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1.
2.
Smoke a cigarette – it's not your fault You've got weak in your genes you know you're not gonna live that long Who's to say really if you're better off Work another day to take another day off 'Til you die Better day What a day, a better day, when you die An overdose of light, polite but imprecise It all comes rushing through Because waking up is hard to do So we carry on and learn never to doubt you It's a marathon – I wouldn't want to run it without you And all for one, but not for all the tea in china Come away with me and leave this behind you When you die Better day When you die An overcoat so light – polite but imprecise It all comes rushing through Because waking up is hard to do
3.
4.
I like to wake up I like to wake up in a place I've been before It's not easy It's not easy letting go and moving on But I try None of this makes any sense to me As far as I can tell, there's no guarantees for us Just our hearts to trust when it feels right, it feels right I'm fine, I feel fine Life is such a fucked up mixed up mess From which you're supposed to sculpt some happiness So you build a wall, a wooden picket fence Just to find a piece of permanence But it all keeps crashing down So you build up from the ground And I try, I try I'm fine, I feel fine You're the only thing that get me through The only thing that I will hold on to Together we can make it me and you And when it all comes crashing down We just build up from the ground
5.
I've been meaning to tell you I've been meaning to say That I'll be waiting to greet you I'll wait all of my days You, you're out on your own now You're leading the way I've been running on empty I've been running all day All the colours I'll bring you All the shades of the day Will light up the shadows within you Where you hide your troubles away Don't think you're not worthy Don't get caught in the fray I've been running on empty I've been running all day You, you're out on your own now You're leading the way I've been running on empty I've been running all day
6.
Folks Like Us (free) 04:27
I'm thankful for the day that you were born on Saturday the Fourth of July The day your little hearts; they started pumping We'll see that eagle screaming through the sky Now you're selling lifestyles on the TV Convince yourself that you've bought something more And just because there ain't nothing left to die for Doesn't mean that we can't have ourselves a war 'Cause I knew these days were coming And I've seen it all before Gotta keep this engine running 'Cause the devil hates a slacker even more And it's folk like us – keep on driving Folks like us – we're just surviving Folks like us keep the whole thing rolling I'm not sure that I've done something wrong here I've been doing just what I was told; To pray and hope and plan for the future I hope that I don't die before I'm old 'Cause I've been just so busy getting on now Saving up to buy some magic beans That I may have forgot an obligation To find an end that justifies the means Cause I knew these days were coming And I've seen it all before Gotta keep this engine running 'Cause the devil hates a slacker even more And it's folk like us – keep on driving Folks like us – we're just surviving Folks like us keep the whole thing rolling
7.
8.
How The West Was Won (free) 04:22
From the moment you saw me, all you thought was how you'd use me So you plotted and conspired, just how you might abuse me I crossed an ocean for your love, without so much as a thank you Left the stain of my blood on every acre of this land But I will overcome And I will be as one Nothing's given in this world, so they say you've gotta take it And I stood by every word, every step it took to make it Oh and it was written from the start, that we're all made the same way And although you made the rules, I learned to beat you at your own game And that's how the west was won But oh now, the story's just begun And it takes a lot of heart To play the bigger part And now the world awaits To see if you've got what it takes Have you got what it takes?
9.
10.
11.
A pretty little bird flew in through the window and whispered me The Word that every birdy should know Singing God is on your side, God is on your side So I think I've found my way And I step into the free world What more can I say? All the good lines have all been heard But He will understand And it all comes back to an age-old pact made between your God and the Devil And it all comes back to the simple fact that sometimes we get caught in the middle But I don't believe it So I turn my face away And I look toward a new day What else can I say? I'll learn to crawl the hard way But I will find my way And it all comes back to an age-old pact made between your God and the Devil And it all comes back to the simple fact that sometimes we get caught in the middle But I don't believe it Sing Hallelujah
12.
Rainbow's down Rainbow's down And I don't feel sad No I don't feel bad I'm leaving now I'm leaving now 'Cause its been too long And its been too hard Just to know you all And where I'll go . . . Where will I go? It can't be too far away from here Away from here There I'll stay Tomorrow's a bright new day To keep moving I know you'll be strong Be strong
13.
Sunrise 02:17
14.
Oceanview 04:48
I lie awake and watch the pictures on your wall I'm feeling sleepy so I try to count them all And if I get to ten, I'll maybe fall asleep But you won't And in the morning-time I'd often think of you In your apartment with it's perfect ocean view I see you wash your face and slowly pack your things As you go You go and get your breakfast at the local corner store You buy those little things we used to love before Sit on the promenade and watch the people pass As they go Well you tried to follow through With the things that you do And you know you're not alone You're at home In the morning-time I'd often think of you In your apartment with it's perfect ocean view I see you count the stars and kiss them all goodnight As they go And it takes away your hunger And it takes away your pain And if you just write down this number it'll come again
15.
Thank You 00:32

about

“The Word according to Nick Carswell & The Elective Orchestra”, (to give the album it’s full title!) is the debut long-player from the Limerick natives.
More details from www.theelectiveorchestra.com

The band members include sisters Deirdre Cussen (cello) and Kate Cussen (violin) as well as Sian Murray (vocals), Bart Kiely (drums) and Colin Bartley (double bass). Songwriter Nick Carswell performs on guitar, piano and vocals and the delicate mix and rich arrangements define The Elective Orchestra’s unique sound, which has been compared to The Frames and Sigur Ros. Hotpress also lauded the band’s originality in being “prepared to think, write and play outside the box.”

Based around the songs of Nick Carswell, The Elective Orchestra has been playing together for just about three years. The debut LP is full of the warm melodies, lush strings, and meaningful lyrics that have earned the band a sterling reputation for "emotive songwriting and enthralling live performances." (state.ie) The album features some curious track titles (e.g. Plus! A TV Theme Tune For The New Chief!) and other musical oddities, including two ‘trilogies’ or three-act pieces, complete with introductions and musical codas.

Songwriter Nick Carswell explains; “From playing live together over the last few years, we have developed some extended instrumental pieces based around the songs, and we wanted to recreate that on this record. In the end, several sketches and improvisations are also included. Consider it a musical miscellany, or even an opus.”

Making music together since the end of 2007, the album encompasses both old and new songs and pieces. “Some of the songs have a history nearly ten years old, while others were written in the last six months, which makes for an interesting work when they’re all presented together.”

“As well as the studio recordings we made with Ross O’Donovan in Kerry,” Nick explains, “other recordings were made in two different churches in Limerick and Dublin and an apartment on the site of an old monastery, overlooking the river Blackwater in Youghal. Combine this with that fact that most of the songs are about God, or at least use the jargon of religion, we said we’d go all out and name the album after the Gospel. Why not?”

credits

released April 22, 2011

All songs written by Nick Carswell
Lyrics by Nick Carswell
Music by Nick Carswell & The Elective Orchestra
Recorded by Ross O'Donovan in Data Recording Studios, Kerry and Nick Carswell in Broome, Limerick, The Old Monastery, Youghal, The Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Crumlin and at home in Dublin.
Produced and mixed by Nick Carswell
Mastered by Richard Dowling at WAV Mastering, Limerick

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The Elective Orchestra Dublin, Ireland

Six piece acoustic folk-rock from Ireland.
Strings, vocal harmonies, instrumentals and other oddities.
Sigur Ros meets Sufjan Stevens and The Frames.

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