Get all 10 Dave Gibb releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
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1. |
Memories
01:16
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2. |
Ten Years Old
03:54
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Ten Years Old.
(PRS/MCPS ©Dave Gibb 2019)
They woke me as the sunlight slowly crept across the room
And the fire was trying hard to take a hold
It sparked and spat in anger as the light replaced the gloom
As it fought a losing fight against the cold
My mother sat in silence as my sister raised her head
Although the wee soul seemed determined not to wake
And as my father packed his gear he turned towards me and he said
You are ten years old its time you paid your way
You are ten years old and your childhood ends today
For as long as I remember My father always claimed
That no son of his would be digging underground
Fine words spoken from the heart and he meant all that he said
But fine words count for nothing when the real world comes around
He said:
Don't try to earn your living in the darkness child
Don't tunnel into hills to make your way
My father hinted at a choice
A choice I didn't know was mine to make
A future that was never mine to take
And the memories of what he said come back to me again
But I was ten years old I had to pay my way
He said:
Don't try to earn your living in the darkness child
Don't tunnel into hills to make your way
The words hurt then as the words hurt now
And the pain has never really gone away
I prayed to god if I have a son he'd never have to live his life this way
When his choices, options, dreams living life above the dark are stripped away
And he spends his life well hidden from the day
When at ten years old he'll have to pay his way
I was ten years old and my childhood ended that day.
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3. |
Bitch Galena
03:57
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Bitch Galena
(PRS/MCPS ©Dave Gibb 2019)
They woke me as the sunlight slowly crept across the room
And the fire was trying hard to take a hold
It sparked and spat in anger as the light replaced the gloom
As it fought a losing fight against the cold
My mother sat in silence as my sister raised her head
Although the wee soul seemed determined not to wake
And as my father packed his gear he turned towards me and he said
You are ten years old its time you paid your way
You are ten years old and your childhood ends today
For as long as I remember My father always claimed
That no son of his would be digging underground
Fine words spoken from the heart and he meant all that he said
But fine words count for nothing when the real world comes around
He said:
Don't try to earn your living in the darkness child
Don't tunnel into hills to make your way
My father hinted at a choice
A choice I didn't know was mine to make
A future that was never mine to take
And the memories of what he said come back to me again
But I was ten years old I had to pay my way
He said:
Don't try to earn your living in the darkness child
Don't tunnel into hills to make your way
The words hurt then as the words hurt now
And the pain has never really gone away
I prayed to god if I have a son he'd never have to live his life this way
When his choices, options, dreams living life above the dark are stripped away
And he spends his life well hidden from the day
When at ten years old he'll have to pay his way
I was ten years old and my childhood ended that day.
I stood before the miners - my father at my side
The oldest one among them walked towards me and he smiled
It all felt so unreal to me as I stood there in a daze
All I can remember is he smelled of sweat and age
He put his arm around my shoulders and he led me down the mine
He said - I understand your feelings but you'll get used to it in time
Don't be frightened of the dark Its not as bad as it first seems
I'll introduce you to galena - she's the woman of your dreams
She'll feed you when you're hungry - she will clothe you when you're cold
Give you strength while you are young and give you comfort when you're old
Even then - at ten years old I knew it wasn't true.
He said - just follow me and I'll show you what to do
Just fill that hutch then bend your back - let your muscles take the strain
Though at ten years old your body isn't built to take the pain
Then push that bitch galena up to meet the light of day
Well I don't think god meant for me to live this way
I don't know if you're aware of this but there is something you should know
Galena's hard and heavy with no comfort in her soul
She'd robbed that miner of his youth - he was old before his time
But he said - now your job is help to get galena out the mine
So welcome to the darkness child and welcome to your fate
And welcome to your future and the life you'll learn to hate
He handed me a shovel - I thought this nightmare can't be true
But I did as I was told because at ten that's what you do
The miners shuffled past me on their way towards the seam
Their candles casting shadows that seemed to point and laugh at me
So I cursed the miners and the mine and the luck that brought me here
But most of all I cursed galena for the life I'd have to lead
Just fill that hutch then bend your back - let your muscles take the strain
Though at ten years old your body isn't built to take the pain
Then push that bitch galena up to meet the light of day
Well I don't think god meant for me to live this way
So I filled that hutch and bent my back - let my muscles take the strain
Though at ten years old this body wasn't built to take the pain
So hour after hour I pushed galena up to meet the day
I don't think god meant for me to live this way
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4. |
First Day Down The Mine
04:04
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First Day Down The Mine
(PRS/MCPS ©Dave Gibb 2019
I'm walking out the darkness man
Heading up towards the light
Believe me when I tell you man
I will sleep so well tonight
I'll sleep so sound and tight
I don't know how I did it
But I made it through my first day down the mine
My back is sore with bending lord
My muscles burn and ache
My hands are raw and bleeding now
Don't know how much more I can take
Taken all that I can take
I don't know how I did it
But I made it through my first day down the mine
I want to see the daylight lord
I want to breathe that sweet fresh air
Rain or snow or sunshine lord
I really couldn't care
As long as I am out of here
I don't know how I did it
But I made it through my first day down the mine
I'll make it back home somehow lord
And try to soothe this pain
Try and forget about tomorrow lord
When I'll have to do it all again
My god! I'll have to do it all again
I don't know how I did it
But I made it through my first day down the mine
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5. |
Rest These Weary Bones
05:05
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Rest These Weary Bones
(PRS/MCPS ©Dave Gibb 2019)
I'm shattered and tired and crying with pain
Thoughts of the day flashing through my brain
I just need somewhere I can be alone
Somewhere I can lay my head
And get used to the fact that I'm not yet dead
Somewhere I can rest these weary bones
I'll wrap myself in my dream and let it carry me away
Shrouded by the sweet black night, hidden from the day
I'll sleep the sleep of the righteous one just like the old folk say
And let the nightmare of the day slowly slip away
I pray this world will let me be
Leave me in peace - take pity on me
All I want in life just now is to be back home
To curl up tight in the family bed
Anywhere I can lay my head
Just somewhere I can rest these weary bones
I'll wrap myself in my dream and let it carry me away
Shrouded by the sweet black night, hidden from the day
I'll sleep the sleep of the righteous one just like the old folk say
And let the nightmare of the day slowly slip away
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6. |
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I didn't get to hold you long
(PRS/MCPS ©Dave Gibb 2019)
I didn't get to hold you very long my child
Before the real world stripped you from my arms
And I watched the way its made you grow up long before your time
Though I take pleasure in your growing it still breaks this heart of mine
From the moment you were born and I first held you in my arms
I knew that I'd been put on earth to shelter you from harm
No sooner were you crawling than I saw you up and run
I had barely time to realise your childhood days were done
But a child you were - a child you are
And a child you'll always be to me
And oh...I didn't get to hold you long
I miss the way I'd stroke your cheek as I watched you feed from me
I miss peace at night time as I'd sit and watch you sleep
I miss the way you were always there - and how you'd cling to me
And I miss the way I thought that that's how it would always be
From the moment you were born and I first held you in my arms
I knew that I'd been put on earth to shelter you from harm
No sooner were you crawling than I saw you up and run
I had barely time to realise your childhood days were done
But a child you were - a child you are
And a child you'll always be to me
And oh...I didn't get to hold you long
Now those swaddling clothes are gone and gone forever child
Like so many things we've lost along the way
But I saved a corner of your childhood shawl my child
Its kept next to my heart and that's where it will always stay
From the moment you were born and I first held you in my arms
I knew that I'd been put on earth to shelter you from harm
No sooner were you crawling than I saw you up and run
I had barely time to realise your childhood days were done
But a child you were - a child you are
And a child you'll always be to me
And oh...I didn't get to hold you long
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7. |
The Auld Yin
07:25
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The Auld Yin
(PRS/MCPS ©Dave Gibb 2019)
I was six weeks in the mine when the Auld Yin came to me
"I'm here to work with you," he said "by order of the powers that be."
And my god this guy was ancient, the oldest man I'd seen
He'd three bad teeth, three strands of hair and a beard down to his knees
That beard was fascinating man, it was dirty damp and grey
And there were bits of long lost meals in there that he would nibble on all day
We got along fine in that god cursed mine as we did what we had to do
He told tall tales of his younger days and he swore each one was true
He claimed his head was full of wisdom - a gift of the things he'd seen
Of the things he'd heard, the things he'd done and the things he'd only dreamed
These little pearls of wisdom - he said - that to you seem bright and new
Are as old as time so this duty of mine is to pass them on to you
I know you're young but you'll need to learn
there's bevy out there and your body will yearn
With a hunger so real you'll damned near scream
For the taste of that whisky and gin
You'll see you workmates drinking and you'll want to join their fun
So you'll steam right in to yon whisky and gin - then BOOM! the damage is done
Then you will giggle and you'll dribble and you'll find it hard to walk
And your gob is working overtime - you'll talk and talk and talk
And although you'll think you're super smart - your brain is working slow
Then you'll plummet off sobriety into the void below
Then you will giggle and you'll dribble and you'll find it hard to walk
And your gob is working overtime - you'll talk and talk and talk
And although you'll think you're super smart - your brain is working slow
Then you'll plummet off sobriety into the void below
I'm telling the truth - so listen to me
I've seen far to much of the things you've yet to see
I'm telling the truth - so you'll understand
This is the knowledge of the ages and the wisdom of man
I know you're young but soon you'll learn
There are women out there and your body will yearn
With a hunger so real you'll damned near scream
For the touch of a female hand
You'll see your workmates fall in love and you'll think that look like fun
Then you'll catch a girls eye and she'll give you her smile - then BOOM! the damage is done
Oh aye, they'll giggle and they'll jiggle and they'll wiggle when they walk
with their bounces and their flounces and their sexy girly talk
But when you get to my age all you really want to see
Is how they operate a frying pan and make a cup of tea
Oh aye, they'll giggle and they'll jiggle and they'll wiggle when they walk
with their bounces and their flounces and their sexy girly talk
But when you get to my age all you really want to see
Is how they operate a frying pan and make a cup of tea
I'm telling the truth - so listen to me
I've seen far to much of the things you've yet to see
I'm telling the truth - so you'll understand
This is the knowledge of the ages and the wisdom of man
I'm telling the truth - so listen to me
I've seen far to much of the things you've yet to see
I'm telling the truth - so you'll understand
This is the knowledge of the ages and the wisdom of man
Was he telling the truth - who am I to say
But his talking helped me through those long long days
I can see him now - his beard running wild
Imparting his knowledge through his three toothed smile
Imparting his knowledge through his three toothed smile
The knowledge of the ages and the wisdom of man
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8. |
Sunday Afternoon
04:04
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9. |
Sitting In The Dark
01:36
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10. |
Following Galena
05:32
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Following Galena
(PRS/MCPS ©Dave Gibb 2012)
Don’t try to earn your living in the darkness child
Don’t tunnel into hills to make your way
Don’t let galena lead you ever onwards child
She’ll destroy you just a little every day
As you’re following the seams where they may take you
She steals the light and heat and leaves you cold
You hear nothing but the sound of your own breathing
And the frustration that is crying in your soul
She will lead you into places mortal man was never really meant to go
Show you secrets mortal man should never know
Every dream you’ve ever run from
All your nightmares can be found
When you’re following Galena Underground
Galena offers riches in the future child
When the bargain’s signed you’ll think your fortune’s made
But you’ll sell your soul to debt to feed your family
And to buy your tools – your powder, pick and spade
This company controls the world you live in
And every breath in life you’ll ever take
Soon they’ll own the very clothes you go to work in
Soon you’ll owe them every penny that you make
She will lead you into places mortal man was never really meant to go
Show you secrets mortal man should never know
Every dream you’ve ever run from
All your nightmares can be found
When you’re following Galena Underground
So don’t try to earn your living in the darkness child
Don’t tunnel into hills to make your way
You were born into a world of light and nature
Don’t turn you back forever on the day
Take pleasure in the sounds you hear around you
Because believe me when you start to work below
You’ll hear nothing but the sound of your own breathing
And the frustration that is crying in your soul
She will lead you into places mortal man was never really meant to go
Show you secrets mortal man should never know
Every dream you’ve ever run from
All your nightmares can be found
When you’re following Galena Underground
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11. |
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The Visit of His Grace The Duke
(PRS/MCPS ©Dave Gibb 2018)
The Duke is coming to see us - He's coming here today
The duke is coming to see us - the duke is on his way
The Chooky's coming to see us - He's coming here today
The Chooky's is coming to see us - the duke is on his way
The word's gone round the village - said the Auld Yin with a smirk
His grace is going to grace us with his presence after Kirk
Its as well this is a Sunday - our only day of rest
Cause when the Chooky comes a calling we must wear our Sunday best
Does his grace believe we live this way - so happy and so clean
Never seen the children dressed in rags - no shoes upon their feet
And if he accidentally caught a glimpse - I doubt he'd even care
He would simply look right through them - convinced that they were never there
There was tugging of the forelock there was bending of the knee
The Auld Yin looked disgusted and said - this is sad to see
I know it sounds like treason but the French and I agree
The way they treat aristocrats sounds pretty good to me
The carriages were gleaming their clothes were nice and clean
And I must admit the spectacle was something to be seen
But it was well the sun was shining cause if just one spot of rain
Landed on the Chooky's lady we know damned well who'd get the blame
There was tugging of the forelock there was bending of the knee
The Auld Yin looked disgusted and said - this is sad to see
I know it sounds like treason but the French and I agree
The way they treat aristocrats sounds pretty good to me
You'd better tug that forelock - you'd better bend that knee
You'd better smile as he passes by - you'd better wave and cheer
He owns the mine you work in, your house and all the land
Your future and your life are only yours at his command
There was tugging of the forelock there was bending of the knee
The Auld Yin looked disgusted and said - this is sad to see
I know it sounds like treason but the French and I agree
The way they treat aristocrats sounds pretty good to me
There was tugging of the forelock there was bending of the knee
The Auld Yin looked disgusted and said - this is sad to see
I know it sounds like treason but the French and I agree
The way they treat aristocrats sounds pretty good to me
The Chooky came to see us - the Chooky came today
The Chooky came to see us and then he went away
The Chooky came to see us - the Chooky came today
The Chooky came to see us and then he went away
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12. |
Gone
01:46
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Gone
(©Dave Gibb 2018 PRS/MCPS)
Here I lie at the end of my days
Short of breath and short of time
All that's left to me are memories
Memories
The Auld yin left me memories
Perhaps the darkness got to him and got underneath his skin
Or he thought that day was as good a day as any to give in
But something made him feel that there's no point in going on
He never mentioned what was wrong - I blinked and he was gone
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13. |
No Last Goodbye
04:09
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No Last Goodbye
(©Dave Gibb 2018 PRS/MCPS)
We didn't see the warning signs
No glimmer in your eye
No change in how you laughed at life
No sadness in your smile
No last goodbye
And you were gone
What thoughts flowed through that head of yours
What lay behind that grin
Had you made your plans to end it all
The final sin
No last goodbye
And you were gone
You laughed as you'd always laughed
Your smile was just the same
Its still a mystery to me
How well you hid your pain
We carried you up Paupers Hill
And buried you face down
No stone to mark your resting place
In unconsecrated ground
We said our last goodbyes
And you were gone
You laughed as you'd always laughed
Your smile was just the same
Its still a mystery to me
How well you hid your pain
We didn't see the warning signs
No glimmer in your eye
No change in how you laughed at life
No sadness in your smile
No last goodbye
And you were gone
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14. |
The Memory
04:35
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The Memory
(©Dave Gibb 2018 PRS/MCPS)
I can't believe you left so long ago
Where the years went - only god knows I suppose
I thought in time all thoughts of you will slip away
But even now the pain and sorrows remain
The gods had smiled on you as good gods do
Ah but that smile was gone too soon
We drift along life's many roads but then
Who knows where they lead and where they will end
The gods gave time to you as good gods do
Ah but that time ran out too soon
All your talk, all the laughs and your crazy ways
Those memories - I'll hold them close and keep them safe
And so I wander on my merry way
Follow old routines - get by from day to day
But now and then a memory brings back all the pain
At least that memory lets me see your smile again
The gods gave friends to you as good gods do
Ah but you left us far too soon
All your talk, all the laughs and your crazy ways
Those memories - I'll hold them close and keep them safe
All your talk, all the laughs and your crazy ways
Those memories - I'll hold them close and keep them safe
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15. |
Life Goes On
04:32
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Life Goes On
(©Dave Gibb 2018 PRS/MCPS)
Life was never the same with the auld yin gone
But life, as you know, still trundles along
Life doesn't care if you've lost or won
Life goes on
Life likes to toy and play with man
And its been that way since it all began
But you muddle on through as best as you can
And life goes on
Life goes on - no matter what life picks up
and decides its going to throw your way
Life goes on - you learn to deal with it all
And you can try to fight it or accept your fate
But before you know what's happened your time is done
And life goes on
You struggle on through all the pain and the tears
Taking joy in the laughter you've shed through the years
But life doesn't notice your hopes and your fears
Life goes on
Life goes on - no matter what life picks up
and decides its going to throw your way
Life goes on - you learn to deal with it all
And you can try to fight it or accept your fate
But before you know what's happened your time is done
And life goes on
So grab what you can of what life throws your way
Take care of the friends that you make on the way
Try hard to keep all those dark thoughts at bay
As life goes on
You can take life by the horns and spit in its face
Or you can bask in the glory of its heartless grace
But at the end of your days life puts you back in your place
And life goes on
Life goes on - no matter what life picks up
and decides its going to throw your way
Life goes on - you learn to deal with it all
And you can try to fight it or accept your fate
But before you know what's happened your time is done
And life goes on
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16. |
Reach For The Stars
05:35
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I didn't Reach For The Stars
(©Dave Gibb 2018 PRS/MCPS)
How I got to where I am is a mystery to me
No planning at the outset - No destination to reach
Now I spend my days remembering - well there are worse ways to pass the time
Memories dredged up from the depths of this old grey head of mine
Of course I dreamed the dreams of youth way back in those early days
When my future looked so dark and cold - I dreamed of my escape
But over time you forget that pain that brought you to your knees
And as the years go by you accept your life as the way it has to be
I didn't reach for the stars and no dreams came true
Because sometimes there's no alternative but to do what you have to do
I could have fought my fate - could have packed up an gone
But I was destined to keep on travelling on that road I was travelling on
People I've shared time with are so often brought to mind
Some who shared their life with me and some who were left behind
Some who left to search for fame or to find some fantasy
And some who's fleeting journey into life was far too brief
I didn't reach for the stars and no dreams came true
Because sometimes there's no alternative but to do what you have to do
I could have fought my fate - could have packed up an gone
But I was destined to keep on travelling on that road I was travelling on
Now I spend more time in the past than thinking what I have yet to do
I lose myself in memories of the people I once knew
But I did my best in days the I've had and tried to show my worth
Grateful for the time that I've been granted here on earth
I didn't reach for the stars and no dreams came true
Because sometimes there's no alternative but to do what you have to do
I could have fought my fate - could have packed up an gone
But I was destined to keep on travelling on that road I was travelling on
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17. |
I Paid My Way
02:13
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I Paid My Way
(©Dave Gibb 2018 PRS/MCPS)
And so I earned my living in the darkness
I tunnelled into hills to pay my way
I let galena lead me ever onwards down the mine
Digging in the dark to earn my pay
I know at first I fought so hard not to live my life that way
But in my heart of hearts I know galena won the day
She worked me hard as my health and strength were slowly stripped away
But every day of my working life - I paid my way
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Dave Gibb Wanlockhead, UK
Left Handed, Balding, Post Menopausal, Songwriting Folky from Scotland’s Highest
Village.
A singer of songs and a teller of tales from the hills of Dumfries & Galloway who happily fingerpicks his way through life’s travails.
Songs funny or sad, happy or grim, meaningful or meaningless played fast or slow (sometimes both at the same time)…….He likes a giggle.
... more
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