Bridge of sighs
Lyrics
Throw Out a Line and Dream
I said look at the river.
You said it’s only a stream.
But I said I’ve seen people with nets out there
You said they just throw out a line and dream.
I see a river, you see a stream
Wise men sleep it is fools who dream
Men out there trying to net the moon
Come on down to the river (the sun is going down)
The fish will be jumping soon.
Throw out a line and dream.
I said look at the harbour.
You said it’s only a quay,
And I said I’ve seen big ships sailing in,
You said they leave and they sail out to sea.
I say a harbour, you say a quay
You want them locked up I want them free.
Throw out a line and dream.
I said look at the road.
You said it’s only a track,
And I said I’ve seen people with trucks out there
You said they leave and they don’t come back.
I say a road and you say a track
I seem to need you just to bring me back
From the edge of the earth where it touches the sky
Come on down to the road (look at the horizon)
And feel the trucks rolling by.
Throw out a line and dream.
I see a river, you see a stream
Wise men sleep, it is fools who dream
Men out there, trying to net the moon
Come on down to the river (the sun is going down)
The fish will be jumping soon.
You said it’s only a stream.
But I said I’ve seen people with nets out there
You said they just throw out a line and dream.
I see a river, you see a stream
Wise men sleep it is fools who dream
Men out there trying to net the moon
Come on down to the river (the sun is going down)
The fish will be jumping soon.
Throw out a line and dream.
I said look at the harbour.
You said it’s only a quay,
And I said I’ve seen big ships sailing in,
You said they leave and they sail out to sea.
I say a harbour, you say a quay
You want them locked up I want them free.
Throw out a line and dream.
I said look at the road.
You said it’s only a track,
And I said I’ve seen people with trucks out there
You said they leave and they don’t come back.
I say a road and you say a track
I seem to need you just to bring me back
From the edge of the earth where it touches the sky
Come on down to the road (look at the horizon)
And feel the trucks rolling by.
Throw out a line and dream.
I see a river, you see a stream
Wise men sleep, it is fools who dream
Men out there, trying to net the moon
Come on down to the river (the sun is going down)
The fish will be jumping soon.
___________________________________________________________
Mr. Connaughton
Mr. Connaughton my memory's long, though the years have flown
Though the years have gone.
Was your wife's name Marjorie or Mary?
Were you from Cork or Tipperary?
Mr Connaughton when we lived underneath
Oh you said it was a lucky man had a gap between his teeth
And for a while I had a gap too
But it closed when my big teeth came through.
Oh it closed when my big teeth came through.
Mr. Connaughton my memory's long, though the years have flown
Though the years have gone.
Was your wife's name Marjorie or Mary?
Were you from Cork or Tipperary?
Mr Connaughton when we lived underneath
Oh you said it was a lucky man had a gap between his teeth
And for a while I had a gap too
But it closed when my big teeth came through.
Oh it closed when my big teeth came through.
Mr Connaughton you seemed to laugh such a lot
And that would make us smile too, as often as not
Did you have a friend who was a soldier?
Well I'm gonna join the army when I'm older.
Well I know you paid a fiver for that old motorbike
And they said it wouldn't run, but I thought that it might.
I was nearly asleep when it spluttered into life
And I clenched my fist and smiled a secret smile of delight
Was your first name Kevin or Mike?
I remember when you built us a soap-box cart
With the wheels off a pram, and a plank out in the yard,
And you gave us a bit of string but we steered it with our feet.
Oh boy it was the best one on the street,
And you said “Jesus, that's the best one on the street”.
I remember when your little girl was born
You brought her downstairs to show us all,
And we were allowed to kiss her
And I wished she was my sister.
Mr Connaughton, you moved away
With your wife and your baby, but we stayed
Till finally we got re-housed too
And I never will forget you
Mr Connaughton my memory's long though the years have flown
Though the years have gone
Was your wife's name Marjorie or Mary?
Were you from Cork or Tipperary?
___________________________________________________________
Well I'm gonna join the army when I'm older.
Well I know you paid a fiver for that old motorbike
And they said it wouldn't run, but I thought that it might.
I was nearly asleep when it spluttered into life
And I clenched my fist and smiled a secret smile of delight
Was your first name Kevin or Mike?
I remember when you built us a soap-box cart
With the wheels off a pram, and a plank out in the yard,
And you gave us a bit of string but we steered it with our feet.
Oh boy it was the best one on the street,
And you said “Jesus, that's the best one on the street”.
I remember when your little girl was born
You brought her downstairs to show us all,
And we were allowed to kiss her
And I wished she was my sister.
Mr Connaughton, you moved away
With your wife and your baby, but we stayed
Till finally we got re-housed too
And I never will forget you
Mr Connaughton my memory's long though the years have flown
Though the years have gone
Was your wife's name Marjorie or Mary?
Were you from Cork or Tipperary?
___________________________________________________________
Girl from the Hiring Fair
I went down to the hiring fair for to sell my labour,
And I noticed a maid in the very next row and I hoped she'd be my neighbour.
Imagine then my delight when the farmer picked us both.
I spoke not a word in the cart to the farm, but my heart beat in my throat.
My lodging was dry and my master fair and I gave him full measure,
But my envy grew like the corn in the field for in his house was my treasure,
And I'd watch her carry water, or drive cows from the byre,
And the heat from the sun made the corn grow strong and with it my desire.
Well I'd see her in my dreaming and in my dreams caress
Her eyes, her lips and her dark brown hair, the curves beneath her dress.
But harvest time it came at last, so heavy was the task
That the women and the men worked side by side and I had her near at last,
And I swung harder with my scythe, few words between us passed,
And I cursed my tongue-tied youthfulness and I hoped that she'd hear my heart.
When all was safely gathered in and we sat down to rest
My trembling fingers touched her arm, and she placed them on her breast.
And then she turned to me as the sun went down and all my senses reeled,
As we lay there on the scented ground and the moon rose over the field.
She was safely gathered in my arms when from the barn
Drifted the sound of a violin and we hurried back to the farm,
And all were dancing in the lantern light and music filled the air,
And I thanked my stars for the harvest moon and the girl from the hiring fair.
Oh all were dancing in the lantern light and music filled the air,
And I thanked my stars for the harvest moon and the girl from the hiring fair.
And I noticed a maid in the very next row and I hoped she'd be my neighbour.
Imagine then my delight when the farmer picked us both.
I spoke not a word in the cart to the farm, but my heart beat in my throat.
My lodging was dry and my master fair and I gave him full measure,
But my envy grew like the corn in the field for in his house was my treasure,
And I'd watch her carry water, or drive cows from the byre,
And the heat from the sun made the corn grow strong and with it my desire.
Well I'd see her in my dreaming and in my dreams caress
Her eyes, her lips and her dark brown hair, the curves beneath her dress.
But harvest time it came at last, so heavy was the task
That the women and the men worked side by side and I had her near at last,
And I swung harder with my scythe, few words between us passed,
And I cursed my tongue-tied youthfulness and I hoped that she'd hear my heart.
When all was safely gathered in and we sat down to rest
My trembling fingers touched her arm, and she placed them on her breast.
And then she turned to me as the sun went down and all my senses reeled,
As we lay there on the scented ground and the moon rose over the field.
She was safely gathered in my arms when from the barn
Drifted the sound of a violin and we hurried back to the farm,
And all were dancing in the lantern light and music filled the air,
And I thanked my stars for the harvest moon and the girl from the hiring fair.
Oh all were dancing in the lantern light and music filled the air,
And I thanked my stars for the harvest moon and the girl from the hiring fair.
___________________________________________________________
Chou Fleur
She said “Darling, won’t you tell me what’s the matter?
Won’t you tell me ‘bout the problem?
I hate to hear you sigh
Or see it in your eyes.”
She said, “Darling, won’t you tell me where the hurt lies?
Won’t you tell me where the pain is?
I hate to hear you sigh
Or see it in your eyes.”
She said, “Darling, don’t you know the pain will pass soon?
Don’t you know it’ll soon be over?
I hate to hear you sigh.
Or see it in your eyes.”
“Dites a moi, mon petit chou
Dites a moi, what can I do?
Je t’appel mon petit chou fleur
Chou fleur, I love you.”
Chou fleur, elle m’appelle
Un petit chou fleur
Elle m’appelle un petit chou fleur
Et ca m'a fait sourire
Elle m’appelle chou fleur.
___________________________________________________________
Won’t you tell me ‘bout the problem?
I hate to hear you sigh
Or see it in your eyes.”
She said, “Darling, won’t you tell me where the hurt lies?
Won’t you tell me where the pain is?
I hate to hear you sigh
Or see it in your eyes.”
She said, “Darling, don’t you know the pain will pass soon?
Don’t you know it’ll soon be over?
I hate to hear you sigh.
Or see it in your eyes.”
“Dites a moi, mon petit chou
Dites a moi, what can I do?
Je t’appel mon petit chou fleur
Chou fleur, I love you.”
Chou fleur, elle m’appelle
Un petit chou fleur
Elle m’appelle un petit chou fleur
Et ca m'a fait sourire
Elle m’appelle chou fleur.
___________________________________________________________
Something the Matter with Mary
There's something the matter with Mary
But I don't know what it is.
I came home in the middle of the day
And I found her looking like this.
She was looking out of the window
With a faraway look in her eye.
But I don't know what it is.
I came home in the middle of the day
And I found her looking like this.
She was looking out of the window
With a faraway look in her eye.
And I said "Love, what is wrong?"
She said nothing, but she started to cry
There's something the matter with Mary.
There's something the matter with Mary
I don't know what it is.
I woke up in the middle of the night
And I found her looking like this.
She was sitting on the edge of the bed
With some papers in her hand.
When I said "Love, what is wrong?"
She didn't seem to understand
There's something the matter with Mary.
And it's not because I'm not working
And it's not because of the kids
There's just something inside that's hurting
And I don't know what it is.
And we're all still together
Though it feels like someone's gone
I feel like something's missing
I wish I knew what was wrong.
There's something the matter with Mary.
There's something the matter with Mary
There's this sadness in her eyes
I promise that I'm never going to leave her
But I wonder if she's telling me lies.
'Cause it seems like she is searching
Lost in the catacombs
And I just want to hear her singing
As she moves from room to room.
There's something the matter with Mary.
She said nothing, but she started to cry
There's something the matter with Mary.
There's something the matter with Mary
I don't know what it is.
I woke up in the middle of the night
And I found her looking like this.
She was sitting on the edge of the bed
With some papers in her hand.
When I said "Love, what is wrong?"
She didn't seem to understand
There's something the matter with Mary.
And it's not because I'm not working
And it's not because of the kids
There's just something inside that's hurting
And I don't know what it is.
And we're all still together
Though it feels like someone's gone
I feel like something's missing
I wish I knew what was wrong.
There's something the matter with Mary.
There's something the matter with Mary
There's this sadness in her eyes
I promise that I'm never going to leave her
But I wonder if she's telling me lies.
'Cause it seems like she is searching
Lost in the catacombs
And I just want to hear her singing
As she moves from room to room.
There's something the matter with Mary.
__________________________________________________________
Bridge of Sighs
You say too much water
Has gone under the bridge by now.
say that bridges
Are all that’s left for us now.
Each side of the river, the city is burning
There is no turning back.
Oh, what else can I say? There’s no loss of face
And nothing’s betrayed, there’s no disgrace
In meeting on the bridge.
You’ll have to trust me, don’t bring any,
Any of them so-called friends
And everyone’s talking, they soon start shouting
And we all know how that one ends.
You say the daylight, I say the night-time
Let’s meet in the twilight zone.
Don’t be afraid you’ll come to no harm
Nothing’s betrayed, we’ll both be unarmed
And both of us must come alone.
A Bridge of sighs for the compromise
Does anyone get what they really wish?
A handshake, a heartbreak, maybe a parting with a kiss.
Ah, don’t be afraid, there is no disgrace
No one’s betrayed, there’s no loss of face
In meeting on the bridge.
The river runs red, the air is smoking
And the flames burn higher and higher.
The numbers of dead are like beads of sweat
And they can never put out this fire.
The ones who are left must not be swept away
On this river of death, so I’ll meet you halfway
There is no disgrace, what more can I say?
There’s no loss of face
We must meet on the bridge.
Has gone under the bridge by now.
say that bridges
Are all that’s left for us now.
Each side of the river, the city is burning
There is no turning back.
Oh, what else can I say? There’s no loss of face
And nothing’s betrayed, there’s no disgrace
In meeting on the bridge.
You’ll have to trust me, don’t bring any,
Any of them so-called friends
And everyone’s talking, they soon start shouting
And we all know how that one ends.
You say the daylight, I say the night-time
Let’s meet in the twilight zone.
Don’t be afraid you’ll come to no harm
Nothing’s betrayed, we’ll both be unarmed
And both of us must come alone.
A Bridge of sighs for the compromise
Does anyone get what they really wish?
A handshake, a heartbreak, maybe a parting with a kiss.
Ah, don’t be afraid, there is no disgrace
No one’s betrayed, there’s no loss of face
In meeting on the bridge.
The river runs red, the air is smoking
And the flames burn higher and higher.
The numbers of dead are like beads of sweat
And they can never put out this fire.
The ones who are left must not be swept away
On this river of death, so I’ll meet you halfway
There is no disgrace, what more can I say?
There’s no loss of face
We must meet on the bridge.
___________________________________________________________
Setting, The
I will never forget the walk to the station,
I will never forget the walk to the station,
Me with your suitcase being brotherly strong.
And trying to make light of the whole situation,
In mild conversation we moved through the throng,
And above all the roar of the town was the blue sky,
I could here the birds singing for the joy of the day
And there was no support from the city forthcoming,
No sympathy numbing your going away.
It’s hard to say goodbye.
And there was you with your bright eyes and best dress for travelling
And me in my work clothes, unshaven and plain,
Oh, I fully intended to put in the half day,
But my good intentions went with you on the train.
And I never looked back as the train left the station,
Crossed over the road and walked into the park,
And there in a bar an old man was singing,
And I sat there drinking until it got dark.
And outside the trees they grew starlings like apples,
Their hustle and chatter not dampened by the rain.
That washed down the pavements and into the gutters,
That soaked through my clothes as I set out again,
And above me the stars were all hidden by rain clouds,
The song of the old man still locked in my brain,
And all emigration, the curse of a nation
The setting now fitting his sad sweet refrain.
And trying to make light of the whole situation,
In mild conversation we moved through the throng,
And above all the roar of the town was the blue sky,
I could here the birds singing for the joy of the day
And there was no support from the city forthcoming,
No sympathy numbing your going away.
It’s hard to say goodbye.
And there was you with your bright eyes and best dress for travelling
And me in my work clothes, unshaven and plain,
Oh, I fully intended to put in the half day,
But my good intentions went with you on the train.
And I never looked back as the train left the station,
Crossed over the road and walked into the park,
And there in a bar an old man was singing,
And I sat there drinking until it got dark.
And outside the trees they grew starlings like apples,
Their hustle and chatter not dampened by the rain.
That washed down the pavements and into the gutters,
That soaked through my clothes as I set out again,
And above me the stars were all hidden by rain clouds,
The song of the old man still locked in my brain,
And all emigration, the curse of a nation
The setting now fitting his sad sweet refrain.
___________________________________________________________
Little Actress
Little actress how we loved you
Watching you upon the stage
We see the bright lights in your eyes
Reflecting back at us ablaze.
But no director now to tell you
Take another curtain call
So it must be natural timing
Tells you when to let the teardrop fall.
Go and tend to your mascara
Just a little showbiz trick
One small teardrop down it tumbles
Leaving dark lines on your cheek
Turning into melodrama
Only cheapens broken hearts.
Yet actors try to catch your eye
Auditioning for the supporting parts.
So who will take you home tonight
And walk you to the car?
Tonight we are all actors in this play
But you, but you, you are the star.
So who will take you home tonight
And walk you to the car?
Tonight we are all actors in this play
But you, but you, you are the star.
They note the way you comb your hair
The clothes you wear, the way you move
Your entrances are so assured
So try to keep your exits just as smooth.
And now a new scenario
There is no script written for this
The cast all come and squeeze your hand
And lean to you and kiss
Flick cigarette, twirl empty glass
And even laugh too loud
But disregard the handkerchief
It only seems to drag this bad scene out.
And who will take you home tonight
And walk you to the car?
Tonight we are all actors in this play
But you, but you, you are the star.
___________________________________________________________
Little actress how we loved you
Watching you upon the stage
We see the bright lights in your eyes
Reflecting back at us ablaze.
But no director now to tell you
Take another curtain call
So it must be natural timing
Tells you when to let the teardrop fall.
Go and tend to your mascara
Just a little showbiz trick
One small teardrop down it tumbles
Leaving dark lines on your cheek
Turning into melodrama
Only cheapens broken hearts.
Yet actors try to catch your eye
Auditioning for the supporting parts.
So who will take you home tonight
And walk you to the car?
Tonight we are all actors in this play
But you, but you, you are the star.
So who will take you home tonight
And walk you to the car?
Tonight we are all actors in this play
But you, but you, you are the star.
They note the way you comb your hair
The clothes you wear, the way you move
Your entrances are so assured
So try to keep your exits just as smooth.
And now a new scenario
There is no script written for this
The cast all come and squeeze your hand
And lean to you and kiss
Flick cigarette, twirl empty glass
And even laugh too loud
But disregard the handkerchief
It only seems to drag this bad scene out.
And who will take you home tonight
And walk you to the car?
Tonight we are all actors in this play
But you, but you, you are the star.
___________________________________________________________
Bad Girl
Bad girl, don't mind what the people say
Bad girl, going to end in trouble some day
I don't think that you're bad, I don't think that you're bad
Deep down I think that you're sad, girl
Deep down I think you're just sad.
Bad girl, look at her laugh in the company
Bad girl, but you're not fooling me
I don't think that you're bad, I don't think that you're bad.
Deep down I think that you're sad, girl
Deep down I think you're sad.
How come everybody knows better than you?
How come they're all telling you just what to do?
They see the outward signs
And they just talk the dirt
They do not see inside you and they do not feel the hurt
When they say - bad girl.
How come everybody knows better than you?
How come they're all telling you just what to do?
They think you're the one who always gets off light
But they don't hear you cry yourself to sleep those lonely nights.
When they say
Bad girl, look at her laugh in the company
Sad girl cries when nobody can see.
I don't think that you're bad, I don't think that you're bad
Deep down I know you're a sad girl
Come and take a chance with me.
So sad, but you’re not fooling me.
___________________________________________________________
Bad girl, don't mind what the people say
Bad girl, going to end in trouble some day
I don't think that you're bad, I don't think that you're bad
Deep down I think that you're sad, girl
Deep down I think you're just sad.
Bad girl, look at her laugh in the company
Bad girl, but you're not fooling me
I don't think that you're bad, I don't think that you're bad.
Deep down I think that you're sad, girl
Deep down I think you're sad.
How come everybody knows better than you?
How come they're all telling you just what to do?
They see the outward signs
And they just talk the dirt
They do not see inside you and they do not feel the hurt
When they say - bad girl.
How come everybody knows better than you?
How come they're all telling you just what to do?
They think you're the one who always gets off light
But they don't hear you cry yourself to sleep those lonely nights.
When they say
Bad girl, look at her laugh in the company
Sad girl cries when nobody can see.
I don't think that you're bad, I don't think that you're bad
Deep down I know you're a sad girl
Come and take a chance with me.
So sad, but you’re not fooling me.
___________________________________________________________
Holiday Romance
Well, he bought the first drink
And he had such deep brown eyes
A different way of talking to her
She didn't even care if it was lies
Down by the nets on the beach
Oh they made love on the shore
Laying in his arms in the sun
She just loved him more and more.
Poor little girl
She never stood a chance
Cos anyone can fall for
A holiday romance.
And while it was all going on
They shared caresses
And when it was all over then
They exchanged addresses
Her memory grew stronger
His faded with his tan
Ain't it just like a woman?
Ain't it just like a man?
And after it was all over
And they’d exchanged addresses
She waited for letters that never came
And signed all of hers with kisses.
Days in the summer sun
Make your skin so warm
You know it might hurt you some
But you still want more and more.
Poor little girl
She never stood a chance
Cos anyone can fall for
A holiday romance.
And he had such deep brown eyes
A different way of talking to her
She didn't even care if it was lies
Down by the nets on the beach
Oh they made love on the shore
Laying in his arms in the sun
She just loved him more and more.
Poor little girl
She never stood a chance
Cos anyone can fall for
A holiday romance.
And while it was all going on
They shared caresses
And when it was all over then
They exchanged addresses
Her memory grew stronger
His faded with his tan
Ain't it just like a woman?
Ain't it just like a man?
And after it was all over
And they’d exchanged addresses
She waited for letters that never came
And signed all of hers with kisses.
Days in the summer sun
Make your skin so warm
You know it might hurt you some
But you still want more and more.
Poor little girl
She never stood a chance
Cos anyone can fall for
A holiday romance.
___________________________________________________________
Dreams of You
How I can bear it knowing you’re there whilst I’m here
And I’m there and I’m nowhere and everywhere?
Dream of you, baby.
I dream of you, baby,
It’s driving me crazy
These dreams of you.
And how can I hope to do what I’m supposed to?
When all that I want,
When all that I need is just to be close to you?
And if love is good then how come it hurts so much?
I long for your smile, your body, your sweet touch.
Oh, the dreams I’ve had, baby,
Are driving me crazy. How much can I stand?
Like an old tune that haunts me
It’s driving me crazy.
But morning must come soon
Dreams, like an old tune that’s been round my brain
Will finally leave me when you’re in my arms again.
How I can bear it knowing you’re there whilst I’m here
And I’m there and I’m nowhere and everywhere?
Dream of you, baby.
I dream of you, baby,
It’s driving me crazy
These dreams of you.
And how can I hope to do what I’m supposed to?
When all that I want,
When all that I need is just to be close to you?
And if love is good then how come it hurts so much?
I long for your smile, your body, your sweet touch.
Oh, the dreams I’ve had, baby,
Are driving me crazy. How much can I stand?
Like an old tune that haunts me
It’s driving me crazy.
But morning must come soon
Dreams, like an old tune that’s been round my brain
Will finally leave me when you’re in my arms again.
___________________________________________________________
Words I Couldn’t Say
I never cared for songs that said “The stars shine in your eyes.”
Or words like “I can’t live without you.”
I thought that I had other ways to show you how I feel.
I never felt the need to say those things about you
And I know that I’m so selfish I don’t always hear a sigh
Then I end up feeling helpless when I know I’ve made you cry.
And the stars shine in your eyes
Your smile lights up my day
And I can’t live without you now
Are the words I couldn’t say.
I never cared for songs that said “You’re the moon in the sky at night”
Or words like “you’re my everything.”
Although I might have felt those sentiments at certain times
They were never words that I felt I could sing
And I never mean to hurt you and if those words could heal the pain
And if they’d show you what you mean to me
I’ll say them time and time again.
And the stars shine in your eyes
Your smile lights up my day
And I can’t live without you now
Are the words I couldn’t say.
I never cared for songs that said “The stars shine in your eyes.”
Or words like “I can’t live without you.”
I thought that I had other ways to show you how I feel.
I never felt the need to say those things about you
And I know that I’m so selfish I don’t always hear a sigh
Then I end up feeling helpless when I know I’ve made you cry.
And the stars shine in your eyes
Your smile lights up my day
And I can’t live without you now
Are the words I couldn’t say.
I never cared for songs that said “You’re the moon in the sky at night”
Or words like “you’re my everything.”
Although I might have felt those sentiments at certain times
They were never words that I felt I could sing
And I never mean to hurt you and if those words could heal the pain
And if they’d show you what you mean to me
I’ll say them time and time again.
And the stars shine in your eyes
Your smile lights up my day
And I can’t live without you now
Are the words I couldn’t say.