Lyr Add: The Politician Song (Mickey MacConnell)

Subject: Lyr Add: THE POLITICIAN SONG (Mickey MacConnell)
From: Den
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 03:51 PM

Isn't it the truth.

THE POLITICIAN SONG
Mickey MacConnell

Well, for twenty frantic fruitless years I worked in Dublin town
Reporting for newspapers. I was busy writing down
All the words of politicians in my endless quest for truth.
'Twas at such a wasted exercise I squandered all my youth.

That's the cause of my misfortune, as I'll explain to you,
For I find myself now talking like politicians do,
And if anyone should ask me, do I take sugar in my tay?
I grasp them firmly by the hand and this is what I say:

CHORUS: Well, I'm very glad you asked me that, for at this point in time,
In the circumstances that prevail, there is in the pipeline
Infrastructural implications interfaced with lines of thought,
Which lead to grass-roots viabilities, which at this time I'd rather not
Annunciate in ambiguities but rather seek to find
Negotiated compromises which are the bottom line,
For full and frank discussion which would serve to integrate
With basic fundamental principles to which we all relate,
Not indoctrinaire philosophy, which any fool can see,
An inescapable hypothesis confronting you and me,
So in the interest of the common good, now you need never fear,
For I've got the matter well in hand and I'm glad I've made things clear.

Now as you can imagine this has greatly changed my life.
An example was the fateful day on which I wed my wife.
All went well until the moment the priest asked me with a smile,
"Do you take this woman for your wife?" and swiftly I replied: CHORUS

Now I'm lying in my deathbed and I'm filled with mortal dread,
For I know that very shortly I will certainly be dead,
And when Saint Peter asks me if I'd like to come on in,
I'm sure to face damnation, for I know I'll say to him: CHORUS

Subject: RE: Colum Sands, The Politician's Song
From: Stewart
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 04:50 PM

That's a great song, Den. Has Colum recorded this? I heard him sing in Ireland several years ago and picked up one of his CDs then. Now they are terribly expensive to purchase (from Ireland) in the US due to exchange rates, etc. Colum told me he was going to arrange a distributer in the US. Does anyone know if that has happened or how one can purchase his CDs in the US at a reasonable price.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Colum Sands, The Politician's Song
From: rich-joy
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 07:10 PM

Phil Beck, of West Aussie, has been doing a great version of this song for yonks - and it's not an easy task!!


Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Colum Sands, The Politician's Song
From: Stewie
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 08:01 PM

Stewart,

Colum recorded it on 'The Note That Lingers On' Spring Records SCD 1051. You can purchase this, and a couple of other Colum Sands albums, online from Waterbug Records: CLICK HERE. Their service is excellent.

It should be noted, however, that 'The Politician's Song' was written by Mickey MacConnell. Mickey's own recording may be purchased online from his website.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Colum Sands, The Politician's Song
From: Stewart
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 09:37 PM

Stewie, thanks for the reference to Waterbug Records. I've just ordered Colum's CD "The Note That Lingers On." Ever since I met Colum and heard him sing in Derry, I've become quite a fan. Now I can get his CDs at a reasonable price. And Mickey MacConnell is also another favorite songwriter of mine.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Colum Sands, The Politician's Song
From: Den
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:28 AM

Another great track on the CD is The Wake song. Anyone who has been at a wake in rural Ireland will probably relate to this song. All the voices in the background are terrific.

Subject: RE: Colum Sands, The Politician's Song
From: Cllr
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 09:43 AM

I was asked once what i thought of the song when colum came to Bedford FC, as I was at the time a local politician, and I replied
"Well I'm very glad you asked me that for..." Cllr

Subject: RE: Colum Sands, The Politician's Song
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 04:47 AM

Iain MacKintosh used to do it in concert, with that sly grin of his, but to my knowledge he never recorded it.