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Bring Down the Capitalists

A soft rock song tribute to my late and much loved Auntie Ryan.

Lyrics:

You were the life of the party
A sherry to fill your cup
Your door was always open
No matter what was up

You made us laugh at Xmas
And all throughout the year
I felt a warm sensation
Whenever you were near

I cried a gushing river
When I heard you’d finally passed
And though life’s a fleeting moment
You truly had a blast

Farewell Auntie Ryan
Your time with us is past
Farewell Auntie Ryan
Rest in peace at last

You were a darling sister
As mum would always say
You were there when I was poorly
From night 'til light of day

I cried a gushing river
When I heard you’d finally passed
And though life’s a fleeting moment
You truly had a blast 

Chorus

Maybe one day yonder
We’ll meet upon the shore
Or some place in the sun
Where pain is felt no more

I cried a gushing river
When I heard you’d finally passed
And though life’s a fleeting moment
You truly had a blast 

Chorus

Farewell Auntie Ryan

A folk protest song, based on a real life account, in support of the #MenToo movement.

Mick was friends with Ria
Since two thousand and nine
They stayed up late one evening
Drinking lots of wine
By the end of bottle four
They stumbled up the stairs
Drunken sex is common
In case you weren’t aware

If you believe the allegation
At any given cost
The accused is always guilty
And the truth is often lost

In the morning Ria left
Feeling good about her day
At home her boyfriend waited
And he knew that she had strayed
He went at her for hours
She couldn’t find escape
‘Til they drove her down the station
To report that she’d been raped

If you believe the allegation
At any given cost
The accused is always guilty
And the truth is often lost

On the guidance of his lawyer
Mick didn’t take the stand
For the stammer that he suffered
Might condemn him out of hand
The week the trial started
Weinstein hit the news
The jury tried in reason
But for Mick that spelled the blues

If you believe the allegation
At any given cost
The accused is always guilty
And the truth is often lost

So Mick was branded guilty
Despite his protests true
And the courts will not hear cases
Without evidence that’s new
There could be maybe thousands
Who’ve been failed by the law
But for now there must be reform
Of that I’m pretty sure

If you believe the allegation
At any given cost
The accused is always guilty
And the truth is often lost

Allegation

A folk protest song about the powers that be. Inspired by Bob Dylan.

I tell you who to worship
What fancy things to buy
The life I say you need I have for sale
Maneuvering the airwaves
To perpetuate my lie
My plots and schemes to rule you cannot fail

I am the puppet master
No one can ever know
That I am the puppet master
And I run the show

I threw the last election
I gently rigged the votes
The president has thanked me but he’ll know
He’s mine to do my bidding
As I hand him fists of notes
He’s here to make my ageless empire grow

Chorus

I deal with the oilman
It’s a tricky, slicky field
He’ll keep pumping whilst my dollars fill his sack
And though the planet burns like hellfire
The truth remains concealed
Sure as chalk is white and coal is black

Chorus

I own the guilty gunsmith
Your brother fights my war
I’ve money hedged on both the battling sides
Sell rifles to the richest
Keep down the peasant poor
Reveling as humanity divides

Chorus

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The Puppet Master

A folk protest song in support of the disabled people of the UK targeted by the vicious austerity measures imposed by the Conservative government.

Rich is a wolf, he cheats and he steals
He's jolly well banking on insider deals
He lies in his den with a grin full of sin
While Sarah the cleaner mucks out his bin
He howls at her haircut and third rate shoes
For he who is winning, another must lose

Lucy forgets to turn off the hob
The government says she should go get a job
The voices she hears, they make her feel sad
But Sarah her carer makes things less bad
But working two jobs gives Sarah the blues
For he who is winning, another must lose

Rushing for the bus
Sarah has a fall
Racing to the A and E
She needs a new hip
The wait'll be a year
Til then she can't walk
Forced to take an office job
How will Lucy cope?
Upper side of town
Rich is racing fast
Didn't see the ambulance
Crashed his Jag
Neck brace, physio
The firm'll cover that
He'll be fit in no time
The very, very, very, very best

Lucy forgets but now is forgotten
Society's safely net ragged and rotten
Her benefits slashed for missing a meeting
No money for food or central heating
Lifting the cup to her cold crusty lips
She takes enough pills to make it quick

And this wasn't the end she imagined she'd choose
But for he who is winning, another must lose

For He Who Is Winning, Another Must Lose

A folk protest song to bring people together despite politicians trying to divide us.

Step forward my friends, come rally around
For the master lies drunken and gorged on the ground
He hires you and fires you whenever he feels
And spits in your face when you lose your appeal
Answers to no-one but profit and greed
Twists round your feet like a rattle-snake weed
But he'll drown in regret at the turn of the tide
For we're all of us, we're all of us on the same side

Hear me you settlers who seek a new home
Though you may feel hated wherever you roam
It's down to the pressman who rashly slings ink
Who never knew hardship or learned how to think
And meanwhile the statesmen do tell us the same
To be scared of the migrant. it's them who's to blame
They tell me to fear you for taking my job
But those lies won't be bought by the working class mob
Now the blindfold is lifted they've nowhere to hide
For we're all of us, we're all of us on the same side

You people who find yourselves better than I
But can't pay the bills for the tax is too high
Somebody tells you it could be much worse
But the ruling elite is both sly and perverse
The papers you read and the news on the screen
Are slaves to the oily corporate machine
And our differences now shall be cast aside
For we're all of us, we're all of us on the same side

All On The Same Side

An acoustic love song.

I stumbled through the desert 
With longing in my eyes 
The flowers scorched and withered 
No clouds to grace the sky 
But with your love they’ll live once again 
With your love they’ll never have to die 
With your love 

I walked into the valley 
Beyond the darkened abyss 
There we danced beneath the steeple 
Together joined in bliss 
And with your love I’m happy as we are 
With your love I want to stay like this 
With your love 

Then came the crashing storm cloud 
That tossed us to and fro 
I whispered through the thunder 
I’ll never let you go 

And though our time will soon be over 
With your love I’ve this to say 
That I would fight a thousand armies 
To spend with you another day 
With your love 
With your love

With Your Love

When Did You Leave Hell? is a playful antithesis to Bob Dylan's heartfelt classic "When Did You Leave Heaven?". Ryan blends 80s rock influences such as Roxy Music with his trademark mischievous wordplay to create this unique, modern take on corrupting love.

Your emerald devil eyes
Captured many a lost soul
And to get with you girl
I kinda made it my goal 
But one thing I pray do tell
When did you leave hell?

You’re goin’ all round town
With that choir boy next door
But you could use a troubled man
Of that I’m pretty sure
And one thing I pray do tell
When did you leave hell?

The ruby Lord Satan himself
Misses you by his side
And I bet you miss him too
That much can’t be denied

So come corrupt me over
Put me under your spell 
'Cos all I wanna do
Is share in how you fell
And that one thing I pray do tell
When did you leave hell?

When Did You Leave Hell?

An 80s retro rock song about unrequited love in the style of Springsteen meets Joy Division.

You kept me out of your reach
Enough to make me feel
I need you in the moment 
That my love for you was real

Was it a dream?
Am I mistaken?
Won’t you stop
This heart from aching?

I don’t think I’ll ever get over you
And I wish that we weren’t through
All I know is how it hurts
And there’s nothing I can do
Oh baby I don’t think I’ll ever get over you
Oh baby I don’t think I’ll ever get over you

You told me what I wanted
As you took another man
Why you did it to me darling
I’ll never understand 

Was it a dream?
Am I mistaken?
Won’t you stop
This heart from aching?

I don’t think I’ll ever get over you
And I wish that we weren’t through
All I know is how it hurts
And there’s nothing I can do
Oh baby I don’t think I’ll ever get over you
Oh baby I don’t think I’ll ever get over you

There are icebergs in the Arctic
That are never ever colder
Than the bedsheets here beside me
Or your unrequited shoulder

I don’t think I’ll ever get over you
And I wish that we weren’t through
All I know is how it hurts
And there’s nothing I can do
Oh baby I don’t think I’ll ever get over you
Oh baby I don’t think I’ll ever get over you

I Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You

A remembrance piano rock protest song in the style of Elton John meets Annie Lennox.

I’ll tell you what
I’m thankful for
The sacrifice
In all the wars
By those who fought
So we might live
And so it is
Great thanks I give

Remember them
Remember them
And don’t forget
No don't forget
X2

By now you’d think
We’re wiser still
For most would say
It’s wrong to kill
But as industry 
Seals weapons deals
The politicians
Lap at their heels

Chorus

So what should our
Generation learn
To pass on down
To the next in turn?
To use our vote
To stop the war
If that should fail
Then I’m not sure

Chorus

Remember Them

One of my most personal songs to date, Footprints in the Sand is a metaphor for my relationship with my father, in the style of Pink Floyd meets The Doors.

When I was a young boy
All I ever dreamed
Was to be the same as you
And to follow you around
And now though I’ve grown
To see your faults the same mine
I’ve learned enough to look for
Your footprints in the sand

Footprints in the sand
Show me where to stand
Oh daddy can’t you see
What you mean to me
And your footprints
Your footprints in the sand

Though we live our distant lives
You are always in my heart
You taught me many things
That I hope you understand 
You set me straight quite often
More than I’d admit 
Like the northern star you guide me
By your footprints in the sand

Chorus x 2

You once were my protector 
Then you pushed me off the cliff
Did you know I'd found the wings to fly me
High above the sand?

Chorus x 2

Footprints in the Sand

One of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written, by William Henry Monk. Performed on the electric piano by Ryan Fox.

Abide With Me - Eventide

The fifth studio album from roots/folk singer songwriter Ryan Fox. Features behind the song bonus commentary tracks for all 13 songs on the album. Track list:

1. When Did You Leave Hell?
2. I Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You
3. Give Me Real
4. Atomic Collision
5. Little Pigs
6. Mother Ship
7. Explorers
8. Farewell Auntie Ryan
9. I’m so Teeny Tiny
10. Western Bound
11. Remember Them
12. Be Careful What You Wish For
13. If They Came For Them Then, They’ll Come For You Soon (acoustic live version)

(Bonus behind the song tracks in order at the end).
credits
released February 12, 2025

Mixed and mastered by Ryan Fox. All songs written and performed by Ryan Fox. If They Came For Them Then, They'll Come For You Soon live version recorded by Benji North Photography. Cover photography by Scott Evans.

A song that blends smart, wistful lyrics with a melancholy tune in the style of Adeem the Artist meets modern Dylan.

I can sing a pretty tune
And I would give you the Sun and Moon
But sweet baby honey at the end of the day
I can’t make you stay

I can write the sweetest line
And I would toil the deepest mine
But sweet baby honey at the end of the day
I can’t make you stay

I could not make you see
When you chose him over me
What am I to do when I mean nothing to you?

I will never be your man
That I’ve come to understand
And sweet baby honey at the end of the day
I can’t make you stay

I can sing a pretty tune
And I would give you the Sun and Moon
But sweet baby honey at the end of the day
I can’t make you stay

I can write the sweetest line
And I would toil the deepest mine
But sweet baby honey at the end of the day
I can’t make you stay

Though romance may be dead
Cos I couldn’t turn your head
And these sweet little nothings mean nothing much to you 

I could play a note or three
But that won’t bring you back to me
Oh sweet baby honey at the end of the day
I can’t make you stay

I could not make you see
When you chose him over me
What am I to do when I mean nothing to you?

I will never be your man
This I’ve come to understand
And sweet baby honey at the end of the day
I can’t make you stay
No I can’t make you stay

I Can't Make You Stay

An anti-fascist protest song.

Come gather round friends I’ve something to share
It won’t be time wasted should you care
There’s something I’ve learned from looking around
It weighs on my mind that I must make a sound
For this is the point of my foreboding tune
If they came for them then, they’ll come for you soon

I once read a book when young and free
Of an Austrian way back in thirty three
With a simple lie their heads he filled
So that six million Jewish people they killed
And this is the point of my foreboding tune
If they came for them then, they’ll come for you soon

How it scares me to think that’s how it began
With an ignorant, angry excuse for a man
Do you see where I’m heading? Is it clear what I mean?
I think that you do for you’ve seen what I’ve seen
And this is the point of my foreboding tune
If they came for them then, they’ll come for you soon

They said it could never happen again
But I’m watching the Senator and all of his men
I see how they shift and I hear how they speak
They prey on the hopeless to get what they seek
And this is the point of my foreboding tune
If they came for them then, they’ll come for you soon

But blaming the immigrant for a nation’s woes
Is like cutting your legs off to spite your toes
If you can’t make no sense of what I’ve to say
Then I’ve tried my best and we’ll call it a day 
And this is the point of my foreboding tune
If they can for them then, they’ll come for you soon

If They Came For Them Then, They'll Come For You Soon

Donald Trump diss track.

When You Vote For a Clown final 

He tricks you in the open
A bungled sleight of hand
He promises a job
That was sold to eastern lands 
How can one so foolish 
Come to wear the emperor’s crown?
I guess that’s what you get
When you vote for a clown

What next on his agenda?
Does the moron have a plan?
An Israeli riviera
On Palestinian land
He talks of Nobel prizes
As the bombs they rain on down
I guess that’s what you get
When you vote for a clown

Toying with Zelensky 
Arming genocidal deeds
Zionist approval
Putin is appeased
Porno court conviction 
Ransom mineral deals
The jester in the White House
Prances when he feels
But the MAGAs still revere him
As they hunt the migrants down 
I guess that’s what you get
When you vote for a clown

He’d change the constitution
A jangle empire born
A dynasty of dingbats
Democracy foresworn 
And so it may transpire
The fascists having won
The hour is upon us
Whatever can be done?
So forgive my agitation
But the time to act is now
For this is what you get
When you vote for a clown 

When You Vote For a Clown

Irish folk piano ballad.

I came all the way to Ireland
To realise that I love you
I came all the way to miss your soothing tones
And though pretty girls they glide
I wish you still were by my side 
So I’m flying back on Sunday to confide

I came all the way to Ireland
To realise that I love you
And I’m sorry that I broke your loyal heart
I never meant to cause you pain
So I’m getting on that aeroplane
To hold you in my arms once again
I came all the way to Ireland to know
I never should have let you go

If I never came 
Would I have ever felt the same? 
I don’t think we’ll ever truly know
Will you forget what’s been and gone
Now we’re together back as one
And let me make you happy as before?

I came all the way to Ireland
To realise that I love you
And I hope you can forgive my selfish ways 
For if you did the same to me
I don’t know what or where I’d be 
I would roam the Earth until the End of Days
I came all the way to Ireland to know
I never should have let you go 

Artwork by Bronach Rae.

All the Way to Ireland

Introducing Ryan Fox, a roots/folk singer songwriter from Kent, England. His unique, popular sound and poetic, witty lyrical style draws from influences as diverse as early Dylan to Noel Gallagher, from Johnny Cash to Elton John, from Bruce Springsteen to Stephen Sondheim.
 
Ryan's songs have reached the finals of the UK Songwriting Contest and been featured on the Disabled People Against Cuts website. He has co-headlined the Acoustic Sessions at Rainham three times and Tunbridge Wells’ The Forum twice. Ryan has also recently played a support slot at St Edith Folk Club, Sevenoaks and will return there in 2026.
 
Ryan had classical piano lessons from an early age and picked up a guitar at uni, his early influences including Oasis, Coldplay and, naturally, The Beatles. He developed his songwriting in his 20s, largely owing to meeting musical guru Dr Richard Niles (Paul McCartney, Cher, Pet Shop Boys), who pushed Ryan out of his comfort zone to explore fresh sonic/lyrical ground - to try new things.

Ryan has recently released his fifth studio album Explorers Deluxe LP, available to buy from ryanfoxmusic.com or Bandcamp.

Ryan Fox

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