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Sunny Bank Holiday Monday

by Jim Woodland

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1.
LAND OF LOST CONTENT Midnight shatters on the town. The turning of the year. The past is in the gutter, the future in the air. A hammer cracks the midnight bell, another year is spent. Such times as these will never please this Land of Lost Content. Such times as these will never please this Land of Lost Content. Bankers built the scaffold. The Papers twist the rope. The chimes cry out for midnight when we resurrect our hopes. Their song deceives - Will they reprieve all those who will repent? Oh No. Such hopes will never free this Land of Lost Content. Oh No. Such hopes will never free this Land of Lost Content. Echoes of our voices raised rattle around the town. Choices that we never made unite to bring us down. Now will we stand with cap in hand? Accept what we resent? Such lies as these will never ease this Land of Lost Content. Such lies as these will never ease this Land of Lost Content. Church bells swinging in the breeze. Another year is gone. The congregation of a nation joining in one song. Bodies torn and broken but spirits never bent. Such ghosts as these will never leave this Land of Lost Content. Such ghosts as these will never leave this Land of Lost Content. To silent chimes of morning sleepers will awake. Who could say on New Years Day the Freedom Bell would break? We used to say we'd find a way and never once relent. We prayed that we would never see this Land of Lost Content. Midnight shatters on the town the turning of the year. The past is in the gutter, the future’s in the air. A hammer cracks the midnight bell. Another year is spent. Such times as these will never please this Land of Lost Content. We used to say we'd find a way and never once relent. Wake from the dream. We will redeem this Land of Lost Content… Wake from the dream. We will redeem this Land of Lost Content… JIM WOODLAND (c)
2.
SUNNY BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY One wet wild and windy Monday Cleethorpes clinging to a clapped out coast. Big brash bingo, House of Fun . Day trippers running through the rain like ghosts. Pacamac old man back on the pier Bank Holiday Monday year after year Wet socks jukebox jackpots top of the pops This is the music he can hear, when he says ... Brenda I loved you girl I wouldn't have changed it for the world The tide is out the wind is still Brenda I love you still but it'll be a Sunny Bank Holiday Monday in Cleethorpes And the trains will be running on time like they used to do and then Buddy Holly will be singing live at the Winter Gardens in Cleethorpes Before she sees him cry again… Helter Skelter, belt for the shelter far along the ‘Fitties’ where the sea birds call. Picture postcards long ago our lovers leaning on the North Sea wall. Effing and blinding, laying down the law Shouldn't have looked at what the Butler saw. Cold wind blowing, Brenda going Tears are flowing from the night before When he said... Brenda I loved you girl I wouldn't have changed it for the world The tide is out the wind is still Brenda I love you still but it'll be a Sunny Bank Holiday Monday in Cleethorpes And the trains will be running on time like they used to do and then Buddy Holly will be singing live at the Winter Gardens in Cleethorpes Before she sees him cry again… Roller coaster buttered toast and tea in a cafe on the colonnade. Old man shapes his name in the rain-drops steamed up window of the big arcade. Dog eared letter Brenda has sent. A generous gesture but a bad idea. Brenda's hand touched him on the shoulder. Must have been raining for 40 years Brenda I loved you girl I wouldn't have changed it for the world The tide is out the wind is still Brenda I love you still but it'll be a Sunny Bank Holiday Monday in Cleethorpes And the trains will be running on time like they used to do and then Buddy Holly will be singing live at the Winter Gardens in Cleethorpes Before she sees him cry again… JIM WOODLAND (c)
3.
WE TELL STORIES We tell stories to each other. To while away the days We tell stories to each other. To keep the nights at bay About life and death. And love and hate. As much as we recall We tell stories to each other. And that is all So spin me another one just like the other one Spin me and show me the writing on the wall We are dancers, romancers, answering the call We tell stories to each other And that is all. We tell stories to each other. Exploring histories. We tell stories to each other. Adoring mysteries. We shine a light into the darkness. Shadows dance and fall We tell stories to each other. And that is all. So spin me another one just like the other one Spin me and show me the writing on the wall We are dancers, romancers, answering the call We tell stories to each other And that is all. We tell stories to each other. That people want to hear The Devils and the Angel’s. Dancing in our hair. We tell stories to each other of reason and of rhyme. Happy ever after. Once upon a time… So spin me another one just like the other one So spin me another one just like the other one Spin me and show me the writing on the wall We are dancers, romancers, answering the call We tell stories to each other And that is all. JIM WOODLAND (c)
4.
SHUT UP AT THE BACK Unaccustomed as I am, Mr Speaker I’d just like to say Can you hear me at the back? Can you see me in the house today? OK! I’m not very good at talking in public. I haven’t got much to say Didn’t know I’d have to speak when I came here today I’m not very good at talking to people still I’ll give it a try Let me start with my conclusion, I will summarise… so Shut up at the back will you. Shut up at the front Shut up yourself. No you shut up. I won’t! You will! I won’t! In the face of lies and rumours let me clarify quite truthfully… I made this rumour up myself and frankly that’s quite good enough for me. And just to save myself some trouble I made myself some notes Didn’t do me too much good it’s in my other coat. Can’t remember what I’ve written. Wait! I tell a lie! Let me start with my conclusion. I will summarise… So… You shut up! No you shut up! And shut up everyone else Shut up you lot. Who me? No, him! No! You shut up your self… Order! Order! Order! We’re matching down through history. Marching out of sight. We’re right left right left right left right left right left right left right. What do we want? Don’t Know! When do we want it? Don’t know! Are we downhearted????........ Oh my god I’ve screwed it up I really feel I’m getting in a state Still before I knock it on the head there’s several points that I would like to make. One is really fundamental, two is juxtaposed, three is absolutely crucial, four is well you know. Five is really very simple, I can’t remember six. Seven and eight are both the same I think you got the gist. Shut up at the back will you. Shut up at the front Shut up yourself. No you shut up. I won’t! You will! I won’t!... And… You shut up! No you shut up! And shut up everyone else Shut up you lot. Who me? No, him! No! You shut up your self… Shut up shut up and you shut up. And shut up you and you And you shut up and you shut up. And you can shut up too Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up and don’t you tell me to shut up, and you shut up. And you shut up as well! I want to organize, organize! Get them, get them! Right between the eyes. Between the eyes. Order! Order! Order! Unaccustomed as I am, Mr Speaker I’d just like to say Can you hear me at the back? Can you see me in the house today? OK! JIM WOODLAND (c)
5.
THERE THEY GO AGAIN You could spend your life in desperation Scared out of your brain Never too sure if they’ve done it before Now they’re doing it again. All those broken promises Driving you insane When you think you can win They take it all away again Sometimes it’s a gamble Sometimes it’s a game Another face another place The winner is just the same The dealers face is shaded You never see their eyes You always pay your money You never take the prize You can read with practice You can learn to write You can take instructions Sign away your life The long words confuse you The short words don’t explain The trick is in the smaller print It says you lose again They tell you that it’s common sense And so you wait your turn With all those broken promises There’s two laws you will learn The first law says the second law We’ll be your golden rule The second law says the first Law is Never never never true… So look out There they go again. There they go again There they go again. There they go again. JIM WOODLAND (c)
6.
The Criminal 03:32
THE CRIMINAL Yesterday she was a Bank Managers Daughter. Protesting at St Paul's At least until they caught her. A Bailiff grabbed her by the arm, She didn’t want to contradict She said young man take off your hand He said right that’s it you’re nicked. And she said Oh Gor Blimey it’s a fair cop Guv, Got me bang to rights . I’ve been fitted up like a kipper Bound over to keep the peace tonight I’ll have mother tattooed on me arm And have my hair cut short Now I am a criminal though minimal I fit the bill A criminal and I’ve been caught Yesterday she thought the protesters were scruffy But now on second thoughts she doesn’t feel so stuffy Section this and section that the criminal justice, public order act She may be guilty as charged but her world has been enlarged She’s a criminal and that’s a fact. And she says Oh Gor Blimey it’s a fair cop Guv. Got me bang to rights I’m up in front of the beak tomorrow Stone me don’t I look a sight Send me off to a rotting hulk without a second thought Now I am a gangster a thankless prankster A criminal I’ve been caught. She says Yesterday I was as innocent as a tree is That’s all changed because where I want to be is On the steps in the open air and now they accuse me of disrupting, intimidating and obstructing a lawful activity Now she says Oh Gor Blimey it’s a fair cop Guv Got me bang to rights I’m in the frame. They know my little game I’m stitched up good and tight Send me down for a stretch or two or three or four or more Today I am a terrorist. I’ll tell you this they slap your wrist. A criminal and I’ve been caught And so she came to be involved in conversation About democracy in a wealth divided nation. Staring at the Stock Exchange She felt the penny drop. ‘They took our taxes now in fact Its them who should be stopped’… And she says Oh Gor Blimey it’s a fair cop we’ve got them bang to rights!!!! I’ll break the law as I did before for what I think is right I’ve been bound over to keep the peace and I suppose I ought I’m a hooligan. I’d do it all again. I’m one of them I am A criminal and I’ve been caught. Now I am a gangster a thankless prankster A criminal I’ve been caught Today I am a terrorist. I’ll tell you this they slap your wrist. A criminal and I’ve been caught A Pinko and an anarchist, a rampant anti capitalist criminal and I’ve been caught!...Take me away… JIM WOODLAND (c)
7.
CAN’T BREATHE Caravans and lorries with trailers Hold-ups and horns and hooting all day Traffic jams and motorway failures Still can’t find a way Can’t breathe, can’t run from here or stay So obvious it takes your breath away CFCs and my inhaler Petrol fumes and noise A hole in the sky. The air is failing All the girls and boys Can’t breathe, Can’t run around and play So obvious it takes your breath away Global warming, ozone depletion Cars that breathe pollution. Killing the trees beyond all reason Still no solution Can’t breathe. Can’t run around all day So obvious it takes your breath away Hold your breath and count to 10 Hold your breath all day Frightened to death to start breathing again The games we play. Can’t breathe. Can’t stay round here or leave. So obvious… Can’t breathe… JIM WOODLAND (c)
8.
WHO’S HOLDING ON TO THE ROPE I’ve been shaky since this morning Cause I had a dream last night There was you on a double-decker bus jumping over motorbikes Hold on I’m coming Hold on I’ll be there Hold on I’ll come running to you Hold on hold on my dear… Overhead the stars were shining Lighting up your name I really thought we were going up in the world Where you just coming down in flames? Hold on… Is this a happy ending? Or just one more broken hope I see Houdini has just disappeared So who’s holding on to the rope. Hold on… Now the hero is in pieces The comic is in strips Another cliff-hanger ending Dangling by your fingertips Hold on… I’ve been shaky since this morning Cause I had a dream last night There was you on a double Decker bus Jumping over motorbikes Look out! Hold on I’m coming Hold on I’ll be there Hold on I’ll come running to you Hold on hold on my dear… JIM WOODLAND (c)
9.
LOOK IN THE MIRROR Look in the mirror, Look in the mirror Who’s that stood there standing there stood there Looking at me? Look at me shadow, look at me shadow. I’m not half the man I used to be. I’m bigger than that, I’m not that fat I don’t look like that as matter of fact But Look in the mirror. Look in the mirror Who’s that stood there standing there stood there Looking at me, Looking at me… I’m thinner than that I don’t talk like that I’m not like that as a matter of fact But Look in the mirror, Look in the mirror Who’s that stood there standing there stood there Looking at me, Looking at me… Look at this picture it’s ridiculous Not one bit fits it’s obvious That can’t be me…. Look at me wife now, look at me life now Been so good so far so what’s the matter with me? Listen to that voice it’s not my voice I wouldn’t sound like that if I had a choice. But Look in the mirror Look in the mirror Who’s that stood there standing there stood there Looking at me, Looking at me I’m taller than that, I’m not that fat I don’t look like that as a matter of fact I’m thinner than that, I don’t talk like that I’m not like that and that’s a fact…. But Look in the mirror, Look in the mirror Who’s that stood there standing there stood there Looking at me, Looking at me… JIM WOODLAND (c)
10.
SEE THOSE TROUSERS See those trousers over there. I know my trousers hate me. Both my feet stuck in one leg I'm falling to the floor. Have you seen my shoes and socks I know they try to bait me. I can hear them laughing, I can't take it anymore. Oh God that shirt! How I hate that bloody shirt! It's got me in an arm lock and the bastard really hurts. Sometimes I think I've had enough. That little button on the cuff Is trying to send me insane. I know their little game. But they will not get the best of me, today I will get dressed we'll see my pants pulled up in victory today I will get dressed! But last night I dreamed that I danced in the moonlight. And my clothes they were dancing, they were dancing with me And we flew around the room as we danced in the moonlight. Then we tangled and tripped and I fell to my knees. Calm down everybody this is nothing I can't handle. Have you never seen a grown man strangled by a vest? Now I've lost my underpants somewhere in the tangle. Hurl myself up on the bed I need to take a rest. My socks they are sadistic, and I must be masochistic. And of all the stupid things I've ever risked I think this takes the biscuit. But last night I dreamed that I danced in the moonlight. And my clothes they were dancing, they were dancing with me And we flew around the room as we danced in the moonlight. Then we tangled and tripped and I fell to my knees. Cornered by a cardigan, jostled by a jumper Turned over by my trousers, I have wrestled with a vest I've been hit by a hat and assaulted by an overcoat Jumped on by a jacket and abused by all the rest. I've been up-ended by my underpants and tickled by a t-shirt tortured by a bow-tie, I've been booted by a shoe. I've been battered by a button I've been wounded by a Wellington Trampled by a tracksuit I've been zapped by my zip too. I arrange my clothes upon a chair . It might be me that sitting there! I tell them that I feel abused. I tell them that they stand accused I tell them that it's bound to mention cruelty by clothes in the Geneva Convention. Has anybody ever taken tight to the European court of human rights? But last night I dreamed that I danced in the moonlight. And my clothes they were dancing, they were dancing with me And we flew around the room as we danced in the moonlight. Then we tangled and tripped and I fell to my knees. No that's just silly! Count to 10! Breath in calm down, now start again… See those trousers over there I know my trousers hate me! Both my feet stuck in one leg, I'm hopping round the room … JIM WOODLAND (c)
11.
WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? Same kind of conversation day after day How can she listen to what he can never say? Same kind of conversation time and again How can she understand what he can’t explain. And who would have thought they’d know where to begin? He can’t get out. She can’t get in. Who would have thought they’d have so much to say? She stands and screams. He walks away. Same kind of conversation week after week. She tries to listen he tries to speak. Same kind of conversation same old regret. He can’t remember what she can’t forget. And who would have thought they would still try to guess What she can’t hold in and he can’t express? Who would have thought they’d have so much to say? She stands and screams. He walks away. Same kind of conversation year after year. He sings a song of love that she can never hear. Same kind of conversation. Some kind of violence. She whips him with her words. He binds her with his silence. Who would have thought there’d be wounds left to feel? What cannot be hurt cannot be healed. Who would have thought they’d have so much to say She stands and screams. He walks away. Sometimes at midnight they sheltered from the storm. With whiskey and whispers they kept each other warm. Two lovers in a bottle safe from the squall. A painless concoction of sex and alcohol. And who would have thought they’d wake up in the end No longer lovers and not really friends? And who would have thought they’d have so much to say? She stands and screams he walks away. And who would have thought there’d be dreams left to dream She walks away. He starts to scream… JIM WOODLAND (c)
12.
PRISONER OF THE HEART One day you’re flying, high as a kite, free as a month of Sundays. One day you're trying with all your might, but that's only one day. An arrow flies from who knows where and stabs you like a dart. Falling like a star you are a prisoner of the heart. Another prisoner of the heart… Digging your heels in, standing your ground, draw a circle around you. Here's a feeling, what's that sound? The heart, the heart has found you. Stand still it throws you in the air on a chain of silver parts. and as it draws you in you are a prisoner of the heart. Another prisoner of the heart… You build a big house, sand and straw, the prison of your choosing. Paint a Red Cross on the door. Safety in illusion. A wind blows in from who knows where and tears the house apart. Before you even start you are a prisoner of the heart. Another prisoner of the heart. Falling like a star you are a prisoner of the heart you are . Falling like a star you are a prisoner of the heart. There is no flame inside your heart just bridges that you're burning. There is one game, play the part with no thought of returning. We live and learn. We take a turn, and then the journey starts. As you depart you learn you are a prisoner of the heart Another prisoner of the heart... Falling like a star you are a prisoner of the heart you are . Falling like a star you are a prisoner of the heart you are Falling like a star you are a prisoner of the heart you are . Falling like a star you are a prisoner of the heart… Sing songs of freedom, songs of love, songs as you are leaving. A song of pleading to heaven above. Songs of self-deceiving. The heart, the heart, will play its part, but never let you free. And just like me you'll always be a prisoner of the heart another prisoner of the heart… One day you're flying high as a kite free is a month of Sundays. One day you're flying high as a kite free as a month of Sundays... JIM WOODLAND (c)
13.
NEVER GUNNAR 'AVE ANOTHER/FIT ME LIKE A GLOVE Johnny Smith from Huddersfield woke up an clapped his hands. The second time he'd been in love and both times with a man. At twenty eight and single he was glad to be gay. Then Johnny Smith from Huddersfield got his head kicked in one day He said I'm never gunnna have another love in me life I'm never gunnna have another love I'm never gunnna have another love in me life I'm never gunnna have another love Billy Brown in Hospital opened up his eyes. The second time he felt this bad and he have to realise came to realise. Somerthing in his blood was getting out of hand And since his friends all disappeared he tried to understand He said I'm never gunnna have another love in me life I'm never gunnna have another love I'm never gunnna have another love in me life I'm never gunnna have another love Johnny's head had healed in hospital, it was the last day he’d be there And Johnny heard what Billy said and spun round in his chair He said we're all the same what's in a name. Billy it's OK. And Billy said drop dead. You're not straight and I'm not gay! He said I'm never gunnna have another love in me life I'm never gunnna have another love I'm never gunnna have another love in me life I'm never gunnna have another love Johnny came to visit Billy every other day and Billy said he must be mad as well as being gay. Entangled in a private web a friendship now begins. It's a tender and a private thought but we can listen in... If we're not cut out for family. Not cut out for love Not cut out for the moonlight under the stars above And though we may not have the time to say the things I've been dreaming of Still I can hold you in my heart. You fit me like a glove. You fit me like a glove you know. You fit me like a glove And I can hold you in my heart. You fit me like a glove. So will you hold me in the palm of your hand or throw me in the air like a dove. I'll wrap my wings all around your heart You fit me like a glove You fit me like a glove you know. You fit me like a glove (But I'm never gunnna have another love in me life! never gunnna have another love) …No. You fit me like a glove… …You fit me like a glove… JIM WOODLAND (c)
14.
WHEN THIS PARTY’S OVER You laughed at me and even though you’re gone The memory of the things you said goes on and on and on. I loved you more than I loved myself. I’d like to say I’ll wait for you, but I want someone better too… And when this party’s over, you wont go to Heaven You’ll just fade away. I’ll be tripping over myself Just to get away… You picked me up I can’t remember when I took a fall, I took it all, and how I loved you then But then I knew you long before I knew myself And as I fell I told myself One day You’ll get yours as well And when this party’s over, you won’t go to Heaven You’ll just fade away. I’ll be tripping over myself Just to get away… You looked at me the way you used to do The way you used to think I used to sit and look at you Oh then I hated you more then I hate myself All the time you had in mind I looked like someone else. Well Really! And when this party’s over, you won’t go to Heaven You’ll just fade away. I’ll be tripping over myself Just to get away… You swore at me you spat into my face And all the love I held inside I felt it go to waste. Oh but I needed you much more than I need myself. You had your fun and though you’re gone the laughter just goes on and on… And when this party’s over, you won’t go to Heaven You’ll just fade away. I’ll be tripping over myself Just to get away… JIM WOODLAND (c)
15.
WHEN WE STAND UP You you you and me me me Not so far apart You can be what you want to be What you are in your heart Your book and my book Open like a door You can do what you want to do We’ve never done before When we stand up. Your bright light and my bright light Burning the shadow’s down Your voice and my voice What a lovely lovely sound All your toys and all my toys Together here on the ground You can choose choose choose What you want to do And we’ll never look down. When we stand up. You can say say say what you want to say Nobody writes your lines Go and Play play play where you want to play And keep dancing all the time Your eyes and my eyes ever open wide Just look what they’ve been doing to you You take a look. A look outside When we stand up. When we stand up. Stand up, up, and be yourself Stand up. Stand up up and be yourself Get down and get down off the shelf Stand up Stand up up and be yourself Stand up stand up with everybody else. When we stand up. JIM WOODLAND (c)
16.
Lullaby 03:16
LULLABY Songs of red and songs of blue Songs for every dream. Some were old and some were true. We've sung the old songs so many times. We've sung them line by line But tonight we'll sing a lullaby tonight we'll sing a lullaby tonight we'll sing a lullaby And then we'll go to sleep We sang the songs at heavens door. Songs of peace and songs of war. Who knows what we're singing for But we sang every song we knew Songs of red and songs of blue. But tonight we'll sing a lullaby tonight we'll sing a lullaby tonight we'll sing a lullaby And then we'll go to sleep Songs came first and songs came last. Songs of lovely futures past. Tonight the light is fading fast. Lock the door and come inside Tonight tonight we'll run and hide And tonight we'll sing a lullaby tonight we'll sing a lullaby tonight we'll sing a lullaby And then we'll go to sleep Songs of red and songs of blue Songs for every dream. Some were old and some were true. We've sung the old songs so many times. We've sung them line by line... Now quiet love you'll hear the song the room will sing when we are gone Now quiet love you'll hear the song the room will sing the room will sing the room will sing when we are gone... JIM WOODLAND (c)

about

This album was recorded at Steve Rose's Red Admiral Studio in the summer of 2014 and finished as the cold weather set in for December. It imagines an austere Bank Holiday Monday in Cleethorpes on the wind swept edge of a country on the brink. Roller coaster, tunnel of love, ghost train, hall of mirrors. Change is in the air and with it come stories of excitement and dismay in equal measure.'Big brash bingo, house of fun day trippers running through the rain like ghosts...'

credits

released September 3, 2020

Jim Woodland: Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Piano.
Steve Rose: Bass, Piano, Percussion.
Janet Russell: Extra Vocals.
Laura Fairhurst: Cello.
Alfie Woodland: Cover Design & Artwork.
Artist Photographs by Jim Ellison (Tykes News)
Engineered and Produced by Steve Rose.
All songs (c) Jim Woodland.

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Jim Woodland UK

Hit & Run Street Theatre in the 1980's, Punk Band Red Rinse in the 90's, Fabulous Salami Brothers, Songwriter for Mikron Theatre and Blaize for 20 years, performing solo, and with the Anti-Capitalist Roadshow.
Political, social, emotional songs and plays. Watch this space. Latest collection here and back catalogue to follow. Welcome to Band Camp and on we go...
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