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4 Characters

by Men With Day Jobs

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A Mixtion of Regards
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1.
Out On The Tiles 04:17
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You… you were a character - you played to the limit, we were two of a kind But this game… can change in a moment - you’re taking the honours, then you’re crushed from behind. I’m mixin’ in the circles, fixin’ on the smiles, puttin’ you behind me - out on the tiles Life… can deal you a dead hand - coins turn to bones, see the blind curve too late But I know… nothing’s impossible when luck bursts open the gate So I stake another bet, stackin’ up the piles, puttin’ you behind me – out on the tiles But I know… nothing’s impossible when luck bursts open the gate I’m lookin’ to the East, rackin’ up the odds, fishin’ for a feast, trustin’ to the gods I'm callin' out your name, to help me in my trials, I face another game - out on the tiles…
2.
Gates Of Heaven 06:32
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Here we stand in the sunset, at the business end of the night Licking wounds from our battles, limping slowly home in the fading light So here I am in your doorway, too shell-shocked and weary to fight Take me to the gates of heaven, lay me down by your shining sea Lead me to the gates of heaven, take me in… and shelter me Here we stand at the crossroads, while all around, the fires rage Weasel words of fiddling tyrants trickle their final tears down history’s page Surrounded by snake oil salesmen who use all the world as their stage Take me to the gates of heaven, lay me down by your shining sea Lead me to the gates of heaven, take me in… and set me… Free – from the empires, the pressures and the load Free from toil and trouble, and the madness of the road Free to find the simple self, and let the world explode - shelter me, shelter me… You have always been my haven - I need some surrender tonight Take me to the gates of heaven… Shelter me… Lead me up, lead me up, lead me up, to the gates of heaven Take me in, take me in, take me in, to the gates of heaven
3.
Ruby Jade 02:36
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Ruby Jade had me on a string, she was everything to me But I could not see that it was not to be… so young and fancy free In innocence we played, and all the plans I made included Ruby Jade Ruby Jade had me in her spell, I thought wedding bells would chime Ev’ry mountain we would climb… but we ran out of time, her light has gone and I’m Left counting in the shade, the price that I have paid, for lovin’ Ruby Jade Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring, I sit alone and sadly sing, my love will never fade for Ruby Jade Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday I been hangin’ out my heart for Ruby Jade Ruby Jade, though we’re far apart, you’re still in my heart today I got to find a way to get you back to stay - I know it’s mad, but hey! I never was afraid to call a spade a spade… still love ya, Ruby Jade Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring… Ruby Jade… Hangin’ out my heart for Ruby Jade
4.
Bamboo-zled 01:45
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5.
Characters 03:19
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5.36 on the outbound express, the strap-hangers heading for home When a man with big eyes and a gently crazed voice strikes up a tune on his paper and comb It breaks the monotony, lightens the mood, the world seems so shiny and new And I’d love to join in with a song and a grin… but I’ve got my crossword to do All the world loves a character - without them, how dull would life be? So do what you do, never let them stop you… but please don’t sit right next to me Time for lunch at the fountain-side park - a peaceful and placid pursuit Until this old dear in a large floral hat lights up our lives with her banter and cat As she makes a big beeline for my quiet bench, I whip my bag up on the seat - Creative expression is all very well… but I need some calm when I eat All the world loves a character… There’s the man who trains pigeons to tango, the woman who thinks she’s a ghost And the old bloke who drags a big trolley around - and inside it, just a spare wheel can be found Eccentrics are all right in theory at least - but not when they’re right in your face ‘Cause my space is all mine, I know it takes all kinds… but kindly take off and sit some other place! All the world loves a character…
6.
Hitler's Blunder 01:44
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I’m going out tonight, my jackboots laced up tight Brown shirt with SS trim - I wanna be just like him He wanted strong firm rule, gave us pure blood and thunder He just went round the bend, a bit towards the end - that was Hitler’s blunder This modern democracy is such a poisoned chalice Give me autocracy - with HQ right here at the Palace Those days will rise again - no Mr Nice Guy then You can be sure that I’m not holding back this time - that was Hitler’s blunder
7.
Wriggly Snake 03:45
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Foot down, to the floor… he comes snakin’ round your front door He’s got the power, he’s got the speed… big mates and a big fat need So mind where you stand, watch every word you say Or you’ll feel his bite, you’ll get the pain… whenever you stand in his way You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake He will surround you, snakin’ all around you, chokin’ off your will to fight You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake He’s got connections, in all directions, eatin’ everything in sight When there’s a hole in the sky, and you start to bake Time to recognise, you have made a big mistake (too late!) - you can’t escape the Wriggly Snake Smell the smoke, hear the noise… he’s got the action with the big boys’ toys He’s cost-defective, loser pays… he’s tolled us off on his motorways And just when you think you’re safe, here he comes again His eyes on the prize, fangs in the flesh He’s got you at the stroke of a pen You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake He’ll override you, sneakin’ up beside you, strikin’ when you glance away You can’t escape the Wriggly Snake He’ll hynotise you, coil up and surprise you, it’s your death dance today When he’s squeezed you dry, taken all he can take Time to recognise, you have made a big mistake (too late!) - you can’t escape the Wriggly Snake When there’s a hole in the sky…
8.
Greta's Garden 03:18
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If your heart is troubled, bad health got you on your knees Said if you’re feeling troubled, bad health got you on your knees Go down to Greta’s Garden - get some natural remedies She’s got cures for every ill, she can get your mojo startin’ Said she’s got cures for every ill, gonna get your mojo startin’ No need for the needle, point for the pill - get down to Greta’s Garden She’s got sage advice, you’ll be in clover… don’t you be ginger, look her rose hips over If you chamomile, she’ll give you some thyme… make yourself comfrey, and she’ll blow your mind Marjoram – mar – mar, mar – marjoram… gonna earn her celery Get down to Greta’s Garden - get that natural remedy
9.
Circles 01:59
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Circles of straw surround me, in this house of dust where I lie wasting away, so far from healing waters, ever flowing, growing with life Always coursing, swirling round in … Circles of light, on pools left humming with the swarms of your invasion of gold… skin pale, eyes bright, entranced with treasures coldly glowing with greed… no sense, no thought, no need, racing round in circles Don’t understand your apology, can’t comprehend your thanks No farewells to another time, somewhere beyond the banks of swirling… Circles of eyes surround me, voices so polite but still invading my space, my dreams, stirring, seeking prizes in confusion of worlds, mis-translations, talking round in circles…
10.
Buried Treasure 04:03
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I have this program, wide applications, great expectations that I can take it far If I could just win that big contract, I could be a late-blooming star I have this novel, deep inside me - I tried surgery, but it could not be removed* If they would only sense my genius, think of how all their lives could be improved All I need is buried treasure, all I crave is on the ocean floor All I seek is a great adventure, on some far-flung shore - what am I waiting for? I’ve got problems, can’t crack the system, big competition from bigger fish than me Need more investment, need more commitment - into the headwinds, and away out to sea All I need is buried treasure, all I crave is on the ocean floor All I seek is a ship to take me, to that far-flung shore - what are they waiting for? All we crave is some understanding, some forgiveness for our crimes All we know is, we’re no angels - only creatures of our times See, I have this lover, I have these children, I have this family mean all the world to me If I should lose them, I’d be drowning… all alone on the wide blue sea So we dream of buried treasure, leave our fantasies on the ocean floor What we do is, keep our hands on the things we treasure more - that’s what we’re staying for! * acknowledgment to Leunig for the line about the novel
11.
Year Of The Dragon 05:21
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Seaside in the Lucky Country, 1952: a couple’s fourth production gives the Baby Boom its due He breathes in the sunshine, feels the ocean spray, swims toward the bright light of this luminous day It’s the Year of the Dragon, and there’s laughter on the sand He opens his eyes to the bluest of skies and the kindest of hands He will be powerful and lucky, in keeping with the sign This is his time, this is his time: the Year of the Dragon A dozen years later, other side of the world: a young English family greets its second baby girl Mersey beats overshadowed by exuberant noise She will outsmart the Sisters and run faster than the boys It’s the Year of the Dragon, and change is in the air Pendulum swings, and bright silver wings will carry her who knows where She will be powerful and lucky, with a fierce will to survive She has arrived, she has arrived - in the Year of the Dragon Fast forward to a city office, Bicentennial Year : of all the places she could have gone, she turns up here He is warm and determined, she is fiery and bold Shakes him out of his downtime, and it’s on for young and old In the Year of the Dragon, celebrations in the air Taking each day, picking their way on a journey they can share They are powerful and lucky, as dragons always are They will go far, they will go far - in the Year of the Dragon The turn of the century, Y2K: once more the dunes echo with the laughter of children at play It’s been a time of great changes, battles lost and won, magical adventures, lives lost and begun It’s the Year of the Dragon, and there’s fire in the sky In this puzzling nation, a new generation is learning to swim and fly Will we be powerful and lucky? Stare into the glass and see Where will we be, where will we be - next Year of the Dragon?
12.
Exposed 04:09
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Light… came shining sharp into my secret hide Seeking out the darkened corners trapped inside these trappings of a man Bright… eyes burning through the layers and the lies You’ve stripped away the shreds of my disguise and seen me as I am I am exposed, I am laid bare Standing naked as a newborn, showing stark emotions, never thought I’d feel - all is revealed No dark delusion masking me, you’ve shown me what it means to feel this way Light… so light that I could click my heels and rise Swimming slowly to the surface of your eyes, so free and so alive I am exposed… No dark delusion masking me, you’ve shown me what it means to be… Exposed - to your close examination - every fault, every folly on display No escape from my salvation - crying torrents, all defences blown away I am exposed… You’ve shown me how surrender truly feels, I am revealed I will answer all you ask of me … I’ve waited all my life to be exposed
13.
Four Winds 02:56
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14.
Don't Let The Devils In 03:27
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We’re gonna build a wall, we’re gonna build it high, put it out in the sun and stack it up to the sky We’re gonna make it tough, we’re gonna make it hard We’ve got more than enough in our own backyard We gotta stop them dead, we gotta stop them cold We gotta break ‘em and shake ‘em and take ‘em out… We’ll build the home of the gods in the land of the purest skin - don’t let the devils in (don’t let ‘em in) We got the razor wire, we got electric fence we got billions and billions and billions tied up in coastal defence We got the finger on the pulse, got the eye on the polls We’ve sold everything off except border controls We’re gonna beat them off, we’re gonna shut them out We’re gonna rock ‘em and sock ‘em and lock ‘em up… We’re gonna play the race card in a game we’ll play to win - don’t let the devils in (hear those devils!) We got the hand on the heart, got the talk jocks’ ear We don’t care where they been, we don’t want them here Another nail in the cask, another brick in the wall, we’re gonna nail ‘em and jail ‘em and sail ‘em off… We’ll build the home of the gods… We’re gonna play the race card…
15.
Picking The Moon (from the bottom of the sea) 02:41
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I could have been nowhere, I have never been strong Things could have been different, gone so wrong But now, beautiful fortune smiles all around me I am picking the moon from the bottom of the sea, lucky me You, you have your troubles, life laying you low I know what you’re feeling, believe me, I know But see, there in the distance - look, where you could be One day, picking the moon from the bottom of the sea - wait and see… You could be catching the bird in the bamboo tree… plucking the fruit from the balcony… Picking the moon from the bottom of the sea, like me - lucky me!
16.
Flowers And Seasons 06:33
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We’ve been a long time on the dance floor, but now the writing’s on the wall It seems our show will soon be over - that’s all We can’t dispute the final notice, no more encores for us now Let’s end the number with a high kick, and take a bow We’ve had our share of flowers and seasons, we could linger on for thousands of reasons But you and I always did what we did with style - so let’s go out with a smile The crowds are heading for the exits, the band is packing up to go Let’s take a last spin round the dance floor… real slow We’ve hit the heights, we’ve held the spotlight, but never stayed onstage too long Let’s have no anticlimax ending to our song We’ve had our share of flowers and seasons, we have survived all their trials and their treasons But you and I always did what we did with style - so let’s go out with a smile We’ve had our share of flowers and seasons, we could linger on for thousands of reasons But now it’s time to trip down that golden aisle - so let’s go out with a smile

about

These songs were written from 2005 to 2010, first planned as a short suite of 3 or 4 Mah Jongg-inspired songs for our previous CD Dreams & Tinsel. But the idea soon outgrew that, and we held the songs and started writing more for a whole CD.

We’ve played Mah Jongg since we were kids and loved its colourful words and phrases. It was a great starting point for musings not so much about the game as what it symbolises: the game of life. The songs are our usual eclectic mix of disparate influences – from pop to rock, folk, blues, funk, country, bluegrass, soul, jazz, 1930s swing, Buddhist chanting and surf music! We’re incurable dabblers and hey, why fight it?

Rod, Stafford and Paul recorded the first demos at Paul’s basement in Sydney. When he moved to Tassie in 2008 we pondered how to complete the album and came up with the idea of converging midway – at the Melbourne studio of Ken, our old friend and ex-bandmate from 30 years ago. He keenly (some would say foolishly) sprang in with multi-instrumental gusto, playing a huge role in the songs’ further development, recording and production. We were also graced by the golden voices of Jo and “HJ” Stephenson and Julianne Jessop.

We hope you enjoy listening to the result as much as we enjoyed making it. Thanks to Ken for being excellent, Jo, HJ & Julianne for singing like angels, Charlie for her pics and positive input, and all our friends and families. Bless the lot of ‘em for tolerating and even sporadically encouraging our obsessive desire to make this music… while keeping the Day Jobs.

All songs written and produced by R.Crundwell / P.Fenton / S.Sanders / K.Stephenson © 2010

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released March 31, 2011

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Men With Day Jobs Sydney, Australia

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