1. |
Neither Would You
02:43
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My great grandfather was a terrorist
When he met a woman lovely and generous
They met one another in a night class
Learning a language that had been banned
The organization they swore allegiance to
Waged an illegal civil war of ill repute
A war that killed and war that maimed
A war based in blinding patriotic rage
(Chorus)
If what you say applied in the time of my grandfather
If the past was somehow changed to your version of modern
If the views you espouse were to magically come true
I wouldn’t be here and neither would you
The outside world viewed him with with disdain
But it was a cause from which he could not refrain
The past of his nation he couldn’t outrun
He was arrested stealing English guns
Sent to a prison ship to rot off the coast
I believe it was then he swore an oath
That if he broke the shackles on his hands
He would flee with his love to a new land
(Chorus)
I can’t believe all this hate
Coming from people born inside a state
That accepted their ancestors
Despite the claims of many protesters
That they would sully a tranquil nation
And who couldn’t shed their persistent fixation
On the differences in culture and in language
Causing nothing more but cyclical anguish
(Chorus)
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2. |
Men In Masks
02:59
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Thinking back I learned a lesson from you
Monsters hide their faces and use deception in all they do
Thinking back, thinking things through
I learned we corrupt so easily and evil is truly the root
Of the people who use our fear
To steal, destroy, and obliterate all that other people hold dear
Thinking back and thinking clear
I learned how to bring down opportunistic racketeers
(Chorus)
I can’t believe
I was so naive
To what was given to me
By my old tv
Through him I learned what’s essential
And that who you spend your time with isn’t inconsequential
I also learned it’s okay to be afraid
Because with scary people the world’s an endless cavalcade
So just chill out and have a snack
A ghost might finally catch you and you won’t ever come back
So who cares if you shake and shiver?
As long as when it’s time to go you stand up and deliver
(Chorus)
We should be very afraid of those men in their masks
Thinking back I learned a lesson from you
Monsters hide their faces and use deception in all they do
Thinking back and thinking clear
I learned how to bring down opportunistic racketeers
(Chorus)
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3. |
Awake At Night
03:16
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In 2009, I sailed off to London
But now that I think it was probably Dublin
While I was gone my friends drank a few beers
In the spot where we shared our hopes and fears
They had their fun in a construction zone
While their friend Bert was feeling so alone
Wishing the Liffey would swallow him whole
To ease the adolescent ills of his soul
(Chorus)
Cobble together a handful of moments
The sentiments, signs and emotions
Put the words to a shaky little song
To live on well after I’m gone
These are the memories that keep me awake at night
In 2010, I told her we were through
Saying I can’t stand the thought of you
Travelling for hours just so you could see
Someone you loved a little more than me
At the time I had friend named Leslie
Who had a job euthanizing puppies
I drove her to work and we said goodbye
I have no idea what she did with her lives
(Chorus)
I am not as strong as I once believed
In 2015, she smiled and asked me
What I was doing for the day of St. Paddy
I said I was playing a little show up the road
But first I had a little long essay to unload
In my class on technology
In supposedly dying libraries
I went to class, played the show and stood in line
So JFK could pay me on time
(Chorus)
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4. |
Bradycardia
01:20
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Bored and tired of ambiguity
Bored and tired of complexity
Bored and tired of me me me
Bored and tired oh can’t you see?
(Chorus)
Wake me up invigorate me
Wake me up resuscitate me
Wake me up palpitate me
Bradycardia can’t be good
Bored and tired of apathy
Bored and tired of the wealthy
Bored and tired of tragedy
Bored and tired oh won’t you please
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5. |
Watch Your Back
02:41
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Through the chain link fence, I watched them take you away
I sat and waited for you to come back, for several days
The heat, the noise, the dust, without father or mother
I hope I can see them again, on this side or the other
A mattress on the floor, extension cord through the window
A life safe from the gangs and drugs, but still a life in limbo
Nevertheless, we had each other and the promise of tomorrow
Cash at the end of the day, no need to beg or borrow
(Chorus)
The big guns are out tonight
The big guns are out tonight
The big guns are out tonight
Watch your back
A white man across the street, decided to pick up the phone
And with that single call, he destroyed my life and home
The door came down and the men came in, led by their guns
It was the last time, my parents would see their son
(Chorus)
So here I sit, in this cage, waiting to learn my fate
Will I live or will salvation be just a bit too late?
Two dead parents, in two detention camps
Never thought we’d die this way north of the Rio Grande
(Chorus)
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Bert McClure Edmonton, Alberta
My name is Bert. I wrote some songs. I recorded some songs. Here they are. I hope you enjoy them.
Bert McClure recommends:
Anatomy Cats were my favourite local band. When they broke up, they broke my heart. Well, not really, but you get the idea.
go to album
A great combination of thought provoking lyrics and vicious music. Hardcore at it's best.
go to albumIf you like Bert McClure, you may also like:
The lead singer of punk band Camp Cope ventures into romantic synth-pop territory, tempering slick arrangements with bare sentiment.
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Sorry I'm So Sensitive
by Bea Stewart
The second EP from Northern Irish singer-songwriter Bea Stewart runs from gentle folk to pillowy pop ballads, all perfectly executed.
go to album
The Room
by Fabiano do Nascimento & Sam Gendel
featured on Bandcamp Radio Jan 9, 2024
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Stirring Americana set to acoustic arrangements and topped by the legendary Alice Gerrard’s lovely, world-wise voice.
go to album
