At the Edge of the World (2020)
1. At the Edge of the World
Mike McKenna Jr.
Near the top of the hill
There’s a warning light
And it cuts like a sword in the deepest night
For a fleeting glimpse
You’re a fool if you go
On the blackest part of her cobalt stones
You know it burns so bright, when you’re close to the sun
If it melts your wings then my work’s begun
I can’t bear to see another wasted life
Quickly snatched from the earth mama hold me tight
At the edge of the world
Where the seabirds sing
And so many people come to spread their wings
For every soul I find
There were untold more
Must’ve sunk to the bottom of the ocean floor
You know it burns so bright, when you’re close to the sun
If it melts your wings then my work’s begun
I can’t bear to see another wasted life
Quickly snatched from the earth mama hold me tight
Oooooh, whoa
Whoaaa...
Near the top of the hill
There’s a warning light
And it cuts like a sword in the deepest night.
2. The Town
Mike McKenna Jr.
In the town I was born
There were church bells ringin’
There were hymns worth singin’
From the soles of your shoes
And every rose has its thorns
There were good folks trying
There was a hope worth dyin’ for
Down in old number 2
Maybe you’ll find me someday
Where the fog meets the glacier bay
Where I always have a familiar place to stay
In the town I was born
Ooohh, whoaaa
‘Cause you see the river ran dry
On them dusty old coal mines
Aint nothing left but the black flies
Down in old number 2
Seemed so pure in my youth
Bullfrogs and rubber boots
Oh and the Sugar-bowl froze down in old number 2
Maybe you’ll find me someday
Where the fog meets the glacier bay
Where people talk in the most peculiar way
In the town I was born
Ooohh, whoaaa
3. Caught in the Middle
Makayla Lynn Parry and Mike McKenna Jr.
Left my home sometime ago
I walked until my feet were surely walkin on their own
Without a dollar to my name
It didn't occur to me how much I needed change
Oh well sometimes, it's not what you want
Sometimes it's what you know
Oh well somehow maybe someday
I just might find my place
But for now i guess i'll stay, caught in the middle
Miss my home in Margaree
All the mountaintops, and the colours on the leaves
Oh but darlin’ I needed more
Than a woman without the love I’m longing for
Oh well sometimes, it's not what you want
Sometimes it's what you know
Oh well somehow maybe someday
I just might find my place
But for now i guess i'll stay, caught in the middle
Found a home deep in the south
This old house ain’t much, but it kept me underground
If I don't see you ‘for I'm dead
I won't blame a single hair upon your head
Oh well sometimes, it's not what you want
Sometimes it's what you know
Oh well somehow maybe someday
I just might find my place
But for now i guess i'll stay, caught in the middle
4. Pale White Moon
Mike McKenna Jr.
She just wanted to walk in the highlands
It’s prettiest sight on the island
Maybe it's true they say, the summit feels like you're flyin’
She didn't tell no-one she was goin'
Late October it was hardly snowin'
Orange leaves they say roll right down to the ocean
Oh I didn't understand but I sure do now
Just trying to get away from it all somehow
When you look up in the sky at the pale white moon
Oh I didn’t understand till I went there too
It was over her shoulder she heard it
Yellow eyes on the path made her nervous
And they followed her, and I know that she didn't deserve it
She just wanted to hike in the mountains
She just wanted to feel her surroundings
What a sin they say, she was still alive when they found her
Oh I didn't understand but i sure do now
Just trying to get away from it all somehow
If you look up in the sky at the pale white moon
Oh I didn’t understand until I went there too
No I didn't understand but I sure do now
Just trying to get away from it all somehow
When you look up in the sky at the pale white moon
Oh I didn’t understand until I went there too
Oh I didn’t understand until I went there too
5. The Wolf
Lyrics by Dawn Fraser (Maritime Labour Herald, 1924), Music by Mike McKenna Jr.
Now of all the bosses ever cursed
Roy the Wolf was called the worst
He was the leading parasite
That fed on workers day and night
Greedy growling wolf for more
Stole bread from the worker’s door
Grew fat on starving children’s cries
Filled the paper with foolish lies
Ooohh, ooohh
Said his company couldn’t afford to pay
But Roy got $300 dollars a day
For doin’ nothing but lookin’ wise
Starvin’ kids and tellin’ lies
And so he pushed the capital game
Till babies were taught to curse his name
And Roy the Wolf and his thievin band
Spread distress throughout our land
Ooohh, ooohhh
Until McLachlan and other men
Started one of many fights
For labour’s cause and worker’s rights
Called on Roy the Wolf to give
More the gold that they might live
More the gold that they had to pay
To meet the prices from day to day
Now of all the bosses ever cursed
Roy the Wolf was called the worst
He was the leading parasite
That fed on workers day and night
6. My Room
Mike McKenna Jr.
I’ve been dreaming of the morrow
Wish you well, like you do
I was hopin’ to borrow
The heart I gave to you
If it’s gone in the morning
Sunrise crawls and swoons
Finding gold hairs in warning
All over my room
My room
And you know where I’ll be
Another face on a crowded street
When the door’s sliding closed, and we’re all alone
I’m either stoned or in love
Seein’ shapes in the clouds
And it comes when it does
It can let you down
On this dark earth I roam
See the name on my tomb
Kinfolk howling in sorrow
Singing songs of truth
Truth
And you know where I’ll be
Another face on a crowded street
As the door’s sliding closed, and you’re all alone
And you know where I’ll be
Another face on a crowded street
When the door is sliding closed, and you’re all alone
And you know where I’ll be
Another face on a crowded street
Feel the door is sliding closed, and we’re all alone
Alone… alone…
7. High Ground
Mike McKenna Jr.
Somewhere in the backwoods
I found a quiet place
Hidden in the tall trees
Lookin’ on a glassy lake
I can feel the rain comin’
Down in my bones
Colours of the night changin’
Still got a long way to go
Lightnin’ strikes on the highest ground
Thunder rolls, can you hear the rumblin’ sound?
Time stands still but I don’t mind
Just wanna sit right here beneath the living sky
Oh it’s been a hard year
Hit me like a Mack truck
Thought my life was all planned out
‘til you said you had enough
I can feel the pain leavin’
After givin’ up the drink
It’s more about the air I’m breathing
and findin’ me a solemn space to think
Lightnin’ strikes on the highest ground
Thunder rolls, can you hear the rumblin’ sound?
Time stands still but I don’t mind
Wanna sit right here underneath the living sky
Just wanna sit right here beneath the living sky
8. Working Man
Rita MacNeil (Warner Chappell)
At the age of 16 years
Oh, he quarrels with his peers
Who vowed they’d never see another
In the darkest depths of the mines
Where you age before your time
And the coal dust lyin heavy your lungs
It’s a working man I am, and I live down underground
And I swear to God if I ever reach the sun
Of for any length of time, I can hold it in my mind
I never again will do down underground
At the age of 64
Oh, he’ll meet you at the door
And he’ll gently lead you by the hand
Through the darkest depths of the mines
Oh, he’ll walk you back in time
And tell you of the hardships that were had
It’s a working man I am
And I live down underground
And I swear to God if I ever see the sun
Or for any length of time, I can hold it in my mind
I never again will go down underground
No I never again will do down underground.
Pacific Northwest Bound (2017)
1. America
Mike McKenna Jr.
I stood on the wings of America
Patched up and jaded and used
The comforting sound of your voice was all that I knew
From Belfast we sailed like a runaway
Full steam with nothing to lose
I'd a stone in my heart and a rip in my sleeve
And it left me confused
And the skyscrapers looked like the photographs
Like something I'd seen in my dreams
I've been writing to you as I toss in the dark blue sea
When they landed our ship in America
We flooded the streets with our rye
She's the pride of the navy and you're crazy if you'll pass her by
And oh I hope, oh I hope, oh I hope
Hope they ain't looking for me
I stood on the wings of America
Just patched up and jaded and used
The comforting sound of your voice, was all that I knew
On the day that I walked through the marketplace
There was hardly a cloud in the sky
But the moment I noticed your blue eyes I started to cry
And oh I hope, oh I hope, oh I hope
Hope they ain't looking for me
Starting again, with nothing but the shirt on my back and the chew in my tin
When our vessel sailed on, I was already long, long gone
As we wandered the streets of America
Just patched up and jaded and used
And the comforting sound of your voice, was all that I knew
2. Pacific Northwest Bound
Mike McKenna Jr.
She's my darling
Pacific Northwest bound, she lives inside my mind
She's the one that tried to drown me
And I struggled, to get my head above the waves
But my darling pulled me under
She pulled me under once again
I raised the topsail
Pacific Northwest bound, I'm on the brink again,
With bottles all around me
Cannons blazing, wind whips against my face
But my darling pulled me under
She pulled me under once again
Ohh there's something so beautiful
Ohh there's something so beautiful
When you're lying next to me
A copper sunrise
Pacific Northwest bound, I'm headed home again
beneath the redwood crown
With totems waiving, the eagles guide me in
but my darling pulled me under
She pulled me under once again
Ohh there's something so beautiful
Ohh there's something so beautiful
When you're lying next to me
3. The Wake
Mike McKenna Jr.
On the day of the wake, I just wanted to stayIn my bed
Because sometimes you do
I struggled to think, as I crawled to the sink
For a much needed drink, maybe two
And the music played low, as my pockets exploded with change
As I emptied my drawers
The telephone rang, and your voice sounded strange
While I picked my pants up off the floor
It’s the only way I know to say goodbye
It’s the only way I know to say goodbye
I'd later regret, my last smokes got all wet
You put my hand up your dress to keep warm
The park bench was dry, and our phones had long died
And my ticket was left crumbled n torn
We both caught a whiff, someone smokin' a spliff
As it started to drift down the line
We waited so long, I guess my watch wrong
And we'd missed the last bus for a while
It’s the only way I know to say goodbye…hmmm
It’s the only way I know to say goodbye...mmm
Distances grown, we never pick up the phone
We just text, often days to reply
It took far too long, but I wrote you this song
To remember we still had good times
'Cause it’s the only way I know to say goodbye
It’s the only way I know to say goodbye
4. Hard To Say (But It Was Awful Timing)
Mike McKenna Jr.
Stuck in a corner with myself
Doors were closed behind my head
Sat in my apartment getting well
Hard to say but it was awful timing
Now you're on my mind
Only when the sun is shining
You're on my mind whoa
Whoa
Should have kept you when I could
I was young and a little bit foolish
Didn't love you like I should
Hard to say but it was awful timing
Now you're on my mind
Only when the sun is shining
Yea you're on my mind whoa
Whoa
My temper got the most I understand why
We didn't always see eye to eye
Your elegance it spoke towards the way you lived your life
And someday I might
But now you're a martyr for my cause
I wish that you could see it from my eyes
I shouldn't complain about my loss
hard to say but it was awful timing
Now you’re on my mind
Nut only when the sun is shining
Now you’re on my mind...whoa
Whoa
5. Bright Sunny South
Traditional
In the bright sunny south, to the war I was sent
After the days of my boyhood I scarcely had spent
From its cool shady forests and deep flowin' strreams
Ever fond in my memory and so sweet in my dreams
And my dear little sister I still see her tears
When I had to leave home in our tender years
And my sweet gentle mother so dear to my heart
She grieved me sincerely when we had to part
Said my kind hearted father as he took my hand
As you go in defence of our dear native land
Son be brave but show mercy whenever you can
Our hearts will be with you when you return again
In my hand there's a bible to show me the way
For my 12 years on earth and to heaven someday
And I will shoulder my musket and brandish my sword
In defence of this land and the word of the Lord
6. The Chesapeake & the Shannon, Pt. I
Traditional
Twas on the glorious 4th of June
At 10 o'clock in the fore-noon
That we sailed out of Boston Bay
That we sailed out of Boston Bay
For to fight the Chesapeake boys
Well the Chesapeake mounted 49 guns
With 420 of Columbia's picked sons
The Yankees thought they would never run
The Yankees thought they would never run
They being all picked Yankee heroes
Well the Shannon mounted guns the same
With fewer men but of greater fame
To beat those Yankees it was their aim
To beat those Yankees it was their aim
To show them Rule Britannia
Up spoke our gallant Captain Broke
To beat those Yankees it is no joke
Your guns sponge well and make them tell
For Yankees they don't like the smell
Of British balls and powder
7. The Shepherd
Mike McKenna Jr.
I don't suppose you seen my friend
He was walking by himself again
His shadow may have graced your step
He just wanted somewhere warm to sit
He comes back home
and I swear I'll never make him stay alone
I think it's time, to let bygones be bygones
and I'll leave the light on
I don't suppose ya seen my friend
He went wanderin in the woods again
and I know that he may never be the same
and I just want to know my friend again
He comes back home
I swear I'll never make you stay alone
I think it's time, to let bygones be bygones
and I'll leave the light on
Well I don't suppose you've seen my friend?
8. Lost
Mike McKenna Jr.
There's an old man, ain't nobody know him
When he comes to my window, he's just skin and bones
So careless he wanders, as the sun grows weary
He walks in the chilly velvet moonlight all alone
He seems so lost, lost, lost, but ever so peaceful
He seems so lost, lost, lost, so lost at sea
Burning fire, and a smokey beachside
Stacking stones to fight the temper of the wind
So drunk he dances, on sea salt whiskey
It's like he knows, he knows, his ship is coming in
He seems lost, lost, lost, but ever so peaceful
He seems lost, lost, lost, so lost at sea
Then one day he saw her, way out in the ocean
She was high on the waves, and shining bright
There's nothing to live for, with a love forgotten
He just kept swimming, swimming, swimming, till he was out of sight
He’s so lost, lost, lost, but ever so peaceful
He’s so lost, lost, lost, lost at sea
He’s so lost, lost, lost, but ever so peaceful
He’s so lost, lost, lost, so lost at sea
9. Ye Witches
Mike McKenna Jr.
Oh butter oh butter come into my churn
Ye witches yes witches why won't you run?
And here comes old Nattie with dog and switches
Get out of my house ye witches ye witches
Oh Johnny oh Johnny do bring us your gun
Lay the barrel in water, and soon she will come
If she borrows from you, then it soon shall be lifted
Get out of my house ye witches ye witches
Hovela hovela kavela streck
Es moriss a free, Is alles aveck
Hovela hovela kavela streck
Es moriss a free, Is alles aveck
At dusk a lone raven flew over our nest
two magnum bullets rang true through her chest
but the darkest I'd witness was her crawl to the ditches
Oh get out of my house ye witches ye witches
Oh the touch of the sun how it burns through my eyes
All the young and peculiar will soon have to die
No rest for the wicked, no blood and no riches
Get out of my town ye witches ye witches
Hovela hovela kavela streck
Es moriss a free, Is alles aveck
Hovela hovela kavela streck
Es moriss a free, Is alles aveck
Oh sister oh sister oh why do you run?
Ye witches yes witches can't have all the fun
Here come old Nattie with dog and switches
Get out of my house ye witches ye witches
10. Hope the Angels Will Sing over My Lonely Bones
Mike McKenna Jr.
I wake every morning, with the sun in my eyes
Find the temperament needed to be swallowed by night
I'll be swinging my pick, panning for gold
Hope the angels will sing over my lonely bones
You kissed me so sweetly, when the stampede left town
Didn't take long to smell wooden nickels around
You’re my steadfast oak, you're the best of my friends
And I knew in my heart that I'd hold you again
Oh they say, ships await, and I'll come back a rich man someday
Now my blood is frozen through, might be writing my last words to you
Baby know that after all this time diggin, my future looks bleak
For a year of supplies lasted 34 weeks
And the mounties they said, it's 'bout time we head home
But I'll be damned if came just to die here alone
Oh they say, ships await, and I'll come back a rich man someday
Now my blood is frozen through, might be writing my last words to you
baby know that. as December rolls in, and the light slips away
I feel the hair on my chin slowly turning to grey
But I'm quick to remember that you're waiting at home
Gently stokin' the fire to warm my lonely bones
Gently stokin' the fire to warm my lonely bones
11. Spring, 1823
Mike McKenna Jr.
Cold is my face from the wind, tender my skin from the burn
Heavy is the weight on my back, warm are my feet from the earth
I heard the sky speak to me yeah, from the clouds up above
She said the sun would keep me safe and warm, and she'll rain down with love
Say oohh, I'm onna find my way home
Wanna be with my people, and Im'a travel through the ice and snow
Said I wanna be with my people yeah, and the stars tell me where to go
She said the sea is my sister, and she watches over me
I spent too much time helping everything grow, and I miss my family
She said well say hello yeah, and I’ll visit someday soon
Then when the sun set I knew for sure, that she missed her people too
Long is the trail that I follow, steep is the path that it climbs
Rocky is the fall of the unlucky, who suffer from time to time to time to time
And when the sun's coming up, oh I remembered my friend
For the sky must have watched me fall, again and again and again and again
12. The Chesapeake & the Shannon, Pt. II
Traditional
Our guns and grape were well deployed, her wheel and headsail we destroyed
Their captain cried his final noise, sayin' don't give up the ship me boys
And our own brave captain fell wounded
Bold Wallace being next in command, so boldly on the deck did stand
Sayin' fire on brave b'ys the day is our own, since Bunker Hill brought forth a groan
The Chesapeake is falling
We had but 10 minutes work to do, while Yankee bullets around us flew
We boarded her down her colours drew, we boarded her down her colours drew
And stuck her to the Shannon
To Halifax Harbour we sailed our prize, and all recall the cheers the cries
For blood and gore stained both broadsides, aye blood and gore stained both broadsides
Of the Chesapeake and the Shannon
Travelin Man EP (2016)
1. Take Me Home
Mike McKenna Jr.
Take me son oh take me to the river when I die
Won't you pour my ashes overboard
So I can float on back to all the sweet things
that I left behind so many years ago
Son please let that river take me home
I hitched my way up north to find the better part of me
And the day I met your mama was the smartest thing I'd ever done to date
But I drank too much, and she kicked me to the street
Cause I wasn't yet the man I'd need to be
Take me son oh take me to the river when I die
Won't you pour my ashes overboard
So I can float on back to all the sweet things
that I left behind so many years ago
Son please let that river take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Well it wasn't long I saw her with another boy in hand
and as the leather on my boot is raw
I landed my fist upon his jaw real quick
and I saw past is greedy yellow smile
He was tryin to have your mama on the side
So take me son oh take me to the river when I die
Won't you pour my ashes overboard
So I can float on back to all the sweet things
that I left behind so many years ago
Son please let that river take me home
Ever since that day your mama never left my side
We bought ourselves a piece of land
and I built her a house with my bare hands and I
Swore to her that I'll be damned
If I go back home to Boston where I was born
and my folks live on
So take me son oh take me to the river when I die
Won't you pour some whiskey overboard
So I can have a couple drinks with our good Lord
While we watch over your mama for I can't leave her alone
Son please let that river take me, I said son please let that river
Take me home
Take me home
Take me home
2. Little Things
Mike McKenna Jr.
When I was just a boy, my grandmother said to me
Dear when I'm old and I lose my mind, you need to take care of me yea
Before she passed on, I was given one more day
I heard her voice again in my head and my thoughts drifted on away
I feel it's been forever since, I had the pleasure of driving
at this point in my life, I miss the little things
Something being alone is good for the soul
More time for my mind, more time as I'm growing old
Oh and someday I'll meet you there yea
Someday I'll meet you there yea
Someday I'll meet you there yea
Whoa
I can see so clearly, my first memory
I'm on your lap in a rocking chair, cutting pears while we watch TV
You always watched over me, like I knew you would
When you barely recognized my face, it's the part I never understood
And someday I'll meet you there yea
Someday I'll meet you there yea, yea oh
And someday I'll meet you there yea, whoa
Well someday, someday, someday I'll meet you there yea, oh someday...
Well someday, someday, someday I'll meet you there yea, oh someday.. hmm
2. Just Breathe
Mike McKenna Jr.
Well time to time I found, that the steppin stones are meant to be
No matter how many hills I climb, tt never made all sense to me
'Cause life is a hustle, and the whole world ain't gonna leave you alone
So sit back in control of your mind your soul and just breathe
I said sit back in control of your mind your soul and just breathe
A patient lovers arms, it's the only place that keeps me strong
No matter times I fall, with your love I can't go wrong
'Cause life is a hustle, and the whole world ain't gonna leave you alone
So sit back in control of your mind your soul and just breathe
I said sit back in control of my mind my soul and just breathe
So sit back in control of your mind your soul and just breathe
Said sit back in control of my mind my soul and just breathe
4. Travelin Man
Mike McKenna Jr.
Edward Huxley was a travelin man, lived by the lake in a broken down van
Told me stories of the Mexico night, losing all his money and losing his pride
Oh travelin man, oh travelin man
Oh travelin man, travelin man yeah
He found himself squattin on Indian land, oh it wasn't taken well by the locals back then no
Well the beat him up and left him on the side of the road, but the travelin man he wasn't ready to go
Oh travelin man, oh travelin man yeah yeah
Oh travelin man whoa, travelin man yeah
Lonely stations playin songs for change, no-one stops to listen
Dusty clothes he walks on the other side of the road, with his face in the sun
With his face in the sun whoa
He was rallied by the police down on Highway 5, with a busted up noggin and two black eyes
Well they gave him 5 bucks and a pat on the back, he ain't never had a run-in with the coppers like that no
Oh travelin man, oh travelin man yeah yeah
Oh travelin man who, travelin man yeah
Cuz you can't tell a free spirit how to live his life, and he always keeps movin and always packs light
He'll never be remembered like a mighty oak tree, cause he'd rather cross the desert like a tumbleweed
The travelin man oh lord, travelin man yeah yeah
Travelin man ohh, travelin man ohh,
Travelin man yeah, travelin man ohh
5. The Highway
Mike McKenna Jr.
Well he passes now and then, as I watch over the highway
I'm looking from overhead, for a killer running free
Well the late shift took it's toll, and I pulled one over again
And I struggled to see a face inside, so I slowly drew my weapon
And he rolled the window down, presented me his card
For Dominion Coal & Steel I drive, I'm not going very far
Sir you were goin 105, and I'ma have to check your load
And without a hestitation I was looking down the barrel
Of a fully loaded gun, I saw flashes of my life
I had only just had met my daughter, I'd a newly wedded wife
I said sir please settle down, I'll just lay down on the ground
But he must have pulled the trigger 'fore the words were out my mouth
Well he passes now and then, as I watch over the highway
I'm looking from overhead, for a killer running free, free ohh
6. Die in the West
Mike McKenna Jr.
I keep coming home just to see you my dear
My parents are old and their time's coming near
Well my pockets are rich and my back's getting poor
and I keep my chin high and my feet on the floor
Well It must've been some time since I last seen you
Since you waved me goodbye from your living room
Oh the company just paid my flight to come home
You know a week off ain't much when you travel alone
And I said I know, that our love can just never be
As long as I need Fort McMurray, love you know how much I miss the sea
And the breeze on the Mira River, oh the nights in Whale Cove were the best
As long as there's work on the oil rigs my lover, I'll leave you my heart but I'll die in the West
Even out on the rigs I found Maritime charm
As I worked at the sides of my brothers in arms
Had the lads from the Rock and the Mainlanders too
When you're this far from home you connect by your roots
You see my grandfather spent half his life underground
And his lungs were so black that he may as well have drowned
And now I don't wish for my children to see
Their old man to look 50 when he's 33
and I said I know, that our love can just never be
As long as I need Fort McMurray, love you know how much I miss the sea
and the breeze on the Mira River, oh the nights spent with you were the best
As long as there's work on the oil rigs my lover, I'll leave you my heart but I'll die in the West
Baby I know that you love the East Coast
So I raise up my glass and I offer a toast
To our last visit before I go back
Just to bank up my money while the oil sands last
Oh you must tell my son where he'll bury me
In the soil of Cape Breton I'd much rather be
and I hope I can save enough money to rest
When the time comes to cross my arms over my chest
And I said I know, that our love can just never be
As long as I need Fort McMurray, love you know how much I miss the sea
And the breeze on the Mira River, oh the nights spent with you were the best
As long as there's work on the oil rigs my lover, I'll leave you my heart but I'll die in the West
And I said I know, that our love can just never be
As long as I need Fort McMurray, love you know how much I miss the sea
And the breeze on the Mira River, oh the nights spent with youe were the best
As long as there's work on the oil rigs my lover, I'll leave you my heart
But I'll die in the West