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SAINTS & SINNERS
"...deserves to be Traditional Album of the Year"
Pete Clack
"Loving the album"
Ashwyn Smyth, Digital Blues
"Great Album"
Chris Fosbrook, Mojo Fingers
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Going Over Home
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Lyrics
1. Keep Your Hand On the Plough
(traditional - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocal Ben Tyzack
I first heard this song on a Mahalia Jackson cassette that I bought at a truck stop in South Carolina. The tape stayed in the car stereo for months on constant repeat. I find gospel music of this kind hits you deep inside and is very inspiring. For me, not necessarily in a religious way but more just uplifting and spiritual. Great to bring to the band and give it our own twist which we tried to do with all of the songs.
Hold on, hold on, keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Heard the voice of Jesus say, come to me I am the way
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
When my way gets dark as night, I know the lord will be my light
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, hold on, keep your hand on the plow, hold on
When I get to heaven, gonna sing and shout
Be no nobody there to put me out
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
I know my robe's gonna fit me well, I tried it on at the gates of Hell
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, hold on, keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, hold on, keep your hand on the plow, hold on
When I feel the devil’s rage, all around me like a cage
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Don’t believe in all his lies or he’ll cut you down to size
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, hold on, keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, Hold on, Hold on, Hold on
2. Up Above My Head
(traditional - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocal Fran McGillivray
First recorded by The Southern Sons in 1941, this hopeful spiritual celebrates the joys of music, and is probably best known for the rousing version by Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Our arrangement is in a minor key but the message remains uplifting.
Up above my head, I hear music in the air
Up above my head, I hear music in the air
And I really do believe there’s a heaven somewhere
Everywhere I go, I hear music in the air
Everywhere I go, I hear music in the air
And I really do believe there’s a heaven somewhere
All in my room, I hear music in the air
All in my room, I hear music in the air
And I really do believe there’s a heaven somewhere
3. Train Done Gone
(Tyzack, Spikedrivers)
Lead vocal Ben Tyzack
I wrote this song with the Spikedrivers back in 2002. It’s built around the old gospel refrain ‘people keep a coming but the train done gone’ I love writing songs that can be interpreted in many ways and hopefully giving listener the opportunity to bring in they own thoughts and emotions. It was released on our album ‘Blues Trash’ and has been a live feature and crowd favourite ever since. This new arrangement with Fran & Mike was so much fun to do and even more energy has been added, ‘Oh Yeah’!
Got me a ticket….oh yea
Got me a ticket….oh yea
Got me a ticket….oh yea
People keep a comin' but the train done gone…
I wake in the mornin' and pray to the world I see
I wake in the mornin' and pray to the world I see
If I keep on prayin' will the lord have mercy on me
I stand at the station, hang my head and cry
I stand at the station, hang my head and cry
I keep on dreaming, the train passed me by
4. I'll Fly Away
(Brumley - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocals Fran McGillivray and Constance Redgrave
First recorded by the Selah Gospel Quartet in 1941 and featured in the film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” sung by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch. Another uplifting song about going home that always makes you smile when you sing it…
Some bright morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on Gods celestial shore
I'll fly away
I'll fly away, oh glory
I'll fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I'll fly away
When the shadows of this life have gone
I'll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls I'll fly
I'll fly away
Oh how glad and happy when we meet
I'll fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet
I'll fly away
Just a few more weary days and then
I'll fly away
To a land where joys will never end
I'll fly away
5. Hear Me Talking To Ya
(traditional - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocal Fran McGillivray
I first heard this song as a teenager on an album called “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Blues”. The album paid tribute to the blues singers, in this case Ma Rainey, who had influenced Ella in her early days. The song takes no prisoners in laying down the rules: “You wanna be my man, you better pack it with you when you come!”. Ella’s version was my introduction to Blues music, which remains my passion. Mike and I have included this song in our live shows for some time and we love the harmony parts added by Constance and Ben in our Saints & Sinners version.
Ramblin’ Man got no hold on me
I’m gonna ramble back to my used to be
Hear me talkin’ to ya, I don’t bite my tongue
You wanna be my man, pack it with you when you come
I don’t care if you’re young or old
When the chips are down you’ve got to travel alone
Hear me talkin’ to ya, I don’t bite my tongue
You wanna be my man, pack it with you when you come
Hello central give me 609
I need my lovin’ all the time
Hear me talkin’ to ya, I don’t bite my tongue
You wanna be my man, pack it with you when you come
6. Crossroads
(Robert Johnson - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocal Ben Tyzack
It’s hard to improve on so many classic versions of this song but with inspiration from the original and a little bit of Cream’s version I think we’ve a least added something to the pot. It evolved out of just playing around on my resonator guitar in an open G minor tuning, I just starting singing it and it went from there. It all ended up being quite dark and mysterious and the band’s arrangement brought this out even more which felt it was heading somewhere a bit different.
I went down to the crossroads, I fell down on my knees
Down at the crossroads, I fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above have mercy, save my soul, if you please
Standin' at the crossroad, I tried to flag a ride
Standin' at the crossroad, I tried to flag a ride
Well nobody seemed to know me, everybody just passed me by
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy, Willie Brown
Run, you can run, tell my friend, Willie Brown
‘Cause I’m standing at the crossroads, I believe I'm sinking down
Now the sun’s sinkin’ down, dark gonna catch me here
the sun’s sinkin’ down, dark gonna catch me here
I’m all alone with nobody, to love and feel my care
From the cross to the crossroads, save my soul
7. St James Infirmary
(traditional - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocal and extra lyrics by Constance Redgrave
Sometimes known as "Gambler's Blues", it’s often regarded as an American folk song of anonymous origin, but there is a strong case of its having roots in early 1800s England. This sad tale of death and the beautiful release of a loved one to a ‘better place’ is so powerful and so universal, especially in these troubled times.
I went down to St. James infirmary
To see my daddy there
Stretched out on a long white table,
So cold, so still, so fair
I screamed, I ran for the doctor
Doctor what can be done?
She smiled and shook her head sadly
Little girl your daddy’s gone.
So let him go, let him go, God bless him
Wherever he may be
He could search the whole world over
And never find a sweetheart like me
Give me six coal black horses
To pull that rubber tired hack
It's sixteen miles to the church yard
But my man he aint coming back
So now - I've told my story,
Lets have another shot of booze.
If anyone - should ask you
I got those St James Infirmary blues
If anyone – should ask you
I got the Saint - James Infirmary
8. Good Old Wagon
(Harney - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocal and extra lyrics Fran McGillivray
My favourite take on this old song is the recording Bessie Smith made in 1925. It’s jokey, sassy and full of life. I hope you enjoy our arrangement of this vaudeville style blues – another example of a woman telling it like it is.
Listen Daddy, I’ve been thinking long and hard
About the situation in our yard
So much trouble, nothing’s straight
I gotta tell you, this just can’t wait
Listen to me daddy I’ve got to tell you
Please get out of my sight
I’m gonna quit you, quit you on this very night
You’ve had your day, just stop hanging around
You’ve been a good old wagon, daddy but you done broke down
I’m gonna take you to the head-shrinking man to get that head overhauled
There’s nothing about you make a good woman fall
Nobody wants a weakling when a real man can be found
You’ve been a good old wagon, daddy but you done broke down
Whe the sun is shining, I wanna tell you
That’s the time to make hay
But you tell me that you need me, need me for a rainy day
When you were young, you had to run around
You’ve been a good old wagon, daddy but you done broke down
Listen to me daddy, I’ve gotta tell you
Make up your mind to go
I’ve got a new man, he really loves me so
He’s the king of loving and I’m gonna give him a crown
He’s a good old wagon, daddy and he ain’t broke down.
9. Nobody's Fault But Mine
(Willie Johnson - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocal Ben Tyzack
As with many people, I first heard this song on Led Zeppelin’s 1976 ‘Presence’ album, absolutely killer! But then hearing Blind Willie Johnson’s version really gives you the raw emotion of the song that is incredibly powerful. I love the simple message, take responsibility! Definitely a good one for 2020. We ended up mixing a few of these elements and adding our own flavours, plus just bit of some John Lee Hooker boogie which always hits the spot.
Nobody's fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
Well if I die and my soul be lost
Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine
I got a Bible in my home
I got a Bible in my home
If I can’t read and my soul be lost
Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read and my soul be lost
No…body’s fault but mine
My father taught me how to read
My father taught me how to read
If I can't read and my soul be lost
Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
Well if I die and my soul be lost
No…body’s fault but mine
My mother taught me how to sing
My mother taught me how to sing
If I can’t sing and my soul be lost
Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
If I can’t sing and my soul be lost
Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
Well if I die and my soul be lost
No…body’s fault, No…body’s fault
No…body’s fault
10. Jesus On The Mainline
(traditional - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocal Ben Tyzack
Every musician I know seems to have been influenced by Ry Cooder’s 1974 album ‘Paradise and Lunch’ and this song featured on that classic record. This is kind of our version of his version and keeping it a great traditional sing-along which is lots of fun to play.
I know Jesus is on that mainline Tell him what you want
Jesus on that mainline Tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline Tell him what you want
Call him up and tell him what you want
Well, the line ain't never busy Tell him what you want
The line ain't never busy Tell him what you want
Well, the line ain't never busy Tell him what you want
You can call him up and tell him what you want
Now, if you want his kingdom Tell him what you want
If you want his kingdom Tell him what you want
If want his kingdom Tell him what you want
Call him up, call him up, call him up, call him up
You can call him up and tell him want you want
Now, if you're sick and you wanna get well Tell him what you want
Lord, if you're sick and you wanna get well Tell him what you want
If you're sick and you wanna get well Tell him what you want
Call him up and tell him what you want
If you're feeling down and out Tell him what you want
If you're feeling down and out Tell him what you want
If you're feeling down and out Tell him what you want
Call him up and tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline Tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline Tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline Tell him what you want
You can call him up and tell him want you want
Jesus is on that mainline Tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline Tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline Tell him what you want
Call him up, call him up, call him up, call him up, call him up, call him up
You can call him up and tell him want you want
11. If You'se A Viper
(S. Smith - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocal and extra lyrics by Maurice McElroy
It was Ben's mum Patzy who first suggested I do a cover of this song. Originally by Stuff Smith in the 30's it has been recorded many times by many artists including Fats Waller who renamed it 'The Reefer Song' as a riposte to the film 'Reefer Madness' which was doing the rounds at the time. I added the chorus that ends 'everything be cool and minty fresh' because I'd been trying for years to get that line into a song. It comes from a show I did at the Albany Empire back in the 1970's where the DJ David Rodigan, then an actor, told of the night he met Bob Marley. That involved a reefer too.
Talk about a reefer five feet long
Not too fat and not too strong
You get high, but not for long
If you'se a viper
Now I'm the king of everything
Got to get high before I can swing
Light that tee and we will see
If you'se a viper
When your mouth gets dry you know you're high
Everything is hip and dandy
Truck on down to the all night store
Stuff your face with pizza and candy
Now you know that you been sent
Don't give a damn if you can't pay the rent
The sky is high and so am I
If you'se a viper
When your face is a frown and you're feelin' down
your head is in a mess
roll a smoke, take a toke
and everything be cool and minty fresh
Now you know 'bout everything
Got to get high 'cos the swing's the thing
Light that tee and we will see
If you'se a viper
12. Death Came a'Knocking
(traditional - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocals Fran McGillivray and Mike Burke
First recorded by The Selah Gospel Quartet under the title “Traveling Shoes” in 1939, this song first came to my attention on a record by Canadian Roots band The Duhks. The message is strong and insistent – when the call comes, be ready!
When death come a knockin’ on my mother’s door
Sayin’ “Come on mother, are you ready to go?”
My mother stooped down, buckled up her shoes
Ands he moved on down to the Jordan stream
And she shout “Hallelujah, done done my duty
Put on my travellin’ shoes”
When death come a knockin’ on my sister’s door
Sayin’ “Come on sister, are you ready to go?”
My sister stooped down, buckled up her shoes
And she moved on down to the Jordan stream
And she shout “Hallelujah, done done my duty
Put on my travellin’ shoes”
When death come a knockin’ on my brother’s door
Sayin’ “Come on brother, are you ready to go?”
My brother stooped down, buckled up his shoes
And he moved on down to the Jordan stream
And he shout “Hallelujah, done done my duty
Put on my travellin’ shoes”
When death come a knockin’ on my preacher’s door
Sayin’ “Come on preacher, are you ready to go?”
My preacher stooped down, buckled up his shoes
And he moved on down to the Jordan stream
And he shout “Hallelujah, done done my duty
Put on my travellin’ shoes”
When death comes a knockin’ on my front door
Sayin’ “Come on neighbour, are you ready to go?”
I’ll stoop right down, buckle up my shoes
And I’ll move on down to the Jordan stream
And I’ll shout “Hallelujah, done done my duty
Put on my travellin’ shoes”
13. Ain't Nobody's Business
(Grainger & Robbins - arranged Saints & Sinners)
Lead vocal and extra lyrics by Fran McGillivray
I’ve always thought this was a great song. It was first recorded in 1922 by Anna Meyers and the Original Memphis Five, and I’m particularly fond of Billie Holiday’s version. I’ve taken out some verses and written a new part to bring the song in line with modern sensibilities.
Seems there’s nothing I can do or say
That folks won’t criticize me anyway
I’m not acting out of hand
But this is where I make my stand
If I should take a notion to jump into the ocean
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do
If my friend ain’t got no money and I say ”take all mine, honey”
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do
If I go to church on Sunday and I cabaret all day Monday
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do
Don’t think I’m trying to be grand
How can I put this so you’ll understand?
No words of wisdom, no made up plan
Can stop me being the way that I am
If my man takes my last nickel and it leaves me in a pickle
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do
I know you’d like me to change my ways, but it ain’t working anyway
I tried it once I tried it twice
So I ain’t taking no advice
If I should take a notion to jump into the ocean
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do
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