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Swingin' Arms Hotel

by The Wedded Bliss

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1.
Like a debutante Like a new recruit I never needed sleep I only needed you I’d know it all, I’d walk it tall that’s what I’d do But it’s a long walk home, a long walk home now without you You said the sweetest thing When the first kiss broke Don’t hold your breath, clean up your act And give up those smokes As I reflect, in retrospect That’s what I’d do ’Cause it’s a long walk home, a long walk home now without you O’ sinner man I heard them say We’ll take those hands and make them pray That shalt not covet or deceive O’ sinner man you shall receive We’ll work those hands and make em’ bleed Don’t you take a good love and let it fade Don’t break those promises you made For a noble cause Not a Nobel prize Through the thick and thin For the losing side For the dying art, for the smallest part I need of you 'Cause it’s a long walk home, a long walk home now without you
2.
I took my leave and my severance pay I didn’t plead, I didn’t feel ashamed I didn’t feel ashamed I took my leave and my severance pay I said I’m only earning minimum wage I coulda, shoulda, woulda act my age I couldn’t act my age Now I’m only earning minimum wage Close enough Close enough Close enough for that rock ‘n roll now I’m washing dishes in a dirty old scene I’m hangin’ on to that old rock ‘n roll dream That old rock ‘n roll dream Washing dishes in a dirty old scene Now I’m standing with a cap in my hand C’mon sugar throw some salt in this pan Throw some salt in this pan Just a little for a rock n’ roll man Close enough Close enough Close enough for that rock ‘n roll now Got swollen knuckles and a line of debt A pound of troubles and an inch of sweat I got an inch of sweat Swollen knuckles and a line of debt I said I’m only earning minimum wage C’mon sugar tear a leaf from my page Tear a leaf from my page I said I’m only earning minimum wage Close enough Close enough Close enough for that rock ‘n roll now
3.
Are you a Sat’day even’ sinner or a Sunday Morning Saint? I said you’d better make you mind up, ’fore they close those pearly gates I said you’d better make your mind up, ’fore they throw you in that cold cold ground Oh they saw you with your head down prayin’ Behind that wooden pew But then they caught you drinking whiskey Here’s the road you’ve got to choose Are you a Sat’day Evenin’ Sinner or a Sunday Morning Saint just feeling blue? I said Boatman Boatman row to that side But now you can’t get to heaven ’gainst that wind and that tide Just like you can’t get a witness If you’re prayin’ on that barroom floor Well now you find yourself a cryin’ In your beer and whiskey too And now you’re standing on the brink Of that Ol’ Road You’ve Got to Choose Are you a Sat’day Evenin’ Sinner or a Sunday Morning Saint just feeling blue? Wash your hands and sweep the floor I said Boatman Boatman Boatman Row to that Shore I’ve paid my fare Said I’ve paid my dues Now I’ve got to Walk like a Saint in a Sinner’s shoes Are you a Sat’day even’ sinner or a Sunday Morning Saint? I said you’d better make you mind up, ’fore they close those pearly gates I said you’d better make your mind up, ’fore they throw you in that cold cold ground
4.
Lucky 03:32
I tore my life on a barbed wire fence I stitched it up with some commonsense Now I’m looking at life through a broken lens, my friend I’ve tumbled down stairs I’ve broke some bones I spent a lot of time in an armchair throne But this mess is mine, and it’s mine I own Break my heart, bless my soul I’m packing my bags, ain’t paying this loan I guess I ain’t lucky Guess I’m still blue But I ain’t taking this shit from the likes of you Oh Minimum Wage University I’m stacking those shelves till I could not see What’s robbing my life of its urgency Been a cold calling monkey in a battery hen cage I’ve spent my life on a retail stage But this mess is mine, and it’s mine I’ve made Break my heart, bless my soul I'm packing my bags, ain’t paying this loan I guess I ain’t lucky Guess I’m still blue But I ain’t taking this shit from the likes of you Well let the clouds roll in Let the rain fall down Let the dam burst open Let the whole town drown Let the coffins crack open And the bones spill out Tell mamma and papa ‘Don’t you worry ’bout me’ Some things in life weren’t meant to be Some things in life weren’t meant for me Break my heart, bless my soul I'm packing my bags, ain’t paying this loan I guess I ain’t lucky Guess I’m still blue But I ain’t taking this shit from the likes of you
5.
O’ meet me at The Swingin’ Arms Hotel They better ring that bell At the Arms’ Hotel Oh Meet me at ol’ Jimmy Sharman’s Tent I’m gonna pay my rent I’m gonna earn my pence Because I’ll take you toe to toe I’ll go you pound for pound I’ve broke my share of bones In this old bare knuckle town I’ve copped it on the chin I’ve copped it sweet and hard But I’ll lift my chin again And I’ll go that extra yard So you better Meet me at the Swingin’ Arms Hotel They better ring that bell At the Arms Hotel
6.
Broken Bird 04:37
I’ve been living life Like an airline disaster Broken teeth made of plaster In a house made of straw It’s been trying times Said the way I’ve tried Like a broken bird sings a four letter word Like a broken bird sings a four letter word Been punch drunk I’ve been down And my faith it unwound Tried to hide my disgrace Lose my face in the crowd It’s been crying times Said the way I’ve cried Like a teenage bride on her first wedded night Like a teenage bride on her first wedded night You were faithful, I was thoughtless You were patient, I was cruel Two wrongs made a right mess of me Two wrongs made a right mess of you Now you’re drinking dry Taking natural highs In another man’s arms In another man’s crimes It’s been lying times Said the way I’ve lied For the end of desire For the end I deny You were faithful, I was thoughtless You were patient, I was cruel Two wrongs made a right mess of me Two wrongs made a right mess of you Two wrongs was the best I could do Now I’ve had all my doubts Bitter blood in my mouth Tried to wash you right down Tried to clean you right out It’s been trying times Said the way I’ve tried Like a broken bird Sings a four letter word Like a broken bird Sings a four letter word Like a broken bird Sings a four letter word
7.
I sang through blood and through broken teeth I’ve said my prayers, said I’ve earned my keep I’ve built a kingdom seen it over thrown So Save Your Bitching for the Old Folks Home I’ve buried the hatchet, I’ve buried my friends And I’ll bury my secrets when the fair-weather ends I’ve begged I’ve borrowed, can’t pay my loan So Save Your Bitching for the Old Folks Home We’re in for a penny, yes we’re in for a pound We’re in for the plenty so drink it all down I might not be righteous, I might not be sound But I was born with a penny, gonna make it a pound I’ve been to the bottom, I’ve been ground down I’ll buckle my boots and I’ll stand my ground The Good Book says ‘Well you reap what you sow’ So Save Your Bitching for the Old Folks Home We’re in for a penny, yes we’re in for a pound We’re in for the plenty so drink it all down You might not be righteous, you might not be sound But we’re born with a penny, gotta make it a pound Some bury their children, some bury their kin Some people so empty, let the emptiness win Some ain’t got nothin’ but their flesh and their bone So Save Your Bitching for the Old Folks Home Save Your Bitching for the Old Folks Home Save Your Bitching for the Old Folks Home
8.
The Rain 04:18
Let the rain come Let the roof leak Make the dust float Down the main street This town’s a bitter pill Like a broken cup to fill Let that rain fall Right over here Sunken footy fields And broken shopping bags Drag my muddy heels Deeper in the sand Take your time to leave I won’t take mine to grieve Just let that rain fall Right over here C’mon C’mon Cmon now Take a deep breath in What’s the worst? We could sink What’s the worst? We could swim C’mon C’mon Cmon now Throw your heartache here Let it float, let it choke Let it drown and disappear Let the creek rise Through your front door Let it run hard Let it rain more Wash your dishes clean Soak your TV screen Let that creek rise Right over here C’mon C’mon Cmon now Take a deep breath in What’s the worst? We could sink What’s the worst? We could swim C’mon C’mon Cmon now Throw your heartache here Let it float, let it choke Let it drown and disappear Let the rain come Let the roof leak Make the drains choke Down the main street This town’s a bitter pill Like an empty lung to fill Let that rain fall Let that rain fall Let that rain fall right over here
9.
On the edge of that sorrow Got a deficit to pay Another Sunday night’s tollin’ Another weekend’s decay Now it’s short, sharp and running You press your shirt, dust your shoes Flick the switch, now it’s blinking The Fluorescent Light Blues The Fluorescent Light Blues The Fluorescent Light Blues Now your shirtsleeves are nameless But your Windsor Knot’s true Lift your chin now to take it Like a kid born to lose And the lift it is silent Seems you all know your tune Once the doors they swing open Sing the Fluorescent Blues The Fluorescent Light Blues The Fluorescent Light Blues There’s an exit sign glowing Above the 31st floor Well there’s now way of knowing what’s right But there’s one way of finding out more Now you fill out your timesheets Feel your Windsor Knot choke All your faxes and memos Up in Fluorescent smoke You can see in their faces See they’ve all paid their dues Study hard, earn your stripes For the Fluorescent Light Blues The Fluorescent Light Blues The Fluorescent Light Blues
10.
Well the best man’s a killer, the bridesmaid’s divorced Raise a glass to the suckers before the next course Remorse my friend, no remorse Love’s on its way You can drink all night You can sleep all day Walk the ends of the earth Love’s on its way You can burn your bridges and leave this town You can pull your stitches and bleed right down But beware my friend Love’s on its way You can cry all night You can hide all day Walk the ends of the earth Love’s on its way Love’s on its way Love’s on its way It won’t take long now Love’s on its way Well the heart’s just a furnace, two pipes and a kick Makes enough of a racket to make you love sick Think quick my friend Love’s on its way You can hide all night You can cry all day Walk the ends of the earth Love’s on its way Love’s on its way Love’s on its way It won’t take long now Love’s on its way All the vice and the virtue all mingle in blood Just like Judas and Jesus did rise from the mud I swear my friend Love’s on its way You can hide all night You can cry all day Walk the ends of the earth Love’s on its way Love’s on its way Love’s on its way It won’t take long now Love’s on its way
11.
Like a debutante Like a new recruit I never needed sleep I only needed you I’d know it all, I’d walk it tall that’s what I’d do But it’s a long walk home, a long walk home now without you You said the sweetest thing When the first kiss broke Don’t hold your breath, clean up your act And give up those smokes As I reflect, in retrospect That’s what I’d do ’Cause it’s a long walk home, a long walk home now without you O’ sinner man I heard them say We’ll take those hands and make them pray That shalt not covet or deceive O’ sinner man you shall receive We’ll work those hands and make em’ bleed Don’t you take a good love and let it fade Don’t break those promises you made For a noble cause Not a Nobel prize Through the thick and thin For the losing side For the dying art, for the smallest part I need of you 'Cause it’s a long walk home, a long walk home now without you

about

Copyright Randall Blair 2008.

All songs by Randall Blair, except track 4 ‘Lucky’ by Randall Blair and Richard Bray.

Artwork & design by Gillian Cosgrove
Photography by Konrad Lenz

tHE wEddEd BLiSS wouLd LikE tHankS tHE foLLowing pEopLE for tHEir patiEncE, kindnESS, Support, EncouragEMEnt and Hard work:
our faMiLiES: Veronica Merton, Celie & Kalem, John & Carolyn Merton, Danny & Jeanette Daniel (our most loyal gig goers, thank you so much!), Ian & Carmel Nightingale, Bruce & Elizabeth Bray, John Bray, Wella, Mark, Sue, Jacinta & Erin Heather, Brian Hobsbawn, Kye, Greg & Sam Whalen, Jeanette Cram & Cris Clucas.
our friEndS: Deano, Fiete, Dunc & Tonia, Cammo, Benny, Ducky, Gill, Mizz Deb Lalley (our musical & spiritual advisor!), Sarah & the gig posse, Aletha, Potsy, Damien Flanagan, John Fanning, Mike, Tbor, Shasta, Lyndall, Chiggo & Carls, Nick, Tristo, Pete Gare, Konrad Lenz, Gregor Murray, Dave Whyte, Luke Diggins, Jay Rose, Damien Heffernan, Kat, Mark & Dale Fitzgerald, Wayne Hall, Adam Steer, Anthony Williams and anyone else who has been kind enough to offer support and encouragement.

BandS & MuSicianS & induStry pEopLE:
The Phoenix Bar, Duncan Lowe, Tim Duck, Steve Smart & the 301 team, Alison Proctor (The Cashews), Ill Starred Captain, Jordan Best, The Fuelers, Steppin’ Razor, Vivinene Rogis & the Mirramu Dance Company, Bucky & the Rodeo Clowns, Pete Gare, Guy Gibson from the Merry Muse, The O’Hooligans, Den Hanrahan, Boyd Kelly, Ross Bingham, Matt McBeath, Matty Ellis &
The Ellis Collective, Me-Shell Croker, Aaron Peacey, Sam King, Emma Kelly, The Casual Projects, Nigel McRae for Loadedog & the infamous Backyard Bacchanalia, Bill from the Folkus Room, the folks at the Front, The Gundaroo Pub, Olims Canberra, John Stokes & Dianna Warren at Das Kapital, Sue Rendell from the Braidwood Folk Club, the folks at The RiotACT, the great people at the Goulburn Blues Festival, and all of the bar staff & managers of all the beaut little country pubs we’ve played at.

Supported by the ACT Government

credits

released March 4, 2008

The Wedded Bliss are:

Randall Blair
Matt Nightingale
Richard Bray
Phil Daniel

Recorded and mixed at infidel studio, Queanbeyan, NSW.

Produced by Duncan Lowe & Randall Blair
With assistance from Cameron Burns

Engineered by Duncan Lowe with assistance from Cameron Burns

Assistant Engineer: Tim Duck

Mixed by Duncan Lowe with assistance from Cameron Burns

Mastered by Steve Smart at 301 mastering studios, Alexandria, Sydney.

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The Wedded Bliss Canberra, Australia

"The Wedded Bliss are just plain wonderful, a rose scented brew of beer-tap poetry and narrative country with a side plate of 50s rock melody. Cheerful, melancholy, funny…" - BMA Magazine

The Wedded Bliss is a labour of love for Randall Blair, Matt Nightingale and Lachlan Coventry.

They are a band that that will have you tapping your toes, singing along to their catchy country swing tunes.
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