"A Friend of Mine is Going Blind" album by John Dawson Read
(released in 1975, picture collages for the album are below)
Music can be a visual experience as well as an audio experience! The following picture collages, of
songs recorded by John Dawson Read, were created to enhance the visual experience! In a way, it is an
alternative method of rediscovering songs!
The song title is at the top of each picture collage. Lyrics are at the bottom of each picture collage.
You can hear some song samples at the Music section of the
www.johndawsonread.com website. Enjoy the visuals!
"A Friend of Mine is Going Blind" album by John Dawson Read
(released in 1975, picture collages for the album are below)
1. A Friend Of Mine Is Going Blind
A friend of mine is going blind, but through the dimness
He sees so much better than me
And how he cherishes each new thing that he sees
They are locked in his head, he will save them for when
He's in darkness again
He can't read books and he can't paint pretty pictures
But he understands so much clearer than I
For he knows that all he's missing with his eyes
Is more vivid in the mind of the man who's going blind
And that's why he doesn't mind
Won't you sing Tommy Davidson of things that you have seen
Sing of winter's bite and summer nights
And places you have been
Of dew drops and forget-me-nots and silver silky sheen
Lain across the morning meadow on the hillside
This friend of mine, he plays guitar and he sings his songs so well
And he sings so much better than I
He can sing you any pictures in your mind
He will sketch them out in rhyme, draw the details in the lines
And he'll colour it in time
And oh how he loves his guitar, and it loves him
And they play so much sweeter than me
As if to say that come the day that he can't see
He will have at his command so much beauty in his hands
That the loss won't come so hard
Won't you sing Tommy Davidson of things that you have done
Sing of silver seagulls sailing into evening's golden sun
Sing of city streets and villages and people on the run
Tell the people how you know it Tommy Davidson
A friend of mine is going blind but through the dimness
He sees so much better than me
And how he cherishes each new thing that he sees
They are locked in his head, he will save them for when
He's in darkness again
2. Tommy's Song (part 1)
Tommy sings his songs for me
And he sings his songs for you
He sings of things he feels and sees
That he believes are true
So maybe that's enough for me
And all that's left to do
Is listen well and listen long to Tommy's song
Listen well, listen long to Tommy's song
3. Superficial Things
Oh we can talk in idle chatter, in quick and witty repartee
Raking up the age old phrases, but few of them are really me
For I am thoughts and merely thinking
These superficial things are lies
Unintentional deception, a frontispiece for others' eyes
And as I walk my feet are strolling taking me from place to place
Seeing people, hear them talking, but finding nothing in their face
For my movements are mere mechanics of habits born and habits bred
Oh but I am someone different, hiding deep within my head
I live my life as if tomorrow all will change and I'll come through
But then I find tomorrow's here and nothing's changed and nothing's new
But then I think that everybody, they live their lives but think a dream
So few of us are as we'd like us
Few of us are what we seem
I live my life as if tomorrow all will change and I'll come through
But then I find tomorrow's here and nothing's changed and nothing's new
But then I think that everybody, they wish their lives were as their dreams
So few of us are as we'd like us
Few of us are what we seem
4. Rain
Rain, gentle rain, summer rain, can intoxicate my brain
Insane, maybe so, but I'll go where the patterned rivers flow
In the rain
So warm is the afternoon, throw my windows open wide
The storm blown trees play out their tune
I am drawn to go outside, outside, where the calm of the day
Can wash a care away
And I'll hide, midst the fresh fragrant green
That I'll be the first to see
Since the rain
Rain, people fly to the dry from a grey and cloudy sky
A shame, they won't know what they've missed
If they never have been kissed
By the rain
And oh, how the garden stretches up to grasp the air
And may I be pardoned if I only sit and stare
Sit and stare, as the world is revived
It's so great to be alive
And a prayer seems so little to give
But may everything that lives
Survive
5. Sallyally Sunday
Queuing up for ice cream, waiting for the man
With his strawberry smile and his ring-a-ding van
Picking up the sea shells, kicking up the sand
Wading through the water with your shoes on
Bite into a pork pie, throw it in a hedge,
Crack another boiled egg, blue around the edge
There's gravel in the butter, you left it on the ledge
We'll all be very happy when the food's gone!
It's a Sallyally Sunday and the family is free
To take another day trip, a visit to the sea
If we leave just after breakfast we'll be there in time for tea
And it don't get dark down there 'til after midnight
A punch is thumping Judy, the kids all do the same
Then go off in a huff because the other was to blame
And Daddy's on a donkey, isn't Daddy brave
But he won't do that again because the mood's gone
But the band are playing pop songs, shaking up the pier
In brightly buttoned uniforms and slightly greying hair
To the clamour of the fruit machines and seagulls everywhere
And Daddy's in the boozer singing rude songs
It's a Sallyally Sunday and the family is free
To take another day trip, a visit to the sea
If we leave just after breakfast we'll be there in time for tea
And it don't get dark down there 'til after midnight
But Mum is getting tired and the kids have gone to sleep
So we sling a bag of Tupperware back into the jeep
And hammer down the motorway, back to our little street
Keeping Dad awake by singing sing-songs,
sing songs, sing sing-songs
6. All The Time In The World
Girl don't worry, don't you hurry
I won't leave you now
We've all the time the World can find
Or all it will allow
And looking back I feel I've been so hard on you sometimes
Well if I have, I'm sorry, I don't mean to be unkind
We've had troubles, mixed up muddles
But that's all in the past
The river runs a winding course
But never very fast
So girl don't worry, don't you hurry
I won't leave you now
We've all the time the World can find
Or all it will allow
It's hard to find such peace of mind so young
So I've been told
Well was that just a cold wind, or am I growing old
If I could write a song that told you all I had to say
Then my song would have no ending
Until our time had slipped away
So girl don't worry, don't you hurry
I won't leave you now
We've all the time the World can find
Or all it will allow
We've all the time the World can find
Or all it will allow
7. My Time
As evening is drawing in and time has stretched the shadows
And street lamps flicker pink before the yellow
And whisps of smoke from chimneys float
To welcome all the lads home
As women work with coke and sticks
And bellows
This is the time, my time
Can't you understand why I feel so grand
It highlights the twilights
Of my life
A breeze picks up, it twists it puffs
It's time to blow the light out
And freshen up the night after the daytime
And evening sighs as daylight dies
Relax as well she might
Now take a break, let God and man
Unwind
This is the time, my time
Can't you understand why I feel so grand
It highlights the twilights
Of my lifetime
So wake me when the martins
Duck and dive after the midges
And dizzy dragonflies dance on the water
And river mist is rising
But it's trapped inside the hedges
And the fisherman puts back the fish he caught there
He caught there...
This is the time, my time
Can't you understand why I feel so grand
It highlights the twilights
In my lifetime
8. Brief Relationship
You sang to me the sweetest song,
I've never heard before
And the words they kept repeating in my head
But it's over in a minute, I'm so sad you did begin it
It is over, it is over
It is dead
Your song was short but flowed on easily
Blood and thunder leave me cold
The tale we had was bright and breezily told
And you sang to me of summer days, you sang to me of war
And you got to me with every word you said
Of the things that kept you going
When an icy wind is blowing daily pleasures, daily sorrows
Daily bread
Your song was short but flowed on easily
Blood and thunder leave me cold
The tale we had was bright and breezily told
And so, although the song went on for such a little time
Well I feel I am the wiser all the same
All the little things you taught me
Little pleasures that you brought me
Little troubles that we'd treat as little games
Your song was short but flowed on easily
Blood and thunder leave me cold
The tale we had was bright and breezily told
You sung to me the sweetest song,
I've never heard before
And the words they kept repeating in my head
But it's over in a minute, I'm so sad you did begin it
It is over, it is over
It is dead
9. Good Living
The castle that you live in, is it really made of stone
Or would a gentle breeze blow it down
Did you build it in your dream world
Is it really not your own
Live there as long as you can
For good living is a habit, live it while you can
Soft sable furs, not rabbit
And superfast cars on Mercantile Credit
And why worry if the money isn't always real
You're as rich as you feel
And the lady you're in love with
None can be as sweet as her
A beauty that's all of her own
Don't let them tell you different
It's got not to do with them
Take her and run to your home
For good living is a habit
Live it while you can
Soft sable furs, not rabbit
And superfast cars on Mercantile Credit
And why worry if the money isn't really real
You're as rich as you feel
So believe in what you're doing
Just do the best you can
No-one does better than that
Don't let your troubles get you
Cause they'll get you if they can
Sweep them up under a mat
For good living is a habit
Live it while you can
Soft sable furs, not rabbit
And superfast cars on Mercantile Credit
And why worry if the money isn't always real
You're as rich as you feel
10. It's Been A Long Long Day
It's been a long long day, I feel the need to take some time
And take myself away from heavy minds
Why don't you take a break, you've done you're bit the same as me
We've earned a slice of the cake
Oh can't you see - can't you see
You're so hooked on your books
And your company crooks
That life has lost its magic, you let it all roll by
Watch it fly
It's been a long long day, now don't you start to feel the strain
Don't let you're weekly pay affect your brain, your brain
Oh you live, just to give, to your company spivs
And we should be climbing mountains
Getting high on what we find
Oh won't you come along with me
Now won't you spare the time
Oh no sir, oh no sir
I've got too much on my mind
Oh come on let your hair hang down
Now come on, let it shine
Oh no sir, oh no sir
I've got too much on my mind
It's been a long long day
11. An Hour's So Long When You're Dying
The moment of truth it is with me at last as I sit all alone on the stage
I can't think of tomorrow, I can't think of the past
The moment is now and I pray it goes fast
For sixty-odd minutes seem endlessly vast
And an hour's so long when you're dying
I pick up my guitar, and thank God it's in tune
For the people are patiently listening
Oh but what was the song I sang all afternoon
I can't think of the words, I can't think of the tune
If I could get the first chord then the rest follows through
But those lights are so hot
Think I'm frying
But how long can this go on
How long I'm crying
How long can this go on
For an hour's so long when you're dying
So I burst into song, get the show on the road
Though my fingers are wet on the fretboard
But the people are with me, they're singing along
The first song is over, it didn't go wrong
And there's a feeling of confidence coming on strong
And my tensions are slowly unwinding
But how long can this go on
How long I'm crying
How long can this go on
For an hour's so short when you're flying
And the last song comes round, how the time has sped by
And I've only done half that I planned
But my hour it is up, oh it's really a shame
If anyone asked me I'd go on again
I could play 'til the last of you caught the last train
But this impulse I must be denying
But how long can this go on
How long I'm crying
How long can this go on
For an hour's so short when you're flying
But how long can this go on
How long I'm crying
How long can this go on
For an hour's so short when you're flying
12. Tommy's Song (part 2)
Would you like to see yourself
Through someone else's eyes
Well I believe that I have seen
A way through my disguise
And when I see my life for real
It's then I realise
That it was there all along
In Tommy's song
It was there all along
In Tommy's song
"Read On" album by John Dawson Read
(released in 1976, picture collages for the album are below)
1. One Road For Angels
City roads paved with gold
Have brought me all this way
For someone said I'd make it, if I would like to stay
I could be a king, and do anything
Yes I would get my way
I'd find my fame and my fortune by this
The easy way
And I was green and taken in
For how could I know then
That there's one road for angels
And one road for men
One road for angels and one road for men
So cap in hand I walked the land
Of the men who had the sway
But no-one heard my music
No, nobody heard me play
So I hung around the underground
And I sung my sounds all day
Hardly fame and fortune
But it helped to pay my way
Then I began to understand
Oh I saw more clearly then
That there's one road for angels
And one road for men
One road for angels and one road for men
So go ahead and tell me
Of those things you're trying to sell me
But let me say, that I've heard it all before
The things you're freely giving
To ease my way of living
Well I don't think that I need them anymore
And so it's said I've been misled
But I've no axe to grind
For 'though I never made it
Oh in truth I do not mind
For I've heard a lot
And I've learned a lot
And I've got a lot of time
And I know that come tomorrow
There'll be steeper hills to climb
But when people say there's an easy way
Now I can say to them, that there's
One road for angels
And one road for men
One road for angels and one road for men
2. If All Things Must Change
If all things must change with the passing of time
And the mighty must fall
And the fallen must rise
Then so must the wisdom be gone from the wise
And a song be denied of its pleasure
But when will the love lines be gone from your face
For such beauty as this must be timeless as space
For even when the life's blood runs cold in your veins
Still the love that you gave will live forever
Will live forever
And when will the warmth in the heart of the home
Lie as cold as the caves or as still as the stone
And when will the years leave us alone
Oh the ties that we've grown be severed
Surely never
For can't you see that some things never change
As the moon plays a tune with the tide's rolling waves
And the calendar cries as it's counting off the days
As I count on a way that I can tell you
What does it matter if I'm right or I'm wrong
As I try to describe in the lines of a song
But as long as the world's keeping on keeping on
Then it's here we belong close together till forever
3. Till Tomorrow
Fading light brings shades of night
Creeping to my room and through my curtain
I felt certain I saw stars beyond the moon
And as I lay there in my daze I wondered
Is it really true that they're
Ten million years away
Or could it be that all I see
Just isn't there at all, it's just a memory
A used to be of stars before they fall
Or just a backdrop slung on sky-hooks
To the greatest show of all
And we the players, in the play
And oh what a show
So, why should we know
Just let it flow
Till tomorrow
Till tomorrow
And so to bed I turn my head
To try to close my eyes
But through florescent hues
Of silver blues I hear a little cry
It says, just lay there for a while
Enjoy the wonders of the sky
And you'll feel better if you do
And oh what a show
So, why should we know
Just let it flow
Till tomorrow
Till tomorrow
So when again the night descends
And shadows set the scene
Again the air is still
The earth is chilled
And the moon sends silver beams
Down to a world so steeped in magic
It seems only right for dreams
Maybe it's better that we do
And oh what a show
So, why should we know
Just let it flow
Till tomorrow
Till tomorrow
4. Me And You
If my world don't amount to much
And if my way it isn't yours, as such
Well who's to say that I won't change
For nothing seems to be the same without you
And if my words, they seem to bother you
Then let me bow to your point of view
And given time and strength of mind
Then I'll know for sure a little more about you
Oh can't you bare to face the truth
Or are you scared you may waste your youth
Well if you care, there are things to do
While there's no-one here
Just me and you
And if my day it seems to drag a bit
Well don't you leave just on account of it
For you, for you my girl, I could change the world
For nothing seems to be the same without you
Oh can't you bare to face the truth
Or are you scared that you may waste your youth
Well if you care, there are things to do
While there's no-one here
Just me and you
5. Old Cold Shoulder
I asked her at the time... I said,
I hope she wouldn't mind
If I nipped out for a drink and I got back by nine
And if she could be so sweet
As to knock up a bite to eat
I'd buy some king-size cigarettes and a bottle of wine
And things were going grand
I had every detail planned
I had the little lady in the palm of my hand
But everything went wrong
When I stayed away too long
And couldn't make her understand
And I got that old cold shoulder
Seems that I dipped out again
I got that old cold shoulder
And it's the curse of the drinking man
And I said Oh No No
I got one foot in the door
And did she give me what for
I said, I'm sorry to intrude
If I'm a little overdue
She said, A little overdue! Man you must have lost a screw!
Boy I'm telling you, the air was blue
And no excuses did I find
That would quickly come to mind
So in desperation I just kind of offered up her wine
And I can't repeat to you
What she told me I could do
With my chateau bottled bottle of wine!
Yes I got that old cold shoulder
Seems that I dipped out again
I got that old cold shoulder
And it's the curse of the drinking man
And I said Oh No No
So I grabbed myself a knife I said
I'm gonna take my life
She said that that was fine
I'd just be saving her the time
Oh yeah things were looking grim
And I could see I couldn't win
So I just said that I'd give in and
I would take it on the chin
But then I saw that wasn't wise
The evil rose up in her eyes
She donned an oven glove
And she produced to my surprise
It was a four course snack
Completely black, and it was welded to the plate
Like the front was to the back
But then she said I had to eat it!
If I didn't I could beat it!
Now how'd I get a woman like that
Yes I got that old cold shoulder
Seems that I dipped out again
I got that old cold shoulder
And it's the curse of the drinking man and
I said Oh No No
OH NO !
6. Take Him Down
Hey, look at the man with the rather long hair
Kind of thinning at the back, better pull him up a chair
Because the guy's pushing thirty yeah
Heaven knows that ain't no time to be moving around
Cause in this world you'll survive if you're physically fit
But you just won't last if you're mentally sick
Take him down
Take him away
Oh but look at him now
God, he thinks he's a star
Says he's packing up his job gonna buy a guitar
Well he must be demented
He's gone too far to be sound
Cause in this world you'll survive if you're physically fit
But you just won't last if your face doesn't fit
Take him down
Take him away
He says he's got an aspiration
Gonna get a big break
Yeah he's gonna hit the top before long
Oh but who's the silly billy gonna make a mistake
And say
Hey John, get it on, sing us all a rock song
Fast car, superstar, mamma's little pet
You ought to learn to swim before you get your feet wet
And if you don't stop now
Evil people gonna call you a crank
For in this World you'll survive if you're physically fit
But you just won't last if you're mentally sick
Take him down
Take him down
Take him away
He says he's got an aspiration
Gonna get a big break
Yeah he's gonna hit the top before long
Oh but who's the silly billy gonna make a mistake
And say, hey John, get it on, sing us all a rock song
Well boy I tell ya, you've got a lot of guts
You've either got ambition
Or you're just plain nuts
And I'm glad I'm not a gambler
I wouldn't put a penny on you
Cause in this world you'll survive if you're physically fit
But you just won't last if your face doesn't fit
Take him down
Take him down
Take him down, down, down
Take him away
7. Some People Are Crazy
Some people are crazy, when they never give in
When they know they are losing, there's no way they can win
But they'll never sleep easy thinking they didn't try
And they'll never stop trying, til the day that they die
And you, you're a trier
Of the most stubborn kind
You're in search of a lover
You've got me in your mind
But don't you know that I'm married
Twice over, you see...
Oh the first to my music
And the second... to me!
So here's to your heart of gold
The very soul, that won't be told that you were losing
And keeps you coming back
Trying again
And here's to the crazy few, the likes of you
People who are so confusing
But from small beginnings
Seem to wind up winning in the end
And you you're a giver
Uncommonly kind
And me I'm a taker
I take all I can find
And if we ever sleep easy
In the fullness of time
It'll be when you teach me
How to read my own mind
So here's to your heart of gold
That won't be told, that won't be told that you were losing
And keeps you coming back
Trying again
And here's to the crazy few
To those like you
People who are so confusing
But from small beginnings
Seem to wind up winning in the end
And here's to you crazy girl
Here's to you
And here's to you crazy girl
Here's to you
And here's to you crazy girl
Here's to you
And here's to you crazy girl
Here's to you
And here's to you crazy girl
Here's to you
And here's to you crazy girl
Here's to you
8. Such Is The Mystery
Let the day fall all around you
Let the breath of life surround you
What a day!, should be a holiday
And these lazy days are hard to come by
Here for our pleasure
A moment to treasure
Stay with me, and lend me your company
For you show to me all the world gives for free
And there's no more that a man can ever ask for
And if we, we could see, half he gave us to see
Then we'd be halfway to finding the answer
So where will all the seasons go
It's for us to ask, it's for him to know
It's too much for me
For such is the mystery
And all these things we take for granted
But how did they get here
When were they planted, if we could see
What would the answer be
For you show to me
All the world gives for free
And there's no more that a man can ever ask for
And if we, we could be, half he wants us to be
Then we'd be halfway to finding the answer
Today, we'll see the butterfly
We'll smell the grass, we'll feel the sky
Oh what a day!
Let no-one take this away
But I will live my life forever
Asking the questions
But answers will never come to me
For such is the mystery
And you, you show to me all the world gives for free
And there's no more that a man can ever ask for
And if we, we could be, half he wants us to be
Then we'd be halfway to finding the answer
9. Days Of Sweet Remembrance
Now the ivy has gone red
Most other leaves have gone to bed
And longer nights are drawing in
And the northern winds have said
Curl up your coats and cap your head
For the winter has set in
And the thoughts of what we had
Go round and round and leave me sad
With just one question on my mind
Are you thinking of our long ago embrace
From my half forgotten face
Or is my image more defined
For the summer it is over
And you've left me for the sun
Still my days of sweet remembrance have only just begun
From time to time I think a bit
It doesn't rhyme nor does it fit
You really got to me somehow
But how we made it at the time
Had no demands and that was fine
And so why should I want them now
For the summer it is over
And you've left me for the sun
Still my days of sweet remembrance
Have only just begun
Yes my days of sweet remembrance
Have only just begun
10. Thinking (The Things I'm Thinking)
Sometimes I walk along with my feet dragging slow
Hands in my pockets and my head hung low
Whistling tunes that no-one knows
Just thinking the things I'm thinking
And sometimes my thoughts they make me smile
Brighten my day for some short while
Lighten my life and my life style
Just thinking the things I'm thinking
Have you ever been beside the sea
When the seagulls are in flight
Watch them glide, they twist they slide
Into the night
Oh then again to be along the cliff
Where the gulls drift down below
And felt the urge to near the verge
And have yourself a go
And sometimes my thoughts they make me frown
Burn up inside me and bring me down
For nothing is easy, this I've found
Just thinking the things I'm thinking
Have you ever been in springtime woods
Where the leaves are freshest green
And felt so proud to be allowed to see the scene
Or then again to be in autumn woods
Where those leaves are falling brown
And heaped them neat before your feet
And kicked them all around
So how can we doubt that all things change
All things return from whence they came
Children grow up and grown men age
And aged men get to thinking
11. He Told Me He Was Leaving You For Good
Why ask me all these questions
Don't you think it's so unfair
You really ought to see him face to face
I know that you've got problems
But who am I to interfere
At times like these it pays to know your place
But you say that you're worried
You've not seen him for some time
And you're scared he may be pulling out
And leaving you behind
Well now listen for a minute
And please try to understand
There are some things you may rather never hear
And I don't want to be the one
Who has to bring you down
Oh no, that's never my idea
But you're the one who came to me
No I didn't come to you
And you want me to be honest
You say, you want to know the truth
Well please, please believe it's not for me
Though heaven knows I'd love you if I could
Please, please believe he told me this
He told me he is leaving you for good
Take your time and take it easy
Yes I know just how you feel
Now I guess that I'd be feeling much the same
But I hope it won't be quite so bad
As you are making out
Cause I hope you'll let me stay to ease the pain
And in every muddy river
There's a speck of gold somewhere
And now it's in the open
Well it may help to clear the air
So please, please believe it's not for me
Though heaven knows I've loved you for so long
Please, please believe he told me this
He told me that his love for you is gone
Please, please believe its not for me
Though heaven knows I'd love you if I could
Please, please believe he told me this
He told me he is leaving you for good
12. Days Of Sweet Remembrance (Reprise)
Now the ivy has gone red
Most other leaves have gone to bed
And longer nights are drawing in
And though I know you’re out of reach
You’re turning gold upon some beach
I know that I’ll see you again
For the summer it is over
And you've left me for the sun
Still my days of sweet remembrance
Have only just begun
That's all of the John Dawson Read Song Visuals!
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