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Once I Was

by Robert John Ardiff

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    12 Track CD in fold out case.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Once I Was via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      €7 EUR  or more

     

1.
This town’s full of leaky ships They pull you under once they’ve let you in And everything seems fine But you know it isn’t Better leave this prison This world wasn’t made for you So you set your sights For somewhere near the moon A habitable star To save your face To light your way to Somewhere new Somewhere new You’re never gonna tell her You try your best to save her You take yourself to market And find a way to start again With your wife and family You try to raise the bounty You close the shutters to your art You tip along now in the dark
2.
3.
RJA: Vox, Guitar, Piano Neil Murray: Electric Guitar
4.
That's Amor 03:45
That’s amor, that’s amor, That’s amor, that’s amor, Underneath, Goose feathered sheets, Carry me, Back Home. In need of peace Take out your false teeth. Stamp your feet, Belong That’s amor, that’s amor, That’s amor, that’s amor. Sitting at the table Waiting to be served Your old and feeble Need to be heard The carousel is spinning Death is at the door And you flick through the channels Flick ash on the floor And you’re lifting her head to bed every night after tea Turning up the volume, drifting off to sleep And you love That’s Amor That’s amor, that’s amor, That’s amor, that’s amor,
5.
Once I Was, Once I Was Starlight shining through the branches of a burning tree Starlight shining through the branches of a burning tree Got the time Got the drugs got the girl Once I Was Flying high at your cost Felt so much bigger then once I was Starlight shining through the branches of a burning tree Starlight shining through the branches of a burning tree Got the time Got the drugs got the girl Once I Was Flying high at your cost Felt so much bigger then once I was Gonna Hold You Up Darling when it's over Gonna hold you up
6.
7.
I was only 22 when I moved to Barcelona Now I’m moving on I was dealing on the street for a yankees hungry dollar Now I’m moving on When you talk to me so high When you talk to me so low When you talk to me alright I’ll see you in the morning Tripping on a beat that was holding up your picture Now I’m moving on Trying to fit the scene like rapunzel in her tower Now I’m moving on When you talk to me so high When you talk to me so low When you talk to me alright I’ll see you in the morning Now I’m moving on Now I’m moving on Now I’m moving on
8.
Said you’re to tell her to make a change Working up the courage til she’s far away Eating out of plastic on off peak trains Watching the world from a different frame Screaming out the window on an empty street Wearing different shoes on odd feet You kiss her once on her judas cheek You want the whole damn world to see Light a candle when he’s in need Give money when you lack belief Tell your brother that you love him When he’s in deep Lighten the load Despite your dreams Build fire to heat the dead Take back all the shit you said Give love for the blood you bled Have heart when your tears run red You don’t have to tell me you don’t have to say I see it in your eyes and all your ways You’re running on empty You’re running You’re running You’re running On empty Parking on the corner when you leave for work Staring at the stains on your office shirt Finding holes to bury the hurt Under the carpet away with the dirt Taking the risk but at what cost And all of the battles you should have fought Give love to your darkest thoughts Give love to the ones you lost You don’t have to tell me you don’t have to say I see it in your eyes and all your ways You’re running on empty You’re running You’re running You’re running On empty Watch out for where you’re flying You’re going to burn your wings When your too close to the sun You’ve been out on the brandy Getting too hard to handle Your battle’s never won
9.
Hurricane 03:25
Hold your head up high You’re sleeping rough Without a ceiling Grip those briars tight Gimme some Just a little feeling Just a little care You’re calling up a hurricane You’re calling up a hurricane Give me a cosmic sign A cigarette A little meaning Just a little care You’re calling up a hurricane You’re calling up a hurricane When you going to fight with me darling I know you will When you going to get high with me darling Just one more thrill You’re calling up a hurricane You’re calling up a hurricane
10.
Can you tell me where you go to darling when it’s late at night Are you queueing for a chipper or looking for fight I follow you from the shadow On this September Road Don’t play me for a fool darling, don’t sugar the wound I’ll take you at face value if your stand your ground I’ll pull you in and let you go On this September Road Caught a Robin in my Kitchen on a Saturday Morning He was standing in my kitchen and playing with my daughter I pulled him in and let him go On this September Road I follow you from the shadow On this September Road
11.
You say all’s forgiven Only time will tell And you ask is this worth living for When everything around you has gone to hell But don’t hold a candle to an open flame And don’t start a fire when you pray for rain Mmmmmmm We stray from our mission And get lost on open roads And You take what your given I’ve been trying hard to even up the load But don’t hold a candle to an open flame And don’t start a fire when you pray for rain But don’t hold a candle to an open flame And don’t start a fire when you pray for rain
12.
Hold up If you were mine love I’d waste all your time love If you were mine It’s a cold world And the days are getting shorter And the trees in my garden Are fixing to die Mr Cock Robin lover is gonna take me away for the night Cos you’ve always been a mystery And my thoughts don’t seem to rhyme If you were mine love If you were mine Hold up They’re dimming the light love They’re turning the tide but They’re sparking a fire Mr Cock Robin lover is gonna take me away for the night Cos you’ve always been a mystery And my thoughts don’t seem to rhyme If you were mine love If you were mine We were counting the days

about

All songs by Robert John Ardiff
except track 5 and 7 by RJA and Dotts O’Connor

Recorded in houses and studios in East Wall, Rialto, Dundalk, Newcastle, Capel Street, and Borris, Co. Carlow
Mixed by James Eager in Black Mountain Studios
Mastered by Ivan Jackman

Artwork by Niall Keville

Many thanks to Louisa and Alice, Neil Murray and The Murray Family, Steve Battle, Louise Gaffney, Ken McCabe, Tia Urrea.

credits

released October 20, 2023

Robert John Ardiff – Vocals, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, Harmonium, Synths, Percussion, Charrango, Organelle.
Gareth Quinn Redmond - Strings, Pianette.
Neil Murray - Electric Guitar (track 3) Acoustic Guitar (12), Harmonica (10) Ben Duffy - Drums (track 02 and 11)
Dennis Cassidy - Drums (tracks 07, 08, 09)
Diana Saliceti - Vox (Track 06)
Jean Baptiste Boute - Trumpet (Track 03 and 10)
David Crean – Organ (track 01)
Stuart McMahon - Bass (track 11)
Dotts O’Connor - Electric Guitar/Arrangment (track 07), Acoustic Guitar (Track 05)
Louise Gaffney - Synth (track 04)

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about

Robert John Ardiff Dublin, Ireland

Singer-songwriter Robert John Ardiff first came to the attention of fans as a member of the Choice Prize -nominated band, Come On Live Long. Since going solo he has toured Ireland, The USA and Europe. He has written music for film and TV, most recently for a film entitled 'Flora and Son'. His forthcoming album Once I Was is due in the Autumn. ... more

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