Information/Write-up
Recorded in 1987 at Happyrock Studio by Ross Murray.
Burlington Bay
“My family is from the Niagara Peninsula. When I would go down to visit, I’d always wonder what the bay would look like without all the industrial smokestacks and factories as I crossed the Burlington Skyway. It segues into the next tune, Niagara.”
Oh if one could return to the simpler ways
As it was long ago in Great Grandfather’s day
In the time before dollars held so much in sway
When the stars would still shine out on Burlington Bay.
Follow down to the Lakes armed with hook, line, and pail
People of virtue and vessels of sail
Back when one could rely on the living one made
Like the stars that would shine out on Burlington Bay
W.T. Tufts
SOCAN
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Niagara
I was raised on Erie’s shores a thousand years ago.
The summer sun would shine on down, the winter wind would blow.
It took me years to understand an adage we all know:
Born on water, if you leave, one day back you’ll go.
Chorus
Niagara, comin’ back home to you
Niagara, kickin’ off both my shoes
Too much time away my friend and no time left to lose
I’ll be up all day and out all night, so much I have to do.
Niagara, comin’ back home to you.
Fish and swim in summer time and when the summer’s done
Listen to the beagles bay at rabbits on the run.
So many friends I left behind ‘n I love them, ev’ry one.
Peach on the tree, grape on the vine, guaranteed a real good time.
Chorus
Niagara, comin’ back home to you
Niagara, kickin’ off both my shoes
Too much time away my friend and no time left to lose
I’ll be up all day and out all night, so much I have to do.
Niagara, comin’ back home to you.
Water rolls deep in my soul, got sand in both my shoes
And I can’t wait to see the faces of people that I knew
And when I reach the lakeshore, the first thing I will do:
I’m goin’ fishin’, yes I’m goin’ fishin’, you can come fishin’ too.
Chorus
Niagara, comin’ back home to you
Niagara, kickin’ off both my shoes
Too much time away my friend and no time left to lose
I’ll be up all day and out all night, so much I have to do.
Niagara, comin’ back home to you.
W.T. Tufts
SOCAN
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Back Porch Symphony
“I used to live in Fredericton, New Brunswick right after I graduated high school in Belleville, Ontario. It was the first time I’d been out on my own and I’d joined a band with some great friends. We didn’t have a pot to piss in but we felt like we had it all.”
Well I live in a house at the top of the hill
And I must say the livin’ comes fine.
The mailbox gets filled with the day to day bills
But it never bewilders my mind.
So why should I worry when the phone people call me up
To tell me that they’re cutting the lines?
All you need’s an old chair
And a fridge full of beer to get by.
I got a sweet little lady, she’s keepin’ me company,
Keepin’ me warm from the cold.
With seeds comin’ up I just might get corrupt
But it keeps me from growin’ old
So why should I worry when I ain’t in no hurry
If I can sit home and get high?
All you need’s an old chair
And a fridge full of beer to get by.
Got no soles on my shoes. I got no workin’ man’s blues,
Patches cov’rin’ my knees and behind.
The pogey I get barely keeps my throat wet
So I can only repay them in kind.
Some say my conditions ‘nuff to cause aberration
But I claim that’s no excuse to decry.
All you need’s an old chair
And a fridge full of beer to get by.
All you need’s an old chair
And a fridge full of beer to get by.
W.T. Tufts
SOCAN
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You Never Knew
“Same old same old.”
Oh time and time again you’d keep rollin’ ‘cross my mind.
It’s a mem’ry I still try to keep at bay
And I learned how not to lean on it the way I leaned on you
But the local crowd would bring you up each day.
Well they’d speak your name and I’d had my share
And I’d shake my head, say I just don’t care
And it’s times like these that I’d come unglued
And I’d hope and pray it would all get back to you
Chorus
But you never knew I would worry and I’d want you back again
And I’d walk the floor each night the whole night through.
You were the one who kept me strong, helpin’ me make it through,
One of the many things you never knew.
I was on the road to reason and I’d mean it when I’d say
Things were clearer now on this side of the line
But I’d very nearly lose it when you’d walk into the room
So I’d hide it all and say I’m doing fine.
Well the sun would come up, the hours would roll on. I’d
Think of you ‘til the sun went down and it’s
Times like these that I’d act the fool
And I’d hope some how it would all get back to you.
Chorus
But you never knew I would worry and I’d wonder how you’d been
And I’d wonder if you’d thoughts about me too,
Lyin’ awake ‘til early dawn, hopin’ to hear from you.
Lucky for me it’s a thing you never knew.
Well your new loves grow and I die inside and I’d (I’m sorry
Have my say but I’ve too much pride and it’s It’s only time and place
Times like these that I act the fool Don’t worry)
And I pray somehow it will all get back to you.
Chorus
But you never knew I would worry and I’d call your name again
And I’d ache inside as old loves sometimes do.
I used to dream ‘bout you and me, often times I still do.
Prob’ly another thing you never knew.
W.T. Tufts
SOCAN
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Stand ‘Neath My Window
“I woke up and wrote this down after Linda Ronstadt sang the chorus to me in a dream.”
Long ago when I could ride for days without tirin’
I met a young girl who set my poor heart to fire
And as we stood ‘neath the darkness of night
With our arms wrapped around each other tight
She promised tenderly:
Chorus
Come and stand ‘neath my window and I’ll throw down the key
And I’ll give all my love just as freely to you
As you’d give it to me.
Next night I broke my tether and rode hell bent for leather into town.
I had to fight just to keep my temp’rature down.
I tied that nag out back behind the kitchen door
With her promises from the night before
Still ringing in my ears.
Chorus
Come and stand ‘neath my window and I’ll throw down the key
And I’ll give all my love just as freely to you
As you’d give it to me.
‘Neath her window and more than willin’ to comply.
From behind well I swear I heard my lover sigh.
I turned around and then to my great alarm
I found her there with another in her arms
And I overheard her say:
Chorus
Come and stand ‘neath my window and I’ll throw down the key
And I’ll give all my love just as freely to you
As you’d give it to me.
Come and stand ‘neath my window and I’ll throw down the key
And I’ll give all my love just as freely to you
As you’d give it to me.
W.T. Tufts
SOCAN
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I Gave It All To You
“Same old same old.”
Well I didn’t see no daylight ‘til I looked into your eyes
You had me crazy, I was runnin’ like a child.
I was happy just to sit and watch the world go rushin’ by
And spend my days inside the sunlight of your smile.
You so filled me up and rescued me and I could not let go.
I couldn’t see so how was I to know?
Now you’ve gone away and left behind a cold and empty hole
Takin’ with you the last vestige of my soul.
Chorus
And I don’t want to live now if I can’t live with you.
I don’t want to love now. Lovin’ only makes me blue
And I could never give now ‘cause I gave it all to you.
All the rooms have lost their luster. The beds a desert plain.
I’m a stranger here, I feel so out of place.
I can look away and hide from all the things that speak your name
But ev’rywhere I look I see your face.
Chorus
And I don’t want to live now if I can’t live with you.
I don’t want to love now. Lovin’ only makes me blue
And I could never give now ‘cause I gave it all to you.
W.T. Tufts
SOCAN
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Dancehall Serenade
“Imagine a really shy kid at his first high school dance.”
Did you see him walk in as the music began
On a Friday night?
He was sittin’ alone at the edge of the room
When his eyes were disturbed by her light.
There she stands all alone and he wonders inside
If he just might take the chance:
“Could you please let me know,
Can I have the next dance?”
You can see as she turns she’s expectin’ a burn
‘Cause she’s heard all the lines
An she gives him a look you’d give a well read book
That’s been thumbed one too many times.
But it’s all he can do just to stare at his shoes
Because he just can’t meet her glance.
Looks like she just might be wrong.
He just wants to dance.
Bridge
Maybe tomorrow the morning light will show
Just how wrong first impressions can be.
For better or worse, it just might be worth it all.
Why don’t you wait and see. Wait and see.
Have you seen the young pair at the back ‘neath the stairs
Just a ways from here?
They’ve been swaying in time to the music sublime
That nobody else ever hears
And it looks like he’s caught her
‘Tween the wind and the water
And she’s got his soul entranced.
Better to leave them alone
Cause they just want to dance.
They just want to dance.
Dance, Go on and dance.
W.T. Tufts
SOCAN
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Can’t Hide From Love
“I wrote this for Lynn Miles to sing. She was looking for original tunes to sing because she was fed up with doing covers in the bars we were playing. I find it weird thinking of her in a writing slump.”
Ever think you could be wrong? Could be making the wrong move?
Rob us of what you could offer. You’re the only one who’d lose.
Take a good look at yourself. Are you scared of what you see?
Tell me what you tryin’ to run from, turn your back on what youneed?
You could spend a lonely lifetime just runnin’ and hidin’
But when you tire you’ll turn around and there it is looking right back at you.
Chorus
Can’t hide from love. Run if you dare
You’re sure to lose. Someone will care.
They’ll find you out. They’ll take your hand.
They’ll free your heart. They’ll understand.
I was once the same as you, heart out hangin’ on my sleeve.
There was nothin’ I could turn to, no one that I’d dare beleive.
Didn’t want nobody else, I could make it on my own.
Now I know that I was so wrong. No one wants to be alone.
I could’ve spent a lonely lifetime just runnin’ and hidin’
But when I tired I turned around and there it was looking right back at me.
Chorus
Can’t hide from love. Run if you dare
You’re sure to lose. Someone will care.
They’ll find you out. They’ll take your hand.
They’ll free your heart. They’ll understand.
W.T. Tufts
SOCAN
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I Remember You
“My very first LP was a gift from my parents called Frank Ifield Sings. This tune was the radio hit. It’s by far and away my very favorite song in the world. Lester Young did the all time best version.”
I remember you
You’re the one that made my dreams come true
Just a few kisses ago.
I remember you
You’re the one that said I love you too
Yes I do. Didn’t you know?
I remember too a distant bell
And stars that fell like the rain
Out of the blue.
When my life is through
And the angels ask me to recall
The thrill of them all
Then I will tell them I remember you.
Johnny Mercer & Victor Shertzinger
From the 1942 musical “Dames At Sea”
Famous Music Corporation / Paramount Music Corporation
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