Shore to Shore is an exciting new acoustic departure from Mae McKenna. Almost completely organic, Mae has again broken new ground by intertwining the American bluegrass and mountain music traditions with the celtic/folk she knows so well. Recorded in Nashville, TN and Edinburgh, Scotland, there are some fine performances on this album, notably from Fiddler/Mandolinist Randy Howard who sadly passed away recently.
Below you can find lyrics to Mae's newest album "Shore to Shore" as well as streaming RealAudio samples and downloadable MP3 audio (352KB). There are two different grades of RealAudio quality. Those who have 56K speed modems and above should choose the 56k+ option and those with slower modems should select the 28k option. Click the song titles to view the lyrics.
All Tracks Published by Columba Music except 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, & 12 published by Columba Music & Warner Chappell & 7 published by Roba.
John Mock Acoustic Guitar Randy Howard Fiddle & Mandolin Dennis Crouch Double Bass Wes Hightower Backing Vocals
In the spring of my life dreams came easy,
Growing wild like the flowers in the field.
I was young; I was free
Searching for who I was going to be
In the summer of my days I was longing
To share this feeling in my heart.
Every time I felt the warmth
And the touch of his skin I believed in love.
And I walked in the footsteps of my father
And I ran in the shadow of his dreams
And I lived in the bosom of my mother
Like the child I carried I walked through this land
In my autumn years I watched the leaves falling,
And songbirds heading for the open sky
Like the tears in my eyes as I watched my children fly,
Though I knew in my heart they'd return again
And I walked in the footsteps of my father
And I ran in the shadow of his dreams
And I lived in the bosom of my mother
Like the children I carried I walked through this land
Now winter nights are cold, tears come easy
As I recall the bitter and the sweet.
There's no doubt in my heart that my soul
And my spirit belong like the earth and the sea.
And I'll walk in the footsteps of my father
And I'll run in the shadow of his dreams
And I'll rest in the bosom of my mother
Like the children of my children I'll walk through this land.
Peter Cairney Acoustic Guitars John Mock Mandolin Randy Howard Fiddle Dennis Crouch Double Bass Mae McKenna Backing Vocals
It's the same old me loving the same old you
I can't change this feeling no matter what I do
And though you broke my heart still my love is true
It's the same old me loving the same old you
Told myself to forget you
Told my heart not to care
Told myself I don't need you
I changed my clothes and I changed my hair
Took your ring off my finger
Took your name off my door
So don't ask me why there's a tear in my eye
I just can't explain
It's the same old ...
I've been living my own life
Doing things my own way
I keep myself busy
I watch TV and I count the days
Put away all your pictures
Put your memory aside
So don't ask me why I'm starting to cry
I just can't explain
Sometimes I feel like an orphan at a window
Who's looking out beyond the years
Sometimes I see my own reflection
And I ask myself where the dream has gone
The city streets that once burned so brightly
Now feel so cold beneath my feet
The innocent heart that once believed in love
Has lost its faith
Where did it go?
Where did it go?
Where is the heart I used to know?
Where is the dream I held so dear?
Where did it go?
The road is long
Every new day is a journey
We choose our path but sometimes we lose our way
Yet I believe every new day brings a reason
But in the night it's hard to feel that way
John Mock Acoustic Guitar Randy Howard Fiddle & Mandolin Dennis Crouch Double Bass Mae McKenna Backing Vocals
Even though I've known you all my life
It's like I've seen you for the first time tonight
And I really can't explain why my feelings for you changed
But darling you have touched the heart of me tonight
Old friend we've passed this way before
You were always there to hold my hand
Though I sensed you wanted more
And so if love is on your mind
There'll be no more wasted time
If you're feeling what I feel for you tonight
And I know there'll be no turning back
Do you feel it too?
And my heart is telling me to take a chance
I will show you what love can do
En tant qu'amis je ne peux continuer
Car depuis ce soir J'ai besoin de t'aimer
Et quand notre amitie sommeille
Notre amour se reveille
Oh darling you have touched the heart of me tonight
And I know ...
The Christ Child Lullaby^List^
(Traditional; arr. Billy Jackson)
This song is a Hebridean Hymn & Lullaby,
translated from the Taladh Chriosda.
Billy Jackson Harp, Whistle, Flute & Keyboards Mae McKenna Backing Vocals
My love, my treasured one are you
My sweet and lovely son are you
You are my love, my darling new
Unworthy I of you
Alleluia
Your mild and gentle eyes proclaim
The loving heart with which you came
A tender helpless tiny babe
With boundless gift of grace
Alleluia
King of Kings, most holy one
God the son, eternal one
You are my God and helpless son
Aye, ruler of mankind
John Mock Acoustic Guitar, Whistle & Bodhran Randy Howard Fiddle & Mandolin Dennis Crouch Double Bass Wes Hightower Backing Vocals
There's a full moon in the heavens shining on the sea
There's a slow boat on the water moving in the breeze
There's a ship out in the distance following the stars
In my memory I see you on the sands of Tara's shore
When I left you I was crying, you kissed away the tears
And we made a promise, some day we'd build our future there
But the years have come between us, we can't go back, I know
Still in my heart you're with me on the sands of Tara's shore
On the sands of Tara's shore I'll walk with you
Hand in hand, in love once more so young so true
In the warm and tender light I'll lie with you
Where the wild wild oceans roar
On the sands of Tara's shore
In the city of New Orleans on a blue mid-summer day
I am standing by the water as the tide turns round again
And I'm thinking 'bout the promise we made so long ago
And I'm longing for the day on the sands of Tara's shore
John Mock Acoustic Guitar Randy Howard Fiddle & Mandolin Dennis Crouch Double Bass Mae McKenna & Lee Satterfield Backing Vocals
The rebel fled the fire and the sword
Through town and country he knew well,
Where friend and brother bled
But time was running faster than the wind
There was nothing more that he could do
With a heavy heart he said
I must go now across the water
And leave my homeland for New York Harbour
I'm tired of fighting foe and hunger
The lights are shining on New York Harbour
Standing at the quay with head hung down
He said goodbye to those he loved
To those he left behind
The captain called, the line was cast away
There was nothing more that he could do
With a heavy heart he said
Peter Cairney Acoustic Guitar John Mock Whistle & Bodhran Bill Verdier Fiddle Billy Jackson Whistle & Uillean Pipes Mae McKenna Backing Vocals
She left her father's castle gate
She left her own true lover
She left her servants and estate
to follow the gypsy rover
Her father saddled up his steed
Roamed the valleys over
He sought his daughter at great speed
And the whistlin' gypsy rover
They came at last to a mansion fine
down by the river Cready
And there was music and there was wine
for the gypsy and his lady
He is no gypsy, father,
but Lord of these lands over
And I will stay till my dying day
with my whistlin' gypsy rover
Mo Ghile Mear^List^
(Traditional, arr. Mae McKenna)
An Irish Gaelic song from the 18th century
which has veiled Jacobit sympathies.
Peter Cairney Acoustic Guitar John Mock Whistle Bill Verdier Fiddle
Is e mo laoch, mo ghile mear,
Is e mo shaesar, ghile mear,
Ni fhuaras fein aon tsuan ar sean
O chuaigh i gcein mo ghile mear
Bimse Buan ar buairt gach lo,
Ag caoi go crua is ag tuar na ndeor,
Mar scaoileadh uaim an buachaill beo,
Is na riomhtar tuairisc uaidh mo bhron,
Is e mo laoch ...
Ni haobhinn cuach ba suairc ar neoin
Taid fiorchoin uaisle ar uatha spoirt
Taid saoithe is suadha i mbuairt is i mbron
O scaoileadh uaim an buachail beo
Is e mo laoch ...
Is cosuil e le hAonghus Og.
Le Lughaidh Mac Cein na mbeimeann mor,
Lee Cu Raoi, ardmhac Daire an oir,
Taoiseach Eireann trean ar toir
Is e mo laoch ...
Le Conall Cearnach bhearnadh poirt,
Le Fearghas fiuntach fionn Mc-Roigh,
Le Conchubhar caidhmac Nais na nos,
Taoiseach aoibhinn chraoibhe an cheoil
John Mock Spanish Guitar & Percussion Randy Howard Fiddle & Mandolin Dennis Crouch Double Bass Mae McKenna & Lee Satterfield Backing Vocals
She was looking deep inside for such a long time
Where head and heart collide
All by herself for far too long
But now she's feeling strong
The spirit of love is standing by your side
And heaven above will always be your guide,
Wherever you go, don't you know
That love is always on your side
There is no easy path to follow
But everyone must find a way
To where all hearts must return
When will we ever learn
John Mock Acoustic Guitar & Whistle Randy Howard Fiddle & Mandolin Dennis Crouch Double Bass Mae McKenna Backing Vocals
I can hear the whisper of the wind blowing
Softly across the endless sky
I can see that old familiar moon
Making its way to greet the dawn
By your side I am safe and warm
Reaching out as we lie beneath the stars
I can feel your body move with mine
Deep in my heart, deep in my soul we are one
Darling I am travelling in your arms
Drifting over a clear and peaceful sea
I am sailing on the ocean of our love
To be with you on heaven's shore
Peter Cairney Acoustic Guitar Randy Howard Fiddles & Mandolin Dennis Crouch Double Bass Mae McKenna Backing Vocals
When I saw you today with that look in your eye
And that smile on your face.
I couldn't believe, after all of these years,
Just how little you've changed
And we talked of times that had gone
All the places we've seen and the people we've known
And we smiled looking back at ourselves,
At how little we've learned since those days long ago
When we ran with the sun in our eyes
Lik a bird on the wing in a sky full of dreams
And we sang every song in our hearts
And oh how we danced with the world at our feet
Time has a mind of its own
It never stands still, it just keeps moving on
But it leaves a feeling inside
And when I look back I remember it all
