Books Music China

by Graham Earnshaw

supported by
DJH Oakland
DJH Oakland thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

1.
Socialism 02:53
info
buy track
2.
Fool I Was 03:12
lyrics
buy track
Fool I Was Relax, he said to me This can’t go wrong they signed a guarantee Everything’s okay Just wire the cash by close of biz today. It’s really in the bag I simply cannot spot a single snag Once the money’s there Before you know it you’re a millionaire Fool I was ... He slapped me on the back He said with me you’re on the inside track I’ve got the deal in hand Although it may be hard to understand What was I to say A meal I was before this bird of prey I signed the dotted line And gave away the bulk of what was mine. The fool thinks he is wise The wise man knows himself to be a fool I’d like to think I’m wise But then I’ve always said I’m kind of cool.
3.
Leaving Home Today 04:20
lyrics
buy track
We packed up all the knick-knacks, and turned off the TV We gave the cat away We tied up all the loose ends, the bank accounts, old friends We’re leaving home today. We had a farewell party, the family were all there We got a silver tray The kids are none to happy, they don’t understand why We’re leaving home today. Tell us why We’re doing it for you Why we fly It’ll all be okay Home is here You know we adore you Near is dear We’re leaving today. sound of taxi roaring up and screeching to a halt We loaded up the taxi and flew to the airport We’re really on the way The kids were in the back with their pocket Nintendo We’re leaving home today. The luggage isn’t locked yet, my god where’s the tickets I wonder should we stay Yes I know I’m joking, there’s no turning back now, We’re leaving home today. chorus Oh we make ourselves strangers there Searching for better days For our children we hope and dare We’ll be better off there than anybody who stays. solo So now we’re in Toronto, we live in the suburbs, I guess we’re doing okay The young one’s drinking milk, says he wants to turn snow white, what else is there to say? How are things at home, hope you’re all keeping well now, we’ll visit you in May The kids are none too happy, they can’t understand why, we’re going home some day. chorus
4.
Governor’s Blues 03:08
lyrics
buy track
Governor's Blues We let them all off, it just had to be We were faced with a full blown police mutiny I put all my faith in the ICAC But we still had to give them their damned amnesty. I've got the Governor's blues I'm sick of the whole bloody thing Ordered around by a bunch of young cops I'm just waiting for Peking to ring We threatened the bribery on which crime depends They thought that we'd we'd cut of the stream of tens That flows from the brothels and opium dens Oh I wish I was back in those old Scottish glens. chorus It was once one November, the day I remember They held me to ransome that day. They said we have the guns and the police stations And it's us or hello PLA. In government house as I called for the waiter I turned to my old trusted colleague Jack Cater I asked him if this mess could ever be greater He said well Sir Murray, just wait until later. chorus
5.
Getways 04:53
lyrics
buy track
Getaway, getaway, getaway A steamy day in the city Traffic's manic, it's not at all pretty Tempers rising up to meet the heat The cars just sit there, going nowhere Drivers sweating, they want to get somewhere Anywhere but trapped here on this street. In a dust and fume filled haze We watch the sun go down We dream of getaways (I wanna get away) Oh we wonder why we stay To see the world run down Then shrug and sigh and say, There's no escaping anyway. The traffic moves, inching slowly Engines gunning, a chorus unholy Air-conned capsules looking for a break (out, breakout) A siren wails, the kids are crying In the background, the radio's lying Saying something about the love we make. There's an eagle, he's gliding overhead He's gazing at the traffic from on high There's a driver, in the traffic, he's looking up He wishes he could fly, like the eagle to the sky In a dust and fume filled haze We watch the sun go down We dream of getaways (I wanna get away) Oh we wonder why we stay To see the world run down Then shrug and sigh and say There's no escaping anyway.
6.
Come September 04:22
lyrics
buy track
There are flowers in the air There are flowers in your hair There’s a gentle swell, and I know quite well It means there’s someone flowering there. Be it boy or be it girl, The child’s as precious as a pearl What will be its name, will things still be the same It’s sent my life into a whirl. Come September I will have a protege That twinkle in my eye last December had its way Come September, there’ll be three of us to feed Me and you, the baby too, I’m certain we can make it through One thing that I know is true It’s very well pedigreed. Summer autumn winter spring The seasons turn the years take wing People live and die The generations fly The chain’s continued in Peking A mesh of genes so broad and vast Leads to the future from the past The essence of our soul is in the child made whole To represent us to the last. Chorus Will it look like you or me Will it grow up happily All I’m certain of, I’ll give it all my love And a guitar when it is three. I’ve been a son before it’s true But can I be a father too Only time will tell, if I can do it well The child will start the chain anew. Chorus
7.
Peace 07:28
info
buy track
8.
Sake O Sake 03:36
lyrics
buy track
Sake O Sake i was sitting at the counter of a Japanese restaurant, drinking rice wine, that’s sake, it was piping hot All alone in that restaurant, people swirling around me, the sake really hit the spot It was Asian and aromatic, I thought, you know, this drink is just about everything I’m not. So I had another bottle, savoring the flavor, as a guy came to the counter, sat down right next to me. He also ordered sake, i looked at him, and he looked at me i toasted him, I said “the sake twins”, he said it seems like it was meant to be. We sat there getting sozzled, talking ‘bout life and business, the good and the bad, the known and the unknown About investing money making money losing money, while the PA played some jazz with a saxophone The guy said this sake’s grand, why don’t we make our own brand, sell it on our own. For sure a success, He said a shoe-in more or less We’ll make money in wads We just need a name, I said that’s my game “why don’t we call it “for god’s” ... sake Sake o sake, for god’s sake Sake o sake, for god’s sake Sake o sake o sake o sake, for god’s sake. He said that joke’s pretty weak, but who am I to critique, I don’t want to seem like a pain in the neck I said: I think so too, but what am I supposed to do, After all this sake, what the heck He said, Fair enough oh! look at the time, it’s time to go! He stood up, walked out the door and left me with the check. Sake o sake, for god’s sake Sake o sake, for god’s sake Sake o sake o sake o sake, for god’s sake.

credits

released July 30, 2018

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Graham Earnshaw image

Graham Earnshaw China

Graham Earnshaw is a businessman, writer & musician and publisher of Earnshaw Books. He has recorded a number of albums of his own songs, of which there are many. He fronted the best rock band in China 1979-1984, helped revive live music in Shanghai’s in the mid-1990s, and continues to write and perform whenever anyone will let him. He plays the guitar, the harmonica and the fool. ... more

contact / help

Contact Graham Earnshaw

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Graham Earnshaw, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now