Here are lyrics and notes to some of Beyond The Pale's Most popular songs:
Catalpa Rescue:
Gordon wrote this song based on the true story of a bold rescue of Fenian rebels imprisoned by the British in Fremantle West Australia in the 1870s. They were rescued by one of their own, the narrator John Boyle O'Reilly, who had escaped previously with the aid of American whalers. He became a successful journalist in Boston, bought a whale ship, "The Catalpa" and sent a team back to Fremantle to rescue the remainder of his fellow prisoners in a daring successful raid. Gordon learned this story from an Irish patron who had hired BTP for a gig last Saint Patrick's Day. This story is also the basis for the popular wine brand, Nineteen Crimes with the famous talking labels. Chorus is a fine blend of harmonies.
Catalpa Rescue Words and music by Gordon McLeod , August, 2018
We were transported, we sixty two
Our crime rebellion, our hopes were few
I was a soldier, O’Reilly was my name
Locked up in Fremantle prison, 10,000 miles from home.
I yearned for freedom more than I feared the rope
I worked outside the walls, so had cause for hope
I swam and boarded the whaling ship Gazelle
Those Yankee whalers saved me form Fremantle's hell
Chorus:
Catalpa Rescue from New Bedford we set sail
To free our brothers from Fremantle jail
We are all soldiers of the fearless Clan na Gael
We dare not falter, tyranny shall not prevail
I sailed to Boston, was free it seemed
But visions of my brothers in chains haunted my dreams
I met John DeVoy, a Fenian like me
We vowed we sail to Australia and set our brothers free
On Good Ship Catalpa we sailed halfway round the world
With bloody hands we rowed and dodged the cannonballs they hurled
Six Fenian captives worked outside Fremantle’s walls
We rescued them in our whaleboat rowing in the squall
Chorus:Catalpa Rescue from New Bedford we set sail
To free our brothers from Fremantle jail
We are all soldiers of the fearless Clan na Gael
We dare not falter, tyranny shall not prevail
Though pursued by Brittania on the waves
Our lust for justice gave us strength to cheat the grave
We beat the Royal Navy at her game
And slipped away across the Australian main
Chorus: Catalpa Rescue from New Bedford we set sail
To free our brothers from Fremantle jail
We are all soldiers of the fearless Clan na Gael
We dare not falter, tyranny shall not prevail
Wantin’ Something More
Wantin’ Something More: This song was written by Christy last summer while on tour in the Rocky Mountains, inspired by her realization that in order to make room for beauty in life one has to make room by moving beyond the mental clutter of past experience.
Wantin’ Something More by Christy McLeod 8/2018
Sinkin’ in the gloom….Feelin’ kinda bored?
Gotta make a little room… If you’re wantin’ something more
Whatcha hangin’ onto? Yesterday’s out the door
Gotta let it all go… If you’re wantin’ something more
Refrain:
You can only take one breath at a time… The wind only blows one way
All that stuff you’re draggin’ around… Has passed and don’t need to stay
Whatcha waitin’ for now?... Bubblin’ outta your core
Know whatcha gotta do…If you’re wantin’ something more
Want to make a change?...Launch your boat from the shore
You gotta widen your range…If you’re wantin’ something more
Bridge:
Working your way through your life… Or is Life working you?
Words of wisdom come to mind… “ To thine own self be True”
Whatcha waitin’ for now?... Bubblin’ outta your core
Know whatcha gotta do…If you’re wantin’ something more
Want to make a change?...Launch your boat from the shore
You gotta widen your range…If you’re wantin’ something more
The Ghost of Willie Clancy
words and music by Gordon McLeod , copyright 2005
Look my darling over there!
The waving grass on the hills of Clare.
Listen, hear the music swell
At The Bellbridge House Hotel.
Summer brings ten thousand feet
To smooth the stones of Milltown’s street.
Fiddles, flutes, pipers play
Down at Spanish point today.
Chorus:
The music brings the sweetest smile,
We have come five thousand miles
Just to dance and play awhile
With the ghost of Willie Clancy.
At The Crosses we step in
From the sunset, half-past ten.
Soon the session will begin
Set our spirits flyin’.
Chairs are shuffled, pints are set,
Old friends gather, newly met,
A pretty jig, then reels galore,
Dawn comes early , we still want more.
Chorus:
The music brings the sweetest smile,
We have come five thousand miles
Just to dance and play awhile
With the ghost of Willie Clancy.
Listen darling can you hear
The sound that rings from the hills of Clare?
The music floats out on the sea
Wraps its arms round you and me.
If you could have just one wish,
Would it be to feel like this?
Runs Thru our fingers just like rain
It hides to find us all again.
Chorus:
The music brings the sweetest smile,
We have come five thousand miles
Just to dance and play awhile
With the ghost of Willie Clancy.