In the early sixties my folks applied for the £10 Pom thing and we were all set to go to Australia. However, my mum got cold feet a few weeks before the boat sailed and so we never went. My brothers and I were gutted - we had already given away most of our toys. Had to get them all back again! I did make to Australia in my late twenties for a working holiday and often wondered what life would have been like if we had went - it's all that sliding door stuff. I spent a month driving round the place - it's enormous! What struck me most is how much of it so familiar and alien at the same time. Everything is kinda backwards - Xmas in summertime!

Australia (Xmas in Summertime)

 When I left school I worked in a huge factory for three years doing a job I hated! Later on I worked in one of Dundee's last jute mills on the Dens road. The Mill Lavvies were still on the go. I used to sit and have a fag with a luvly old guy who had worked there since 1929! Honest! The groove emulates the giant machines that used to pound all day doing Feck nose what! There's also a wee nod to the Beatles "Day in the life" in there with the clock and piano chord.   
 

Anything Precious

When I was in my late twenties I went to see a performance of Beethoven's Ninth at the Caird Hall. It was just before Christmas. I couldn't persuade anyone else to go so went on own. It turned out to be a mixture of professional and local Dundee musicians. There was a massive choir which took up all the back stage of the hall. In the orchestra were school-kids and in particular one wee lassie on the violin who looked about ten or twelve. I was captivated by her and the other kids giving it laldy on their violins. I wondered how it felt at that age to be part of such a huge production. The concert was wonderful - the music!!!! Anyway this song is dedicated to those kids  - wherever they are. Hope they still remember!    

Ode to Joy

Stevee Knight

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