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call of the wheel

by sandy mackay

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1.
The Banks of the Marianne © Robbie Fulks On the banks of the Marianne, he climbed aground Looked out at the water and traced a line down Just an hour ‘til darkness and four miles to swim He closed his eyes and let her wash over him And all the power that she could command Swept l away at the touch of his hand By the depths of his love, he was helplessly stirred So he tamed a wild river, named it for her. Now the world would remember the way they were then When she was his harbor and her strength pulled him in And the distance he’d gone from her light He would win back, the hard way, tonight To the ends of the earth, ‘til the rivers run dry To the last breath of life in the man Til he gives up the fight, ‘til the sun falls tonight On the Banks of the Marianne On the banks of the Marianne the relics of Kings Lie strangely abandoned like children’s playthings Drums of white plastic and cheap naugahyde Stacked under a tarpaulin, safe from the tide An ashtray, a bottle half-full, Anything the undertow couldn’t pull The horizon ahead of him, frozen in time It’s a balm to his soul, but it’s a trick of his mind In the wind he hears phrases gentle and low From a song on the radio, ten years ago And it hangs overhead like a prayer To the One Waiting For Him Somewhere... To the ends of the earth, ‘til the rivers run dry To the last breath of life in the man Til he gives up the fight, ‘til the sun falls tonight On the Banks of the Marianne! Now the water is heavy; his arms are like lead. The whiskey has drenched every nerve in his head. The fist in his stomach springs upward in rage Knocks the light from his eyes and it pounds at the cage And his prayers come falling like rain, On the water that carries her name... To the ends of the earth, ‘til the rivers run dry To the last breath of life in the man Til he gives up the fight, ‘til the sun falls tonight On the Banks of the Marianne
2.
Call of the Wheel © Sandy Mackay I wrote an ode to the writer's road: Highway 2 where John Steinbeck drove, Charlie and Rocinante, GM Cervantes, They're long gone, so long John! I wrote an ode to the writer's road: I careen where Jack Kerouac drank and drove, Route 101, some dangerous fun but it's time to get back, so long jack. I am not some cracking egghead, though I have read a book or two in the pages I feel the call of the wheel, but i'm bound at home with you I wrote an ode to the writer's road: A vicarious dream the Rheostatics drove Dave told the tale "On a Long Cold Road" I been saved, so long Dave! Saved from a death that is worse than fate the gig-road to hell through a golden gate in my own quiet room I am curled in my chair with a diesel fume and the breeze in my hair I am not some cracking egghead, though I have read a book or two in the pages I feel the call of the wheel, but i'm bound at home with you With Barbara Ward to the Borderline In the state of Maine down the old Airline It was blowing a gail, I was chasing my tail But I’m in a a sellors song, and I can’t go wrong I am not some cracking egghead, though I have read a book or two in the pages I feel the call of the wheel, but i'm bound at home with you
3.
I am a Sailor © Randy Sutherland I asked my uncle what I oughta be He said “there ain’t no future in genealogy” You oughta go to school, learn to sea, Become a sailor.” So I been blown around, following a half-formed wish I got freezer burned, swallowed by a half-warmed fish Now I’m outta that school, they let me be, outta professional courtesy Cause I’m a sailor And the swells are all high rollers And the troughs are filled with awe Stop mashing them molars Ain’t you heard the brand new law? I asked myself “I wonder which one is worse: To be smashed on reefer er swallowed by an alligator purse Made into Sailor Jam? well I sink therefor I am a Sailor”. And the swells are all high rollers And the troughs are filled with awe Stop mashing them molars Ain’t your heard the brand new law? “All sailors will get shore leave until the night is done Then we’ll set off in search of souls again In the everlasting dawn” I asked my uncle just what I oughta be He said “Find a place outside of history And when you go, let me know, And save a spot for me.” Where the swells are all high rollers And the troughs are filled with awe Stop mashing them molars Ain’t your heard the brand new law? So farewell, to terra firma’s charms Early in the morning, I’m far far at sea So long it’s been good to know ya
4.
Season Under Ice © SS 2005 The stars shine still in near perfection The lake is filled with their reflection I stand alone and blinded to the sight Cuz you’ve been gone a season under ice Just like you I'll dream a hundred frozen nights Since you’ve been gone a season under ice The moon can rise if it still wants to But I won’t see; I only want you To sit with me beside the lake tonight But you’ve been gone a season under ice The sun will rise; I do not doubt it I’ll close my eyes; I’ll do without it I’m losing hope it could ever happen twice Since you’ve been gone a season under ice When Jack Frost comes to end the season The winter numbs all sense and reason So I’ll stay right here another hundred nights And you’ll be gone a season under ice But you'll be gone...
5.
epizeuxis 03:14
Epizeuxis (c) sandy mackay I am Tom Tom Tom Tom Tommy I drink beer beer beer beer beer I write songs about my mommy and my daddy and my dear We're a musicalish family Even the sewing machines a singer I was born with Epizeuxis and I really... really love to ride It's a fix, it is a habit, I'm a junkie with pen When I write that Epizeuxis makes me say it all again Sure, I have a fine thesaurus and a dicton in the den, But I love that Epizeuxis I love that Epizeuxis and I really... really love to ride CH: Oh I really really really love to ride ride ride Down the river river river on the tide tide tide It's my passion it's my passion and my pride pride pride How I really... really... really love to ride Baby baby baby baby how i love love love love love Your sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet and all the other things above I want want want want want you but you have to wait wait wait First comes my epizeuxis first comes my epizeuxis 'Cause i really, really love to ride <chorus and awesome honking here> I was Tom Tom Tom Tom Tommy I drank beer beer beer beer I write songs about my mommy and my daddy and my dear You can read it on my tombstone in letters deep and wide "HE DIED OF EPIZEUXIS HE DIED OF EPIZEUXIS BUT HE REALLY REALLY LOVED TO RIDE" (And here's what else they carved there!) HE WAS PASSIONATE AND FREELY AND HE FELT IT DEEP INSIDE, THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF WATER AS HE SAID IT "ON THE TIDE" HIS RAMPANT REPETITION WAS THE REASON THAT HE DIED BUT HE REALLY REALLY LOVED TO RIDE LOVED TO RIDE LOVED TO RIDE" (cue howling dog)
6.
Never Coming Back © SS 2002 Don’t be afraid of what’s frightening The thunder will not hurt you- it’s the lightning You should be dreaming on the bed that you hide under It’s the lightning that’ll get you; not the thunder I listen for her footsteps when it’s misty I think about the last time that she kissed me Her kisses were as warm as drinking water from a hose But now she’s gone and that’s the way she goes And she’s never coming back Never coming back Nothing lasts forever Except never coming back I think I hear her singing when the wind blows The breezes bring her in and out my windows She was my dear companion; she always came along And now I can’t imagine where she’s gone And she’s never coming back Never coming back Nothing lasts forever Except never coming back Don’t be afraid of what’s frightening The thunder will not hurt you; it’s the lightning I prayed her ghost would haunt me but there’s no such thing as that Once she’s gone she’s never coming back And she’s never coming back Never coming back Nothing lasts forever Except never coming back
7.
joy 03:19
JOYDROP © sandy mackay Faith Peace Love walk beside me Joy Joy deep in my heart (And I will) wait walk and meditate if you’ll guide me Every step on the path as I stumble on I here below, You hear above I follow the path that you wrote I follow Jesus the pattern of love Faith Peace love walk beside me Joy Joy deep in my heart And I will wait, walk, and meditate if you’ll guide me Every step on the path as I stumble on Consider each neighbor, A sister or brother With all your heart, love you one God As we should love one another Lift me up When I’m Down Lift me Up Down on my knees Lift me up When I’m Down Lift me Up Down on my knees Faith Peace love walk beside me Joy Joy deep in my heart And I will wait, walk, and meditate if you’ll guide me Every step on the path as I stumble on And I stumble on And I stumble on
8.
Long Time Gone © Sandy Mackay I had a dream the other night; chasing down the wind I thought I heard my younger self say "Yonder comes my twin! He's old and fat and bald and cruel, but it was plain to see His hair was red his eye was blue- he looked a lot like me. He’d lived his life for the buzz in his head, His wife had fled, his liver was lead, That’s when he came back to me Long time long time gone you been a long time gone, Long time long time gone you been a long time gone I caught his eye in the looking glass and asked him to come back in he fumbled for a thin cigarette and grasped a glass of gin “I been drinking hard these 30 years , i've nothing left to give you John” I said “You have the vig I need and you been a long time gone” Cyan between mad sea and sky His mouth was dry and the river was rye That’s when he came back to me Long time long time gone you been a long time gone, Long time long time gone you been a long time gone (insert fiddle tune: Over the Waterfall part b) He took his last bottle from his overcoat, he set it on the table My life was there inside the glass, my face was on the label He said "your spirit’s in the whiskey, drink it down you’ll see" I fetched out my clawhammer and set my spirit free Then eye to I to I to eye To I to eye to I to eye Then he came back to me Long time long time gone you been a long time gone, Long time long time gone you been a long time gone (a capella, repeat ad nauseaum etc)
9.
mr thomson 04:27
Mr Thomson © Randy Sutherland, 2003 If you close your eyes and listen, you can hear the “Georgian Moan” As the waters lick the outstretched hand of the shores he walked upon Mr Thomson’s skyline comes to my mind before I fall too deep In that all refreshing Devil’s blessing Both of us call sleep Mr Thomson what’s it like? Do those hungry black flies bite? Can you cup your fleshless hands and drink the stream? ‘Well I’m stretched across this light, b’tween the forest and the night.’ Won’t you come and paint your way into my dreams? Rain falls on the harbor; words fall on deaf ears Trying to paint the river’s song, before it disappears Mr Thomson’s skyline comes to my mind Before I fall too deep, In that all refreshing Devils Blessing Both of us call sleep. Mr Thomson what’s it like?
Do those hungry black flies bite? Can you cup your fleshless hands and drink the stream? “Well I’m stretched across this light, Between the morning and the night.” Won’t you come and paint your way into our dreams? If you close your eyes and listen, you can hear the “Georgian Moan…”
10.
loki's 02:09
11.
dogfood 03:01
DOG FOOD by SANDY MACKAY I was walking down a street as I lay dreaming, I was walking down a the streets in old Quispam (sisss) My dog beside me walking as we’re dreaming And my dog was singing as he ran…. And He sang: Dog food is good for you, Full of nutrients and protein too Dog Food is good for you, I eat it every day Dog food is such a treat, Full of corn and soy and wheat Sometimes there is even meat, I eat it every day Dog Food, Dog Food, Dog Food, Dog Food Dog Food, it’s Dog Food, and I eat it every day then a man in a bowler hat said at me “Don’t steal from the little fish Sunny Bubbles; You wanna get anywhere in this world, go lift some Waits. Always ask for more.” My dog is behind the wheel of the pick-up truck, driving over the edge of the cliff, (Thelma and Louise) And as we are falling; he sprouted wings, and we began to soar And he sang: Dog food is good for you, Full of nutrients and protein too Dog Food is good for you, I eat it every day Dog food is such a treat, Full of corn and soy and wheat Sometimes there is even meat, I eat it every day Dog Food, Dog Food, Dog Food, Dog Food Dog Food, it’s Dog Food, and I eat it every day
12.
Ordinary Girl SSS©1999 On the highway as we travel Through our mortal days As the mystery unravels Only to amaze Incredible, indelible Enormous and untellable As all around us brilliant planets whirl I'm in love with an ordinary girl In this world of grand illusion Dazzled by extremes In the time of mad confusion Bursting at the seams In the hour of rising cost Litigious times when hearts are lost On battlefields with tattered flags unfurled I'm in love with an ordinary girl Architects of bold invention In expanding days Paving roads with good intentions Showing us the way But beauty is as beauty does And clever never ever was The forger of the wisdom into pearls I'm in love with an ordinary girl
13.
spring 04:43
Spring © steve sellors I thought I heard a singing in my marrow The weeds of hope were choking out the sorrow Winter ended; spring time came There was no sun; there was no rain I waited for the wheeling of the swallow The winter wind stayed cold and hard and hollow The shingles fed the south winds teeth The blackest birds ate the finest seed The sky is cold and only growing colder The mourning dove holds snow upon her shoulder Springtime promised; springtime lied The holy well is all but dry I thought I heard a singing in my marrow The weeds of hope were choking out the sorrow Springtime ended; summer came Autumn, winter, spring again.
14.
Two Friends and Their Guitars (c) Steven Sellors The crickets have gone crazy; they fiddle for their girls The moon turns to an oyster, stars to pearls Ten toes tap to the melody and something feeds the fire Singing 'til the morning light; two friends and their guitars Chorus: They leave a trail of songs behind Like tails on shooting stars Singing 'til the morning light Two friends and their guitars The hoot owls and the peepers keep time in their own way Keeping to the darkness after day Fingers bring familiar strings to fretboards blessed by scars Singing 'til the morning light; two friends and their guitars They leave a trail of songs behind Like tails on shooting stars Singing 'til the morning light Two friends and their guitars The night's black bat goes winging singing sonar to himself Tomorrow puts today up on the shelf Chords decay, the voices fade and sleep is not that far Singing 'til the morning light; two friends and their guitars

about

folk music,
recorded under the dog star, siriusly

contact: easandymackay@gmail.com

songs written by genii like robbie fulks, steve sellors and randy sutherland and sandy ...

credits

released September 15, 2012

produced by sandy mackay and tim davidson of ripple effect music in saint john new brunswick canada and help from bill preeper

percussion by john morrison
autoharp, harmonica and background vocals by steven sellors
slide guitar, hensel and background vocals by bill preeper
accordion by cynthia cudmore
tamborine by mike biggar
soprano sax by martin davidson
additional vocals by jude vadala, zara bokay and fozzie (rip)

sandy mackay played mandolin, banjo, acoustic and electric guitars, organ, piano, double bass, electric bass, bagpipes and vocals

painting of the 'blue tarp kitchen' by glenn hall
layout and design by jessica rhaye
photographs by marejo boyce, kevin mcgraw and sandy mackay

license

all rights reserved

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about

sandy mackay St John, New Brunswick

sandy
sometimes lives on a little island in a big river in New Brunswick.
Plays strings keyboards and bagpipes.
We're writing new songs these days, it's fall coming into winter and enjoyable snow!
Looks forward to seeing you soon, somewhere... send
messages to easandymackay@gmail.com
... more

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