Lyrics by Colin Wreford

WHHEN WILL I LOSE YOUR MEMORY?

VERSE 1

The clock is still five minutes behind
The kettle still whistles as it boils
Old memories still crowd my mind
My flowers still die, hate that soil
The postman still comes each day
Cat and dog still fight like crazy
Kids still dance on the first of May
Around the pole fresh as a daisy

CHORUS
Nothing changed when you left
Things still work, bells still chime
I'm the only one feeling bereft
Thinking back to the good times
It's over, no more you and me
But when will I lose your memory?

VERSE 2

Lights will sparkle at Christmas time
Hank's sad songs still make me cry
I take tequila with lemon and lime
And the latest trends all pass me by
The TV news still shocks every day
It always rains when I dress for sun
Dog always sleeps full in the way
The world world but me is having fun

BRIDGE

Life goes on in the same old way
People smile, wish me good day
My life could be a sad sad song
Can't do right, I'll just do wrong

REPEAT CHORUS

She’s seen one too many hard times
The pain shows through her smile
She’s fallen in love and out of love
Sometimes she’s stayed for awhile
Usually one night has been too long
Events have forced her so far away
Alone and starting all over once again
Living as best she can day by day

CHORUS

She’s making the best of her life
Dreaming of finding a good man
Of becoming a mother and a wife
If anyone can make it then she can
She’s a survivor, she’s a can do girl
Doing her best in this crazy world


She hates her job but it pays the rent
And keeps her out of the food line
By payday she’s down to her last cent
But she smiles and says she’s fine
Evenings she prowls the dating sites
Trying to separate the truth from the lies
Asking God to send her mister right
Smiling through the lows and the highs

REPEAT CHORUS

She doesn't want your help or sorrow
And she certainly doesn't want pity
Today is hard but she'll be back tomorrow
Being strong and brave in this cruel city
Her time clock is counting down fast
She wants a baby, she needs a man
Live for the future, forget the past
If anyone can reach her dreams, she can

REPEAT CHORUS

I STILL BELIEVE IN LOVE

VERSE 1

Can't eat or sleep. Think only of THE one
Head dancing with the thrill of it all
Walking on clouds. Daily life on hold
Nothing ever feels like love's first fall
Foolish enough to know this will last
This is special. Too strong to fade away
I won't make the same mistakes this time
We'll be together for forever and a day

CHORUS

I still believe in love at first sight
I still believe in happy ever after
I still believe in two becoming one
And no more tears just laughter
I still believe in love and honour
I still believe in happy ever after
I still believe in Saint Valentine
And no more tears just laughter

VERSE 2

I've gone from grey to rainbow stripes
My problems vanish never to return
I ditch the blues to sing happy tunes
Constant sunshine. No more U-turn
Can't wait for date time to arrive
Feel sad when having to say goodbye
I finally found the perfect match
Only love can make you feel this high


REPEAT CHORUS

VERSE 3

Throw caution to the winds and commit all
Stop being a fool repeating your mistakes
Rush straight in for better or for worse
Odds against, a gamble whatever it takes
Ignore the worried looks and nasty tones
Staring into those blue eyes all night long
No room for doubt. No chance of failing
After so much weakness this love is strong

REPEAT CHORUS

APRIL

(Warning - adult themes which some may find distressing)


Thank you for coming to see me today sir
I'm Gerry. Here I'm number one eight six
I know you want to hear all about me and her
And exactly how things got as bad as this

I've run with Dan and Mack for many years
Shared our first cigarette and dirty pic
Lied about our lives and laughed at our fears
Thought we were just so cool and slick

I was loved at home. Life was good enough
But as we grew older Dan wanted the best
We started taking things and acting tough
Mack and I were there for the fun, the jest

It was exactly a year ago we had the plan
To rob a shop and make some real money
You must believe me sir the leader was Dan
I just thought it would be exciting and funny

I stole my sister's tights to hide our faces
Mack jemmied a fast car from a cheating wife
Did everything we could to cover our traces
I swear I had no idea Dan had brought a knife

We drove around for hours seeking our chance
Then we found this about to close burger joint
My blood was racing as we made our advance
In seconds Dan had her captive at knife point

I locked up the shop and then guarded the door
Mack jumped the counter and found the money
Two minutes we were done, no need for any more
But Dan was stroking the girl, calling her honey

I chose to ignore her screams and her pain
I laughed at her tears and her pleas for her life
We all took our turn over and over and over again
It seemed like a shame when Dan used the knife

Then there was silence. My mind was a blur
Dan shouted, "We're done. Let's get out of here"
This wasn't right. I wanted money not her
My legs wouldn't move. Nothing seemed clear

I have no idea how I got back to that hot car
Shaking, crying, trying hard to understand
Dan was driving, bragging we'd find a bar
Celebrate with the best booze in the land

The next few days just came and went
Dan and Mack vanished from my world
I couldn't forget her yells and her scent
I saw and heard her everywhere, the girl

It was a relief when the police came round
Matched my DNA from my shoplifting past
Took another week to bring Dan to ground
I hoped then I would feel better at long last

Now I know it will never be over I'm afraid
I'm haunted by her suffering and her pleas
My family don't visit. They pretend I'm dead
So do I. Then I could finally set myself free

Thank you again sir for coming to see me
I know it must have been a hell of a shock
I hope you find peace of mind if that can be
Please believe I wish I could turn back the clock

He got up and stared calmly at me in my whirl
Looked me in the eye and filled me with chill
Then spoke for the first time, "She's not the girl
She wasn't "her". My daughter. She was April"

THE GOLD RUSH BAR

"Come on in. Welcome to the Gold Rush Bar
We don't get many visitors out this way
Have a rest. You look tired. Travelled far?
I'm Joe. The barkeep is my daughter May"

My heavy hurting legs were rooted to the spot
As I stared mutely at this neglected place
Twenty first century chic it was clearly not
Looking and smelling of long gone days

May handed me a large jug of moonshine
Without my even asking for such a treat
While my aching brain heard Joe's next line
"The show will be starting so take your seat"

A band came on to the small wooden stage
Playing in a hardcore style from way back when
Top rank honky tonkers from a bygone age
But I couldn't believe who came on then

The first was Patsy Cline with She's Got You
Followed by Lefty Frizzell singing Mama
Nezt Ernest Tubb walking the floor over you
Then the band introduced their boss from Alabama

For the next half hour Hank sang all his hits
While the Drifting Cowboys laid down the beat
It all seemed so real but my head was in bits
Watching the past from my dust shrouded seat

Then the scene faded and my body hurt so much
Trapped upside down in my burning wrecked car
Seeing a bright white light, feeling an angel's touch
And hearing Joe saying, "You look tired. Travelled far?"

A CRYING SHAME


You say that you've missed me
It was all a terrible mistake
We can make each other happy
I'm the icing on your cake

I'm out every night downtown
Having fun with new friends
With a smile not a frown
My broken heart's on the mend

Seems you've left whatshisname
The perfect one you left me for
Well that's just a crying shame
I really don't want you anymore

Thought you'd won the game
Found the life you sought
On your way to riches and fame
But happy can never be bought

I had a lucky escape from you
We both know who's to blame
I wish you well in all you do
But I'm out, it's a crying shame

I guess you tired of whatshisname
Took his money and spat him out
Well that is really a crying shame
But I don't want a return bout

FAMILY TREE

VERSE 1

It's not in my garden
No-one sees it grow
It protects all I love
Happy, sad, young and old

CHORUS

It survives rain and storm
And means the world to me
More precious than any gold
My lifeblood my family tree

VERSE 2

Some days sadly it loses
Dearly loved old wood
Other times it gains
Brand new fresh wood

REPEAT CHORUS


VERSE 3

Without it I am nothing
It is my very soul
Memories of those past
Roots that make me whole

REPEAT CHORUS


VERSE 4

I water it with tears
It gives honey to the bee
But can never set it free
Gives new hope to me

REPEAT CHORUS

NASHVILLE TEARS

VERSE 1

Another night of playing Lefty, Merle and Hank
For the tourists in this downtown music city bar
Started the day for a dollar a pint at the blood bank
Then a few hours sleep on the back seat of my car

CHORUS

I'm all out of hillbilly dreams
Can't wait to leave Tennessee
No point in going on it seems
Nashville will you shed tears for me

VERSE 2

A huge star once loved my brand new song
Thought I would soon be top of the pile
How could something so great go so wrong
I was so close to being on every radio dial

REPEAT CHORUS

VERSE 3

Really need to leave this vampire town
But where on this earth could I go?
Can't remember being anything but down
What's next? How the hell would I know

REPEAT CHORUS

VERSE 4

Seems I either stay here broke and low
Or start again at a different address
I'll stay one night and do one more show
Might go well enough to stay I guess


I'm all out of hillbilly dreams
Can't wait to leave Tennessee
No point in going on it seems
Nashville wants more tears from me

VERSE 1

I saw you one day standing proud
Looking straight through me
By the time I'd fought the crowd
You were nowhere to be seen
Once you brought the post
And I dashed to the door
Nothing not even a ghost
Why must I go through this pain


CHORUS

My mind is full of memories
But what is real
And what is wishful thinking
I know how I feel
Despite the wounds that won't heal
Cos I saw you
Yes I saw you


VERSE 2

Am I going out of my mind
Have those clouds taken over again
If I seek what will I find
A teardrop, a magic trick or you
My friends fuss and worry
That I'm sinking into despair
Time will heal, there's no hurry
Until I stop seeing you everywhere

REPEAT CHORUS

BRIDGE

I need you I want you
I must have you
But what can I do
I saw you I saw you

REPEAT CHORUS

CORSICANA BORN AND BRE

I've been scribbling words for so so long
Trying to write the world's next hit song
Rhymes, style and beats strangling my head
Time for my hero Corsicana born and bred

Lefty take me back to Saginaw Bay
In your special note twisting way
Break my heart with the long black veil
And love me in a thousand ways

I once met Whitey Shafer in a Nashville bar
Singing "Mirrors' with Merle's son on guitar
A magic memory still living inside my head
One person missing, Corsicana born and bred

Lefty take me back to Gator Hollow
Setting the path for those who follow
Keith, Merle, Kenny Seratt, Randy
And the rodeo clown Moe Bandy

My father worked on the railway
Loved his wife and your railroad lady
Broke our hearts to hear you were dead
Country Hall of Fame, Corsicana born and bred

Lefty take me back to the songs you wrote
Filling our souls with each magical note
I need to hear that voice like fine red wine
If you've got the music Lefty, I got the time

SPOKEN

To Lefty Frizzell my hero Corsicana born and bred

VERSE 1

She had to leave Kharkiv
The missiles fell like rain
Roaming God knows where
Taking only her bitter pain
Her body aching for love
Her mind going insane
Forced into a gypsy life
In someone else's game

CHORUS

The lady from the East
Fighting love and hate
Shelter in my arms
And I will keep you safe
The lady from the East
I need you, you need me
Friends to the very end
We'll fight your enemies


VERSE 2

Things will not stay the same
Faith will triumph in the end
Reclaim the ashes and dust
Broken hearts can mend
I'll calm your vivid fears
When the demons control
We are so very strong
Making one mighty whole

REPEAT CHORUS


VERSE 3

The bastard guns can roar
The bombs fall and maim
Death will scourge the land
But our spirit will remain
Rest awhile in my arms
For all that lies ahead
Think of me when you can
Think also of the needless dead

REPEAT CHORUS

VERSE 1

There’s nothing harder than finding the right one
Nearly impossible with an ocean between the two
I know you have seen far far more rain than sun
But right now it’s me who is feeling Lisbon blue
You’re in the big city working so hard to survive
I’m walking on the beach thinking only of you
I’m drawn to you like a bee is drawn to a hive
But you’re not here so I’m feeling Lisbon blue

CHORUS

The sun is shining bright but for me the sky is grey
My love is not here and there’s nothing I can do
I know you’ll be boarding that jumbo to me any day
Until then I’ll remain sad and feeling Lisbon blue

VERSE 2

I miss you more and more with every breath I draw
Life is nothing for one but is sheer magic with two
Your absence just bleeds my lonely soul blood raw
And leaves every inch of me feeling Lisbon blue
I’m so unhappy here and you’re so unhappy there
Yes we’ll be together very soon just me and you
On that day we will lose all our worry and care
We’ll have eternal joy and no more Lisbon blue

REPEAT CHORUS