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Returning to the Sea

by Tim O'Connor & The Ant Farm Collective

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1.
what comes next 03:13
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the man with two sons secretly danced the burlesque he’d shimmy in sequins and gossamer kept locked in a chest at the foot of the bed where the memories guiltily slept and he’d take out a dream sometimes to see if there was any of the old magic left and wonders again to himself what comes next the girl with two daughters can’t see where her yesterday’s went her astonishing smile hides her rage at inherited theft that trickles down less and less an economist said the only dance that she has is packing carrier-bags telling herself she’s doing her best and wonders again to herself what comes next what comes next she wonders again to herself what comes next the sons and the daughters although they don’t realise it yet they all carry kernels of ideas of quiet conquest in the shadows of factories bankrupt with fracturing debt like a bright errant weave that appears unforeseen caught up in the warp and the weft deciding for themselves what comes next they’re deciding again for themselves what comes next let them decide for themselves what comes next © tim o’connor 2014
2.
where the dreamers go 03:11
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you were living at the speed of understanding well i wonder when your wondering forgot those noble martian warriors and faeries in our garden trapped like pressed flowers between the literal and reason’s tinderbox oh don’t you remember being young and not knowing what might come tomorrow to delight you and inspire you to reach up higher to where the dreamers go where the dreamers go you were thinking it a little odd a little left of centre how the world can change it’s shape so while you sleep you awakened shaking to dislodge improbable mysteries of wonderlands and wardrobes then wash your hands repeatedly oh don’t you remember being young and not knowing what might come tomorrow to delight you and inspire you to reach up higher to where the dreamers go where the dreamers go it’s time to wake up now it’s time to wake up now it’s time to wake up now it’s time to wake up now oh don’t you remember being young and not knowing what might come tomorrow to delight you and inspire you to reach up higher to where the dreamers go where the dreamers go go where the dreamers know to where the dreamers go © tim o’connor 2014
3.
hickory clack crack 02:53
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before chronological swiss clockery and maniacal lunar mockery and the great gregorian travesty of cock-eyed calendar count the waxing and the waning moon and the turning of the tides avowed without eldritch confirmation when to plant and when to plough to birth and harvest, when at last festival fires come back some how the clockwork minds chicanery shall fade dwindling without sound then here come the morris men faces blacked and bells a-jingle here come the morris men hickory clack crack the past comes back sing here come the morris men here come the morris men oh here come the morris men hickory clack crack the past comes back the past comes back too boorish and too soon or are you fashionably late again living life on borrowed time do you ken the interest you’ve paid your index driven dividends are phantoms in the lie you made that daisy petal counting was just some childish game and now your clock speed greed commands a rendered meaningless charade ‘cause coy autumnal trees don’t care how many dragons you have slain then here come the morris men faces blacked and bells a-jingle here come the morris men hickory clack crack the past comes back sing here come the morris men here come the morris men oh here come the morris men hickory clack crack the past comes back the past comes back © tim o’connor 2014
4.
flow 04:12
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there are shadows in the rising water of sleeping stepping stones undinal patience mesmerises a watcher standing quite alone wondering where this moment goes if he braves the current and he trusts his step or fears for his footing in the watery weft don’t you want to know if the other shore is greener than all the places you’ve been shown or will you abandon all your hope and fall and go with the flow go with the flow there are answers laughing in the swirl of teasing vortices dancing past their petulance turns them just beyond his reach wondering where this moment goes if he braves the current and he trusts his step or fears for his footing in the watery weft well don’t you want to know if the other shore is greener than all the places you’ve been shown or will you abandon all your hope and fall and go with the flow go with the flow the vertigo’s temptation and the countercurrent’s song irresistingly engulfing and demanding that he choose just one wondering where this moment goes if he braves the current and he trusts his step or fears for his footing in the watery weft don’t you want to know if the other shore is greener than all the places you’ve been shown or will you abandon all your hope and fall and go with the flow go with the flow the river is rising higher over stepping stones beneath concealed soon but for guessing gyres and whirlpool’s clues bequeathed he’s wondering where this moment goes if he braves the current and he trusts his step or fears for his footing in the watery weft well don’t you want to know if the other shore is greener than all the places you’ve been shown or will you abandon all your hope and fall and go with the flow go with the flow go with the flow go with the flow © tim o’connor 2014
5.
jugband memorial bar 03:55
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while Graham Graham figures out just how the song is going to roll his super hero alter ego stops the taxman going rogue the master of the songs, JC calls order to us all novice and initiate equal and enthralled so take a drink and sing with me celebrate their memory raise your glass and lift your voice conjure up the spirit of those good ole boys we’re all touched and granted audience with the beatific muse join voices with the celebrants ghosts of forgotten tunes as each heartsong sung is captured by the all-seeing prismic eye their moment freed forever and Viceversa caught in time so take a drink and sing with me and celebrate their memory raise your glass and lift your voice conjure up the spirit of those good ole boys in the jug band memorial bar in the jug band memorial bar in the jug band memorial bar bring your songs along to the jug band memorial bar so let us liberate libation honour each that connie pulled offer meritorious citation to the Lion and Werewolf let laughter ring and tears sting it’s crooked weather with dogs in space and Corona borrowed an Italian thing to watch the smile on Holly’s face so take a drink and sing with me celebrate their memory raise your glass and lift your voice conjure up the spirit of those good ole boys in the jug band memorial bar in the jug band memorial bar in the jug band memorial bar bring your songs along to the jug band memorial bar © tim o’connor 2014
6.
returning to the sea 03:47
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a woman walks outside her time to be where she needs to be a custodian of quiet elegance and of gentle dignity her conversations face the winds of change yet her laughter has to ask “where can i find such a man with mustachio and hat?” Ellie Ross is on the harbour wall her words dance betwixt between the breaking of the waves and their returning to the sea returning to the sea she hears a piper playing sweet airs conjured from the uilleann read the sum of all his parts translates an elemental speech almost lost amongst the witless shoals of people who won’t see it’s at the edges of existence all the magic places be Ellie Ross is on the harbour wall her words dance betwixt between the breaking of the waves and their returning to the sea returning to the sea she swings into the rain dancing like fiddlestix on fire with joy she brings along a strange enchanting to contradict the modern noise like fiddlestix on fire with joy she navigates with whimsy her curiosities unlock those mysteries mischievous of the faerie and the fox and she celebrates the season of flying things falling from the sky she nurtures and returns them for no other reason than to smile no other reason than to smile Ellie Ross is on the harbour wall her words dance betwixt between the breaking of the waves and their returning to the sea returning to the sea © tim o’connor 2014
7.
the cuckoo flew 02:52
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you’re talking like a fool she said she said as though listening was the thing she did the best ‘round around the cuckoo flew looking for a nest i heard unspoken words she said she said disinclined is she to recognise the rest ‘round around the cuckoo flew looking for a nest you keep a cage in every room she said she said re-imagining bars kept inside her head ‘round around the cuckoo flew looking for a nest you watch too closely she said she said leaving caskets to disguise deceits she dealt ‘round around the cuckoo flew looking for a nest you begrudge my charity she said she said callously between one murder and the next ‘round around the cuckoo flew looking for a nest you will never set me free she said she said that libertine and unexpected guest ‘round around the cuckoo flew looking for a nest you’ll forget me soon she said she said the strange thing is the changelings not left yet ‘round around the cuckoo flew looking for a nest ‘round around the cuckoo flew looking for a nest © tim o’connor 2014
8.
insanity is beautiful 04:04
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how can you touch the sun when you’re too busy living all your life on the run waiting for your star to rise missing every moment as it comes wondering what you’ve done how can you taste the air stuck stupidly sitting in your leatherette chair while documentary makers sanitise the excitements and the wonders waiting there for you if only you’d dare and you know deep down when you’re alone in the quiet of the night there are truths tantalisingly close and it feels so dangerous i know to leave behind the safety you agonisingly chose so come on with me come on outside and see that the insanity is beautiful the insanity is beautiful how will you feel the earth shopping for shoes and new designer shirts looking at reflections all the while flattering yourself for all its worth the mirror’s glamour: a delusional curse and you know deep down when you’re alone in the quiet of the night there are truths tantalisingly close and it feels so dangerous i know to leave behind the safety you agonisingly chose so come on with me come on outside and see that the insanity is beautiful the insanity is beautiful how shall you hear the wind while forgetting all the reasons for listening is it safe to close your eyes against the night having caged up all the fear you found within you’ll miss the whispering of tooth and claw begin and you know deep down when you’re alone in the quiet of the night there are truths tantalisingly close and it feels so dangerous i know to leave behind the safety you agonisingly chose so come on with me come on outside and see that the insanity is beautiful so come on with me come on outside and see that the insanity is beautiful the insanity is beautiful © tim o’connor 2014
9.
be welcome in this song 02:46
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upon entering this song please bear in mind these simple guidelines for your enjoyment and involvement in the piece after commencement has begun watch your head please everyone for safe immersion during this excursion and release brace yourself, hold steady whether or not you think you’re ready sing along sing along and be welcome in this song the thing you should remember is that whosoever sits with you won’t be interested nor invested in your life they came for music to be heard that jewel your witless whine pollutes until your arrogance is apparent in deathly quiet brace yourself, hold steady whether or not you think you’re ready sing along sing along and be welcome in this song if your banter is a subtle as a shattered champagne bottle there’s accommodation for vacant narration in t’other room because your voice is like a shovel your words melodious and motley an irritating mating cry to the exhumed brace yourself, hold steady whether or not you think you’re ready sing along sing along and be welcome in this song we all fail to see the relevance that you’re looking forward to enjoying another episodic dopey soap opera repeat tonight your earnest self-importance is becoming really quite annoying so if i can paraphrase a chum shut up shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up but if you want to get up and dance that’s fine brace yourself, hold steady whether or not you think you’re ready sing along sing along and be welcome in this song © tim o’connor 2014
10.
revelry of thieves 03:59
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down she comes and up she goes life on the circuit of a travelling show mark the chumps to dip then blow got no roots to call your own welcome see the barkers and the freaks welcome to this revelry of thieves see the wonders large as life they’re all inside if you pay the price menagerie of grotesque sights contorted limbs cunning shills shine bright welcome see the barkers and the freaks welcome to this revelry of thieves further in you can catch a glimpse of the golden throne of a native king next to dancing siamese twins and listen to the song that the monkey sings welcome see the barkers and the freaks welcome to this revelry of thieves use the rubes that come use the rubes that come the carnival makes fools pay they’ve been gulled before they’ll be gulled again next time ‘round they’ll be just the same ripe for the flim-flam ripe for the take welcome see the barkers and the freaks welcome to this revelry of thieves welcome see the barkers and the freaks welcome to this revelry of thieves this revelry of thieves this revelry of thieves revelry of thieves to this revelry of thieves © tim o’connor 2014
11.
10 miles 03:10
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it’s ten miles from here to whitby and the rain is coming down there’s no urgency nor wishing as the dust begins to drown there’s nowhere else to be for she is here with me around the corner sleeps the poetry of summer’s arrogant display their blushing hues immodesty tended gently while they wait there’s nowhere else to be for she is here with me there’s nowhere else to be for she is here with me for just one second when we found that perfect moment between the strangers we had been and who we are we held it for a thousand years maybe more ‘til we were certain that the memories we’ll make are those we’ll share while the water’s lacy patterns trace down the window pane arresting the descending fates of tears spent yesterday there’s nowhere else to be for she is here with me there’s nowhere else to be for she is here with me there’s nowhere else i’d be she is here with me for she is here with me Pam is here with me © tim o’connor 2014
12.
original mystery 05:03
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spray leaves the wave tops rising up in the twilight of the setting sun the only sound is music of the moon and sea’s rhythm being continually begun movement that seduces and reveals mechanics are all just chaotic schemes who’s laws rewrite time after time evolving to intentionally mislead if you are stumbling upon original mystery your heart is still young and strong when tall cliffs are crumbling or gone and your sigils and flags fly tattered and torn then we’re becoming one the light that is coming in the morning is the same light that had lessened the dark where shadows cast don’t care who calls the dance nor how bright nor righteous is the spark whilst some looking inward searching outwardly to reach freedom from the oracles who claim accidental juxtaposing theories can explain an imperfect geocentric twist of fate if you are stumbling upon original mystery your heart is still young and strong when tall cliffs are crumbling or gone and your sigils and flags fly tattered and torn then we’re becoming one we are becoming one you’re falling past your stars coruscating flight the crucible you came from soaring through the depths of farthest night into the confluence beyond right or wrong becoming one becoming one if you are stumbling upon original mystery your heart is still young and strong when tall cliffs are crumbling or gone and your sigils and flags fly tattered and torn then we’re becoming one we are becoming one © tim o’connor 2014
13.
apostles 04:07
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she is moving like a piston driven by the steam her hair flies away like crazy dancing in the wind she knows where she is going leaving where she’s been knows what it is she’s racing as the fire inside her sings she is carrying the ghosts of apostles on the tracks when she comes up to the ocean she will turn and bring them back and though everyone’s a hobo she will never need to ask suitors fall behind her like apostles on the tracks apostles on the tracks she’s the mother of a nation she bore her children west the hope she put in motion has tamed a wilderness she knows the way she’s taken is the freedom of a dream she’s an idea given meaning bringing eden within reach she is carrying the ghosts of apostles on the tracks when she comes up to the ocean she will turn and bring them back and though everyone’s a hobo she will never need to ask suitors fall behind her like apostles on the tracks apostles on the tracks on the tracks on the tracks just when she reached a pinnacle we thought everything could last the herald of the future became a derelict in the past once out-running buffalo now in shadows standing still occasionally remembering her thunder and the thrill she is carrying the ghosts of apostles on the tracks when she comes up to the ocean she will turn and bring them back and though everyone’s a hobo she will never need to ask her suitors fall behind her like apostles on the tracks apostles on the tracks apostles on the tracks apostles on the tracks © tim o’connor 2014
14.
eclipse 03:26
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can you feel the sunrise calling you through the cold and endless dark to awaken and reprise for you our dance amongst the stars falling lightly weightlessly making and gracefully taking long and lazy circles spinning ‘round the spiral arm gone beyond escaping that first supernal spark we are sailing through infinities of celestial astral light we’re breaking fragile symmetry with coincidental life falling lightly weightlessly making and gracefully taking long and lazy circles spinning ‘round the spiral arm gone beyond escaping that first supernal spark what happens when the wonder has all gone what happens when the answers are all matched to every single question ever thought about of asked what happens when the wondering is done what happens when the wondering has gone coruscating memories borne between the spheres silent testimonies of the quiddity we fear falling lightly weightlessly making and gracefully taking long and lazy circles spinning ‘round the spiral arm gone beyond escaping that first supernal spark © tim o’connor 2014
15.
don't look away 02:50
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don’t look away the things that you are hiding from are the very things that make you strong if you don’t look away don’t look away don’t fear to feel the shadows hold secrets that liberate when told if you don’t look away don’t look away from reflections of your face imperfections that you see will fade if you don’t look away don’t look away don’t look away don’t look away the things that you are hiding from are the very things that make you strong if you don’t look away © tim o’connor 2014

credits

released November 19, 2014

Tim O’Connor - voice, acoustic guitars & keys
Pete McLeod - percussion
Simon Strauli - bass guitar, acoustic guitar
Trish Silvester - voice
Dicky Deegan - uilleann pipes, whistles

all songs written & © tim o’connor 2014

produced by toc
recorded at Bywater Studios spring/summer 2014
mixed and mastered at Uilleand Music summer 2014

photography by viceversarobbi:fotografia
viceversarobbifotografia.co.uk

cover design by MTD

Uilleand Music
vcbd055
September 2014

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Tim O'Connor Hull, UK

Tim O'Connor is an English Folk/Rock songwriter based in Yorkshire, UK, Performing & recording since the late Seventies, Tim has released a large catalogue of albums, 39 to date, available on his record label, Uilleand Music.

Band Projects:

cowfisH, from 1992 onwards.

The Ant Farm Collective, from 2014-2017.

Tim O’Connor & the Poachers 2018- ... more

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