Get all 22 Ian Bruce releases available on Bandcamp and save 40%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Together Forever (CMR 2023 Album of The Year), The Land We Love, Children of Blue, The Naked Truth Vol 1 Remastered, Auld Hat New Heids Vol 1, Ain't That Pretty?, Above Wild Water, Hits & Pieces (The first 30 years), and 14 more.
1. |
The Mouse Suite
12:34
|
|||
|
THE MOUSE SUITE
SPOOKED!
Shuffilng on the ceiling -
Scuffling in the walls -
Noises in the bedrooms -
Scratching in the hall.l
The dogs are going crazy
There’s a presence in this house
Perhaps it’s paranormal
I'm losing all my doubts.
Spooked!
Did someone die here?
Perhaps they’re not at rest?
There’s a tingle on my back
A thumping in my breast
All these little noises
Disturbing all our sleeps.
All these little noises
Giving us the creeps.
Spooked!
Common sense prevails.
Very good advice!
Told us “Don’t be crazy”
You got Mice!
You know they’ll bite the hoses?
The wires and the wood
They’ll leave their dropping everywhere
And that’s not good!
YE CANNAE HAE A MOOSE IN THIS HOOSE!
Ye cannae hae a moose in this hoose - On the loose.
Ye cannae hae a moose in this hoose - On the loose.
Unless he’s in a cage there's nae excuse.....
But ye cannae hae a moose in this hoose.
They dart so fast
Wi' their twists and their turns
Their long bald tails
Resembling worms. (Aaaaaaaahhhh!)
We just can’t hae this
We must buy traps
Cheese or peanut butter
And then - perhaps....
We wulnae hae a moose in this hoose.
Naw! We wulnae hae a moose in this hoose!
Ye cannae hae a moose in this hoose - On the loose.
Ye cannae hae a moose in this hoose - On the loose.
Unless he’s in a cage there's nae excuse.....
But ye cannae hae a moose in this hoose.
We got the wee blighters
Wan by wan
In wan night night we got 12.
Job done!
MOUSE No 13
I needed sleep and I need to eat.
When I fell asleep we were huddled so deep
I wonder where everyone’s gone?
Mum and Dad are never too far away
This feels so bad!
No brothers scampering!
No sisters pampering!
Just one lonely wee lad!
CHORUS
But for my sleeping I could have gone with them
Gone to wherever they’ll be...
“Where have they gone?” Still begs the question -
Why oh why did they, with no goodbye, did they,
Why did they go without me?
I am so scared. I'm lost and alone.
No migration planned so why's nobody home?
I don’t understand,
Why's nobody here?
Their fighting or scurrying I'd surely hear.
We were so many!
Now there’s not any!
How can they all disappear?
Follow their lead - Follow their scent
One way or another I'll find where went.
They've been here! They've been here!
Now the trail ends.
I don't understand - This makes no sense.
CHEESE I can’t resist
Oh well if you insist
Now I will find all my.......
SO FAR DOWN THE CHAIN
Given what’s happened
You may not believe
The words I wanna say.
And if I believed in God Almighty
I’d get on my knees and pray.
I’d ask for forgiveness
And that peace be upon you
And send you on your way.
To a place in the heavens
Where in peace you remain.
To a place in the sky
Or somewhere on high
Where you don’t feel so far down the chain.
If we could had talked
I’d have built you a home.
My welcome neighbour you would be.
I’d give you grain
And sweet vegetation
To feed your family.
But your wee heart’s at rest
And mine broken in two.
Cos we can’t live in harmony.
Please find a place....
You nibbled our things -
I laid a trap
Believe me that was no fun.
I watched you die.
I wanted to help
But the damage was already done.
But etched in my memory
Your little wheeling legs...
Trying so hard to run.
Please find a place....
If we could have spoken
You should have come to me
Before all this horror began.
My huge finger would stroke you so gently -
A bonding of mouse and man!
Here is the irony.
Your safest place
Was right here in the palm of my hand.
Please find a place....
SPOOKED No 2
Shuffilng on the ceiling -
Scuffling in the walls -
Noises in the bedrooms -
Scratching in the hall.
The dogs are sleeping
There’s a silence I can’t dowse!
Once again normality.
Peace in the house.
Yes somebody died here
I hope they’re all now at rest?
Thirteen wee mice
They died by my hand
Now I feel guilty
Disturbing my sleep!
The bellowing silence
Gives me the creeps
Spooked!
|
||||
2. |
Dancing At Whitsun
02:15
|
|||
|
DANCING AT WHITSUN
It's fifty long springtimes since she was a bride,
But still you may see her at each Whitsuntide
In a dress of white linens with ribbons of green,
As green as her memories of loving.
The feet that were nimble tread carefully now,
As gentle a measure as age do allow,
Through groves of white blossoms, lie fields of young corn,
Where once she was pledged to her true-love.
The fields they stand empty, the hedges grow free--
No young men to turn them or pastures grow seed
They are gone where the forests of oak trees before
Have gone, to be wasted in battle.
Down from the green farmlands and from their loved ones
Marched husbands and brothers and fathers and sons.
There's a fine roll of honor where the Maypole once stood,
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.
There's a straight row of houses in these latter days
All covering the downs where the sheep they did graze.
There's a field of red poppies and a wreath from the queen.
But the ladies remember at Whitsun,
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.
|
||||
3. |
Cecilia
04:54
|
|||
|
CECILIA
by Ian M. Bruce
Once upon a Bremer backstreet time
I saw her in the window.
Once upon a wish that she’d be mine
I felt myself drawn in-o
My heart beat fast. My eyes were wide.
I wanted her so much - o.
Nervously I stepped inside
And asked if I could touch - o.
LOVE! At first sight
I wrapped my arms around her.
She stayed with me all night.
I’m in love with a sweet young thing.
She fairly caught my eye - o.
And when she made the bells to ring
I could not pass her by - o.
Cecilia - Come home!
Celia - Come home!
Now on my knee she sang to me.
I stroked her oh so gently - o.
This blonde and me were meant to be.
We bonded evidently - o.
I asked if I might set her free?
She’s mine now incidentally - o.
Cecilia - Come home!
Celia - Come home!
I showed her everything I know.
House of the Rising Sun - o!
Sang of the boat that Michael rowed -
She joined in with the fun - o.
Cecilia - Come home!
Celia - Come home!
Well it broke my heart when o-so soon
She made a bid for freedom - o.
Sang her all my pretty tunes
It seems she didn’t need ‘em - o.
Get her home - Safe and sound!
I went riding on -o.
But when I chanced to look around
I found that she was gone - Oh!
I looked left, I looked right,
I looked all up and down - o.
I looked everywhere I might
I looked all around - o.
She was nowhere to be seen.
I went on my way - o.
Thinking how things might have been
Had she not gone astray - o.
LOVE! At first sight
I wish she'd wrapped around me
And held on to me tight.
I’m in love with a sweet young thing.
She fairly caught my eye - o.
And when she made the bells to ring.
I could not pass her by - o.
Cecilia - Please come home!
Celia - Please come home!
I headed home and I thought that
I would see her no more!
But I got home and Cecilia answered my door.
|
||||
4. |
Children of Blue
05:08
|
|||
|
Janice, Jamie, Jenny, Jeff
Goodbye
Johnny, Jeremy, Jeannie, Jill
Goodbye Jeremiah!
Jeannie wants eggs.
She cooks them and plates them.
Jeremy sees 'em!
“Eggs make me sick!”
One of the kids gobbles them up.
Jeannie comes back
“WHERE ARE MY EGGS?”
It’s always the same
It's always the same!
I get to do the washing up!!!!!
Refrain
We are the children, the children of Blue
Calling to say goodbye.
We are the children, the children of Blue
Uniting - that’s why!
99 People all in one mind
Take me as you find.
99 People all in one mind!
Jamie, the doorman,
He holds the key
It’s he,
Who holds us in line
Without his permission there’s no one on stage
Eleven!
“STAY WHERE YOU ARE!!!”
Come in number 3, x 2
Out with you, 49!
We are the children, the children of Blue
Calling to say goodbye.
We are the children, the children of Blue
Uniting - that’s why!
99 People all in one mind
Take me as you find.
99 People all in one mind!
Repeat of refrain for the instrumental
John packs his shirt
Jane takes it out
Red skirt preferred by Jean
No-one agrees with Johnny’s green socks.
Red and green should never! be seen.
Noch einmal Jeff im Minirock
Noch einmal Jeff im Minirock.
Dann kann er fuer nichts garantieren.
We are the children, the children of Blue
Calling to say goodbye.
We are the children, the children of Blue
Uniting - that’s why!
99 People all in one mind
Take me as you find.
99 People all in one mind!
|
||||
5. |
Eulogy For Alison
03:44
|
|||
|
EULOGY FOR ALISON
(Ian M. Bruce, Naomi Joliffe & Katharina Bramkamp.)
Mum! You are my confidant.
Mum! You are my friend.
My greatest supporter and greatest critic too.
Instilling courage in me. Encouraged by you!
On August 19 your life came to an end.
I’m day by day tormented
We said no goodbyes
I no longer hear your voice. Yet somehow I do
All my whys and wherefores I still direct to you.
I am just a lost child guessing your replies.
Refrain..
Sitz mit mir am Bach im Grünen.
Blütenblätter zieh’n davon
Seh den Wind in deinen Haaren.
Bleibe bei mir, Alison!
The things we take for-granted
Like the pot of jam
Juicier than ever in deeper purple ways
I’m scared to loose the lid for fear you fly away
Now I realise how much it said “I am!”
Sitz mit mir am Bach im Grünen.
Blütenblätter zieh’n davon
Seh den Wind in deinen Haaren.
Bleibe bei mir, Alison!
Every wee blackcurrant
Each discarded strand
I see you in your garden harvesting with love
I see you in bright sunlight. Vivid blue above.
The label “Blackcurrant” neatly by your hand.
Sitz mit mir am Bach im Grünen.
Blütenblätter zieh’n davon
Seh den Wind in deinen Haaren.
Bleibe bei mir, Alison!
I hoped I would be eating my freshly baked scones with that jam - with you.
I almost despise that jam.
But yes. Of course - I will
I will sit and have my scones and your jam.
And you will be with me.
As always for always
Love you Mum.
Xxx
|
||||
6. |
The Wife
03:33
|
|||
|
THE WIFE
Either side o’ the Sunday Times.
Maybe the Sunday Mail!
All I see’s your balding head
- Your dirty finger nails.
Sometimes your hairy hand comes out
To grab a piece of bread.
The only time it ever moves
Is when it’s needing fed
Excuse me dear would you like a cup of tea?
I’d be nice, one day, if you’d make one for me
Is it me?
Don’t think me terribly rude?
Even just a “No!” - -
Would be - Quite good.
Either side o’ the Sunday Times . . .
Do you really need that TV on?
If I switched it off I know you’d only moan.
It’s sooooo loud - you might not hear the bell.
The toast is burning.
Can’t you smell that smell?
Either side o’ the Sunday Times . . .
Are you going to sit in your dressing gown all day?
Another bloody Sunday wasted away.
Walk the dog! Church! Paint the town (red!)
Can’t we be like Bob and Maggie Brown?
Either side o’ the Sunday Times . . .
Excuse me, dear, but that’s your umpteenth cup.
And your paper might as well be downside up.
Oh, you moved !
What an effing shock!
And it’s high time you changed that frock!
Either side o’ the Sunday Times . . .
|
||||
7. |
Out In The Wildwood
03:51
|
|||
|
WILD WOOD
Doo dumtie dum dum
OUT IN THE WILD WOOD
Written by Ian M. Bruce
Out in the wild wood.
That’s where I feel good.
Out in the wild wood
Finds me in good mood.
Out in the wild wood.
If only I could.
Out in the wild wood.
I know that I should.
Up in a tall tree,
From where I could see.
Up in a tall tree.
A shelter for you and me.
Look all around
As far as the eye can see.
I’d be free
|
||||
8. |
Read It Again
04:17
|
|||
|
READ IT AGAIN
Written by Ian M. Bruce, Victor Besch and Katharina Bramkamp
Life on the other planets we choose
See what rewards bad timing might lose
Sun through the trees show translucent dews
To its horizon it sails
Pay heed to the drums. Rhythms sustain!
A pattern arises from shadow and flame.
Step to the platform, jump from the train
To shores unknown - found before.
There (are) no teetotallers where I would go
Out of thin air come words we don’t know.
The roots and branches covered in snow
It all makes sense after all.
After all there are stories we all love to tell
Of roses and thistle - thorns as well.
Between the lines twixt heaven and hell
Herring and tatties and beans.
Chorus
Read it, read it, read it again
Until you find meaning, read it again
Soul in the spaces, gaps say it all
When wo-o-o-o-ords
Sa-a-a-a-ay
- Nothing at all
The Canon
1. Waking up waking up, standing up - tea in a cup
sup sup, sup. Lochanside down
2. On a carousel - Witch’s hat as well.
Dizzy, dizzy spell see-saw, see-saw.
3. One two three four five six seven
I think I’ve died and gone to heaven -
Way up high.
|
||||
9. |
||||
|
WENN SICH DIE RIESEN PRÜGELN
Written Katharina Bramkamp & Ian M. Bruce
Benandon war ein großer Kerl, ein Riese wohl sogar,
der zwar ziemlich stark, doch auch ein bisschen dämlich war.
Warf große Steine in die See
und dachte, wenn ich rüber geh,
will ich in Irland mich
mit Fionn prügeln.
See the sun and moon collide
There’s gonna be no place to hide
Maybe we should stay inside
Wenn sich die Riesen prügeln
Als Benandon hinüberlief sah Fionn ihn von fern.
Und Fionn dachte: „ Ach, du Schreck, ich prügel mich nicht gern.“
Er fragte seine Frau um Rat,
die auch gleich ihn beruhigen tat,
denn Fionn rutscht sein Herz
grad in die Hose
Chorus
See the sun and moon collide
There’s gonna be no place to hide
Maybe we should stay inside
Wenn sich die Riesen prügeln
Fiona macht das Messer scharf und heißt ihn halten still
Drückt ihm den Kopf nach hinten, weil sie ihn rasieren will.
Dann ruft Fiona: „Guter Mann,
zieh gleich mein rosa Nachthemd an,
leg dich ins Bett und heule
wie ein Baby!“
Chorus
Als Benandon Fiona sah, da sprach er: „Sei gegrüßt!
Ob ihr wohl wisset, liebe Frau, wo Fionn, der Riese ist?“
„Der reißt grad ein paar Bäume aus,
Es ist kein Feuerholz im Haus,
Doch seid schön still, sonst weckt ihr noch
sein Baby.“
Chorus
Als Benandon das Baby sah, da dachte er sich bloß:
„Das arme Kind sieht schrecklich aus und ist auch riesengroß.
Wie groß muss dann der Vater sein?
Ich glaube, ich geh wieder heim,
in Schottland sind die Riesen
deutlich kleiner.“
Chorus
Benandon war ein großer Kerl, ein Riese wohl sogar,
der zwar ziemlich stark, doch jetzt auch ziemlich kleinlaut war.
Er dachte, wenn ich rüber geh,
reiß ich die Steine aus der See.
Ich will mich heut nicht mehr
mit Fionn prügeln.
Chorus
|
||||
10. |
Idside Out Bolero
07:52
|
|||
|
IDSIDE OUT BOLERO
Written by Ian M. Bruce, Victor Besch and Katharina Bramkamp.
I think I’m going to miss the seasons
I’ve always loved the setting sun
I think I’ll miss out on some reasons
But most of all I’ll miss the love of one.
Music is a sure part I’ll miss out on
Forever forsaking harmony
I pray to God I’m wrong
Cos music must stay a part of me.
Oh Yes. The music must go on.
Chorus!
Most of all we need to reach out
Live together hand in glove
If you find you cannot listen
You might never feel the love.
I’ve known hard times
I’ve knows hardship
And whilst waiting for that starship
Family and friends have seen me through.
What is all this talk of heartache?
Exaggerated piffle!
Cupid’s dart.
Well now I’m truly lost and lonely.
Lost, alone with broken heart.
What you see is just the laughter
Music, love and fortitude.
Lucky children I look after
In my optimistic mood.
All the weakness of my dark days
Never will be shown.
But be sure I’m really not the person
You are sure you’ve always known.
|
||||
If you like Children of Blue, you may also like:
1990s-era indie-folk sounds back songs about love and identity on this project from the Florida-based artist.
go to album
Deep soul melodies and elastic funk grooves light up the latest from Sivu.
go to album
A Pillar of Salt
by Noah Gundersen
Noah Gundersen writes deeply felt acoustic songs haunted by memories, given new life through gentle melodies.
go to album
Thin Lear's sophisticated rock music is tempered with soaring chamber pop accents and an undeniable gift for melody.
go to album
Self-Quarantine - A Collection of Recordings for the Greater Good
by Self-Quarantine Compilation
Twenty-three delightful indiepop and bedroom folk tracks that emphasize small arrangement and huge hooks, benefitting Feeding America.
go to album
Songs for Pierre Chuvin
by the Mountain Goats
Surprise! "Songs for Pierre Chuvin" is the first all-boombox Mountain Goats album since 2002's "All Hail West Texas"
go to album
Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn expands his tragic character studies to include old-school horns, pillow harmonies, and rock staying power.
go to album
