1. |
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The Grass is Always Greener
Vs 1
Vs1
Said the jeweller to the judge
I don’t like my job that much
I just listen to watches tick
You get a seat and a really big wig
You see happiness everyday
Replied the judge in a sad way
I send men to their doom
You see love itself bloom
Vs 2
My caravan is so tiny
That’s why I sound so whiny
I wish I had a bigger bed
Or at least somewhere to stretch my legs
____________________________________________
The home I own has 19 rooms
A tennis court and a swimming pool
House cleaning takes so long
Is a downsize really wrong?
Chorus:
The grass is always greener on the other side
That’s the kinda life that I want to try
That’s the kinda life that I want to lead
That’s the kinda person that I want to be
Vs 3
I wish I was young again
Make more money and better friends
My eyesights not so good
I can’t drink like once I could
____________________________________________
I can’t wait until I’m old
I’m tired of doing as I’m told
The older I get the better I’ll be
At playing this bloody thing
Chorus:
The grass is always greener on the other side
That’s the kinda life that I want to try
That’s the kinda life that I want to lead
That’s the kinda person that I want to be
Vs 4
Curly hair is such a pain
An impossible matted mane
I have heard many reports
It’s much easier straight and short
______________________________________
Straight hair is such a bore
What would you want it for?
I’d like to have some curl
A real hair-do to unfurl
Chorus:
The grass is always greener on the other side
That’s the kinda life that I want to try
That’s the kinda life that I want to lead
That’s the kinda person that I want to be
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2. |
A Spot of Bother
03:51
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A Spot of Bother
Vs1
Once we had our own empire
Made with sails, steel & fire
It’s gone, yes it’s gone
We were a higher race
A global power in any case
But it’s gone, It’s gone
We went off to fight the hun
And once a the killing was done
It was gone, just gone
Chorus
Oh, we’re having a spot of bother
Grab your friend and run for cover
The troubles in your kit bag
Have come up now we’ve hit a snag
Yes, we’re having a spot of bother
Vs2
It all began in 1912
We promised Belgium any help
In case, just in case
The army was on high alert
Each man had brought an extra shirt
In case, just in case
Planes, boats, ready to go
Military strength on full show
In case, just in case
Chorus
Oh, we’re having a spot of bother
Grab your friend and run for cover
The troubles in your kit bag
Have come up now we’ve hit a snag
Yes, we’re having a spot of bother
(Intro – rpt )
(Guitar Solo)
Chorus
Oh, we’re having a spot of bother
Grab your friend and run for cover
The troubles in your kit bag
Have come up now we’ve hit a snag
Yes, we’re having a spot of bother
Vs4
British pride & cannon’s roar
Knocked upon Pandora’s door
And lost, we lost
Victory is finally found
But in terms on pennies & pounds
We lost, yes we lost
The course of fate has finally run
But now the fighting’s good & done
We’ve won, but at what cost?
Chorus
Oh, we’re having a spot of bother
Grab your friend and run for cover
The troubles in your kit bag
Have come up now we’ve hit a snag
Yes, we’re having a spot of bother
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3. |
Call Me Old Fashioned
03:32
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Call Me Old-Fashioned
Vs 1
Call me old fashioned
I like a melody
Something to whistle
As I walk down the street
A little tune to make me
Tap my feet
Call me old fashioned
That’s my kinda thing
Vs2
Call me old fashioned
I like a drink
At the end of the day
It helps me think
Don’t dip your pen
In the company ink
Call me old-fashioned
That’s my kinda thing
Vs 3
Call me old fashioned
But I don’t mind the rain
Me getting wet isn’t
Too much of a pain
I don’t need holidays in Spain
Call me old fashioned
That ain’t my kinda thing
Bridge:
It’s true to say I’m an old soul
I’ve stood the test,
I remember when I was young
I wasn’t like all the rest
Comfy in tweed, sandles on my feet
Surrounded my ragamuffins
Vs4
Call me old fashioned
I like to read
I don’t pay attention
To the folks on TV
I read newspapers,
Not magazines
Call me old fashioned
That’s my kinda thing
Vs 5
Call me old fashioned
I don’t like to camp
I need a bathroom
And a reading lamp
Sleeping bags don’t
Keep out the damp
Call me old fashioned
That’s my kinda thing
Vs 6
Call me old fashioned
I like an early night
I don’t like coming home
At the break of daylight
I need beauty sleep
Or I’m a heck of a sight
Call me old fashioned
That’s my kinda thing
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4. |
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Master of Your Own Adventure
Vs1
Don’t you trust them until you’ve sussed them
And even then keep an eye on your cash
Your house will become theirs, both up and down stairs
And she’ll make you shave off your prized moustache
Vs2
Your favourite shirt has been replaced by hers
Gone are the Friday nights with the boys
You can’t unwind in your spare time
Anything you do makes too much noise
Ch
You leave this life the same way you enter
Happiness is yours alone to surrender
Your meaning of life has your at your centre
Because you are the master of your own adventure
Vs3
Home improvement is a Sunday movement
Gone are the Sunday roasts in the pub
Woe betide the man who’s mind
Forgets about valentine’s day in the tub
Vs4
Her piggy bank is built like a tank
But your pockets open to her every need
She wants to know your exact cash flow
In every matter you must concede.
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5. |
Astro Toad
04:06
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Astro Toad
Vs1
The HMS Endeavour was commissioned by the admiralty
To follow a comet that was flying way on out to sea.
They needed a man with a steady nerve
To go and take a look
They found him in the shape of Captain James R Cook
‘Tail that trailblazer, Jim, keep your eyes on the skies
‘And don’t let up until it’s good and gone then come on home when it dies’
Vs2
The comet led a crazy path in circles around the globe
Hop-skipping over Iceland like a glittery Astro Toad
‘Don’t let it get away’, said Jim, ‘Boys don’t give it a chance
‘Cos if you take your eyes away we could well end up in France’
Then the fireball vanished like a bullet from a gun
And from the sea mountains appeared where before there had been none
Vs3
‘Trim the sails’, said Captain Jim, ‘I need earth between my toes
‘I wanna explore that foreign shore and see how far it goes
‘Get ready to way anchor when we’re nestled in yonder bay
‘I want a ready camp on the beach by the end of the day’
No sooner had he said this then they hit the barrier reef
It tore hole the size of a mole and they were stuck for 7 weeks
Vs4
The botanists had a great time, one discovery after the next
They brought back samples every night and set them up on the deck
‘This one’s for you, my happy two’ said Jim after 49 days
‘Cos you’ve both done such a stand-up job I’m gonna call this Botany Bay
‘We’ll head home now with many tails, each one as tall as trees
‘and thanks to us this land’ll become the new home of the free’
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6. |
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One More Roll of the Dice
Vs1
Folk say the gambling man is a lucky man by trade
The end of his career arrives when his luck begins to fade
Once he was an important man, guided by the hand of god
Rivals marvelled at his good fortune and the golden road he trod
Vs2
But every coin has two sides, what goes up must come down
And happy endings were not made for those who test the ground
Each triumphant flourish of cards brings women to his side
At first sign of a wilting hand they all turn and hide
Ch
Smiled upon from above, my written fate is a work of love
Sure as every breath I breathe I know the sun shines just for me
I know to gamble is a sin, but thats just the trade I’m in
Coins, favours or my life, a ding-dong with another man’s wife
Come the end I’ll pay the price, after all it’s a vice
Just give me one more roll of the dice
Vs3
The cards have turned their back on him, and the dice have turned cold
It would no longer seem that fortune favours the bold
The doors one by one all close and the options become few
But thats the price that you pay when you pick the life you choose
Rpt Ch
Br
Who are you to judge me for simply doing as I please,
Isn’t it true you take a chance when you decide to have a dance
With a fellow who looks smug, but how do you know he can cut the rug?
5/4 section
Rpt Ch
Vs4
Conviction is the mark of men when the game gets rough
You can do again what was once done and call the devil’s bluff
He stands again on his own two feet and wipes the dirt from his eyes
He reaches out for Lady Luck – he leaps and trusts to fly
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7. |
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The Lumberjack Convention
Vs 1
At the lumberjack convention
They had a lot to say
Meeting up in the bunkhouse
To discuss their rate of pay
The bossman's bringing in machines
That work as hard as ten strong men
It's not a matter of maybe,
Simply a case of when
No-one knows what'll become
Of the hard workin' lumberjack
He's goin' home to Scandinavia
And he's never coming back
Vs 2
At the lumberjack convention
Ol' Nelson took the stand
Not many folks have been in this game
As long as this old man
'The problem here is economics'
The wise high-climber said
'If we stay here in the brave new world
'We're gonna end up dead.
'The solution, boys, is to head back home
'To where our pappys logged
'Cos over there nothin's changed
'But here we're treated like dogs.'
Vs 3
At the lumberjack convention
The decision was almost made
To all jump on the next boat home after they collect their pay
The only man wanting to stay
Was Tommy the whistle-punk
He cleared his throat and stood up
From his seat upon the bunk
'I built my house with my own two hands
'And I only just bought my truck
'I don't got no reason to go
'But I sure wish you boys good luck.'
Vs 4
At the lumberjack convention
many was the teary eye
'Cos Tommy was a popular fella
And no-one could say goodbye
'Don't worry 'bout me' said little Tom
Shakin' hands with a grin
'Just spare a prayer for me
'When you get home again.
'I'll keep blowin' whistles,
'Though these machines don't want to hear
'I'll be fiine and dandy alone
'So don't you fellas fear.'
Vs 5
And so after the convention
Each man went his own way
Each one knowin' this was the end
Of the lumberjacker's day
No-one knew what ever became of
Tommy the whistle-punk
The last time they saw him
He was wavin' from his bunk
He never gave the slightest word
About his future plans and so
No-one knows what ever became
Of the very last lumberjack man
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8. |
Tango Swing
05:51
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Tango Swing
Vs 1
My Mother told me when I was small
Don’t you trust men at all
They only want one thing from you
A kiss and a cuddle and a bit more too
But I didn’t share her fear
And I chose not to hear
And so the time has come
And I am proved wrong
Ch
He gave me the Tango Swing
Time and again
The Tango Swing, no wedding ring
The Tango Swing,
Like a pawn and a king
The same old thing, the Tango Swing
Vs 2
As I grew older I learned the Tango
Twirl and lean and do the Fandango
Carry a rose flower between my lips
One hand on your shoulder and one on my hips
But it’s all a game
And it’s always the same
I must master the rules
Until I play better than you
Ch
He gave me the Tango Swing
Time and again
The Tango Swing, no wedding ring
The Tango Swing,
Like a pawn and a king
The same old thing, the Tango Swing
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9. |
Enrique, The Bald Barber
01:45
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Enrique, The Bald Barber
Vs 1
Enrique, the bald-headed barber
Really knew his way around a crown
He trimmed the bonnet of kings and queens
A worldly man, or so it seems
But he's never been known to let another man down
Vs 2
Enrique, he learnt from the best
He studied in Venice under Lord Von Lear
Working his fingers to the bone
He learnt the subtlties of the comb
His skills asvanced
Until he knew no peer
Vs 3
Once, I asked Enrique
'Would you ever teach another what you know?'
'This gift was given to me' he said
'And this is where my path has lead
'But this is a gift that I
'Shall never know'
Vs 4
Enrique, you are my hero
I want to be like you when I grow up
Men want to be inside your head
And women want to be inside your bed
You saved the world with your hair-cuts
Yes, you saved the world with your hair-cuts,
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10. |
The Scuttle Shuffle
04:20
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The Scuttle Shuffle
Vs1
Once upon a time in a far away town
The people came from miles around
To gather together in the town hall
And celebrate the summer ball
The last 10 years were such a bore
The summer ball had become a chore
The time had come and everyone knew
To wiggle a hip to a different tune
Vs2
And through the door a stranger came
A silluette in the light from the lane
With him he brought a brand-new jig
Something the girls would really dig
No-one knew him, he was alone
The receptionist hung up the phone
His steely gaze scanned the room
As a distant wolf howled at the moon
Ch
Yes we did the scuttle shuffle
The scuttle shuffle, scuttle shuffle
The scuttle shuffle, scuttle shuffle
The scuttle shuffle, scuttle shuffle
Vs3 (he said)
‘I’ve just come here from the beach
‘Past the lighthouse, beyond your reach
‘I met a man there lost in a trance
‘And for 5 days he taught me this dance
‘We built a fine in the sand
‘And danced to an invisible band
‘Together he and i brought the thunder
‘As a nearby crab was filled with wonder’
Rpt Ch
Mid section
Vs4
As he finished his tail to the crowd
The music began loud and proud
From then on nothing else would do
They could wiggle this jig to any tune
After that night nothing was the same
After that night everything had changed
Men and women, young and old
Repeated this story as it was told
Rpt ch
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11. |
Time, Gentlemen Please
04:30
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Time, Gentlemen Please
Vs 1
The slow decay of time makes fools of us all
Confident and happy now? Just wait for what’s in stall
Fate’s a cruel mistress, and we are but her slaves
As time marches us to our soon forgotten graves
Vs 2
I used to be somebody, I used to stand tall
Politicians and businessmen, I fought them all
Fine wine fell from the heavens, red carpets I have trod
The opinion of many was I’d been touched by God
Pre ch:
A fortune in wisdom won’t buy you fine linen
A lifetime of struggle with just scars for your trouble
Once you’ve climbed the mountain and drunk from the fountain,
You don’t expect to have to climb again,
No, you don’t expect to have to climb again
Piano solo
Vs 3
But once you’re on high, it’s a long way to fall
It all just slipped away in no time at all
No one had told me that I had built on sand
It’s a long way to fall with no where soft to land
Ch
And I’ll have my vengeance, I’ll make them pay
I’ll take back what’s mine, that’s the plan anyway
I’m at the point where bitterness and exhaustion meet
As I hear the call – “Time, gentlemen please!”
Vs 4
If the devil makes work for idle hands
Tell him I’m ready and I ain’t got no plans
Ignorance is bliss, or so I’ve heard
If knowledge is power, is power just a word?
Pre ch:
A fortune in wisdom won’t buy you fine linen
A lifetime of struggle with just scars for your trouble
Once you’ve climbed the mountain and drunk from the fountain,
You don’t expect to have to climb again,
No, you don’t expect to have to climb again
Ch
And I’ll have my vengeance, I’ll make them pay
I’ll take back what’s mine, that’s the plan anyway
I’m at the point where bitterness and exhaustion meet
As I hear the call – “Time, gentlemen please!”
Trumpet Solo
Rpt Ch
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The Rin Tins Bristol, UK
Keep them dancing.
That’s the ethos that The Rin Tins have kept since their inception in early 2011 and since then the
sextet have strutted from one stage to another playing high octane gypsy swing to the party hard masses.
With music that combines 5 part harmonies with swing jazz rhythms and pounding oompa beats, for 7 years they've been filling dance floors & festival tents across the UK.
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