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Too Many Ghosts

from Signs Of Life by Neil Porter

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    This package contains the "Signs Of Life" CD with a double sided insert. There are 13 songs on the CD including three previously unreleased tracks which are not available anywhere else.

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about

This started out as a melodic, quiet little song which kind of developed a mind of it’s own.

Based on some thoughts about the last year of my dad’s life (in ’95). The “Ode” – in the chorus – by Arthur O'Shaughnessy (1844–1881) was a poem he knew by heart, and it seemed appropriate to use it as the chorus here. He had had some bad experiences in WW2, including being shipwrecked in the North Sea. “Black Jack” was a figure of legend (I’m not sure whether this was Northumberland legend or my dad’s own personal legend – he spoke as if it was a cultural thing although I’ve been unable to Google it) who appeared in the days before one’s death. As I get older, I appreciate the fear and confusion my father experienced more.

Musically, I had a ball doing the midi drums for this – I’ve always played air drums, so this was a lot of fun for me – and the bass line was also rather enjoyable to play. I enjoy finding voices I didn’t know I had.

lyrics

Too Many Ghosts
© 2006 Neil Porter

There are times I sift through memories
There are some I fear, so I put them to one side
I put them down and leave them there
I shut the drawer and leave them there

The world is full of mysteries
There are some to fear, but no need to run and hide
Some deep unspoken mysteries
Just close the door and leave them there

We are the music-makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
We are the movers and shakers
Of the world forever, it seems.

My photo box is tempting me
The moments there are etched into my mind
I take good care of thoughts from there
Feels safe here in my easy chair

I’ve seen too many yesterdays
Too many ghosts that live inside my head
I think about my younger days
The good times and those younger days

We are the music-makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
We are the movers and shakers
Of the world forever, it seems.

We are the music-makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
We are the movers and shakers
Of the world forever, it seems.

I saw Black Jack just yesterday
He was standing there in a corner of my room
“It’s time to come away” he said
I follow and he leads me there
It’s time to go away from here
I follow and he leads me there

credits

from Signs Of Life, released April 19, 2010
Neil Porter - guitars, keys, bass, drums, vocals and production

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Neil Porter Pambula Beach, Australia

Singer songwriter from Pambula Beach in Australia.

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