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Let The Music Speak For Itself

by Merry Hell

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    2 CD set in environmentally friendly, plastic free, recycled card 6 panel digipack.
    The artwork contains a link to a hidden webpage with lots of information and some surprises!

    Includes unlimited streaming of Let The Music Speak For Itself via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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      £15 GBP

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

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1.
Drunken Serenade: Words & Music by Bob Kettle Well, I wandered through the naked streets My mind on fire with midnight's heat As Lady Night was brushing all The mist out of her hair When I heard the sound of lightning strikes Above the holy city lights And a drunken serenade in the rain. With whiskey swimming in my brain I turned to meet the cracked refrain When I heard one ragged straggler Wheeze his anthems to the wind Singing, "though my life is passing by I'll lift my spirit to the sky With a drunken serenade in the rain." Coming down again... Well, I asked the man from many roads Of where he'd been, of what he knows He said, "I took a ride to paradise But I ended up in hell. And neither whiskey nor the leaf Can ever bring your soul relief Like a drunken serenade in the rain." And so I'll speak my truth aloud I'll sing it clear and I'll sing it proud Cos in my darkest hour of doubt These songs have carried me And just as sure as I am born I'll sing my heart out in the storm With a drunken serenade, A drunken serenade, A drunken serenade in the rain.
2.
Let’s Not Have A Morning After (Until We’ve Had A Night Before) Words and Music by Virginia Kettle Act your shoe size babe, not your age, Don’t suit you to be so mature, A pillar of society, of serious sobriety, Your sense of humour’s walking out the door. We have always got by, on huckleberry pie, And a tune that gets us carving up the floor, Let’s not have a morning after, Until we’ve had a night before. Well if the world ends tonight, make mine a double, Don’t want to go out as cold as stone, The cost of living’s criminal, you know my needs are minimal, As long as I can find my way home, So come on all ye sinners, you losers and winners, You revolutionaries and more, Let’s not have a morning after, Until we’ve had a night before. 'Til we’ve had a night before. So ,let’s put it to the test, in front of these assembled guests, Do we fall apart before we have begun? Or spend a little less time worrying, a lot less time hurrying, While we are still relatively young, So, let’s party on tonight, while the moon is big and bright, ‘Til Monday morning’s banging on the door, Let’s not have a morning after, Until we’ve had a night before. So come on all ye sinners, you losers and winners, You revolutionaries and more, Let’s not have a morning after, Until we’ve had a night before. Until we’ve had a night before, Come on all you sinners! Ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh ooh Come on all you sinners! Let’s have a night before (Yeah let’s have a night before)
3.
1. Loving The Skin You're In - Words and Music - Virginia Kettle Bad media's been feeding ya, a great big pack of lies, Getting away with murder, killing the spirit inside. Too big, too small, not beautiful, too old, too fat, too thin, Well come just as you are tonight, loving the skin you're in. From the bottom to the top, be yourself no matter what, Your identity keep clear, stick to all that you hold dear, Let loose tonight, the precious child within, Loving the skin you're in. They sold you down the river, in the doldrums now you dwell, Misty-eyed illusions you held together well. Too posh, too rough, not cool enough and your hair is wearing thin, Well come just as you are tonight, Loving the skin you're in. From the bottom to the top, be yourself until you drop, Your identity keep clear, stick to all that you hold dear, Let loose tonight, the precious child within, Loving the skin you're in. Your fingerprint encryption code is written in your hand, Come just as you are tonight, every women, every man. From the bottom to the top, be yourself don't ever stop, Your identity keep clear, stick to all that you hold dear, From the bottom to the top, be yourself no matter what, You're fantastically unique, find your voice and let it speak, Cut loose tonight, the wild child within, Loving the skin you're in.
4.
Bury Me Naked – Words & Music by Virginia Kettle Verse 1: Bury me naked, I want to go out the way I came in, Bury me naked, I want to go out the way I came in, I’d like to be reborn and hopefully, Sent to a place where admission is free, Nothing to pack for the journey, None of those meaningless fripperies, shiny things, All of that stuff, I thought when I bought I so badly needed at the time. Chorus: Bury me naked, I want to go out the way I came in, Bury me naked, I want to go out the way I came in. Verse 2: Weave me a casket, made from old willow, and tied up with string, Weave me a casket, made from old willow, and tied up with string, I hope where I’m going there’ll be no need, For little black dresses with earrings and beads, Clothes to impress, to delight, to deceive, Every last one I’ll bequeath, all the handbags, The glad rags, yes, And more shoes than anyone could possibly wear in one lifetime. Chorus: Bury me naked, I want to go out the way I came in, Bury me naked, I want to go out the way I came in. Verse 3: Lay me to rest on yonder blue mountain, and I’ll say goodnight, Lay me to rest on yonder blue mountain, and I’ll say goodnight, No tears for me don’t feel sorrow or pain, I’ll take nothing with me not even my name, Sing me a tune with a happy refrain, One of those old fashioned melodies, thanks for the memories, Bring a smile to my eyes, Bring Me Sunshine by Morecambe and Wise. Outro: Bury me naked, I want to go out the way I came in, Bury me naked, I want to go out the way I came in, (Last time!) Bury me naked, I want to go out, The way I came in.
5.
Lean on me, Love – words & music by John Kettle When boredom fills your kitchen sink And the world is standing at the brink When the bars are closed and you need a drink Lean on me, Love And when dark clouds try to drown the sun When it hurts so bad it leaves you numb When they blow us all to Kingdom Come Lean on me, Love And when desperation makes you burn And you know less the more you learn When your old bones feel the seasons turn Lean on me, Love When you’ve finished grandma’s apple pie And black tornadoes blast the sky When you’re holding back and you don’t know why Lean on me, Love When you’re feeling crushed by the machine And your boss comes in and treats you mean When you’re shaking like a tambourine Lean on me, Love And when you’ve given all that you can give And your brain is leaking like a sieve, When they’re repossessing where you live Lean on me, Love And when you’ve said all that you can say When they turn their backs and walk away When your dreams cave in and fade to grey Lean on me, Love When you’ve been howling at the moon And your hope has been and gone too soon When rock n roll don’t shake the room Lean on me, Love And when dreaming doesn’t make it so And your aching heart is gonna blow Turn on, turn up, your radio And lean on me, Love
6.
Rosanna's Song – Words & Music by Virginia Kettle The light that shines around you, is like no other. Winter fire of January, gold against the pale. And I have had the pleasure to go walking in your company, All along the hills of Allendale. The light that shines around you, is there for the taking. Shared among as many as the breaking of the bread. And I have climbed up high with you, to watch the boats set sail, All along the coast of Allendale. May your days always be blessed, May this place be a shoulder on which our souls can rest. May our joys be more and our sorrows less, And may the simple things be always, The ones we love the best.
7.
Stand down words and music-Virginia Kettle We are freedom, we are mercy, we are justice Travelling far and long; joining forces, marching on Now we are 10 million strong To the leaders of the world we say be warned Hell hath no fury like a people scorned And oh, oh, oh a change is coming We are freedom, we are mercy, we are justice There’s no human traffic here, we will not be bought or sold Put away your dirty gold To the leaders of the world we say be told We are the very laws you were elected to uphold And oh, oh, oh a change is coming Oh, oh, oh woho If you can’t see us, stand down If you don’t believe in us, stand down If our names do not belong On the very tip of your tongue Pack your bags and move along Stand down, stand down, stand down We are freedom, we are mercy, we are justice On the tide of truth, we will rise and rise ‘til the greedy feed the needy, ‘til the clever become wise ‘til we find a way to teach, Mother Nature’s wayward son To stop poisoning the well we draw our precious water from And oh, oh, oh a change is coming If you can’t see us, stand down If you don’t believe in us, stand down If our names do not belong On the very tip of your tongue Pack your bags and move along Stand down, stand down, stand down
8.
Let The Music Speak – words and music by Virginia Kettle We don’t do fashion, Please don’t dictate to us what we should wear, We have come here for the atmosphere, To put a little rhythm in our blood. We’re not conceited, We didn’t come here for the ego ride, But when we move together side by side, Sisters and brothers we are u-u-unified. Let the music speak for itself, itself, Yeah let the music speak for itself, itse-elf. I learned to kick it, From a Bolivian in Pakistan, And though he was not a wealthy man, He was wise beyond compare, oh yeah! He said that rhythm, Has no place in politics and war, But when we move together on the dancefloor, There is no black or white, no rich or poor, Let the music speak for itself, itself, Yeah let the music speak for itself, itse-elf. Although our future’s uncertain, Trust in the music, your soul she will feed, Losing our faith in possessions, We only need what we need. Although our future’s uncertain, Trust in the music, your soul she will feed, Losing our faith in possessions, We only need what we need, what we need, what we need, what we need. Let the music speak for itself, itself, Yeah let the music speak for itself, itse-elf. Let the music speak for itself, itself, Yeah let the music speak for itself, itse-elf. Let the music speak for itself, itself, Yeah let the music speak for itself, itse-elf.
9.
We Are Different, We Are One – Words by John Kettle & Bob Kettle Music by John Kettle Sing one more time again my friends For where I start you do not end And forgive me my naive heart, if I wish for us a song to start So, bring it in and join your hands For singing heals divided lands I know we are all not the same But I think we share some common names Chorus We are wire and wood We are neighbourhood We are falling rain and rising sun We are more not less We are NHS We are different we are one So, tell me how did this all start Who drew the blade to slash our heart Under my nails I feel that dirt And in my old bones I feel the hurt Chorus When we sing with one voice We find ourselves with no choice but to love and laugh And dance and cry And hold our heads up high So stand by me as darkness falls And light your lamps and fill the halls And sing into the face of hate Its not over yet, it’s not too late chorus
10.
Coming Home Song – Words & music by Bob Kettle The Wind will take our wings, The Wind will take our wings, The Wind will take our wings, and we will fly away. We will fly away, we will fly away, we will fly away The Wind will take our wings The Fire will burn down, The Fire will burn down, The Fire will burn down, and The Ashes blow away. The Ashes blow away, The Ashes blow away, The Ashes blow away, when the fire burns down. The Ocean overflows, The Ocean overflows, The Ocean overflows, and we are washed away. We are washed away we are washed away, we are washed away, when The Ocean overflows. I want to live in peace, I want to live in peace, I want to live in peace, but I was born in war. I was born in war, I was born in war, I was born in war, but I want to live in peace. I am coming home, I am coming home, I am coming home, I am a refugee. I am a refugee, I am a refugee, I am a refugee, And I am coming home. The Wind will take our wings, The Wind will take our wings, The Wind will take our wings, and we will fly away.
11.
Nobody Knows Me – Words & music by Virginia Kettle It’s under the face, it’s carefully disguised, the frightened child behind the big shoes. The angelic smile that’s giving the evil eyes inside. We are what we hide, we are what we hide. But nobody knows me like you. Nobody knows me like you, like you do. And though I build a wall, you still can see, how much I’d love to break it down and be free. It’s under the face, so carefully disguised. We are what we hide, we are what we hide. But nobody knows me like you. Nobody knows me like you. Nobody knows me true, like you do. Nobody knows me like you. Nobody Knows me like you. Yeah. Nobody knows me like you. Nobody knows me true, like you do.
12.
Over the Border Words & Music by Bob Kettle Born into hate and policed by violence, You take hold of your fate, You excavate silence. You said, "I'm just happy to survive This law and disorder." All of your need and all of your hunger, Your permanent pain Now buried in thunder. You said, "see you on the other side, Come over the border." Kiss close to the bone, caresses, abrasions, Blessings and blame, Consent and persuasion; And I said, "I love you but don't cry; Come over the border." Living alone, I'm close to your heartbeat And you're feeling at home When you stand on your own feet And I saw the morning in your smile: Come over the border.
13.
The Baker’s Daughter – Words & music by Virginia Kettle I’m in love with The Baker’s Daughter, hope one day she’ll marry me. Elbow deep in flour and water, now she’s as handsome as can be! Ey-Up, she rises, she rises. When the world is still in bed. She rises, she rises. Brings us all our daily bread. Farmhouse tin and crusty bloomer, Coburg, cob and sourdough. Herbs and yeast and salt perfume her, and the sweet honeysuckle from the open window. Ey-Up, she rises, she rises. When the world is still in bed. She rises, she rises. Brings us all our daily bread. She rises, she rises. When the world is still in bed. She rises, she rises. Brings us all our daily bread. He's in love with The Baker’s Daughter, this is the conundrum. She works hard like her father taught her. He’s as idle as they come. But woman cannot live on bread alone. She needs a knuckle kneader, not a no-good lazy bones. I got married to The Baker’s Daughter. Rises, she rises. Now I’m up before the sun. To keep the fires burning for her. An early riser, I’ve become. Ey-Up, she rises, she rises. When the world is still in bed. She rises, she rises. Brings us all our daily bread. She rises, she rises. When the world is still in bed. She rises, she rises. Brings us all our daily bread. She rises, she rises. When the world is still in bed. She rises, she rises. Brings us all our daily bread.
14.
Pendle Hill 04:41
Pendle Hill - Words by Bob Kettle & John Kettle Music by John Kettle I once had a teacher Who said, ‘silence is golden, And put your name on everything If you don’t want it stolen!’ But, sir, who owns the rolling fields? And, sir, who owns the standing stones? And, sir, who owns the restless sea? It’s not you and it’s not me I once had a teacher Who said ‘you’ll grow up too soon. You’ll get washed up on higher moral ground Singin’ Tory Party pop tunes.’ I once had a teacher Who said, ‘you’ll come to no good. You want to be a fitter? That’s the best one I’ve heard all year!’ But, sir, you only knew my name You never really knew me at all And, sir, you only ever sent Me to face the wall. I used to live off outrage But now I’ve got a mortgage I used to be the Cock of the School But now I’m just a no-bill-paying-tax-evading-fool But, sir, I’ve walked the rolling fields And felt the magic, flying And seen the sorrow in the silver sky That tells you that hope is dying So come and stand on Pendle Hill And watch the sun rising To understand that there’s a light shining still Whether you’re laughing or you’re crying You’re crying You’re not crying You’re crying You’re not crying I hear the shipwrecked angels Through static on the wire I feel the sun is rising To fill our hearts with fire
15.
We Need Each Other Now (Words & Music: John Kettle) And though we stumble from the edge Our bottle gone, we drank the dregs, Our fingers still cling to the ledge We need each other now. As borders crumble land and sea, Bored with ideology, The skinhead and the refugee You need each other now. Rise up, rise up you hopeful men And women who might try again! And with one voice, your message send: We need each other now.   We turn away and turn about, Everywhere mistrust and doubt, And one by one our lights go out We need each other now. And while we sit upon the fence In harmony and dissonance The bells toll out intolerance We need each other now. Rise up, rise up you hopeful men And women who might try again! And with one voice, our message send: We need each other now, Yeah, we need each other now.
16.
Come On, England! – Words & music by Bob Kettle Many miles I have wandered On the paths of my homeland, By rivers, through woodland and by the seaside. On its streets I have seen those with greed and hate in their eyes And those with their hearts and their hands open wide. Oh, my life has been blessed By its thunderstorm summertimes, misty-gold autumns, by fires in the snow, By rainbows, by bluebells, by radiant springtimes In the wild windy meadows where the dandelions blow. There are some who would change This fair home to a prison To enslave the many and bow to the few: The robbers, the racists, the breakers of faces Who hide behind masks and the red, white and blue. Chorus So stand up – come on, England! Live up to your history! Your heart can't be held in a flag or a crown. Raise your teacups and glasses, you bold lads and lasses, And drink to the Spirit that will never lie down! For I come from the land Of the Diggers and Levellers, Of fighters for freedom and our National Health: The beaten, mistreated but never defeated, The builders and guardians of the true common wealth. Only loving can save us, Only giving will raise us, So welcome all travellers to sweet liberty And raise all your voices to defend our democracy For equality, justice and community! Chorus So stand up – come on, England! Live up to your history! Your heart can't be held in a flag or a crown. Raise your teacups and glasses, you bold lads and lasses, And drink to the Spirit that will never lie down! So stand up – come on, England! Live up to your history! Your heart can't be held in a flag or a crown. Raise your teacups and glasses, you bold lads and lasses, And drink to the Spirit that will never lie down! And drink to the Spirit that will never lie down!
17.
There’s a Ghost in Our House – Words & Music by Virginia Kettle There's a ghost in our house It's watching me, watching you It sees everything we are The secrets we've hidden from view It's not death we fear, it's mediocrity Not dying, but fading away It's the will to do more than just exist It's the chance we missed, it's the chance we missed There's a ghost in our house There's a ghost in our house, Ha! There's a ghost in our house It's watching us through the years It collects our regrets, yeah Makes souvenirs of our tears It's not change we fear, it's standing still Turning to face the wall It's holding onto nothing with a tight clenched fist It's the chance we missed, it's the chance we missed There's a ghost in our house There's a ghost in our house Close the nursery door very softly Someone's at the window Hide your dreams and your deepest yearning Someone's at the window It's not death we fear, it's life unlived Stars unwilling to shine Upstaged by the brilliance of fate's last twist It's the chance we missed, it's the chance we missed There's a ghost in our house There's a ghost in our house There's a ghost in our house There's a ghost in our house
18.
Leave It In The Ground - words and music by Neil McCartney We've got the wind to blow and the sun to shine to turn this great machine around But there are those who still deny we're running out of sacred borrowed time Now we'll have to find another way, another way to ride the rails. We'll have to find another way, another way to light the trail. So for all our children leave it in the ground With the dead who built this town. Ships set sail to catch the whale, Men to win a whale bone pin. Then they drilled into the soil, Came spilling out black oil Now that dirty old town turned into a monster fueled on profit, power and greed. A legacy to leave our children's children with no air to breathe. So for all our children leave it in the ground With the dead who built this town. Well it was hard graft through dark days with pickaxe and canary underground. Up above they cleared the trees for slaughterhouse and belching factory. But there'll be hurricanes and tidal waves and famine as the devil blows his horn Our mother earth that once was grand, fractured, pillaged, ravaged, raped and torn. We'll have to find another way, so rally up and hoist the sails So for all our children leave it in the ground with the dead who built this town.
19.
Violet 03:45 video
Violet – words and music by Virginia Kettle There’s a little woodland flower, a beautiful recluse, Her petals range in hue, from navy blue to puce. So quiet and retiring, so delicate is she, She’ll wince if you should glimpse, Her bilateral symmetry. There’s a certain type of gentleman, I have met one or three. Who think women more vociferous, than p’ raps they ought to be. Keep your opinions to the minimum; it’s charming to be shy. Well for all us belles, blessed with decibels, Here comes my reply… I think you’re looking for a violet, a little, sweet, shrinking V.I.O.L.E.T Just like Shakespeare reclaimed, some shrews cannot be tamed, They grow louder the older they get. If you’re looking for a violet, a little, sweet, shrinking V.I.O.L.E.T Don’t waste your time with me, I’m only going to let you down. I went on a serious date once, a difficult affair, He was a history lecturer, with academic hair. I tried to be coquettish; I tried to be demure, I listened most intently to his: “Improvements in military engineering from Crimea to the Second World War” But when came my time to speak, enthusiasm made me shrill, I went in less than ten seconds, from nought to pneumatic drill. There were tears in his ears; I saw horror on his face, And I chuckled to myself as he fled swiftly from the place. I think you’re looking for a violet, a little sweet shrinking V.I.O.L.E.T I’m like bugles at dawn, I am fog, I am horn, Totally lacking in vocal etiquette. If you’re looking for a violet, a little sweet shrinking V.I.O.L.E.T Don’t waste your time with me, I’m only going to let you down. I do not mutter, I don’t murmur, Never been a verbal squirmer. I speak blunt, I speak plain, At the velocity of a passing train. Will I ever find a mate, upon whose nerves I do not grate, The only chance I’ll be endearing, Is if you are very, very, hard of hearing. But, If you’re looking for a violet, a little sweet shrinking V.I.O.L.E.T Don’t waste your time with me, I’m only going to let you down, Don’t waste your time with me, I’m only going to let you down.
20.
Man Of Few Words – words by Lee Goulding/Bob Kettle/Virginia Kettle Music by Lee Goulding If I was a sailor, I’d whisper to the sea So your love, upon the waves, Would come a rolling back to me If I was a soldier, I’d put aside my gun I’d march up to the moon and stars And bring you back the sun And each day when I see your face There’s so much that I long to say to it hurts But silent I let you pass me by For I’m just a man of few words… If I was a painter, I’d paint you in my mind I’d give you to eternity And free you for all time If I was a poet, I would hope to find the rhymes To say what’s in my heart And lay my love on every line And each time I try to catch up with you It’s like I’m traveling in reverse How can I reveal the love I feel? When I’m just a man of few words… No I am not a sailor And I am not a soldier Not a poet or a painter I’m a man of few words No I am not a sailor I am not a soldier Not a poet or a painter I’m a man of few words… Just a man of few words…
21.
The Gentle Man - Words by Lee Goulding/Bob Kettle. Music by Lee Goulding I knew a man called John Who worked for most his life Bringing home a poor man’s pay To feed his kids and wife He played the blacks and whites And smoked a Clan filled pipe And he loved a drop of whiskey when he played Yeah, he loved a drop of whiskey when he played. Chorus: He’s gone, he’s gone Things will never be the same He was the heart of all his family And a gentle man to his friends 65 years old, and so much left to live for And how he’d love to see me getting on Oh, how were we to know, he’d so little time to go? And how I wish he could have shared it with someone Yeah, I wish he could have shared it with someone Chorus: He’s gone, he’s gone Things will never be the same He was the heart of all his family And a gentle man to his friends Now I know he’s in Heaven Cos his laugh would burn down Hell I can see him in my daughter’s eyes So I know he's doing well He lives in all the lives he touched And he’s living in this song Yeah, knowing him has shown me love goes on Yeah, knowing him has shown me love goes on Chorus: He’s here, he’s here Cos love don’t pass away He’s the heart of all his family And a gentle man to his friends
22.
Three Little Lions – words and music by Virginia Kettle Three Little Lions from Albion went for a walk in the woods one day. Never before been far from home, they took a wrong turn and they lost their way. Said the first little lion “We must remain, together as we face this new terrain” The second little lion said, “Let’s divide, I’m tired of you always hanging at my side” The third little lion said, “Petty fight – ne’er won the battle t’ween death and life… There’s a storm coming across this land, better pool our courage while we can Give a mighty roar, where they slumber deep, Wake this Nation from its sleep” Shake the East where the wind is strong, three little lions from Albion Shake the West where the sun sets long, three little lions from Albion Shout to the South with a voice as one, three little lions from Albion Call to the North and the North will come, three little lions from Albion Three little lions from Albion, found a place for to take their rest. Cold and hungry, tired and alone, each one believing that they knew best. Said the first little lion, “I’ll stick with thee, safety comes from familiarity” Second little lion said “Leave it be, you’re holding me back always clinging to me” Third little lion said, “Fools they will, miss what’s rising over the hill… There’s a storm coming across this land, better pool our courage while we can, Give a mighty roar where they slumber deep, Wake this Nation from its sleep” Shake the East where the wind is strong, three little lions from Albion Shake the West where the sun sets long, three little lions from Albion Shout to the South with acvoice as one, three little lions from Albion Call to the North and the North will come, three little lions from Albion The North, she always comes Shake the East where the wind is strong, three little lions from Albion Shake the West where the sun sets long, three little lions from Albion Shout to the South with a voice as one, three little lions from Albion Call to the North and the North will come.
23.
Rage Like Thunder – words and music by Virginia Kettle Do you remember your student days, You had a passion for the human race. Ragged Philanthropist with starry ideals Sleeping on the street to feel how it feels Whatever happened to the boy you were before Marching for justice, anti-fascism, anti-war Now it seems you don’t shout so loud Two decades on you say the fire’s gone out And you tell me that you are content Your battlefield days are spent Happy in your own back yard But your eyes betray your heart Inside you still rage like thunder Inside you still rage like thunder Do you remember those bedsit days Packet noodles, Thunderbird wine, Purple Haze Scratched a living busking on the underground Funny that our nothing was enough to go around Whatever happened to the girl you used to be Wouldn‘t leave Trafalgar Square ‘til Nelson Mandela was free Now you pay your bills and keep your head down Suburban semi on the right side of town And you tell me that you are content Your battlefield days are spent Happy in your own back yard But your eyes betray your heart Inside you still rage like thunder Inside you still rage like thunder Inside you still rage like thunder The raging never dies And you tell me that you are content Your battlefield days are spent Happy in your own back yard But your eyes betray your heart Inside you still rage like thunder Inside you still rage like thunder Inside you still rage like thunder Inside you’re still raging, raging like fire The thunder’s deep inside The raging never died.
24.
Sailor 05:03 video
Sailor (For Bob 'Buck' Taylor) Words and music by Bob Kettle Oh, sailor, sailor You sailed out on the wind-torn water Sailor, sailor So many years you roamed! Sailor, sailor You fed the fire in the belly of a Battle-class warship You steamed away on the rolling waves That took you far from home Oh, sailor, sailor You sailed out on The Tyne and Maidstone Sailor, sailor So many miles you roamed! Sailor, sailor You slid down the ladders into Action Stations You steamed away on the rolling waves That took you far from home Remember how the sun sank into the Tasman Sea Where you saw fire-fingered lightning flash from heaven to the mast And it lit a spark inside your heart for you felt free at last You sailed away… Oh, sailor, sailor The boiler burned and it looked like chaos Sailor, sailor On many tides you roamed! Sailor, sailor With the bells in your head down below the airlock You steamed away on the rolling waves That took you far from home Oh, sailor, sailor You sailed out through the Bay of Biscay Sailor, sailor On many lands you roamed! Sailor, sailor Afloat on the flood of screech and whiskey You steamed away on the rolling waves That took you far from home Remember the day when you had to leave Marseilles, When the order came to sail and you left her on the quay, But you said, “to hell with the storm-drench fear, with the sharks and broken skulls, my dear!” I’ll sail away… Oh, sailor, sailor You sailed out on the Arctic Ocean Sailor, sailor On many seas you roamed! Sailor, sailor The furnace blazed and you kept her floatin’ You steamed away on the rolling waves That took you far from home Oh, sailor, sailor You sailed out with your comrades dear Sailor, sailor So many miles you roamed! Sailor, sailor You brought help when the earth shook in Agadir Then you steamed away on the rolling waves That took you far from home Remember the stars in the southern hemisphere And Violet smiles at the breaking and the closing of the day With love on your side, you knew you would be alright Just sail away... Oh, sailor, sailor Time rolled on and the seas got rougher Sailor, sailor So many years you roamed! Sailor, sailor Now you’re laid in the waves you’ll sail on forever… All the love you gave will keep rolling, mate Now you are safely home All the love you gave will keep rolling, mate… Now you are safely home. Roling, roling home (repeat to fade)
25.
WHEN WE MEET AGAIN – MUSIC AND LYRICS BY JOHN AND BOB KETTLE There's a feeling in my heart, In my bones a knowing, That though we are apart We will meet again. And that party will be grand And the music golden And I will hold your hand When we meet again. There’s a strength within your smile And The hope is rising. We’ll walk that extra mile When we meet again. And our friends will all come round Where the band is playing And I’ll join you in the crowd When we meet again. But the night must fall And the sun must rise And we will wait for clearer skies And there shall be no last goodbyes For we will meet again. Well, I’ve had my share of fear And you’ve had your share of pain But here’ll be fire within our hearts When we will meet again. As the flowers wake and bloom Resurrected by the rain We’ll be together soon When we meet again.
26.
No Place Like Tomorrow – Words & Music by Virginia Kettle Here’s a song to the weary, the fractured the broken. Hope for the foolish, a word to the wise. A new day is coming So keep your eyes open Don’t shut out the light of the sun on the rise Oh I know I could be a much better man If I let all my yesterdays go There is no place Like tomorrow If your past has cast a great shadow upon you, faith is a shipwreck washed up on the shore. Let the fresh air of morning breathe gently down on you, blow dust from the cobwebs behind the closed door Oh I know I could find a much better place Where the spring melts the ice and the snow There is no place like tomorrow When your storm battered spirit is lost to all reason And blinded you cling to the edge of the night A new dawn is waiting behind the horizon The whole world looks different when seen at first light And all that was hopeless and desolate, will once again flourish and grow. There is no place like tomorrow There is no place like tomorrow
27.
Drunken Serenade: Words & Music by Bob Kettle The Banshee Reel: Trad Arr: Merry Hell Well, I wandered through the naked streets My mind on fire with midnight's heat As Lady Night was brushing all The mist out of her hair When I heard the sound of lightning strikes Above the holy city lights And a drunken serenade in the rain. With whiskey swimming in my brain I turned to meet the cracked refrain When I heard one ragged straggler Wheeze his anthems to the wind Singing, "though my life is passing by I'll lift my spirit to the sky With a drunken serenade in the rain." Coming down again... Well, I asked the man from many roads Of where he'd been, of what he knows He said, "I took a ride to paradise But I ended up in hell. And neither whiskey nor the leaf Can ever bring your soul relief Like a drunken serenade in the rain." And so I'll speak my truth aloud I'll sing it clear and I'll sing it proud Cos in my darkest hour of doubt These songs have carried me And just as sure as I am born I'll sing my heart out in the storm With a drunken serenade, A drunken serenade, A drunken serenade in the rain.
28.
Emergency Lullaby (Wasting Time) – Words & Music by Bob Kettle The water is rising, The Arctic’s ablaze, The Amazon’s burning But I spend my days Feeding flood and fire in so many ways Sitting here wasting my time. There are clowns in high places Trading on lies, A cult of denial to cover our eyes But if we give up hope then we give up our lives Willingly wasting our time. We will die of doubt Time is running out… The hourglass counts down An avoidable fate: The next generation pays for our mistakes. Act now, act together and it’s not too late Or we’re wasting the world and our time. So, get down to Earth, Let the young lead the old, All hands to the ark! Unfurl the rainbow! Our life’s in our hands, We’ll reap what we sow Turn over the hourglass in time.

about

Right… Through twelve great years, six albums and hundreds of gigs, Merry Hell have shared their music, joy and hope with as many people as possible.

This double CD is an attempt to distil all the above into a flavour of the band, who we are and what we do. For that reason, there could only be one title: Let The Music Speak for Itself.

This collection does not represent the beginning of the end; it represents the end of the beginning…

Best Wishes to All

credits

released May 12, 2023

At the time of the release, Merry Hell are: Virginia Kettle, vocals and guitar; Andrew Kettle, vocals; Bob Kettle, bouzouki & mandolin; John Kettle, guitars; Colin Foster, bass; Lee Goulding, keyboard & banjo; Simon Swarbrick, fiddle; Andy Jones, drums.

Let us not forget those who have also played their parts: Neil McCartney, fiddle; Nick Davies, bass; Andrew Dawson, bass; Tim Howard, guitar; Phill Knight, drums and Al Hart, bass.

Merry Hell could not exist without the team: Merch, Julie McKiernan, Mike Jones, Denise Kettle. Website, Julian Watts at Joolz Design. Damian Liptrot, management and spiritual guidance.

Thanks as ever to our families, friends and all who have helped keep our folk-rock charabanc on the road.

All recording, engineering and production by John Kettle.
Photography and Design by Neil McCartney.
Sleeve Notes: Damian Liptrot & Bob Kettle.

All songs P & C Copyright Control

Contact merryhell@hotmail.co.uk
www.merryhell.co.uk Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter

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Merry Hell Wigan, UK

Multi-award winning Merry Hell offer joyful, uplifting folk-rock, with a message for troubled times. Native to the North- West of England, the 8-piece musical charabanc was built from the embers of the much loved folk-punk band The Tansads, developing a life and feel all of its own. Through 6 albums and hundreds of gigs, they offer hope & light in our troubled times. ... more

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