Wrote this whilst staying in a remote cottage in Carmarthenshire in 2008. On the day in question it rained like it only can in Wales and it was also the day Lehman Brothers went bust which signalled the start of the banking crisis.

Thunder clouds fill the sky, the rain is pouring down
The hillside’s like a waterfall, fountains all around
The river’s frothing, rumbling, as it races through the town
And I just stand here, wondering, staring at the sound

It’s not the first time that I’ve seen, a nightmare turn into a dream
Things are never what they seem, until you face the truth
Until you face the truth

I met a man a while ago who wished his life away
He raced through every moment, wasted every day
Till someone came and wrapped him up and showed another way
And now he plans his garden, and he plants his holiday

It’s not the first time that he’s seen …

The City pinstripes did for us by pocketing the dough
Our money’s lost its value and recovery is slow
But if we don’t get fooled again, we’ll let the robdogs know
Our wealth’s not just in money, so watch our riches grow

It’s not the first time that they’ve seen …

Don’t come here complaining that you don’t have what you need

Society’s conditioned us, filled us up with greed
Face up to what you really need, it’s what you’ve always known
JFDI, get on with on it, and make your life your own

It’s not the first time that we’ve seen …

Face The Truth

Tony is a highly versatile singer and musician who began singing and playing in his mid teens in the folk clubs of 1960′s Birmingham.  Writes intriguing and poetic songs with strong and memorable melodies.

He plays a variety of instruments including guitar, mandola, mandoline, banjo, dulcimer and harmonica. He often describes his repertoire as ranging from “sea shanties to Jerry Lee Lewis” and he takes in most styles in between. He writes his own songs too which are distinctive and thought provoking. He has played as a solo performer for many years but also has been involved with bands such as Trilogy and Witches’ Brew but most particularly as a member of Dempsey’s Lot, a Midlands based Irish band led by the near legendary Tommy Dempsey. 

At present he is playing with a number of local musicians and is recording a new album with these using his own songs. Tony is a keen member of Bromyard Sessions, a loose group of local musicians who play for free every Tuesday evening in the Falcon in the Herefordshire market town of Bromyard..

Face The Truth

Tony Burt