Anyone who has stood on a stage will associate with this song its a Ballad for a Ballad singer, expressing the experiences and heart felt feeling of the Ballad singers and entertainers the world over. I hope you like it. It is a collaboration between myself and Finn Eces.

Listen to more of  Finn Eces : @finn_eces 


Written by: Finn Eces and Johnny Mc Farlane 
All instruments : Finn Eces 
Vocals : Finn Eces 
Electric Guitar : Johnny Mc 
Arrangement and Production : Finn Eces

Ballad For A Ballad Singer featuring Finn Eces

This is a fun song dedicated to.........Well we  all know at least one...enjoy 

Just for fun not based on anybody that I know ...if you see yourself here it is just a coincidence ...ha ha 

Johnny

Look at me ( The Narcissist's anthem )

For everyone who wants change. This one will get you going thats for sure. 
For the new Generation, Don't be afraid... 

Johnny

New Generation

Just got some inspiration to write this song again with just my guitar and vocal you gotta love it...wild and Free 

Johnny

Wild And Free- Acoustic Guitar version

Well i wrote this song for the Rolling Stones if they should ever get around to listening to it,  i have always been a big fan so i decided to mix a bit of Gospel, a bit of Blues and Hey presto a new song for Mick and Keith. In true Keith Richard tradition i took my Bass E string off and tuned the guitar to key of G. The main guitar is the Bridge pick up on the Les Paul giving a nice rounded sound and the lead is the bridge pick up more giving a more trebly and cutting through the mix a bit. No processing all clean as they sound. My vocals have a bit of Saturation and distortion and Compression to give me that bluesy sound, hope you'll like it and Mick & Keith if your out there let me know how i did..

Written by Johnny Mc Farlane for the Rolling Stones.

Wash My Soul in the River

This is the story about  a solitary Man who kept to himself, didn't much like the world or the people in it, he only comes out at night in the Dark so No-one can see him, he is a lonely man & he lives a lonely life, the one day he just wished himself away and vanished in the Mist, never to be seen again. All together Ahhhhhhhhh :-) 

Written, performed and mixed : Johnny Mc Farlane 2023

Disappeared In The Mist

When i was a kid we use to have  a saying " I cross my heart and hope to die if i ever tell a lie, Here is a little catchy, dance pop song based on that saying. Hope you like it. 
Big thank you to Nadien De Macedo for her help in the structure and advice. Very big thank you Nadine. https://soundcloud.com/nadinedemacedo?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
 



Written & Performed by Johnny Mc Farlane .

Cross my Heart & hope to die

Sometimes a song needs a special touch to bring it to its full potential and Finn  once again has transformed this very average little ugly Duckling song into a beautiful elegant White Swan  and lifted it to a height that only he can with his amazing vocal & production talents. Listen to more of Finns Songs https://soundcloud.com/finn_eces?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
The song is about an ordinary Guy, could be you and I, He has no wings, he's good and he's bad, he's human not an Angel but when you need someone he is the one who is there for you in your hour of need and always will be , because he's  Solid. He's your friend . 
Thank you Finn. 

Written by : Johnny Mc Farlane 
Performed & arranged by : Finn eces

Ordinary Guy : Featuring Finn Eces

Fast Car was 1st Released in 1988 by Tracy Chapman. It has always been one of my most favorite of all time songs, Luke Combs has just done an Awesome version as well so i decided it was time i did one Too. This is only my 2nd cover on SC and i hope i have done justice to this awesome song.
Song written by : Tracy Chapman 1988 
Guitars, drums, Vocals as well as mixing and mastering: Johnny Mc Farlane

Fast Car (Written by Tracy Chapman)

I went to see Paul Simon in the 3 arena in Dublin as part of his Gracelands tour and whilst the gig was amazing, the song of the night was this one and to me it just proves that all you need with a good song is a guitar and a voice and the lyrics are still so prevalent today as they were back when the song was first written.  Thank you Paul. 

Written by Paul Simon 
Performed Live by: Johnny Mc Farlane

The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel)

Another woman died in a Doorway on our busy shopping streets over the Christmas period. She was an Irish woman from Cork in this instance. There are so many homeless people in our city streets, and I observed that almost all the sheltered Shop fronts in the city have people sleeping rough every night. The frost has set in and the nights are bitterly cold and my heart goes out to all those poor people who have to sleep rough. This song is in Memory of the woman who died in Cork , Ireland. May she rest in Peace. 

In my song  “ Cold doorway Bed “ I have created a fictious woman called" who comes from a war torn Eastern European country and who has ended up sleeping rough. Her husband and Children have been killed and she has fled for her life but ends up sleeping in a doorway on Christmas day. I am trying to draw a comparison between the overindulgence that happens over the Christmas period and the plight of Refugees and homeless people in our societies. Christmas should be a Joyous occasion for us all, the birthday of our Savior compared to the death of a homeless person. I want to bring home this Tragedy in full living Colour for us all to see the reality of homelessness for thousands of people in every country across our planet. 

Johnny Mc Farlane 


Cold Doorway Bed .

She sleeps in a doorway, No crib for her Bed.
No bright light of Silver shone around her head.
She lies in the Cold, the rain, and the Snow. 
All alone in this world she has nowhere to go.

As the bells ring for Christmas, she makes up her bed.
Wet cardboard beneath her, a coat for her head.
As the Cold winter wind cuts her to the bone.
She cries in the nighttime and feels so alone.

As She Cries in the Night,
she prays for a light. 
That will save her and take her back home.
But that light didn’t come.
and she sleeps in the doorway alone.

As she lay in the doorway she drifted away.
She dreamt of her life in a happier day. 
Back When she was a mother.
Back when she was a wife.
Back when she had a family.
 back when she had a life.

But this war rages on and it’s taken them all.
Her Husband, her Children.
But she can still hear them Call.
Still sees their faces when she closes her eyes.
She can still feel their kisses and she still hear their cries.

As She Cries in the Night, she prays for a light.
That will save her and take her back home.
But that light never comes, and she sleeps in the doorway alone.

As she lies in the Doorway 
Her Eyes fill with Tears.
She recalls her Loved ones.
It been so many sad years.
Since she’s held them and kissed them.
Since they all went away. 
As she closed her eyes.
She starts to Pray.

As She Prays in the Night, she prays for a light.
That will save her and take her back home.
But that light never comes, and she sleeps in the doorway alone.





She never woke up, They found her Body next day.
Rigid and cold she blocked the Shop Doorway.
A crowd gathered round to look and to stare. 
The shop wasn’t open that was their only care 
And as the church bells did rang and the Caroler's did sing.
For that poor homeless woman not 1 bell did ring.
Not 1 prayer was said , Not 1 tear was shed.
She died all alone in a cold Doorway Bed.

Cold Doorway Bed  : Semi Finalist in the UK Songwriters competition 2024

I wrote this song for my son who went to Australia a while back. Before he went we went camping and surfing over to the west of Ireland to the Maharees, beautiful place. We camped in the dunes, lit a camp fire, cooked burgers, drank beer and later we lay on our backs watching the stars. The sun when it sets in the West of Ireland is Golden as it sinks into the sea. I am comparing the Golden Sun to my Golden son. 
Beautiful Memory in Song. 

This is a remix.

Golden Son

About the song 
Since the beginning of time, the wind has always been there, a beautiful and dangerous power of nature, totally unpredictable, one that man has harnessed to power their sails and lately to generate electricity. I know the wind fairly well being a windsurfer and fair weather sailor. I know how beautiful and dangerous the wind can be. I have great respect for the wind and the Sea and always will have and this song is a tribute to her.  

I would like to thank Finn Eces,  my friend and co-writer of this song. Finn and I have been quite a number of songs under our belts now and I think it must be nearly time for the 1st Album Finn. 
Finn’s voice and production skills have really taken “ The wind “ to a new level,  fine tuning of the lyrics, adding in of that driving bass and funky guitar as well as those beautiful harmony vocals really set this song up to be a real Summer hit in all the beach bars around the world ( If Only ) 
Written by: Johnny Mc Farlane & Finn Eces 
Music and Vocals: Johnny & Finn 
Production : Finn  @finn_eces

The Wind

When i was a young Boy my father use to come home late at night drunk and looking for a fight with my Mother. She eventually got sick of the abuse and left him and i was left at home to help him.
Here is what i use to say to him.
I was 9 years old. 
Written and performed by : John Mc Farlane

Daddy Will You Hold My Hand

The older I get the more I realise that the Stairway to Heaven is not an easy path. It is steep and has many pitfalls, many that I have fallen on and many that still allude me. The path is littered with pain and heartache, and no one gets in unless they truly have tried to overcome the pain and hardship of this crazy world. How much Pain do we have to Pay to get inside the Perly gates and is it wort it? I cant answer this one but my song tries to contemplate the trials and tribulations of Life at the moment and asks the question. “When does the bad stuff stop and when does the God stuff start?” 

Written, performed and produced by: John Mc Farlane 


I just noticed something lately and it’s the strangest story that I could tell 
But it seems like the Stairway to Heaven is paved with Red hot Coals from Hell 

I just noticed something lately It seems strange after all these year 
But seems like rivers in Heaven are filled with our pain and our tears 

Chorus 
So where does the bad stuff stop and where does the God stuff start 
Where does the pain give way to the peace in your heart 
I walked that path of Red-hot coals I burn my heart ad burn my soles
I lost my way a million times I paid for my sins and for my crimes 

When does the God stuff start       all I want is peace in my heart 

I just noticed something lately     and it’s driving me insane 
It seems like the rain in heaven comes from our hurt and our pain 
I know I’m arriving here sort of late, but I have hope and o have faith 
But how much pain do I have to pay to get inside that pearly GATE 

So where does the bad stuff stop and where does the God stuff start 
Where does the pain give way to the peace in your heart 
I walked that path of Red-hot coals I burn my heart ad burn my soles
I lost my way a million times I paid for my sins and for my crimes

The God Stuff

Hands, So beautiful, We can do so much good with our hands, reaching out to other person as a sign of Peace and love, to play an Instrument, to paint a picture or just to hold someone else's hand when they need someone. But we can also do so much harm with our hands, we can hit, break, hold a gun to kill someone wave a fist in Anger. My hands are used to Love and play my Guitar. What are your hands used for ? 

Written, Performed . Produced by Johnny Mc Farlane

These Hands

Sometimes things get a little hectic and i have to get away so i grab a quiet corner and my guitar and sit there and slip away from Time into my own Space. I suppose you could say, " When i need to find myself, I loose myself. 
Written, played , produced by: Johnny Mc Farlane

Time & Space

This is a country and Western song based on the folklore mystical image of the 7th Son of a 7th Son. In my song he is a bounty hunter working for the Dark One, his job is to collect the souls of the Wicked and bad people of this earth. There is no hiding from him, he is after your soul and discards the Skin. He must be very busy at the moment in this world we live in. 

the Bass and drums are driving this one with a beat designed to make you feel like you are riding a horse through the night running from the 7th son of the 7th Son , hope you like it . 
Written, performed , engineered and produced by: Johnny Mc Farlane

The 7th Son of a 7th Son

Inspired by my 2 beautiful grandchildren this song is a great Band song. 1st song of the night just stand there on the stage and ask the crowd . Who wants to Dance and who wants to Rock n Roll, Then build it up. I hope it works for the Virtual Audience as well. Hope you enjoy. 

Written and performed with real instruments by: Johnny Mc Farlane

Who wants to Dance & who want to Rock & Roll

We all get there in the end, This is a light hearted look at getting older. much better than the alternative. 

Written, Performed by : Johnny Mc Farlane

Life's about Living

Life's about living

Will you love me still, when I'm old and grey

Every time i turn on the news or pick up a news paper my heart is hurt by the amount of Violence, war, Starvation , corruption that is going on at the moment. Whatever happened to Love, peace and happiness. I wrote this song to celebrate Life, freedom and peace. Life is not about oppression or starvation or war, or any of this stuff it is simply for Living. 

Written, performed , mixed and mastered by : John Mc Farlane

I finally realised what this life is all about
I’m going to find a mountain  gonna  climb to the top I’m going to shout it out 
Im gonna soar like a bird up in the sky 
Way up high,  I feel like I can fly 

I finally realised what this life is all about
Its taken me a lifetime now I want to share with you 
I want to shout it out 
Its been a very long time, but at last I’ve worked it out 
Here’s my revelation what life’s about 

Life’s about Living, life’s about Loving 
About Forgiving and understanding 
Life’s about being brave and standing tall 
Being proud of who you are even when you fall 
Life’s about Love , but most of all 
Life’s about Living 

I finally realised what this life is all about
Why God gave me a life, why God gave me a mouth 
So that I can tell the world, so I can shout it out 
This is what life is all about 

I finally realised what this life is all about
I’m gonna travel the world North, East , West and South 
Spreading the news i/m gonna use my God give mouth 
I’m Gonna tell the world 
What this life’s about 

Life’s about Living, life’s about Loving 
About Forgiving and understanding 
Life’s about being brave and standing tall 
Being proud of who you are even when you fall 
Life’s about Love , but most of all 
Life’s about Living

This is a revamp of a song i released a few years ago. I have added a few extra pieces to enhance the song.  It seems more relevant today than ever before. The world is full of Narcissist's this is for them and please ...do sing  along...I suppose the message in the song is very simple ..
When everything in your life is falling apart, its never your fault , its always someone else's because you are so much smarter, funnier, better that everybody else, they just cant see it. ha ha ha 
" It's always someone else's Fault " 
Written, recorded and produced by 
John Mc Farlane

The Narcissist's Anthem

7am on a spring morning at Blessington Lakes in County Wicklow and all was still, suddenly i heard the most amazing sound that broke the silence, 2 amazing white swans flew out of the mist with such gracefulness and power it took my breath away, i wrote this song to try and capture the beauty and style of these amazing birds.
this is my fist ever instrumental . I hope you like it. 
Remaster of a song released in 2022

Swans In Flight

We all have dreams. Chase your dreams , chase those Rainbows have fun. Life is short. Do it now. Believe in yourself and anything is possible. Try it. The magic is inside of you. Let the Genie out of the bottle.  

Written , performed by : John Mc Farlane

Life's About Living

Rainbows & Dreams

This Empty World 

It is hard to escape the unrest in the world at the moment, horrific picture of  starving children, millions dying in wars, Psychopaths running countries and threatening nuclear war if they don’t get what they want. Very frightening times. 

All of this is having a profound effect on me and I am sure on a lot of normal people and I wonder, do these So called leaders have any idea of the effect all of these bombs going off and exhaust from tanks and jets is having on our Atmosphere ? what would happen to humanity if they actually did press that Nuclear button?  Armageddon would be released followed by disease and mother earth would fight back. 

With this as a mental backdrop, I had an idea for a song about the last human being left alive on Earth after such an event. There would have to be a “ Last man standing “  A bitter sweet experience to have survived nuclear wars, pandemic after pandemic and the death of life on the planet but to be All alone in this empty world. I had the music but not the lyrics. I sent off what I had to my Friend and musical collaborator Finn Eces and what you are about to hear is the amazing result.

Thank you Finn for the Lyrics, such top class vocals and harmonies and a Class mix and professional Production . 

Music : Johnny Mc Farlane 
Lyrics : Finn Eces 
Vocals: Finn Eces 
Lead Guitar : Finn Eces 
Production and mastering: Finn Eces 

Check out Finn   https://on.soundcloud.com/1CiSAJze02IRz2ePFE


This Empty World 

In the stone dead mist there stands the world's last man 
In his stone cold fist holds the world’s last plan 
Now the skies don’t speak  and silent oceans wreak 
not another soul to seek in this empty world 

In this empty world, This empty world  

In the silent streets was heard, a weak heartbeat 
Will our own disease be our last defeat ? 
Mother earth is ill  and her breath grows still 
Just one more grave to fill this empty world 

This empty world
This empty world  

Chorus
Is there anyone here to remember me ? 
Is there anyone here to recall ? 
Does anyone see ? 
Does anyone hear ? 
I don’t what to the be the last 

This empty world,
this empty world  
In this Empty World, 
this Empty World


Chorus
Is there anyone here to remember me ? 
Is there anyone here to recall ? 
Does anyone live ? 
Does anyone breath ? 
Lights went out and now the darkness reigns 
In this empty world in this empty world

This Empty world ( Featuring Finn Eces )

Written by Finn Eces this is a song about believing in yourself and not always looking at what the Jones's have, Be happy with what you have, although i do rather like the sports car that mister Jones has :-) 
Thank you Finn for giving me the opportunity to Sing along with you on this great song. Great Analog feel to it and a great poppy vibe. 

Written, performed and produced : Finn Eces 
Vocals : Johnny Mc Farlane

Someone Else's Dreams

I was recently on holiday in Lanzarote and i was caught in a Rip Tide. A really scary experience and i am very glad that i lived to tell the tale. I was only about 2 feet from the shore and i could not reach the shore because of the power of the Rip Tide, no matter how hard i swam, i was certainly drowning. All of a sudden a young local man saw that i was in danger and with no regard for his own life just jumped right in and somehow managed to get me to the shore. It was a truly heroic act on his part. It took me about 45 mins to get myself together from the shock and the Adrenaline. I found him and thanked him and i am ashamed to say that i do not even know his name. Thank you .

When i was reflecting on this experience i realised that life is like a Rip Tide. It pulls you out to sea and sometime we really do need someone to Literally jump in and save us, or throw us a life buoy to get us to safety. This song is about being caught in the Rip Tide of life and dedicated to the young man who saved my life . 

Written and performed by Johnny Mc Farlane

Rip Tide

I started out writing a Christmas song and then this happened. As i was writing down the lyrics a little hand took my hand and this happened...What if Children ruled the world. They are born with so much Love and so much happiness and Innocence and then we , the Adults teach them how to be Adults ...what if it went the other way...what if they taught us about being a Child again, Remember Happiness, Love and peace. I know its only a Song but wouldn't it be great to be an Adult and to actually believe in these things once again. With this thought i would like to wish you all a very happy and peaceful and childish Christmas...Love Johnny 
Johnny

If Children Ruled The World

A Country and Western version of a song i wrote a while ago. A funny sort of a song with a lovely story :-) Some people may be able to associate with the sentiment in this song . 
Hope you liker it. 

Johnny

A note and a Key

Sanctuary can be a place, a state of mind, a moment by yourself , a walk in the forest , wherever you find Sanctuary it is a very special place. In this song i am asking my friend to let me be their sanctuary a friend to be there when you need me. I hope you find Sanctuary in your life and i pray that at this Christmas the world may find sanctuary from War and pain. 

Written, performed etc. John Mc Farlane Nov 2025

Sanctuary 
When you’re down and feeling lonely,
When you’re hurt and you’re in pain.
When your life is dark and empty,
And your tears fall like the rain,

Just call for me I’ll find you.
And if you fall, I’ll catch you,
I’ll be you’re parachute I’ll  guide you home ,
You know I’ll never judge you,
I’ll be a Lighthouse for you,
I’ll guide you from the rocks and protect you from the Storms 

Chorus 
I’ll be your Sanctuary,
When everything around you is going wrong 
I’ll be your Sanctuary 
When you’re hurt and needing someone strong 

And if you fall, I’ll catch you 
You know ill never judge 
You know I’m always there  for you 
A friend you can rely on 
A shoulder you can cry on
A Rock that you can build your life upon.

Santuary

Hi, My name is Johnny Mc Farlane, I am an Indie songwriter from Ireland. I write, play, produce and distribute my own music. I try to write songs that will mean something to whoever may be listening. I try to express feeling and emotions through my music, I try to hit the heart and soul of whoever may be listening and to pass on my feelings through my lyrics and my music. A lot of the songs I write come from Personal experiences, some are pure imagination, but all try to carry a message of Hope, Fait, understanding and a spiritual message of love. I am just one voice in the wilderness but together we are stronger. Thank you so much for listening to my music. It’s a real honour.

No killie fish

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