I started to write this song many years ago, though had never quite 'nailed' it. After a year of 'stay safe', I feel maybe this is its time! A warning against becoming cynical, jaded, fearful and dull - it works as a 'note to self' as much as anything else. There's perhaps a more 'old fashioned' songwriting approach in this tune, in a good way, hopefully!

We were all young once
Our eyes opened wide
Possibilities, and so full of pride
We've got to get that feeling back
We were all young once

We were all young once 
How our spirits soared 
But we're older now
We got tired and bored
Forgot just what this life is for
We were all young once

And isn't it a shame
That as we play the game
We're living in denial
Of all that we became
And life when taken slow
Becomes a muddy road
We've got to keep our smiles
We've all got to be brave
We have got to be brave

We were all young once
Time was on our side
And our lust for life
Could not be denied
As long as hot blood flows inside
We are all young once

We were all young once
Our eyes opened wide
Such possibilities, and so full of pride
How can we get that feeling back?
We were all young once

And isn't it a shame
That as we play the game
We're living in denial
Of all that we became
And life when taken slow
Becomes a muddy road
We've got to keep our smiles
We've all got to be brave
Be Brave
Be Brave
We have got to be brave

Cause we were all young once

Be Brave

This tune was inspired by the birth of my brother Patrick's first child, and is really for all first-time parents...

Photo by Liam O'Prey @liamlumiere on Instagram

Your house is quiet and the visitor is here
Congratulations are still ringing in your ears
You look to each other, oh you're nervous and you're tired
You're going to learn fearlessness
Get ready to inspire

And I know you'll show him he is one in millions
Fill your hearts with hope and so will Cillian

Wake up with laughter
Kiss him with a smile at night
Fill your home with music, and your days with fun and fight
Show him your passion, oh he'll soak it up for sure
Brothers and sisters, we never know just what's in store

And I know you'll show him he is one in millions
Fill your hearts with hope and so will Cillian

When you hold him in your hands
You'll begin to understand
And he'll be with you as you dance along the wire

And as he grows, he'll discover his own truth
Let him choose his own path and it will lead back to you

And I know he's gonna get a lot of love from you
Oh but love ain't everything, we need a purpose too
And I know you'll show him he is one in billions
Fill your hearts with hope and so will Cillian
Cillian

Released March 19, 2021
Music & Words - Philip McCarroll (c) 2021

Cillian

The first Philip McCarroll solo release with a full band (acoustic version available on the George Best to John Lennon mini-album)

Philip McCarroll - Lead & Backing Vocals / Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars / Percussion

Featuring 'The Back Three'

John Wilson - Lead & Rhythm Guitar / Piano
Matt Wilson - Bass Guitar
Eamon Lenehan - Drums

Recorded at Manor Park Studio, Co.Antrim, N.Ireland 31/10/21

Produced by Neal Calderwood & Philip McCarroll

Photo/Artwork by Liam O'Prey

lyrics
Walking circles for days
Willing seasons to change
Keeping my eyes on the horizon
Throwing fuel in the fire
Feeling nothing but tired
Little changes, no surprises

Oh - Gotta stay sane for the one who needs me
Oh - Trying to keep both of my feet from stumbling

The bands have gone quiet, the floodlights are dying
I'm full of wonder
I've left that cathedral behind
All the people who tried to drag me under
No flower in this desert, a light in the tunnel
Is only what you could have been
Absent with leave

Living life on repeat
Empty roads in the heat
Just for the sake of moving
I have climbed every wall
Justifying it all
Make a note of the months we're losing

Oh - Nightmares soaking the sheets on my bed
Oh - How the hell is she still living rent free in my head?

The bands have gone quiet, the floodlights are dying
I'm full of wonder
I've left that cathedral behind
All the people who tried to drag me under
No flower in this desert, a light in the tunnel
Is only what you might have been
Absent with leave

You let your defences down
And I thought for one moment that you could see me

The bands have gone quiet, the floodlights are dying
I'm full of wonder
I've left that cathedral behind
All the people who tried to drag me under
No flower in this desert, a light in the tunnel
Is only what you should have been
Absent with leave
Absent with leave

released December 3, 2021
Music & Lyrics by Philip McCarroll

Absent With Leave (Electric Version)

This is a ditty/hoedown about the dangers of political tribalism and sticking too rigidly to the script...official release date 14/10/22

Available for download at philipmccarroll.bandcamp.com

Sleeping in the Trenches

The slow one. The 'ballad', for want of a better word. I always wrote the ballads. Always loved writing them. Still do. Reckon this is a good one. Hope you enjoy it.

No Longer

The 125th episode of the Sounds of NI Radio show - presented by Philip McCarroll and broadcast on Lisburn's 98FM / Bangor FM / FM105 Down Community Radio / Online - this episode originally broadcast on 2nd & 4th August 2018, and is the last to be broadcast on these 3 stations. So, it's Farewell, For Now!

Here's who made it onto the last show....

Saint Sapphire, Lauren Bird, Trucker Diablo, Dandelion Tea & Petty Youth....

….Malojian, Maverick, Aaron Shanley, Peter J. McCauley & Ursula Burns...

...Civil Simian, Ciaran Lavery, Leslie Rich & The Rocket Soul Choir, King Cedar and Hunkpapa...

Thanks to everyone who tuned in & caught up over the course of the 125 shows - we'll be back, somewhere, soon!

@sonilive1 and @philmccarroll on Twitter

Sounds of NI Radio Show - Episode 125 - Farewell, For Now!

This is undoubtedly a '2020 song', although I had to escape to January '21 to get it written! Such an odd year, even moments of promise and potential evaporated at hyperspeed, and I guess this tune is mostly about that. I like this track & intend to record an electric version with a full band as soon as possible...

Recorded at Manor Park Studio, Northern Ireland with Neal Calderwood 01/02/21

Absent With Leave (acoustic version)

**NEXT GIG: FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST 2019 - FEALTY'S, BANGOR CO.DOWN - BACK BAR SESSIONS @ 10PM**

@philmccarroll on Twitter

Long term frontman / vocalist / songwriter / guitarist with Belfast, Northern Ireland Rock / Power-Pop band Pay*ola. The band is currently on hiatus, but occasionally I play 'Payola Unplugged' shows with Adam & Nicky from the band.

Now also playing as a solo acoustic act, having launched the new set with a show in Lille, France in June 2015 - have been back to play more French shows since - and now playing regular gigs all over Northern Ireland. Have supported Rival Sons, Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes, Ricky Warwick of Black Star Riders/Thin Lizzy, Dan Reed, Danny Vaughn (Tyketto), Mike Tramp (White Lion), Jizzy Pearl (Love/Hate)

Debut EP Sunday Night Fever available to listen to on Soundcloud (and currently can be downloaded for free) - and also available on CD - contact philpayola@hotmail.com. Recorded at Manor Park Studios, County Antrim.

This profile will also include some of my favourite Pay*ola tunes - particularly those I wrote solo, and those which are likely to feature in my solo set.

I also presented the Sounds of NI Radio Show (currently on ice)- the most recent episode will always be available on this profile. www.facebook.com/soundsofni

Philip McCarroll

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