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Just Another Day

by Dan McKinnon

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1.
Just Another Day Just another song A song of hopes and dreams unspoken A tale of love and hearts unbroken A song of courage newly woken When the need is nigh Just another song A melody to fill the silence A growing beacon in the darkness A fire that we can carry with us Through the darkest night CHORUS: Just another day can witness hope spring from despair Just a solemn word can make us cry Just a song can fill the heart with gladness as we sing When we lift our voices to the sky Just another word Stated for another measure Spoken in both joy and pleasure Whispered as a secret treasure For a friend to share Just another word Uttered in the throes of passion Shouted in the heat of fury Regretted as the day grows longer Just another word CHORUS: Just another day... Just another day Somewhere the sun is shining Somewhere the rain is falling Somewhere the night is calling for another day Just another day Somewhere there are children laughing Somewhere a voice is singing Somewhere another soldier dying Just another day Someone in joy is crying Hearts are sighing, night is passing Somewhere a newborn sleeping Just another day © Dan McKinnon
2.
The Captain and the Queen She breathed her last one January evening She met her fate so far away from home Shorn of masts she hauled freight for a living Then struck a reef upon some foreign shore He heard the news and stood still for a moment His eyes welled up with tears he couldn’t hide You could hear it in his voice as he tried speaking They say that night a part of him had died CHORUS: And you could hear the wind howling through her rigging The Bluenose and her Captain running free You could feel their pride and grace For glory they would race To be the best The Captain and the Queen They christened her the Bluenose one March morning She turned her head toward the open sea A thousand voices cried for victory for pride They cheered them on the captain and the Queen Now a season on the Grand Banks set her mettle Judgement day was swiftly drawing near Stout hearts were beating fast as the finish line raced past They beat the best The Captain and the Queen CHORUS: And you could hear... She worked hard for 18 seasons on the Grand Banks From Gloucester’s challenge never did they stray But the days of sail had passed He stayed with her to the last Then he cast her lines and watched her steam away Now the captain has a grandson who’s a captain The Bluenose has a daughter who’s a queen Together once again riding high against the wind Forever one The Captain and the Queen CHORUS: And you can hear... You could feel their pride and grace For glory they would race Forever one The Captain and the Queen © Dan McKinnon
3.
MY OLD WALKING SHOES Some people don’t like standing still Others are afraid to run Some of us walk a very long way Just to get back to where we’ve begun Some people wear too many shoes It’s a wonder they’re never confused Be it standing or running I’m never at odds When I don my old walking shoes CHORUS: Some shoes are made for walking Some shoes for standing tall There’s some shoes for dress, failure, or success, But I like mine most of all Sometimes I feel so all alone Like an actor in the wrong part It’s then I’ll reach down for my old walking shoes They lead me straight back to your heart It’s said that wisdom will come with age If that’s true I’ll be finding out soon I just hope these old shoes know which way to go When I’m tired and heading for home CHORUS: Some shoes are made for walking... Now I’ve found that only wishes Will never make dreams come true So relax, breathe deep the first step is steep And walk a long mile in those shoes CHORUS: Some shoes are made for walking... There’s some shoes for dress, failure, or success, But I like mine most of all © Dan McKinnon.
4.
The Mystery of Oak Island Come closer to the fire now don’t forget a chair Here pour yourself one more drink of whiskey The clouds are growing darker, we’re headed for a gale And the time is ripe for the listening You may talk of hounds with fire red eyes, lights floating on the breeze It’s the bicentennial eve of its discovery Young McInnis spied the signs while walking on the strand And thus began the mystery of Oak Island Daniel set out in the morning with a shovel in his hand Arm in arm he strode with both of his companions At twelve feet flagstones barred their way shorn up with oaken logs and clay Oak platforms jarred them every ten feet after At ninety feet the message stone but none could read the warning They dragged it out and waited ‘til the morning The sun rose golden from the sea it shimmered on their hopes and dreams But all lay under sixty feet of water CHORUS: And the local people said, “There’s no need to raise the dead. We don’t want dealings with the devil’s booty!” Already six have died. Still many more will try To solve the mystery of Oak Island Rumours come and rumours go as to just what lay below Captain Kidd’s is not the only treasure missing There’s treasure of Tumbez or the crown jewels of France Or Shakespeare’s manuscripts as penned by Francis Bacon Many since have tried their hand, they set to tearing up the land Well they spent more than they ever will recover And when the money’s all but gone many more will come along The treasure calling them from far beneath Oak Island CHORUS: And the local people said... Now the gale has passed us by and the ember’s glow has died There’s one last drink of whiskey in the bottle I have one more thing to say before you’re on your way Then I’ll bid adieu until a new tomorrow My tale has reached its end just like the mortal lives of men Who go wandering ‘round the island in delusion With the dreams fresh in their mind of what they hoped they’d find They were all they left behind upon Oak Island CHORUS: And the local people said... © Dan McKinnon
5.
The Man of Her Dreams Their courtship began with a walk in the rain Her sweater was buttoned, his hat brim pulled down In the mist haloed street lamps stood muted and still As they walked without making a sound Past wide-windowed store fronts that looked strangely new For only a moment they stopped just to see In the window’s reflection her arm slip through his As she walked with the man of her dreams CHORUS: In her heart she loved to go walking Arm in arm with the man of her dreams (repeat) Past old friends and faces they smiled as they walked Together as one their new life had begun And they laughed and they cried and they loved and they talked And they dreamed of the years yet to come Just as their summer was turning to fall In the still of an afternoon she got the call How while he’d been out flying his plane engine stalled Now she mourns for the man of her dreams CHORUS: In her heart she loved to go walking... Softly she rocks by the window and speaks How so long ago he was taken that day And she tells us the tales of her dreams as she sleeps How the man in her dreams runs away Early one morning we found her quite still Her sweater was on with the neck buttoned down If you ask me I’ll tell you where she can be found She’s gone walking with the man of her dreams CHORUS: In her heart she loved to go walking... © Dan McKinnon
6.
When the Under-Run is Done We fished the banks in schooners, for months we’d be at sea Baiting hooks on cotton lines with calloused hands With salted fish we’d fill the hold then raise our sails for home To make highliner wouldn’t that be grand! CHORUS: And we’d row out in the darkness Through blinding snow and fog Keeping count of every stroke upon the waves Then it’s hand over hand, give a slap, then bait, then back again Four times a day we’d make that blessed run We’ll take our rest when the under-runs are done Now topsails gave way peacefully the knockabout was born No widow-making sprit upon the bow We’ve no need to rely on wind with diesel down below Few wings of canvas raised to see us home CHORUS: And we’d row out in the darkness... Factory ships and trawlers converged upon the banks To mine the ocean’s ever precious ore Fleets from Russia, France and Spain, near dragged the bottom clean Highliners all but soon to be no more CHORUS: No more row out in the darkness Through blinding snow or fog No more in pairs alone upon the waves No more hand over hand, no more slap, or bait, or back again No more need to make that blessed run We’ll take some rest when the under-run is done CHORUS: And we’d row out in the darkness... We’ll take our rest now the under-runs are done © Dan McKinnon
7.
Sailmaker 04:10
Sailmaker Been sixty years a sailmaker learned from my father’s hand We sewed up slips of canvas double-stitching every strand We worked from dawn to dusk making fifty cents a day But now the time of sailing ships is all but gone away We sewed up sets of mainmast sails for the Bluenose and Cape Anne When we couldn’t use machines we’d sew them all by hand Bare masts sat there in the harbour while we worked both night and day But oh what joy when we looked out and watched them sail away CHORUS: And I wander sometimes down to the workshop Just to watch the daylight pass away And wipe away the dust from the bench-tops filled with rust From broken needles left where they lay I’ve watched the big fleets come and go the schooners anchored in the bay They’d glide without a sound but for the slapping of the waves I’ve watched the ships go proudly out I’ve seen the men obey But now the time of sailing ships is all but gone away CHORUS: And I wander sometimes down to the workshop... Been sixty years a sailmaker learned from my father’s hand We sewed up slips of canvas double stitching every strand We worked from dawn to dusk making fifty cents a day But now the time of sailing ships is all but gone away Now the time of sailing ships is all but gone away Now the time of sailmakers is all but gone away © Dan McKinnon
8.
Before the Day is Done One night as I went walking To the harbour I was bound I happened on a band of men wandering through the town CHORUS: And it’s haul on the bowline Keep her six points off the wind We’ve got to make one hundred leagues before the day is done We’ve got to make one hundred leagues before the day is done They seemed to me a cheerful lot To the harbour I was bound They offered me a drink of port I was next to stand the round CHORUS: And it's... Soon my head was spinning To the harbour I was bound I woke up on the fo’c’sle floor near twenty miles from town CHORUS: And it's... The bo’sun he’s a bucko mate To the harbour I was bound The old man’s worse than the devil himself when he drinks that whisky down CHORUS: And it's... The cook he is a scurvy knave To the harbour I was bound Every dish he sends this way tastes like coffee grounds CHORUS: And it's... Two months have passed since I roved out To the harbour I was bound Though we’ve got twelve more before we’re through I’ve yet to see a crown CHORUS: And it's... And when my time is over To the harbour I was bound No more I’ll go out walking the dark streets of the town CHORUS: And it's... © Dan McKinnon
9.
Change for the Better There are so many roads never taken There are too many dreams pass us by There are so many paths we’ve forsaken There are too many hopes untried CHORUS: And it’s time for a change for the better It’s time for a change in me And it’s time just to smile and sit for a while In the warmth of your sweet company There are so many words never spoken Leaving too many answers denied There are so many words said in anger Leaving too many tears un-dried CHORUS: And it’s time... We each have the freedom to follow Our heads or our hearts if we please We can save all our joys for tomorrow Or go where our hearts want to lead CHORUS: And it’s time... REPEAT CHORUS: And it’s time... And it’s time just to smile and sit for a while In the warmth of your sweet memory © Dan McKinnon
10.
Remember Me 04:12
Remember Me I remember it well ‘twas the calmest of days I remember the sky looked so blue Mommy and Carmen were practicing hymns When the light from the window shone through With a flash the earth trembled, the flooring gave way The ceiling and walls tumbled down The only thing saved from the old house but me Was this wonderful cup they found. It said … CHORUS: Remember me… Remember me Inscribed on its side were two words to abide by Remember me We had just enough time to make school by nine You could feel tension spark in the air Alarms shrieked and howled, we followed the sound As the new fire engine roared by With Gordon running second and Alan in third The world came apart at the seams I awoke on the ground, found Gordon - we looked ‘round Three days later Alan’s body was found CHORUS: Remember me… In the city’s north end with the pealing of bells We remember that most tragic day The whole world responded with heartfelt kindness A debt we can never repay Still stories are told of bravery and sacrifice A work of God, who’s to say But the one thing that helps keep the lost ones so dear Is this wonderful cup found that day. It says … CHORUS: Remember me… © Dan McKinnon
11.
Back to You 03:32
Back to You It’s so hard to leave but you know I’ll return And when the travelling’s all over And there’s one thing I’ve learned Just as sure as that harvest moon comes within view I’ll be making my way back to you CHORUS: There’s lights on the harbour, stars in the sky That old yellow harvest moon gently rides by It’s telling me that summer is just passing through As it lightens my way back to you And as you start searching for where you belong May your path bring you happiness and keep you from harm I’ll ask that Man in the Moon to keep one eye out for you As he lightens my way back to you CHORUS: There’s lights on the harbour... So I wish and I wish on each falling star That you know I’ll be with you wherever you are Just remember when that harvest moon comes within view It once lightened my way back to you CHORUS: There’s lights on the harbour... © Dan McKinnon
12.
Nova Scotia for Sale/Sold For sale some nice sea property, ocean frontage and a yard There’s so much to see down here by the sea, here I’ll give you my realty card A cleared lot with plenty of access to the ocean, we’re sure there’s enough There’s only one hitch we hope you don’t mind and that’s just when the weather’s rough CHORUS: And it’s Nova Scotia for sale sold! The signs on the lighthouses say But no one can read all the small print They’ve posted them so far away There’s the ad in the German newspaper and one in a Dutch magazine They’ve put posters up all over the Rhine and down by the Zuider Zee And the ad reads picture yourself here in this beautiful home by the bay Yes the house is quite tall please don’t mind the stripes but we’d like you to keep it that way CHORUS: And it’s Nova Scotia for sale sold... There’s just been one previous owner, we hope you will like what we’ve done We’ve cut down all the trees so you might get some breeze but you’re sure to get plenty of sun There are plenty of rocks for your garden, in fact you might find quite a few But there’s no need to fret have we lied to you yet, just sit back and admire the view CHORUS: And it’s Nova Scotia for sale sold... So it’s farewell to you Nova Scotia… and your beautiful sea-bound coast There’s no need to keep all those lights on, you’re big now let’s give up the ghost Your coastline is costing us money, there are taxes that have to be paid You really don’t need all those lighthouses when there’s money here to be made CHORUS: And it’s Nova Scotia for sale sold... For sale some nice sea property ocean frontage and a yard There’s so much to see down here by the sea here I’ll give you my realty card There’s so much to see down here by the sea here I’ll give you my realty card © Dan McKinnon
13.
This House 03:25
This House This house from where you watched the world go by This house touched here and there with childhood’s eyes Every surface your blank page, a self-painted gilded cage With bluebirds flying free Painted flowers on the stair blooming everywhere Now here for all to see within this house These hands could only do so much These hands now curled and spent around the brush Did you paint away the pain, paint away the tears and the misery While painting stories from the past, times that did not last Childhood’s memories within these hands These eyes witness to the passing ways These eyes now glancing from a stranger’s gaze They saw the oxen and the cart, they were the window to your heart Open wide enough to breathe Painting brightly coloured scenes, pictures found in dreams Only you could see with these eyes This house now silent witness to your life This house once filled with hardship and with life Yet does it guard unspoken dreams Preserve silent memories unseen by curious eyes? Quietly waiting for the brush Your loving tender touch to caress it one more time This house © Dan McKinnon
14.
Simple Things Let me sing for you I won’t take long Some simple words when things go wrong To help you raise your voice in song And lend a helping hand No lives are ever free from pain So when your days are filled with rain Just know the sun will shine again And love those clouds away CHORUS: A smile, a glance, a knowing hand Two simple words, “I understand” Are all it takes to be a friend When friends are hard to find Simple things that mean so much A gentle kiss, a lover’s touch These things that we don’t share enough Help ease a troubled mind CHORUS: A smile, a glance, a knowing hand Two simple words, “I understand” Are all it takes to be a friend When friends are hard to find Some sound advice to me was told It’s for the young, it’s for the old You’ve got to arms, they’re there to hold So held gently through the night Let me send these final words along May days be full and long And may your nights be filled with song Sharing music with your friends May the music never end. © Dan McKinnon

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released June 23, 2008

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Dan McKinnon Halifax, Nova Scotia

Blessed with a glorious baritone voice, a graceful mastery on guitar, and a hearty laugh that delights any room, Dan McKinnon has carved out his own unique, musical path. From early beginnings in the coffee houses, pubs and bars of Atlantic Canada, to yearly tours throughout the UK, Dan’s performances reveal an enduring respect for the past, tempered by a profound attachment to the present. ... more

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