Colleen And Liam

[Ray Brookes]

Colleen one of five; sweet catholic girl
But sometimes drifting off there with the fairies
Unprepossessing; Sundays confessing
Whispering the guilt-ridden Hail Marys
Against the objections from all of her family
Fell in love with Liam from the cannery
Planned to run away early in January
Stuff stacked away in her bottom drawer.

Liam such a fine boy a different religion
Worked very hard and good to his mother
Didn't care at all for divisive walls
And every man he considered his brother
Early one morning before the sparrows tweeting
A cool Belfast morn and the lovers there meeting
Away in his Ford no radio or heating
Heading for the border ready for the checkpoints.

Colleen and Liam gonna have their first child
In the treasured land of the Emerald Isle.

Too bloody young so the police contacted
BOLO for the battered old Ford
Parents glaring; cussing and swearing
Coppers looking tired, insouciant and bored
Meanwhile at the border soldiers looking curious
Squaddies on their metal, NCO getting furious
Trouble here afoot; maybe something spurious.
"Oh what the hell! Lift the bloody boom-gate."

Colleen and Liam gonna have their first child
In the treasured land of the Emerald Isle.

[thetworegs]

excellent story telling love that drum and fiddle the arrangement is excellent loved it Ray another for the collection

[maxit]

Wow, never heard something like this before !!! Its a great surprise every section (but theyre seamless), like a film that is singed rather than projected! Cool !

[DarrenG / The Devil's Toupee]

I love the way you write songs Ray, you're a real songwriter. the lyrics are like poems or even limericks depending on how you read them...the words are deep but love how the way the music is light and airy.
You put your heart and soul into the music and vocals too and it always shows. That Irish fiddle part is excellent. Yes it does sound like a song from a film soundtrack. Great stuff.

[tonyc]

brill song ray , love the fiddle playing and wow what great lyrics , superb song ray , cheers argh kid .......tony cee

[StephenM]

oh... i do love happy endings...and this is one....I've never been a big fan of those who stand in the way of love...perhaps because they themselves never experienced it or forgot what it is....
this is an enchanting song...and the music is very fun too...lol... I had to look up BOLO....seems that even you use these , what was that song you wrote again? lol....that is a great song btw

[Ferryman_1957]

I also love the happy ending, and I didn't expect it! Beautiful songwriting and storytelling Ray, lovely acoustic work and nice fiddle and drum additions. Very classy and really enjoyable. Another great track, very well done.

[Johnbee]

This is yet another excellent side of the multidimensional Ray Brookes.
  John B.

[Redler]

Excellent songwriting and performance! Fine lyrics and the solo at 1:20 works so nice, it has warm orchestral vibe.

Listened to this twice.

[Kenneth]

Your work is fantastic Ray. I love the thoughtful song writing.
The vocals and music are icing. These songs you bring are always good... I see your name.. I click.