1. Something Wicked This Way Comes (3:34)

2. Strange Are The Ways (5:41)

3. Priests & Professors (3:40)

4. That Old & Familiar Bed (4:23)

5. The Golden Shore (3:34)

6. Ferryville (4:33)

7. There Is A Light (3:41)

8. Poor Little Son Of Mine (3:39)

9. The Odalisque (3:20)

10. Song For My Brother (2:25)

11. The Music Of Joanna (5:37)

Produced by Neill MacColl Executive Producer Tim Jackaman

www.sospirorecords.com Catalogue no. SOSJO100212 Something Wicked This Way Comes And dance Maria, dance slow Produced by Neill MacColl Jack Omer would like to thank the following for their part ‘Tis Cold for the very merry month of May For tomorrow the singer goes home Engineered by Phill Brown, Neill MacColl, Kate St John in the making of The Music Of Joanna: I’m lonesome and I could use company Strange are the ways of the world & Darren Simpson To Leigh Omer, Adam Omer and Paul McDermott for their But sad to say at present I Strange are the ways of the world Mixed By Phill Brown support of me and for this music. Strange are the ways of the world Recorded at Yellow Fish, The Church & The Cave Am an unfit sight for the sane to see To John Harle for his belief in this music and for his constant So Maria sing that sweet country song Mixed at Miloco Musikbox Curse you, you dogs of black help and advice; one of my earliest champions without Sing it loud and sing it long Mastered by Denis Blackham at Skye Mastering Curse you, you elephants pink whom this record wouldn’t have been possible. Let the forsaken sing along Musicians: Curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you To all the musicians who lent their considerable talents to The crazy hearts will beat as one Jack Omer – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Piano Curse you and all of your kin the making of this music and enriched it in ways I couldn’t We gave flowers for the dead and whisky for the sad Neill MacColl – Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Mandolin, I’s a fair-hearted child who done no harm have imagined. Special thanks must go to Martyn Barker, A cane for the cripple and electrodes for the mad Autoharp, Harmonica, Keyboards, Vocals What devil does this to the young? Simon Edwards and Kate St John who worked so hard and And we’ve hidden from the moonlight for it only shows Martyn Barker – Drums, Percussion To creep up late and whisper soft so passionately in the making of this record. our faults Simon Edwards – Electric & Acoustic Bass That “something wicked this way comes” But all is well Maria when you dance that pretty waltz Kate St John – Oboe, Cor Anglais, Piano, Accordion, To Neill Macoll for his skill and friendship and for helping to Oh spare I, you dogs of black bring these songs to life. A great friend and a great producer. Chorus Harmonium, Vocals & Woodwind Arrangements Spare I, you elephants pink Sarah Allen – Flute, Alto Flute May we make many more records together. Music and Lyrics: Jack Omer Spare I, spare I, spare I, spare I Margo Buchanan – Vocals Jack Omer – Acoustic Guitar & Vocals To Phill Brown for his kindness and enthusiasm and for Have you no decency at all? Neill MacColl – Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Autoharp lending his extraordinary talent to this record. But the dog slyly smile & Vocals To all the staff at Yellowfish Studios Sussex and And the elephant sighed Kate St John – Piano, Harmonium, Accordion & Vocals Miloco Music. You’ll be cursing our names ‘til the day that you die Simon Edwards – Bass Martyn Barker – To my family and friends for their love and backing So fear not cried the dog Drums & Percussion throughout the making of this record. And the elephant agreed Priests & Professors To curse us some more if you e’er feel the need To my darling Sarah; the love of my life and this Said my love to me, “I hope you see that the world is cruel record’s muse. Music and lyrics by Jack Omer and strange Jack Omer – Acoustic Guitar & Vocals The biggest thanks must go to Tim Jackaman, my strongest Neill MacColl – Harmonica That those who offer progress do seek only to rearrange champion and my partner in this record - it would not exist Kate St John – Electric Piano That the priest is in the whorehouse while the thief sings without him and he has my eternal love and gratitude. Simon Edwards – Bass in the choir The Music Of Joanna is dedicated to my parents, Martyn Edwards – Percussion And the meek are in the gutter while the wolves are Tim Jackaman and Karry Omer - my love, always. rising higher” Strange Are The Ways www.jackomer.com Chorus Sweet guitar band and cigarettes for me “So stay here in my arms”, she said, “stay always here with me The guest at the masquerade ball For sex and love are all we have by way of being free” Cheap penny-dreadfuls and flowers for thee Said I, “My love, I’m here with you and always I shall be The heavenly freak in the hall In protest let us set the night on fire” Chorus “It kills to share the earth” she said, “with such ignoble hearts Dance Maria all night And the parasite professor he is tearing me apart For as long as you dance it’s alright But conduct your business fairly and most honestly The Music Of Joanna But you and I may here recite flesh passion’s litany The city is of neon and rust For the Odalisque is wild and the Odalisque is free I have heard the blessed chords of sweet Joanna Our bodies coupled with the rage of Deuteronomy” And the country is of dirt and of dust Displease her and she’ll cast you out most heartlessly I have heard the gentle moaning of the dove Chorus And I’ve had so much smoke, that fresh air makes me choke So I try not to breathe Though I must Music and lyrics by Jack Omer I have felt the pulsing beat of dear Joanna Music and lyrics by Jack Omer Jack Omer – Vocal & Acoustic Guitar As it carried out the orders of my love Jack Omer – Vocal, Acoustic Guitar & Harmonica Chorus Kate St John – Cor Anglais I have heard her honeyed word Simon Edwards – Double Bass And it’s long been plain for to see Sarah Allen – Alto Flute Martyn Barker – Drums And the swelling of the choir proclaiming her That England has no use for me Woodwind Arrangement by Kate St John Sarah Allen – Flute & Alto Flute Seen the wicked stagger as if drunk And I dream of the sand ‘neath my weary feet Flute Arrangement by Kate St John Song For My Brother Stranded on the ships that she has sunk As I land on the golden shore Oh brother don’t set store by my advice Chorus That Old & Familiar Bed My old man drew coal from the earth I’ve made enough mistakes to fill a life She got a drum so big, it could break this town Oh mama, won’t you sing me sleep And he hauled it for all he was worth But since you ask the thoughts that fill my head She got strings so strong, they could tear this mountain down Oh mama, won’t you sing me sleep And he said unto me, “though all men are born free Here’s one or two may stand you in good stead They could tear this mountain down Cos my clothes are confused and my mind is wet There are chains boy that bind us from birth” If the learned and the wise say you should I do not kneel before her in a chapel I’ve had too many thoughts I can’t seem to forget He said “Always live honest and clean The chances are you never really would And her truth lies buried in no sacred book Since this road’s taken pity and brought me back home Do not steal, do not lie or be mean” If the priest and the confessor say you shan’t She makes no false demands on who my friends are Won’t you lay me down, to rest my head But he’s long gone from here, and his world’s disappeared The chance is you’ll resent the fact you can’t When I’m naked she feels no need to look In that old & familiar bed So I steal and I lie through my teeth In that old & familiar bed Ignore the man who cries that you’re a fool She borrows only one command from him Chorus And the man who swears that all your words are jewels Do not follow fast the multitude to sin Oh mama, won’t you open your arms Now dignity’s the first thing to die If you know you’re in the wrong don’t stand and fight And her tune knows just one law Oh mama, won’t you open your arms In the streets that scream with the sighs But scream bloody murder if you know you’re right It is silent to all those who would make war Cos my train has derailed and my ship has been sunk Of old men shrivelled grey, from their hope washed away And each cup of poison’s one more to be drunk If you find you’re out of tune with all the choir Chorus And young boys with hate in their eyes Since I’ve grown far too tired to think for myself Then their numbers needn’t make their thinking higher And I’ve learned the rules of your game Coda I will surrender, go where I’m led If the multitude should take a northward turn That the young and the poor take the blame She got a drum so big To that old & familiar bed Then the south is surely where there’s most to learn So I’ll be one less son, of sad Albion She got strings so strong To that old & familiar bed If any bastard tries to hush your words She got a drum so big When I’m gone boys remember my name Music and lyrics by Jack Omer Then knock him down and let your voice be heard Alternate Chorus She got strings so strong Jack Omer – Acoustic Guitar & Vocals If I ever should seem to talk down to you She got a drum so big Neill MacColl – Lead Acoustic Guitar And it’s long been plain for to see Then forget blood and knock my right down too She got strings so strong Simon Edwards – Bass That England has no use for me And never fear to be the one to speak Music and Lyrics by Jack Omer Martyn Barker – Percussion So I’ll take what’s left of my dreams my friends In favour of the broken and the weak Jack Omer – Vocal And sail for the golden shore And though the world will try to change your mind Neill MacColl – Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Vocals The Golden Shore Yes I’ll sail for the golden shore Just walk the path that’s loving and that’s kind Neill Cowley – Piano & Hammond Organ I went down to the refinery Music and Lyrics: Jack Omer Simon Edwards – Bass But they had no work left there for me Jack Omer – Vocal Music and lyrics by Jack Omer Martyn Barker – Drums & Percussion Jack Omer – Vocal & Acoustic Guitar And the boss he said “Son, why not go have some fun Neill MacColl – Acoustic Guitar, Rosedale Organ Margo Buchanan – Vocals Kate St John – Piano Who needs money when the girls are so free?” Kate St John – Vocals Simon Edwards – Double Bass Martyn Barker – Drums Ferryville There is a light I know Poor little son of mine, don’t do what I have done All stones were gold they said Down from Boston Green Oh poor little son of mine, don’t do what I have done And sweet was the sound It shines in dark and troubled times For I’ve blackened fair girls’ names Of the silver-tongued angels There is a light I know Rich and poor it was all the same Of Ferryville town Even in the dead of winter And surely none will miss me when the cold earth takes my bones No burdens went unshared Even when the day is done No wounds went unhealed Even in the darkest corner I regret near all I’ve done And the corn grew aplenty Still and still the light shines on Since first that I began In the Ferryville fields There is a light I feel I’d take back all but one That sweet little Mary-Anne And they all danced round Strawberry Hill Born in Jerusalem That sweet little Mary-Anne And stars shone through willows and pines Died in the streets of old New York And fireflies rocked babies to sleep There is a light I feel So though you have my blood In the Ferryville times There is a light on me I pray my nature dies When I’m swallowed by the flood But all that is gentle From a free Munich rose And the priest closes my eyes Will the wicked tear down Still the sun is shining out The priest closes my eyes And such was the long-foretold fate There is a light on me Of Ferryville town Even with the gentle fallen Music and Lyrics by Jack Omer Jack Omer – Vocal & Acoustic Guitar Even when the jackboot’s won Men came on horses Neill MacColl – Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Harmonica With shining cold steel The soul cries out its need for freedom Simon Edwards – Bass And made them a graveyard Still and still the light shines on Martyn Barker – Drums & Percussion Of those Ferryville fields Music and lyrics: Jack Omer Jack Omer – Vocal & Acoustic Guitar And their fire tore down Strawberry Hill The Odalisque Neill MacColl – Acoustic Guitar The Odalisque is righteous, the Odalisque is grace And young men made fools of the old Simon Edwards – Electric Bass And witches plucked babies from beds And if you’re lucky you may catch her lying No more Ferryville gold Poor Little Son Of Mine Upon a feather bed and with loving in her eyes No more Ferryville gold But be sure to never let her catch you crying Poor little son of mine, don’t do what I have done Music and lyrics: Jack Omer Oh poor little son of mine, don’t do what I have done For she’ll feed you morphine sweet Jack Omer – Piano & Vocal For I’ve led a violent life And fresh apricots to eat Neill MacColl – Electric Guitar And I’ve widowed good men’s wives But never seek to find what she keeps hidden Kate St John – Oboe & Accordion For the Odalisque is wild and the Odalisque is free Simon Edwards – Double Bass And I will surely answer for my sins when death comes round And prying eyes are forcibly forbidden There Is A Light I regret near all I’ve done For the Odalisque I would rob my mother blind And break the harp that guides St Peter’s choir There is a light on me My actions I disown And for the Odalisque I would turn on all my friends It bathes from Berkley steps I’m proud of only one Walk naked through the devil’s dreadful fire An uncorrupted rebel yell That’s killing mean Captain Jones There is a light on me Killing mean Captain Jones And she’ll feed you morphine sweet And fresh apricots to eat