jenkins
Engineered and Produced by Ian Jenkins

This was the first song I ever wrote, February 2011. My grateful thanks to Paul for the words...top man! You can hear his version at this link https://soundcloud.com/search?q=the%20time%20zones%20inside%20out

Open mouthed and open armed
Am I cursed or am I charmed
I’ll never know
Lost in awe is where I’m found
Caught between the ups and downs
It’s where I go

Stuck for words but want to speak
Hearing things that make me weep
I’m not alone
All my thoughts are always meant
And from my heart the message sent
It’s not on loan

Turn me inside out
Turn me inside out
Turn the key and let me out
Let me show you that there’s no doubt
Turn me inside out
And let me show you who - who I am

In my strength a weakness hide’s
Tempted by the vivid sides
I know my mind
Deep in thought of shallow lies
The truth redeemed can bind the ties
You look you find

Repeat Chorus

Break

Meant to say and meant to do
Too much thought the process through
In heart and mind
It’s open season everyday
Welcome in no farewell say
Don’t be unkind

Turn me inside out
Turn me inside out
Turn the key and let me out
Let me show you that there’s no doubt
Turn me inside out
And let me show you who - who I am
Who I am - Who I am

Inside Out

Lyrics by Carroll Kiphen (https://soundcloud.com/carroll-kiphen)
Music, instruments and vocals by Ian Jenkins
Sound effects by Mother Nature
Engineered and Produced by Ian Jenkins

Don’t dwell upon those dark clouds 
Sometimes they pass on by.
Sometimes we need a little rain 
To bring us back to life. 
Maybe we’ll find a rainbow 
Maybe that pot of gold. 
Or maybe we’ll discover 
The joy in growing old. 

With every clap of thunder;
With every bolt of light
The rain comes ever closer
As does the end of life.
Celebrate the sun
When it comes out to shine.
Celebrate your life
While you’ve got the time.

Let old age bring us wisdom. 
Let us learn from our mistakes.
Let us soar on eagles wings 
Before they close the gate.
It’s swinging in the wind. 
I can hear its hinges sing. 
As a vulture circles high above
On Satan’s silent wings.

With every clap of thunder;
With every bolt of light
The rain comes ever closer
As does the end of life.
Celebrate the sun
When it comes out to shine.
Celebrate your life
While you’ve got the time.

When you see that flash of lightning
And you hear the thunder roll
When the rain starts pouring down
Only then will you know
If the devil has your soul.

With every clap of thunder;
With every bolt of light
The rain comes ever closer
As does the end of life.
Celebrate the sun
When it comes out to shine.
Celebrate your life
While you’ve still got the time.

(Celebrate the sun)
Celebrate the sun
(Celebrate the sun)
Celebrate the sun
(Celebrate the sun)

Time (2014 remastered version)

davegreen