Craig Sinclair

Leaving on the ‘morrow (2004)

Leaving on the morrow, I thank my gracious host
Must keep following my pipe dreams along that desert coast
I know that there’ll be suffering, I know that I’ll feel pain
No time for me to gather moss, must be on the roll again

Each footstep is another trial, I can’t stop what I’ve begun
I only know that I’ll be leaving on the morrow with the rising sun
Some day I’ll find some peace, but God knows its not here not know
And while I’m on the move I’ll find the comfort that my soul will allow

Road stretches ahead, don’t know how far I’ll have to go
Don’t ask me where I’m bound for, I tell you man I don’t know
I stash away my longings, in the bottom of my pack
Crazy messed up feelings, they’ll be there when I get back

Karma Train (2004)

I’ve burned some bridges getting where I am
The things I’ve done too many things I’ve said
I’ve took some time, now I understand
And I see comeuppance coming up ahead

Karma train, rolling down the track
You can bet your life that the karma train is coming back

Well I stand accused for the bad things I do
But I swear now babe I never meant you wrong
I can’t run away, from that karma train
It’s gonna pull into my station before too long

Karma train, rolling down the track
You can bet your life that the karma train is coming back

Well there’s bad times coming just around the bend
Stones in my pathway people gonna break me down
And there’s justice in what lady luck has to send
Around it goes now its gonna come around

Karma train, rolling down the track
You can bet your life that the karma train is coming back

Downstream Blues (2004)

I’m further down the river than some
While others are far ahead
I’m happy enough for now
To simply let myself be led
The riverbanks meander past
But with each passing day
The current gains a stronger pull
I’m slipping
Slowly surely away

I’ll be sure to share some time
With folk who’ll make me smile
I’ll no doubt set a few young castaways
Free after a while
And when there’s not much left to do
And not much left to say
I’ll keep on going laid back like
Slipping slowly surely away

My field of dreams was years ago
They passed by on the left
The only place worth looking’s further downstream
‘Til I run out of breath
And when my day of judgement comes
And I look over the brink
There’s no holding back what’s up ahead
My boat surely will sink

Yeah when there’s not much left to do and not much left to say
I’ll keep on going laid back like
Slipping slowly surely away

Footprints in the sand (2005)

Hold fast onto your dreams my son
Your time of trial has just begun
And though your journey may be long
We’ve raised you up good and strong

We’ve given you the best we can
Watched you grow into a man
It’s onto you to walk this land
And leave your footprints in the sand

Well I’ll keep walking down my line
Until my legs refuse to let me stand
But the marks I leave upon the earth
Can be no more than footprints in the sand

You’ll have your days out in the sun
Some days this world will drag you down
But until your final race is run
Hold fast onto your dreams my son

Too Far Gone (2005)

I’ll be over the moon until I fall out of the sky
Over the moon, until I fall out of the sky
I keep jumping off buildings, thinking I can fly

You’ve got me sitting pretty, thinking there’s good times up ahead
Got me sitting pretty, thinking there’s good times up ahead
But I’ll never find my way back, from the places I’ve been led

My heart will lead the way, all my head can do is sigh
My heart will lead the way, all my head can do is sigh
But I’m happy while I’m hoping, you make me laugh until I cry

The stuff you’re dealing, sure bring a man down to his knees
The stuff you’re dealing, sure bring a man down to his knees
But I was happy in my prison cell, until you showed up with the keys

I’m too far gone to let you pass me by
Too far gone to do anything but try
Too far gone to let you pass me by
Too far gone to do anything but try

The Words (2004)

I can see in your face, that you don’t like my pace
And you’re looking for something more perfect
Well what more can I say, except to bid you good day
And good luck finding something that’s worth it
My mother said its fine it’ll happen in time
My pappa said I need to be more handsome
And the clock keeps on ticking and I’m in the corner chicken
And the ballroom of life keeps on dancing
And I’m drifting around while this party’s cranking on
Wondering if things’ll turn around before too long
And in the back of my mind, form the words to a song
Now this sweet blue eyed belle, she says that I’m swell
But she can’t give me more than a smile
Coz she’s looking for fame and a rich sounding name
And I haven’t got that money class or style
Now the head of the clan says I need to take a stand
If I’m ever to take anything from life
Says don’t look out for your girl it’s the way of the world
And you’ll waste your best years being nice
And I’m drifting around while this party’s cranking on
Wondering if things’ll turn around before too long
And in the back of my mind, form the words to a song
I can see the one you want, standing out in boldface font
With a medal for every word he ever speaks
Well you’ll forgive me with your grace for my measure of distaste
And the fact that my praise is tongue in cheek
I don’t want to be the one to spoil your sense of fun
If it’s jealousy that makes me sour I don’t know
I can only call what I see and hope that one day you’ll be free
Of the chains that drag you laughing down that slippery slope
And I’m drifting around while this party’s cranking on
Wondering if things’ll turn around before too long
And in the back of my mind, form the words to a song
The ghost of my Christmas past whispers you’ll always finish last
He’s fortune telling with the spirits of my present
Look out the outlook’s getting bleak for those who turn the other cheek
And break their backs and hearts in an effort to be pleasant
Over my shoulder I look back at my marks upon the track
Should have dug my tyres in and driven a harder deal
Coz no one wants a bar of the second fastest car
It’s first place that’ll always be the steal
And I’m drifting around while this party’s cranking on
Wondering if things’ll turn around before too long
And in the back of my mind, form the words to a song
Now the word’s getting round that my spirit’s getting down
Finally reaches old cupid in heaven
He flies down from his lofty throne to the bedside where I moan
About my life and the luck that I’ve been gettin
Down to my bed the angel flies says open up your teary eyes
And let the spirit of the Lord in
Ah these problems that you’re facin, they’ll take no quick erasin’
Even with these solutions we’re affording
And I’m drifting around while this party’s cranking on
Wondering if things’ll turn around before too long
And in the back of my mind, form the words to a song

Life Ahead (2005)

This world has dragged your shoulders down
And turned you in upon yourself
You look at me as if I’m a mortal foe
And even though you won’t allow
A worried heart to lend you help
There’s life ahead for you this much I know
Oh this much I know
So tighten up your belt my friend
Set your chin against the wind
Just keep on adding footprints to the road
There’s ears that will listen
And hearts that will let you in
There’s life ahead for you this much I know
Oh this much I know
I caught a smile a few days ago
Escaping from your face
It lit the room, I’m not sure you knew
I had a feeling that you’d grow
I always thought you’d find your place
There’s life ahead for you this much I knew
Oh this much I knew

Bright Eyed Girl (2003)

A bright eyed girl said that’s a beautiful guitar
Play me a sweet slow song and I’ll love you as you are
And though the seasons change I’ll be staying here with you
And while you sing for me oh yes I will be true
And she said, come on babe let’s go look up at the skies
And she stared at me with those bright cheeky eyes
And she smiled and said babe, I won’t tell you lies
I woke up this morning and found that you were gone
I guess you found another boy to play you a song
A season may have changed but you’ve left me all to soon
I reached for my guitar but it was out of tune
And I can’t stop thinking how you said that you’d be true
And you’re eyes are burning in my heart even though they’re coloured blue
So I got up out of bed started writing, a love song for you
I saw you from across the street just the other day
Our eyes briefly met, before you turned away
I didn’t call out just let you walk off with a sigh
Kept busking on the street corner for the passers by
And I keep wishing now as I look up at the stars
I’ll be busking on the street one day amongst the cars
And one will stop you’ll get out and say
That’s a beautiful guitar

The Battle of Pinjarra (2005)

History tells us of a battle, the whiteman’s year of 1834
Mounted gunmen rode to Pinjarra, with pretense of settling a score
To clear the way for farmers to profit by sewing their seed
They ripped the black man from his earth, as if simply pulling weeds
Pitched against an enemy with no chance to win
A case of wrong place, wrong time, and wrong coloured skin
On an October morning guns were loaded, the battle line was drawn
They fell upon their prey, unjustified and unwarned
Hemmed against the river, it cut off their chances of escape
And the women and children there had to witness their men’s grisly fate
And as the red sun set, at the ending of the day, the Murray River washed the blood
Of cold murdered blackfella away
The soldiers returned to their homes greeted with praise and acclaim
With blood on their hands and honour beside their names
Genocide in the name of a governor this tribe had never hailed
But you can get away with murder if you’re the one who lives to tell the tale
A battle forever more, as the history books do tell
Though it was close to a fair fight as heaven, is to hell

Delilah (2006)

You’re walking barefoot through the cornfields, in your lily dress
The first warm day of spring, like the last cold sunset
I can’t keep up I’m looking west, takes both hands to shade my eyes
You’re up ahead and I’m back here singing,
Delilah why why why?

You’re picking flowers in the lilies and the reeds down by the waterline
I got you’re sweet dreams in my head, honey I’m feeling fine
You shoot a half glance from both barrels, you walk a saucy little two step line
I can stand in the way, but I’ll never stop you here,
Delilah why why why?

All the skinny armed school boys they monkey grip the tree trunks in the sky
They pick the sweet fruit they can reach, hope to reach you with their sighs
Well they’re falling from the treetops, with a birdsong hope to fly
If they ever pick themselves up they’ll always be singing
Delilah why why why?

Rusting Armour (2006)

I've been aching through bone dry winters
Waiting for the tears
I always thought that there'd be comfort in the passing time
And counsel in the wisdom of the years

And each morning I strap on rusting armour
And stumble out into the fray
Crushed between the rank and file
And all the stony faces trying to find their way

And now each night takes longer
To wash off the bloodstains of the day
To keep the wounds from turning sour I swear
I'll drop my sword and walk away

Hoist a white flag from the tallest pole
I'm running from this war
To where the river walks more slowly
I try to forget the things I saw
The things I saw

I've half a mind to break free from this shelter
And seek solace in the storm
Let the raindrops beat upon my brow
Until I've found the things I'm running from

Hoist a white flag from the tallest pole
I'm running from this war
To where the river walks more slowly
I try to forget the things I saw
The things I saw

And so I stand before the mirror
I tell the man to tell me what he sees
While I wander aimless circles all around myself
And then lay down to sleep

I've been aching through bone dry winters
Waiting for the tears
I've been aching through bone dry winters
Waiting for the tears

Lara Clare (2006)

25 years I've been riding on that mule
Ploughed the barren fields into rows of lonely lines
A vigil in the desperate dark, the night sky only knows
The hours I waited for that light to shine

In the night the old grey man finally found my door
A single candle in the window burning low
He melted through the walls and into my restless sleep
And spoke into my dreams its time to go

He holds my shaking hand and guides me through the lonely dark
To a dawn that paints the wild lands golden green
There's a sleeping magic here that rests across the ancient hills
And I never want to wake up from this dream

He points across the plains to where you're running with the wolves
I see you all at once then everywhere
There's terror and there's beauty in these things that can't be tamed
And this is where I find you Lara Clare

I came to you in tethers, staggered in on bleeding feet
Drank from your cup to soothe my burning fears
We stood together, faced the demons at the fiery gates
And quenched the raging flames with both our tears

A land of freedom looms ahead beyond these heavy seas
Though I'm floating on the whisper of a prayer
I'm guided by your light and if I ever reach the shore
I pray that you'll be waiting Lara Clare

I pray that you'll be waiting Lara Clare
I pray that you'll be waiting Lara Clare

25 years I've been riding on that mule
Ploughed the barren fields into rows of lonely lines
A vigil in the desperate dark, the night sky only knows
The hours I waited for that light to shine

Georgie (2006)

Georgie was the black sheep
He ran against the flock and kicked up the dirt
He couldn't see the friendly trees
For the forest and its scratching leaves
And all the things in life that made him hurt

And as he grew taller
The world pushed him, it pushed him away
Angry at this frightened man
And the things he couldn't understand
They spoke from further back everyday

Hey Georgie
Hey Georgie, what you gone and done?
There's nowhere left to hide these days and only so far you can run

He pressed his fear into a ball
And showed the world a glare
A fist for those who looked too long
And a wall for anyone
Who tried to care

And one by one friends slipped behind
They left him to his ways
And soon enough the knot was tied
And he was stuck alone inside
The dark and twisting walls of an endless maze

Hey Georgie
Hey Georgie, what you gone and done?
There's nowhere left to hide these days and only so far you can run

Tonight he'll nurse another beer
And prop up another bar
And wonder how can people
Be so near and company be so far

Hey Georgie
Hey Georgie, what you gone and done?
There's nowhere left to hide these days and only so far you can run

Peggy’s Blues (2006)

Next time you see your father, tell that man he’s not to come around here no more
This isn’t like the last time, and it isn’t like the time before
When that young thing throws him out, tell him he won’t be welcome at my door
When you see your father tell that man, he’s not to come around here no more

Now here’s what you can tell him son, if that man should ask the reason why
One too many promises yeah, one too many times he’s lied
One too many times he’s stayed out long enough to make me cry
One too many times he’s come home drunk, singing his beltwhip lullaby

Now listen closely son, you have to hold your ground against this man
Don’t let his empty promises, blind you to his evil plans
You’ve got your father’s jaw, but I know that you’re as gentle as a lamb
You’re sixteen years old today, I think it’s time we made our stand

In Too Deep (2004)

We found ourselves together it seems not so long ago
We waded in the shallows heedless of the undertow
One night we ventured out until our feet no longer touched the ground
We both know we’re in too deep to get out now

I’ve heard it said you’ll sink or swim if you’re in too deep to stand
I care not that the water’s deep if I can only hold your hand
My heart has led me in a way my brain never could allow
And I know I’m in too deep to get out now

The shoreline’s far away, we’re too far gone to fight the tide
Our feet will never touch the ground, until we reach that other side
My only prayer is that I can keep a hold of you somehow
God knows we’re in too deep to get out now

Some days I cast my mind back, to the times when I could choose
When I held my feet on solid ground, for fear of what I had to lose
I think I’ve changed since I cast adrift, I’m not sure exactly how
I only know I’m in too deep
I only know I’m in too deep
I only know I’m in too deep to get out now

Fertile Land (2006)

I’ve been wandering aimless through these years
The portrait of a bare foot lonely soul
With just the flame of ignorance held aloft to light the dark
And held close sometimes to warm me from the cold
And I never knew quite how far I’d strayed
Until my feet touched familiar ground
And I realized I’d walked across a burning desert
To find comfort in the shelter of this town
And finally I’ve found some fertile land
That will take the seeds I’ve got to sew
I sink my roots down, deep into this soil
And see what flowers I can grow
And in her backstreets I can feel a warm embrace
But like a good lover she don’t give up her secrets fast
One day soon I’ll find my way beneath her skin
And hear that sweet voice call me home at last
Finally I’ve found some fertile land
That will take the seeds I’ve got to sew
I sink my roots down, deep into this soil
And see what flowers I can grow
And the people of this town, are slowly breaking down
These walls that I’ve put up around my heart
I’m still toiling through the valleys, looking up towards the hills
They’re little steps you know but well I’ve made a start

Way Back When (2004)

There was a restless calm before the storm
The line was drawn and then
The cruel sun set on a love that was once true
Way back when

And when it was clear to us both
That there was nothing left
We each gathered up what we could
Before our love ran out of breath

And the memories fade like dreams
Through our cracks and in betweens
I still think about you now and then
When you were mine way back when

And so we came upon
The next fork in the road
You took the highway too your high life
And I was forced to take the low

And our paths they don’t cross no more
It’s as if we’d never been
You’re usually a step ahead
Or a mile or two downstream

And the memories fade like dreams
Through our cracks and in betweens
I still think about you now and then
When you were mine way back when