Ballad of theWandering Troubadour

Ballad of the Wandering Troubadour

(written around 2004 I think. Photos of me by Kev Taylor and Dave Morgan)

I’ve been a wandering troubadour it’s part of what I do

I’ve sung my songs to all kinds of folks and I have listened too

It kept me sane when I felt the pain could somehow overcome

Cause when I returned I found that I had learned there is good in everyone

In the villages of Normandy with my friends who live down there

Talking rock ‘n’ roll on calvodos when there’s music in the air

A tango guitar in the pastis bar on a Barcelona night

Almost made me cry I felt so alive I said man I feel alright

Cause I’m not one for waving flags you know that’s not who I am

And kindness lies in peoples eyes in each and every land

cold or warm in sun or storm you know each place has its charms

But when I feel alone well I know that home is in my baby’s arms

Way up north in Finland you know the nightime don’t exist

Drinking with the dead down in Mexico made you swear that souls exist

There’s a cake shop down in Kassel man I swear that you could die

I saw snow fall in the desert from a clear Nevada sky

When I was down and out in Paris everything just seemed so clear

With the streetgirls and the homeless and them buskers from Algiers 

Man I got more education sleeping on that station floor

Than I had gained in schooling in the 20 years before

Cause I’m not one for waving flags you know that’s not who I am

And kindness lies in peoples eyes in each and every land

Cold or warm in sun or storm you know each place has its charms

But when I feel alone well I know that home is in my baby’s arms

I am not a wise man something I will never be

But the autumn leaves of England still look beautiful to me

If I have learned one simple truth as through this life I pass

You can find the good in everyone and they will half fill your glass

Cause I’m not one for waving flags you know that’s not who I am

And kindness lies in peoples eyes in each and every land

Cold or warm in sun or storm you know each place has its charms

But when I feel alone well I know that home is in my baby’s arms

The Little Boats in the Harbour (written late '80's)

The Little Boats in the Harbour

When you dream what do you dream

could you ever tell someone else

Do you ever wonder what other people dream

do you only dream of yourself

Do you ever look beyond the troubles of your miniscule world

And it’s sad that people like you only dream of being old

And I see you this way

The little boats in the harbor

The smell of fresh salt in the air

And a hand full of anecdotes and made up memories

As if anybody cared about you

Do you wonder ever really wonder if anyone dreams of you

Have you ever loved ever really loved have you ever talked to the moon

Do you know that stars are something you can wish upon when wishes seem the only way

Have you seen the ghosts that hide in misty mornings have you heard what they say

‘cause sometimes they cry for you

The little boats in the harbor

The smell of fresh salt in the air

And a hand full of anecdotes and made up memories

As if anybody cared about you

The blue light of a TV in the darkness of a room without love

Ice on the window as you close your eyes And  murmour enough is enough

The little boats in the harbor

The smell of fresh salt in the air

And a hand full of anecdotes and made up memories

As if anybody cared about you