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Writer's Mix (Vol​.​1)

by The Kellaways

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1.
Mallory's Song 05:22
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MALLORY'S SONG One more tragedy, a man meant to die Scott and Mallory, too far, too high Too far, too high The poles and the oceans, all mountain peaks Faster or further, oxygen free Oxygen free Mallory, lying in the snow Pearl white back, almost aglow Oates all alone, the blizzard closed in Crawls to the south, consumed by the wind Mallory, Mallory Where did it take you, did you ever see? (We believed in you) Many have followed - their mess in the snow Oxygen bottles, a frost-bitten toe A new tale of woe Undoubted courage, the Sherpas must show Why fight a blizzard when we already know We already know Mallory, lying in the snow Pearl white back, almost aglow Oates all alone, the blizzard closed in Crawls to the south, consumed by the wind Mallory, Mallory Where did it take you, did you ever see? (We believed in you) Mallory, Mallory Where did it take us, will we ever see? (We believed in you) Everest / K2 / Kanchenjunga / Makalu /Dhaulagiri Nanga Parbat / Annapurna / Gasherbrum / Gosainthan Nanda Devi / Rakaposhi / Kamet / Ojos del Salado / McKinley / Kilimanjaro / The Matterhorn ... Kosciusko (Can't we just learn to look?)
2.
Beyond The Pale 04:44
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BEYOND THE PALE Going down a lonely road now Going to the end of the line (beyond the pale) Opened up a racial window Looking back to earlier times (beyond the pale) The drums of mindless hate are beating loud An ignorance of which the owner’s proud We love a fair go – my head is bowed (beyond the pale) Opened up Pandora’s worms here We will pay for hundreds of years (beyond the pale) You could call it our blackest moment Resurrected, archaic fears (beyond the pale) The condescending private schoolboy smirk The problem is they just don’t want to work Give ‘em just a sniff – they go beserk (beyond the pale) Mandatory jail (for kids and mums, the sick) Mandatory fail (at school, relationships) Mandatory live with less (of what we all have) Mandatory early death (we always take the very best) Once you go here you can’t turn back Alabama’s surprisingly near (beyond the pale) Some had better stay in the outback While we shed our crocodile tears (beyond the pale) The patronising fake indignant claim I’m OK and I’m surely not to blame The same old excuse – pathetic, lame (beyond the pale) Mandatory jail (for kids and mums, the sick) Mandatory fail (at school, relationships) Mandatory live with less (of what we all have) Mandatory early death (we always take the very best) Beyond the pale, beyond the pale, beyond the pale, beyond the pale
3.
Flat Earth 04:57
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FLAT EARTH Columbus sailed into the west, went further than the rest Heard the rumblings of the crew, it was 1492 And he cried to them: just listen to the mate And show some faith in me I say we’ll make it through Hear the pounding of the drum, the edge is getting near Sounds of tragedy to come, the smell of rising fear Hear the whistle of the wind And the whisper of the rig above The edge is getting near, can’t you smell the fear And I believe in God, do what the captain told me But is he losing hold, I fear the cold The chill of death Stalin never counted cost, no matter what was lost Heard the rumblings of the true, it was 1952 And he thundered out: your understanding’s wrong I am too strong for you You know you are too few Hear the beating of the drum, the edge is getting near Model communists to come, the smell of rising fear Hear the howling of the wind In the salt mines wearing thin and weak The edge approaching Bush has such a little mind, yeah even for his kind Hears the rumbling of the earth, but how much is it worth? And he lectures us: Don’t listen to the propaganda handed out I tell you now we won’t be hurt Hear the beating of the drum, the edge is getting near More catastrophe to come, the price of progress dear Hear the whistle of the wind And the whisper of the trees at night A shell held to the ear Hear the pounding of the drum, the trend becoming clear More catastrophe to come, a meltdown drawing near Hear the warning of the wind And the crying of the trees at night The edge is getting near, can you smell the fear The edge is getting near, can you smell the fear
4.
The Passing of the Elves 05:01
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THE PASSING OF THE ELVES I tell of the passing of the Elves First were here then faded away As men we think first of ourselves Won't get some wisdom in the way Three fatal unions, human and elf Faced with the devil's favourite choice To live for the future or live for the self They chose with a knowing, confident voice Oceans beckoned constantly The Havens waiting for the sign Three rings fading, the fourth age raging Time to cross the one-way line Time to cross that one-way line Long ago they'd come ashore From Valinor, forever young To wrest back the jewels proud Morgoth wore They stayed to keep the world in sun Now they are thin, maybe gone (just light) Faded in spirit, shadows just there The songs of the ages, still there are songs They were the light in total despair Oceans beckoned constantly The Havens waiting for the sign Three rings fading, the fourth age raging Time to cross the one-way line Time to cross that one-way line They are the wonders of their time, Rivendell, Lothlorien Now but a shadow of their prime, the third age is ebbing slow And men are bred to grow, men are bred to grow Elrond with Vilya, heart of the three Galadriel shimmers, in Nenya's white light Gandalf , fire burning, red Narya we see And Frodo and Samwise, an incredible sight With Cirdan and Bilbo, who gave up the rings The humblest are most truly blessed The last great elves are heading west The last great elves are heading west The last great elves have all gone west The last great elves they've all gone west The last great elves they've all gone west The last great elves they've all gone west
5.
Save Your Skin 03:53
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SAVE YOUR SKIN British bulldog in the shelter shed, eyeing off the big white Angus Forces gathered 'cross the football field, new ways for playing dead Too bad I'm playing dead Magic mushroom floating in her head, old man, the Tolkien wizard As he nattered down the path he led, what she saw, not what he said She heard not what he said Running away, flying away One thing is certain, your skin you will save Your skin you will save, your skin you will save Fear it creeps along your skin There's no way out and you don't want in Fear it creeps along your lip Nervous twitch and inadvertent slip Backed up against a dingy bed, Inspector Moustache taps his cane Concentrate at once on every word, agree with all you think he said Freaking out inside your head Now a meeting with a long-time friend, and the silence can't be filled Grasping wildly onto any strand, any fragile single thread Of the dangled, tangled web Running away, flying away One thing is certain, your skin you will save Your skin you will save, your skin you will save Your skin you will save, your skin you will save Your skin you will save, your skin you will save Your skin you will save, your skin you will save Your skin you will save, your skin you will save
6.
Paradise - Tall Trees 07:49
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PARADISE (Under the Tall Trees) Thigh-deep, sticky mud Leeches, specks of blood Pleasure, could it be this? Mossies, loving kiss Where are we going now Did I hear you say, we're going down? To paradise, under the tall trees Under the tall trees Wire grass, rotting logs Contours, lead to bogs Blind bluff, tricky ridge More mud, swordgrass thick Where are we going now Did I hear you say, we're going down? To paradise, under the tall trees Under the tall trees Nettled, scratched and wrapped Swamp-gums, a gully trap? The wall parts, alluring gap Tall Beech, on no map Where leads this easy way Did I catch a glimpse of a Mountain Grey? And an Ash in light, such a tall tree This is paradise, under the tall trees Paradise, under the tall trees Paradise, under the tall trees Paradise, under the tall trees Paradise, under the tall trees TALL TREES They grew far away in a foreign land No one had seen them, not first-hand But everybody knew, the south was where they grew Blue sky all day in a foreign land Then came the men, the axe and the saw The tall trees watched a cancer taking more Every sapling knew, its time would soon come due They grew straight and proud in this foreign land People saw the photos, trees wider than a house Standing on the trunk and look no bigger than a mouse These wonders of the world reached up To meet a clear blue sky, so high They’re all gone, all gone First they took the tall trees close at hand Then word filtered through of a bigger stand Started a new push, deep into the bush They grew far away in a distant vale Then the forests heard the deathly sound The screaming chainsaw ripping big ones down A sad and sorry fact, can’t find an alpine ash They grew far away in another time People saw the photos, trees wider than a house Standing on the trunk and look no bigger than a mouse These wonders of the world reached up To meet a clear blue sky, so high They’re all gone, all gone They grew far away in another time They grew far away in another time They grew far away in another time They grew far away in another time
7.
Straitsman 03:05
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STRAITSMAN Bass Strait wind, it blows from the south Ice on the eyebrow, salt in the mouth I wonder if we'll ever see Franklin in one piece (We are the Straitsmen) White-cap leaping, crash on the bow Night is approaching, the sea is in cloud I wonder if the nightmare of darkness will ever cease (We are the Straitsmen) Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman Working from daylight, spreading the net Far from the inlet, further south yet Antarctic lies sleeping, waiting to throw you something new (To throw at the Straitsmen) Heading for home now, moon on the wax Franklin in sight, the Strait at our backs The inlet a pond, so easy forgetting what we went through (We are the Straitsmen) Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman Together they stand, Straitsman, Straitsman Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman, Straitsman
8.
Don't Cry For Me 03:54
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DON'T CRY FOR ME I have never been so lonesome, all the while spent on my own Sometimes I think I'll slide into the floor My existence is a habit, all the while I fail to grab It seems to me my own self I deplore But don't cry for me, I have no delusion Don't cry for me, I avoid intrusion Don't cry for me, or offer your solution Don't cry for me, just leave me be (Just leave me be) I have always seen your laughing sideways looks and glancing half- Intentions, I had never thought to fake My reaction, no prediction sideways step and furtive shifting Mental state wrought solely for my sake But don't cry for me, and give me your confusion Don't cry for me, and help me paint illusions Don't cry for me, I'll find my own solutions Don't cry for me, just leave me free (Just leave me free) I have never been so lonesome, all the while spent on my own Sometimes I think I'll slide into the floor My existence is a habit, all the while I fail to grab It seems to me my own self I deplore But don't cry for me, I have no delusions Don't cry for me, I avoid intrusions Don't cry for me, or offer your solutions Don't cry for me, just leave me be (Just leave me be)
9.
Short-Sighted 03:33
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SHORT-SIGHTED Years ago he studied holes in the ozone Altogether the weather wasn't fine Whoa they said, too early for predictions We will find solutions in good time Now we're running out of Amazon Sahara just keeps rolling on Later on he wandered in the third world Saw himself the pain and misery Borrow here and maketh in our image All we fashion in our industry Now they owe so much and nothing's changed The army still holds both the reins My-opic, my-my-my-my my-myopic, my-opic There's none so blind who will not see But I am them and they are me The problem is we can't say we, only me Then one day he ran into a woman Just the perfect blend a mystery He was too slow and indecisive She was gone before he looked to see Hesitated, missed his line Now he wears glasses all the time My-opic, my-my-my-my my-myopic, my-opic There's none so blind who will not see Blind as bats could ever be Myopic, I'm hoping; myopic, eyes open Myopic, I'm hoping; myopic, eyes open Myopic, I'm hoping; myopic, eyes open
10.
The Man With No Name 05:25
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THE MAN WITH NO NAME Nobody knows my name and I doubt if I'll ever tell I'll keep on playing my game Don't care even if they know me well I like being a mystery in keeping with history My mind is a well-sealed book Anonymous person They have to judge me by my look Don't call me, I may not answer you Or you won't hear me and what I say won't be true Don't make me speak to reveal myself Don't you force me, I'll tell you I'm someone else Don't call me, don't force me, don't ask me For my name I'm the man with no name, I'm the man with no name Call me what you will, to me it's all the same I'm the man with no name, I'm the man with no name Call me what you will, to me it's all the same Don't ask me, for my name Friends drop by and ask me, how are you going boy I ask who they refer to To answer with pain or joy The eagle who's flying, or a lizard who's lying Hiding there under his rock They look so strange I know I have to take stock Don't call me, I may not answer you Or you won't hear me, and what I say won't be true Don't make me speak to reveal myself Don't you force me, I'll tell you I'm someone else Don't call me, don't force me, don't ask me For my name I'm the man with no name, I'm the man with no name Call me what you will, to me it's all the same I'm the man with no name, I'm the man with no name Call me what you will, to me it's all the same I'm the man with no name, I'm the man with no name Call me what you will, to me it's all the same I'm the man with no name, I'm the man with no name Call me what you will, to me it's all the same I'm the man with no name, I'm the man with no name Call me what you will, to me it's all the same I'm the man, the man, I'm the man with no name I'm the man, the man, the man with no name I'm the man...tell me friend, tell me what you think of that Tell me what you think of that, I've got no name I'm the man, I'm the man with no name No name, no, no, no name brand, no name brand man that's my style Oh yeah yeah, I'm the man, the man, the man with no name
11.
Ever Clever 02:52
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EVER-CLEVER (WONDER GIRL) She’s a wonder girl Who could wrap any man around her finger She’s a wonder girl Just a look, but now somehow it lingers And I called her Eva Clever I called her ever-clever I thought I knew her better She’s a wonder girl Languages and travel come so simple She’s a wonder girl Ageless, smooth, the ever-present dimple And I called her Eva Clever I called her ever-clever I thought I knew her better She’s a wonder girl No more bloom of youth, but still so gracious She’s a wonder girl Others self-destruct in lives rapacious And I called her Eva Clever Yes, she was ever-clever And I, it seems, was never
12.
Wise Men 03:23
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WISE MEN Three wise men were big in dealing opium Took a flat-top caravan to Bethlehem Somehow they got caught up in a scene We don’t know what these crazy people mean We haven’t got a clue what’s going on It might be cool if we just play along Taken to a stable and a gathered throng Smile and try to look as if you know their song I cannot pick a single word they say Soon we will be free and on our way This isn’t such a hefty price to pay They think we’re Kings, so we are today They think we’re Kings, who are we to disappoint them Think we’re Kings, we’d better bless this baby here They think we’re Kings, they don’t know we’re frightened dealers Think we’re Kings, and they think this kid’s a seer (Ha, look regal gentlemen) The payment for the hundredweight of opium Smuggled very carefully into Bethlehem Leaf of gold, frankincense and myrrh When revealed created quite a stir Don’t give too much we need to keep a stash If the O is cheap we can buy some hash They think we’re Kings, who are we to disappoint them Think we’re Kings, we’d better bless this baby here They think we’re Kings, they don’t know we’re frightened dealers Think we’re Kings, and they think this kid’s a seer They think we’re Kings, who are we to disappoint them Think we’re Kings, we’d better bless this baby here They think we’re Kings, they don’t know we’re frightened dealers Think we’re Kings, and they think this kid’s a seer
13.
Idiot News 04:36
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IDIOT NEWS What's on the news, what's on the idiot box Look at his tie, what colour are his socks What's on the news, what's on the pacifier Thousands of channels, none ever satisfies you They're not concerned with finding the facts at all They have to keep to ensuring the ratings don't fall Look at her hair, she sure looks good tonight Dazzling teeth, she never looks a fright He's so urbane, house-person's superman They needn't know, he's one guy she cannot stand They're not concerned with knowing the facts at all They are absorbed, ensuring the ratings won't fall Ah, the TV - set the people free from this slavery Kill the TV, let the people see, the fraud, that's the TV What's on the news, look here's another monster We'll cross there live, first we'll cross to our sponsor Why turn to crime: reporter to wanted man I'll do my time, you wouldn't understand You're not concerned with finding the facts at all You'll do your time, ensuring the ratings don't fall Ah, the TV - set the people free from this slavery Kill the TV, let the people see, the fraud - Kill the TV - set the people free from this slavery Ah, the TV, let the people see, the fraud, that's the TV
14.
Warhorse 05:10
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WARHORSE I’ll tell you a story, for that is my role May be a tall one, may not even fit into the whole I am a warrior, an ancient of fame Fought with the Trojans, Goths and Vandals trembled at my name A war-weary general, mercenary pure In every battle, I participate and I endure I’m propaganda, constant of war Say it again now, I have said it many times before And I can justify any action, any lie I can dress the Devil up so fine Name the place and time, and who it is must die I can make arrangements down the line Among my kind I travel on wires, and work from behind I make the myths now, I have redefined the real front line Adaptive to changes, cowboy of tech Guided by lasers, weakness I am certain to detect I’m propaganda, timeless and great You think you control me, I have appetites you cannot sate I’m propaganda, deceitful and bold Give me a run-down, then you do exactly as you’re told And I can justify any action, any lie I can dress the Devil up so fine Name the place and time, and who it is must die I can make arrangements down the line Among my kind
15.
Rat Race 03:25
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RAT-RACE Any one of many cities Summer heat and dust and fumes Sun is baking without pity Expressionless, a blank face Urban jungle forms Fighting for their small space On the long march - of the rat-race hordes Any bus or train or tram-car Nearly splitting at the seams People milling in a stockyard Straining for a hint of air Grabbing at the cords Wanting to be anywhere But not a part - of the rat-race hordes Marching to the rhythm of the moguls in the wings Encouragement is given for the progress that it brings Rats don’t know the wheel goes round But they don’t change their place They say it’s done with mirrors It’s a real rat-race There’s the boss, you hardly ever see him He’s the keeper of the cheese He will feed you when you weaken Morsels of stale cheddar Furtive, small rewards Never getting better On the long march - of the rat-race hordes Marching to the rhythm of the moguls in the wings Encouragement is given for the progress that it brings Rats don’t know the wheel goes round But they don’t change their place They say it’s done with mirrors It’s a real rat-race They say it’s done with mirrors - it’s a real rat-race They say it’s done with mirrors - it’s a real rat-race They say it’s done with mirrors - it’s a real rat-race
16.
S11 Holes 04:11
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S11 HOLES (Hit Me) Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Left a yawning hole, in what’s left of my faith Left me feeling cold, things I can’t replace Took away my answer, deprived me of my share Symptom of a cancer left me feeling bare Can’t repeat it, not anywhere Left a gaping hole, right in my backyard Sliced into my soul, found it wasn’t hard Didn’t need the cutters, just walked right in Took the bread and butter, pulled away my pin Left a creeping feeling under my skin Hit me where it hurt most, blew me away Found a fatal weakness, left me feeling grey Hit me with the questions, what I would’ve done Flashing through a fast rewind, video rerun Rerun, and we run Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Left an aching hole, in all of my plans My fortune had been told, taken from my hands Cut me too the quick, then plunged on down The feeling in the pit, with darkness all around Hit me where it hurt most, I heard no sound Hit me where it hurt most, blew me away Found a fatal weakness, left me feeling grey Hit me with the questions, what we could’ve done Flashing through a fast rewind, video rerun Rerun, and we run Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole Hit me where it hurt most, left a hole
17.
Forgotten 03:06
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FORGOTTEN Nineteen-twenty, a Tiwi island in the sun A little baby boy was born to laugh and run No-one could have guessed his life to come On that timeless isle, in the tropic sun (Stopped the Dreaming) He went down to Townsville cutting cane all day Outside the pub he’d blow his meagre pay That was where he was on that fateful day Heard someone say: ‘Darwin’s blown away’ (You stopped the Dreaming) He stood there in line, an enlisted man Maybe now the whites would understand His people were prepared to declare their hand Fight evil swarms, from the Asian north They’d stand and fight He was fighting for acceptance and integrity Fighting as a man who’s told he’s free Welcomed to the army as an equal man They’d make a stand, protect the land (yhes we will) (You stopped the Dreaming) Fought bravely in New Guinea as a daring scout Shot by chance the day before they shipped him out Now they say there’s certainly some doubt If he served at all, no honour roll Who counted blacks? He’s still fighting for acceptance and integrity Fighting as a man who’s told he’s free Welcomed to society an equal man When equal is, all relative He’ll stand and fight (yes we will) He’s still fighting for acceptance and integrity Fighting as a man who’s told he’s free Welcomed to society an equal man When equal is, all relative (Just a little justice, just a little justice …….)
18.
Thin Air 03:51
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THIN AIR A little boy on his knees in the hall Playing marbles, his own game of football A quiet girl in a corner of the lounge Reading, and waiting for free space Where's the other one, who had the cheeky grin He went up a tree, into thin air Vanished into thin air, into thin air Vanished into thin air, into thin air A young man with adventure in his eyes Straining the leash, out at the limit A woman with a changing life in mind Cut down, both in a cruel way Where're those other ones, who shared the carefree smile They have gone to ground, into thin air Vanished into thin air, into thin air Vanished into thin air, into thin air A dream of a better world lay there On the slope, under the tea tree Rock pools in the bay of clarity Sold off, in the after-shock Where's the central one, so warm and wise Truly vulnerable, went to thin air Vanished into thin air, into thin air Vanished into thin air, into thin air

about

This first collection of Kellaways/Dwarf Band material may not necessarily be the best songs we did, depending on the criteria adopted. The songs probably don't reflect sufficiently the diversity of the band either. However, as the songwriter, these are the ones that I felt worked best and captured our sound most distinctively. I stopped at 18 tracks because tradition demands it could be no longer than would fit on a CD.

My bias is also towards songs that are of personal significance, in terms of my experience and outlook on life: my history, politics, heart and general yearning for a fairer and better world. The songs draw fairly heavily from the Kellaways' middle bracket of albums, when our recording technology, sound and method was fairly established and some of the rough edges had been knocked off the songwriter's vocals.

Alf (2012)

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released October 2, 2012

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The Kellaways Melbourne, Australia

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