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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a jewel case with an attractive 16-page booklet including lyrics to all songs, comprehensive CD liner notes by Gary Miller & Keith Armstrong, beautiful individual track artwork by Keith Lawrence Palmer, individual track notes by Keith Armstrong, full recording details and credits, etc.

    NB: - CD is the original 14-track version and does not include the 2 bonus tracks available with the digital version.

    IMPORTANT MESSAGE for non-UK buyers:
    Please be aware that if you are ordering from outside the UK, due to reasons beyond our control, you may be liable for additional charges, e.g. customs tax. Please note: we will NOT refund payment for any items refused or returned to us due to non-payment of these charges at point of delivery.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Bleeding Sketches [Bonus Track Edition] via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
    2 remaining

      £6.99 GBP

     

  • Streaming + Download

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

      £0.69 GBP

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

The title speaks for itself. My father worked at Swan Hunters Shipyard for 30 years. The words speak for shipyard workers throughout the North East who have been thrown onto the scrap-heap by this callous Tory Government. It was originally commissioned for a BBC Radio programme 'Suite for the River Wear', hence the reference to the Wear rather than the Tyne.

(Keith Armstrong - from original liner notes)

lyrics

MY FATHER WORKED ON SHIPS

My father worked on ships
They spelked his hands
Dusted his eyes his face his lungs

Those eyes that watered by the Wear
Stared out to sea to see the world
In a tear of water at the drop
Of an old cloth cap

For thirty weary winters he grafted
Through the snow and the wild winds
Of loose change

He was proud of those ships he built
He was proud of the men he built with
His dreams sailed with them
The hull was his skull
The cargo his brains
My father worked on ships

Those eyes that watered by the Wear
Stared out to sea to see the world
In a tear of water at the drop
Of an old cloth cap

His hopes rose and sank
In the shipwrecked streets
Of Sunderland
And I look at him now
This father of mine who worked on ships
And I feel proud of his skeletal frame
This coastline
That moulded me
And my own sweet dreams

He sits in his retiring chair
Dozing into the night
There are dreams in his head
And I wish him more love yet

Sail with me
Breathe in me
Breathe that rough sea air old man
And cough it up

Rage rage against the dying
Of this broken-backed town
The spirit of its broken-backed ships
My father worked on ships

Those eyes that watered by the Wear
Stared out to sea to see the world
In a tear of water at the drop
Of an old cloth cap

Those eyes that watered by the Wear
Stared out to sea to see the world
In a tear of water at the drop
Of an old cloth cap

(lyrics: Keith Armstrong / music: Gary Miller)

credits

from Bleeding Sketches [Bonus Track Edition], released October 2, 1995
Gary Miller - vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, banjo
Glenn Miller - keyboards
Mick Tyas - bass, backing vocals
Nick Buck - drums
Fred Purser - electric guitar

license

all rights reserved

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Gary Miller image

Gary Miller Durham, UK

Gary Miller first rose to international prominence with folk-punk/rock pioneers The Whisky Priests (1985-2002), founded with his twin brother Glenn - “the Joe Strummer and Mick Jones of Folk Music". He now performs as a solo artist and with his new band 'Gary Miller's Big Picture' whose debut album is coming soon. ... more

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