DEAD MAN BLUES
A track from my new album called BEARDIVILLE.
Release date 21.5.21.

Beardiville

Dead Man Blues

LONELY (Song for the Disappeared)


1.  I’m lonely, I’m lonely
     Some friendship I seek.
     I’m down in the ground
     Near the rock by the peak.

     They bundled me up now
     Just after the bang.
     I’d a headache for weeks
     From their gun in the van.

2.  My name is young Billy, Paul, Anthony, Drew.
     My face in the papers, well I’m winkin’ at you.
    They lost my young soul way out in the bog
    No X marks the spot.
    Do you own any dog? (for I’m lonely).

    Chorus.

    I’m lonely, I’m so lonely
    Operator won’t you please
    Won’t you pick up my call.
    I’m lonely, but I’m smiling at you.
    No change in my pocket
    But I’ve got a lovely view.

3. I used to be young now.
    I once had a name.
    I remember my roll
    In Old Harry’s Game.

    But I said the wrong thing.
    Said it in the wrong place.
    They fingered me out.
    Taxi’d me to this place (where I’m lonely).


   Chorus.


   PTO . . .                           











4.   Up High Town and Divis, Ballygowan and Doagh.
There’s many a road has it’s cluster of ghosts.
Dumped from a car.
Like a seed in the ground.
Waiting to grow
Like a flower that you’ve found
Like a flower you’ve found.

Chorus.


*Any humour in this song has been used with respect in mind
for anyone who has suffered in this way.


When I was growing up in Belfast you would hear stories on the news
of people being left out on the edge of Belfast.  Along with the old cars
and the tired bedsteads, the un-wanted and the no longer needed. 

Killed during the troubles. Some, never to be found again.

“The Disappeared.”

Their voices no longer heard. Their faces never seen again, other than
smiling out  from the page of a newspaper or on a local T.V. news report.

This song appeared from nowhere one day, like a phantom phone call.
So this is what the words are based on. 

The idea of someone trying to get in touch, not realising that
they can’t make that call by using a telephone. For they have no change
nor do they have the means to move the coins.

Though we, still have ears to listen.
We still have that second chance to hear.

Other useful links.

www.randallstephenhall.com 

www.earthnativeart.co.uk 

www.soundcloud.com/randall-stephen-hall for Stephen’s most recent songs.

https://soundcloud.com/hugh-midden-speaks
 
 
 


Lonely 24.9.13

I launched my first CD at the Black Box 23.9.10. It was a great night. The place was packed, thanks to all the airplay (free tickets, but no free drink) and Gerry Anderson came along to introduce the show. This was praise indeed and some support.

There were six in the Moon Shed that night: Catherine Sands, Michael Sands, Rohan Young, John McKeever, Barry Tipping and Myself. (The wee wee man sat with his mates and had a pint).
The next day five of us came into Radio Ulster, in Ormeau Avenue to play live and do an interview with Gerry.

Grateful as ever to Gerry and all the band. To John, Michael, Rohan, Catherine and Barry. Wonderful memories. 


Gerry Anderso Interview 24.9.10

If you had said to me in 2009 that I would become more involved in song writing and playing music live, I would have said "Catch yourself on . . ." But here I am, five years later, still at it, after a lay off of about thirty years or so.

I could almost be described as an unintentional musician. One thing just led to another . . .

I still work as an illustrator, poet and storyteller.

Can you call that work?

Good question . . .

Lonely 24.9.13

Randall Stephen Hall

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