Lyr Req: Guests of the Nation (Horslips)

Subject: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation
From: GUEST,Jean-Paul
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 09:49 AM

Hi,

I'm looking for the words of "Guests of the nation", song written by Horslips, appearing on the album "Short stories, tall tales" and "Belfast gigs"

Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 10:07 AM

No luck searching. Found the albums for sale but that is all.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 06:50 PM

There's a sound sample at Barnes & Noble, but I found it too unintelligible to bother with.

These guys definitely aren't folksingers. I think one essential qualification for calling yourself a folksinger is that you don't drown out your own voice with drums and electric guitars to the point where no one can understand a word you say.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: Cluin
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 09:03 PM

Well, everybody has their own opinion. But Jean-Paul didn't ask for that. He asked for lyrics.

Not one of Horslips better songs (in my own opinion) but here's what I hear. Hope it's some help:


Guests of the Nation

There's too much (lane?) for drive-in movies
Instead they build a late-night rendezvous
You might get lucky
It's understood that it's up to you

Here, every black dress hides a story
And every story happy ends with you
You don't believe it
It's understood that it's strictly true


(climb)
So try the shovel and see
Try out the steps `cause the lesson's free
Try the shovel and see...

(chorus)
And you're guests of the nation
So you'll never have to play
You've got a new occupation
So you can dream till break of day
You're guests of the nation
So you can dance your life away


Winter brings its own surprises
Winds of change to chill you through and through
And though you blame it on time
It's understood that the blame's on you

You wrap up warm and shrug your shoulders
Nobody needs to tell you what to do
And if it comes to the crunch
You can show them a thing or two


(climb)

(chorus)


You're guests of the nation...
Guests of the nation...
You're guests of the nation...
Guests of the nation...

(repeat and fade)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: brioc
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 01:13 PM

Pity JIm Dixon , have you ever heard Horslips live? Where I grew up, they lived around the corner, and we heard them often *Jamming*. Remember the times ( mid seventies ), and they were in a way revolutionising Irish traditional music. Don't forget!

AND , who is one of the best Bazouki players on Irish Folk albums in the last few years? His name accompanies, Mary Black, Dolores Keane and lots of others. ¨
They were great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the cover of Happy to Meet sorry to part.............!


tschüss
Brioc

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: GUEST,Noel
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 05:21 PM

Jean Paul - please check your email for my (much belated) reply to your request. The Lyrics were never made available by the band. The only thing I could do was try to listen to the song and write out the words as I heard...

The only advanage I had was that I know someone who had seen song notes (it was Long Time Ago [geddit?]), so from what I can see Cluin isn't a kick in the arse off what we came up with - but we reckon that "shovel" should be "shuffle" (as in how a chain-gang may 'shuffle' when bound together at the feet.)

Some debate between us as to "Winds of change can chill you through and through" - probably to be continued!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 07:14 PM

Everyone is entitled to my opinion.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: GUEST,Jean-Paul
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 09:34 AM

Hi,

anyhow Horslips is so great to listen.

Thanks to all of you !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: GUEST,George Hawes
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 10:51 AM

I can think of some unaccompanied (self-styled) folksingers who can manage to be unintelligible, without recourse to bass or drums. Personally, I'm rather fond of Horslips including, from memory, "Guests . ."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: GUEST,Barry
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 11:26 AM

I dont ever remember Horslips claiming to be folk singers - but having seen them live at Red Island on several New Year Eve concerts I can tell you that a couple of them were good traditional musicians.

And they were a great band to listen to.

My altime favourite band was moving hearts with Donal Lunny, Christy Moore, Spillane et al they weren't a "folk-band".

I guess labels are dangerous.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 05:10 PM

I'll bet you're right, Noel. I bet it IS "shuffle". Makes more sense, if that's important.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 06:20 PM

I reckon Cluin is pretty close but don't have my copy to hand to listen properly.
I think the first line is:-
There's too much rain for drive-in movies
The link line :-
So try the shuffle and see
The chorus line:-
So you'll never have to pay

BUT you could try contacting Charles O'Connor himself - he's a really nice bloke. He now lives in Whitby, North Yorkshire and has a very interesting shop The stonehouse.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: GUEST,Gretl Rippenfellentzundung
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 04:14 PM

just a few corrections:

Too much RAIN....

Instead WE build....

Try the SHUFFLE....

So you'll never have to PAY...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 04:24 PM

DUH????????

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 04:36 PM

Lyrics for some of Horslips LPs can be found linked from HERE.
Not all the records have lyrics added yrt.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 05:36 PM

I take it "guests of the nation" means being in prison. Or as in Frank O Connor's short story, being a prisoner of war.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 25 Jan 07 - 04:57 AM

I have all Horslips albums and really enjoy them, although Short Stories is not my favourite. I only saw them live once supporting Steeleye at the Albert Hall, not the best venue for sound.

What I really liked about them is that, unlike many "folk-rock" bands (which I don't think they really were) they didn't try to take folk songs and "rock" them up. They were clearly a rock band who used their knowledge of traditional music and styles to inform their rock music. And I think that worked better than the other way round.

Not to say that they couldn't do the folky/trad stuff when they wanted. The LP "Drive the cold winter away" being an example. I was pleased to replace my old worn out vinyl with the reisue CDs a couple of years back.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Guests of the nation (Horslips)
From: Mr Fox
Date: 25 Jan 07 - 05:17 AM

No McGrath, it refers to being an immigrant.