Category: Lyrics

Words and music by Robbie Smith

His was the canvas that caught the fickle wind
And turned its strength against itself and brought his boat back in;
She, too, knew the canvas but hers waited for a brush
To softly paint in tempera fresh colours clean and lush…

And they were Kindred – Kindred spirits,
Living for the day when they’d meet and fall in love,
Yes, they were kindred – kindred spirits –
He with the canvas… she with the brush.

He’d heard of the paintings – he’d seen them on display,
He marvelled at their fine detail of rigging, spar and spray,
And for a fleeting moment he met the artist’s gaze,
As she stood inside the gallery receiving words of praise…

And they were kindred – kindred spirits,
Living for the day when they’d meet and fall in love,
Yes, they were kindred – kindred spirits –
Living for the moment when their chosen paths would cross
And their guiding stars would gleam as one above.

Instrumental break

And once when he was quayside – securing to the peer –
He felt her eyes upon him – so wistful and so clear,
And she chose him as a subject for her “portraits of the sea”
And he thought, “Is it I that poses for her – or she for me?”

For they were Kindred – Kindred spirits,
Living for the day when they’d meet and fall in love,
Yes, they were kindred – kindred spirits –
He with the canvas… she with the brush.

Instrumental break

And to this day he sails the sea in doldrum or in squall,
And yet her thoughts go with him now to every port of call,
And from his vivid stories come scetches just as clear –
As they share each other’s interests – the gifts they hold so dear…

For they are kindred – kindred spirits
They share a common thread in the fabric of their lives
Yes, they are kindred – kindred spirits,
And wherever Life may take them on its ever-changing tide
Two constant, Kindred spirits will abide…

Oh, their spirits will abide… As upon life’s waves they ride…
Yes, their spirits will abide… For they are kindred.

Words and music by Robbie Smith

Don’t you keep those tears bottled up inside you
(Bottled up inside you)
Shake away those fears – I’m standing right beside you
(Oh, I’m standing right beside you…)

So, don’t pretend you’ve never had a taste of sorrow,
Don’t pretend that you can hide it all inside –
I’m your friend and what are good friends for?
So, don’t pretend you’ve never cried.

Instrumental break

Try to find some love – just enough to tide you over…
(Enough to tide you over)
Try a little trust – just lean upon my shoulder…
(Oh, just lean upon my shoulder…)

And don’t pretend you’ve never had a taste of sorrow,
Don’t pretend that you can hide it all inside –
I’m your friend and I’ve seen it all before
So, don’t pretend you’ve never cried.

You know I wish that I could take this heavy sadness from you –
Take it all away –
Turn back the hands of time – back before “that day”…
You know that sorrow looks more natural on me
Than it ever looked on you,
And when I see you like this
I wish there was more that I could do…

When the early frost steals across your window…
(Steals across your window…)
When the summer’s lost and winter finds you feeling low…
(It finds you feeling low, now…)

Don’t pretend you’ve never had a taste of sorrow,
Don’t pretend that you can hide it all inside –
I’m your friend and what are good friends for?
So, don’t pretend you’ve never cried.
Don’t pretend – don’t pretend you’ve never cried.

Words and music by Robert S. Smith

Two at the airport… silently speaking…
Touching the words that a voice never knew
Oh, come where I’m going softly beside me
For I am no one with nothing but you.

Tears in the telling… hope in the asking…
Off to a future faced better by two
Oh, come where I’m going – now and forever
For I am no one with nothing but you.

When I am travelling where will you be?
Will life be living when you’re not with me?

Who am I? No one. What have I? Nothing
No ship to captain – no dreams to pursue
Oh, come where I’m going – if just for kindness
For I am no one with nothing but you…
For I am no one with nothing but you

Words and music by Robbie Smith

He’s been dragging his body from pillar to post on the road,
And his creative spark has grown dark where once it had glowed;
And now – nothing new comes to mind,
Now – it’s just the same tired grind –
Bar after bar of fast-drinking, truck-driving men…

CROWD PLEASERS – that’s all they want him to play these days,
CROWD PLEASERS – there’s nothing new left to say;
Something familiar – that’s what they’re after,
Something to go with the beer and the laughter,
CROWD PLEASERS – that’s all they want him to play.

Now, there’s so much that he wants to say but he can’t find the words,
I guess he’s misplaced them with melodies that’ll never be heard,
But by times – on some long, weary ride,
Sometimes he feels a song drowning inside;
Once inspired, now too tired to pick up his pen –
So, it’s the same thing again, now…

CROWD PLEASERS – that’s all they want him to play these days,
CROWD PLEASERS – there’s nothing new left to say;
Something familiar – that’s what they’re after,
Something to go with the beer and the laughter,
CROWD PLEASERS – that’s all they want him to play.

With a bit more promotion he figures he might have gone far,
With a bit more devotion he might have been more
Than a voice in a dark, dingy bar…

Now, he’s thinking of packing it in – tell the world that he’s through,
But he knows if he did, well, there isn’t much else he could do,
So, for now, he just opens his case –
Takes out his six-string and tries to embrace
The mem’ry of how it was when he played way back when –
But that was then, now it’s…

CROWD PLEASERS – that’s all they want him to play these days,
CROWD PLEASERS – there’s nothing new left to say;
Something familiar – that’s what they’re after,
Something to go with the beer and the laughter,
CROWD PLEASERS – that’s all they want him to play.
CROWD PLEASERS – that’s all they want him to play.

Written by Robbie Smith

“Stop and listen, hear the voices”
Spoke the seeer who held the crystal ball
Though the future is filled with chances and with choices
It need not remain a mystery to us all

Asking, What’s to be the future?
What will the fates ordain?
Tell me, what’s to be my future?
Maybe just the past again

There’s a little child waiting to be tended
And a priest who seeks the grace of god
And a loner who wants to be befriended
On a path where most of us have trod

There’s a scavenger, scrounging for survival
And a wise man offering advise
A competitor outdistancing a rival
A skater on thin ice

Asking, What’s to be the future?
Will it bring pleasure or pain?
Tell me, what’s to be my future?
Maybe just the past again

There’s an outcast waiting for acceptance
And a criminal, looking for a crime
And a judge about to pass his sentence
A prisoner doing time

Asking, What’s to be my future?
Will it bring freedom or chains?
What’s to be my future?
Maybe just the past again

There’s an army crossing foreign borders
Civilians joining in the fray
A solider stands waiting for his orders
A women somewhere kneels to pray

Asking, What’s to be the future?
With all its losses and gains
Close the curtain on the future
Lest it be the past again
Lest it be the past again

Lest it be the past – again

Words and music by Robbie Smith

Don’t dance with the girl with the long blond curls
She has more than her share of admirers
Don’t dance with the girl with the anxious gaze
You know you’ll never put out her fire
Don’t dance with the girl with the cover girl face
She won’t give you what you desire

Dance with the lonely girl
Dance with the lonely girl
There is a tear in her eye, she’s waiting to cry, on your shoulder – lonely girl
On your shoulder – lonely girl

Don’t dance with the girl with the wandering eyes
Ah, you’ll never keep her attention
Don’t dance with the girl with the with the casual air
She’s the type who’ll just toy with your affection
Don’t dance with the girl with the black leather dress
She’ll lead you in the wrong direction

So dance with the lonely girl, Dance with the lonely girl
She’s in need of a friend to reach out and tenderly hold her – lonely girl
Just to hold her – lonely girl

I’m not the kind to hand out advice,
Less likely the kind to take it
But what follows from this dance tonight,
Could change your life – so make it right

I’m not the kind – no I’m not the kind
But what follows – could change your life
So make it right, so make it right

Don’t dance with the girl who’s talking too loud
Not enough joy, too much laughter
Don’t dance with the girl who’s the life of the crowd
You’re not the type of person that she’s after
Don’t dwell on the surface like everyone else
It’s what lies beneath that truly matters, so…

Dance with the lonely girl, Dance with the lonely girl
She’s in need of a friend to reach out and tenderly hold her – lonely girl
Just to hold her – lonely girl
Dance with the lonely girl

Written by Robbie Smith

They make me a soldier – give me a uniform,
Strap a rifle ’round my back;
Give me my orders – march me down the road
The smoke of battle looming black…

But if I were still in one piece when the enemy withdrew
Then I…would find my way back to you.

They could set me adrift on the going tide
With no water and no food,
No stars above me to serve as my guide
And the sea in a bitchy mood…

But if I could just hold out til a ship hove in view
Then I would find my way back to you,
Yes, I would find my way back to you,
Oh, I would find my way back to you.

Out in the desert – a sandstorm just begun
An empty canteen in my hand,
Countless mirages ‘neath a scorching sun
Endless dunes of writhing sand…

But if I could again find water – my strength to renew –
Then I would find my way back to you,
Yes, I would find my way back to you,
Oh, I would find my way back to you…
Back to you… back to you.

Music by Robbie Smith
Words by Anne Smith

Ages ago when I was a child
There were fish in the ocean and beasts running wild
Family sharing the warmth of a home,
The freedom to roam
Now everything’s done but ages ago there was fun.

Ages ago when I was a youth
It was noble to seek after honour and truth
Challenge to tackle a prize to be won
A place in the sun
Then everything died but ages ago there was pride

“Read to me my dear grandfather
Can’t we stay a little longer
Can’t we stay until the twilight comes”

Ages ago, well, I took me a wife
There was wisdom, compassion and meaning to life
Loving our children then watching them go
The river must flow you know
Down to the sea, yes, ages ago we were free

Ages ago – well it seems like today
But the phantoms of time have tricks they must play
Old men and children can welcome a rest
From every day quest
Turning the pages of ages and ages ago
Ages ago my friend
Ages ago

Written by Robbie Smith

Well, this neighbourhood’s rough and you’ve gotta stay tough to get by
And there’s one man around who’s keepin’ the standards real high
He’s smart – real smart – he’s a fighter
They don’t come – don’t come – any brighter
And when he’s out on the street – well, you just better treat him real fine

Cause he takes his time – he’s a straight-“a” winner
He can eat you alive and then order dinner
Won’t take any jive from friend or stranger
They say that he thrives on trouble and danger

Look out! He can pounce like an alley cat
One minute you’re up and the next out flat
Yes, all of you rats better scramble and scat
Wherever that man goes

Look out – there he goes – that man!
He’ll punch you out and bloody your nose
You’d better run as fast as you can –
From that man!

Now, you can search every hideout in town with a fine tooth comb
But if he wants to lay low you won’t find out where he’ll roam
He won’t run – he walks thru the city
He won’t cry – won’t beg for pity
But you know he’s got friends and in the end he’ll survive

Cause he’s a legend alive – he’s got a reputation
He can handle himself in any situation
Got plenty of drive always gets the glory
Got twenty-nine lives and each one’s a story

Like once they cornered that man in an alleyway
And each was determined to make him pay
But instead they all lived to regret the day
They ever stepped on that man’s toes

Look out look out – cause there he goes – that man!
He’ll punch you out – and bloody your nose
You’d better run – he’ll getcha –
As fast as you can – he’ll getcha –
From that man!
Well, it’s somethin’ to see what one little man can do
You see that man he only stands about five-foot-two ooh, oo–oo-ooh
But he’s strong – real strong – and he’s tricky
And he’s slick when things get sticky
And if you don’t call him sir you’ll be the victim of a perfect crime

Cause he takes his time – he’s a straight-“a” winner
He can eat you alive and then order dinner
Won’t take any jive from friend or stranger
They say that he thrives on trouble and danger

Look out! He can pounce like an alley cat
One minute you’re up and the next out flat
Yes, all of you rats better scramble and scat
Wherever that man goes

Look out, look out – cause there he goes – that man!
He’ll punch you out and bloody your nose
You’d better run – he’ll getcha –
As fast as you can – he’ll getcha
From that man!

Look out, look out – cause there he goes – that man!
He’ll punch you out and bloody your nose
You’d better run as fast as you can
From that man! Wo-wo-wo wo that man!

Words and music by Robbie Smith

I love the way that you sing,
And I love the way that you bring me
All of the things I’ve been longing for –
With all of my heart…

I love the sound of the strings –
And I love the music that brings us
So close – uniting two lonely hearts
That once were apart.

You sing of a future that opens its doors for us –
You slowly invite me into the chorus –
The chorus of love…

I love the things that you say –
And I love the soft, simple way
That you touch the innermost chords of love
That stir in my heart…

You sing of a future that opens its doors for us –
You slowly invite me into the chorus –
With the promise of love…

I love the way that you sing,
And I love the way that you bring me
All of the things I’ve been longing for –
With all of my heart.

I love the way – yes, I love the way that you sing
And the way that – the way that you play on the strings
And the things that – the things I’ve been longing for
You sing of the future

I love the things that you sing
I love the sound of the strings
I love love the music you bring
With all of my heart.

Instrumental

With all of my heart.

Words and music by Robbie Smith

Her voice held the nightime transfixed with its sound
From that moment forward none truer I’ve found
My heart it was soaring with joy in my blood
How could we not have fallen in love?

I strung her a harp and she strummed a sweet song
I carved out a flute and the flute played along
Winter was over and spring in full bud
How could we not have fallen in love?

And hers was a face akin to perfection
As her creamy white skin blushed warm with delight
There’s a lot to be said for just being lonely
Til the love angels give you that one perfect night.

The day brought us close – ah, but night was the bond
We knew then that more than a friendship had spawned
My heart was a fire and hers was a flood
How could we not have fallen in love?

And her sleepy eyes widened to emerald desire
And the pearls of her necklace gleamed silver and white
As her lips parted sweetly and pressed to mine gently
She tenderly whispered that this was my night

Instrumental

Ah, the texture of silk was her skin to my hand
Each delicate moment unflawed and unplanned
One night – no – one lifetime could n’er be enough
How could we not have fallen in love?

And her rich raven mane curled down to her shoulders
And followed new contours through shadow and light
There’s much to be gained – ah, by just wanting
Til the love angels give you that one perfect night –
Til the love angels give you that one perfect night.

Written by Robbie Smith

Leaving my pillow starting a perfect day
Walk to the window brushing my city born sadness away
Faintly I hear her singing without a care
She looks in the mirror, choosing a smile to wear

Drinking some moonlight left in a glass last night
Hoping we soon might walk to the beach and see all the sights
Follow the sand hills down to the hazy shore
Hearing the surf sounds seeing the seabirds soar

Half a world away, well it seemed so impossibly far
Half a world away, but I just had to be where you are
‘Cause paradise is here, right here next to you
Paradise is clear and I’m just taking in the view

Na na na na na I’m taking in the view
So nice, paradise with you – I’m just taking in the view
Na na na na na I’m taking in the view
So nice, paradise with you – I’m just taking in the view

Blue speckled eggs concealed in a nest of love
No don’t touch, see the mother bird perched on a tree twig way up above
Blanched almond driftwood, sifted by wind and sand
But no other gift could mean quite as much as the touch of your hand

Half a world away, well it seemed so impossibly far
Half a world away, but finally I’m here where you are
‘Cause paradise is here, right here next to you
Paradise is clear and I’m just taking in the view

Na na na na na I’m taking in the view
So nice, paradise with you – I’m just taking in the view
Na na na na na I’m taking in the view
So nice, paradise with you – I’m just taking in the view

Na na na na na I’m taking in the view
So nice, I just want to share it with you – I’m just taking in the view