Get all 15 Jess Silk releases available on Bandcamp and save 30%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Blitz Spirit (Acoustic Demos), Live At Katie Fitzgerald's, Blitz Spirit, Don't Tell Me What To Sing About/A Good Pair Of Boots-Double Live EP, Random Ramblings, Break the Bottle (Alternative Version), There's A Bar At the End of the World, Stars & Stripes, and 7 more.
1. |
S.W.A.L.K
03:29
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This past year has been a mess
And I’ve kept every single note that I’ve been sent
‘Cause in the absence of arms and hearts
Words are all we’ve got left
And it’s something substantial to touch
‘Cause these small screens sometimes just simply aren’t enough
And they remind me I’m not so far
From all the people that I love
Well, I don’t like calls but I’ll do letters
Words from friends make me feel better
Lift me when it’s all getting too hard
And I’m sorry for my slow replying
Some days I just feel like crying
It’s not that I just simply can’t be arsed
To keep up with the people that we miss
The internet’s all well and good
But you can’t seal an email with a loving kiss
So hold out and hold on
‘Cause one day we’ll be back together
Smiling as we sing our favourite songs
It’s been too long
But we’ve got to keep fighting
Even when it seems like everything’s gone wrong
This past year’s been pretty hard
But I’ve found solace these words and this guitar
And now that light at the end of the tunnel
Doesn’t seem quite so far
But I’ll keep on gathering these notes
‘Cause some days they’re all that’s keeping me a float
And when there’s nothing else too look forward to
There’s always the post
Well, I don’t like calls but I’ll do letters
Words from friends make me feel better
Lift me when it’s all getting too hard
And I’m sorry for my slow replying
Some days I just feel like crying
It’s not that I just simply can’t be arsed
To keep up with the people that we miss
The internet’s all well and good
But you can’t seal an email with a loving kiss
So hold out and hold on
Cause someday we’ll be back together smiling as we sing our favourite songs
It’s been too long
But we’ve gotta keep fighting even when it seems like everything’s gone wrong
And I’ll see you down the front
Just as soon as it is safe
I’ll be back out there with my mates
Singing songs and getting pissed
Just being happy to exist
But until then just take this note
I’ll put it in an envelope
For all the people that I miss
I’ll sign my name and seal it with a loving kiss
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2. |
Sea To Shining Sea
04:30
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They’re storming the Capitol
They’re staging a coup
Wind up your windows sir
Because this one’s on you
The fascists are flying now
They’re flying the flag
Their very own swastika
For their very own land
And they talk of freedom
Like it’s something they’ve lost
It only happened last century
But it seems they forgot
You wanted a riot
And they answered the call
Now they’re storming the Capitol
And they’re dressed for war
But they’ll make America great again
They’ll cheer the land of the free
While those that built it look on in shame
From sea to shining sea
They can see Lady Liberty
And they just watch as she weeps
But they’ll make America great again
They’ll make America grieve
Dressed up in Civil War t-shirts
Stars and stripes in their eyes
Holding tight to the mantra
Sold propaganda and lies
They carry hammers and zip ties
They’ve got their feet on the desk
I violent act of sedition
But isn’t that what you said?
There are people fleeing the Senate
Carried between them a box
A simple thing in the making
A precious thing to me lost
Not just the fate of a country
Perhaps the fate of the world
A democracy rescued
Just before it could be burned
But they’ll make America great again
They’ll cheer the land of the free
While those that built it look on in shame
From sea to shining sea
They can see Lady Liberty
And they just watch as she weeps
But they’ll make America great again
They’ll make America grieve
And as the movie’s playing out across their TV screens
The rest of the world’s looking on in disbelief
As that old familiar serpent bares its teeth
People fought so in this house that flag would never fly
Now you’re fighting a campaign you’ve built on hate and lies
And they’re crying out your name as the country weeps
But they’ll make America great again
They’ll cheer the land of the free
While those that built it look on in shame
From sea to shining sea
They can see Lady Liberty
They watch her fall to her knees
But they’ll make America great again
They’ll make America grieve
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3. |
Captain! Captain!
02:53
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Broken boots on streets of cobblestone
Distant memory as he groans
In the gutter he calls home
Medicine to soothe his aching head
And the existential dread
That is creeping up ahead
Oh Captain! Captain! Can’t you see?
The writing’s on the wall this time
And it’s turning to ash
But his weary feet
On those familiar streets
Will always lead him back
Now he’s heading for oblivion
He’s heard it’s nice this time of year
That bottle in the bottom draw
Has promised him that it will see him clear
Until the sun comes ‘round
He hears the distant beating of the drum
As he pours another one
And then his feet go marching on
Dragons breathing fire in his head
And his vision turns to red
As he sees the path ahead
Oh Captain! Captain! Can’t you see?
The writing’s on the wall this time
The letters all aglow
And they’re spelling out a future
He abandoned in the bottle
Long ago
Now he’s heading for oblivion
He’s heard it’s nice this time of year
That bottle in the bottom draw
Has promised him that it will see him clear
Until the sun comes ‘round
Now he’s heading for oblivion
He’s heard it’s nice this time of year
That bottle in the bottom draw
Has promised him that it will see him clear
Until the sun comes ‘round
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4. |
Blitz Spirit
04:43
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I can’t recall where I was when the world fell apart
A slow poison unleashed heading straight for the heart
Now they’re raising their arms with their palms to the floor
You’d think we’d’ve learned from what happened before
But it seems this is just the start
Another free thinker that’s murdered for what they believe
The same old story again but with somebody new left to grieve
The blood still runs red as the shirts fade to black
It’s the same bloody cause just a different flag
Makes you scared to wear your heart on your sleeve
And still they have the nerve to ask
Where’s your Blitz Spirit? Making out that we both walk the same bloody line
But we’ve no foe in common to bring us together this time
They say come and stand with me as if we were at war marching on the front line
But I’d not be beside them if it ever came to that fight
This ideal that spreads through the lost souls is growing too strong
Like a wound that’s ignored, left to fester unchecked for too long
And those up in charge just add fuel to the flames
Distracting us all with the games that they play
They dictate who is right and who’s wrong
And still they have the nerve to ask
Where’s your Blitz Spirit? Making out that we both walk the same bloody line
But we’ve no foe in common to bring us together this time
They say come and stand with me as if we were at war marching on the front line
But I’d not be beside them if it ever came to that fight
I’d be looking in their eyes
Now they’re chanting the name of a leader that nobody chose
While they’re picking out lamp posts to hang up all those who oppose
Because this is their flag and they’ll wear it with pride
With smiles on their faces and hate in their eyes
Those same eyes that they keep firmly closed
And still they have the nerve to ask
Where’s your Blitz Spirit? Making out that we both walk the same bloody line
But we’ve no foe in common to bring us together this time
They say come and stand with me as if we were at war marching on the front line
But I’d not be beside them if it ever came to that fight
I’d be looking in their eyes
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5. |
No Mans Land
05:51
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I met you in no mans land
A war I didn’t understand
You smiled at me and took my hand
And then you lead me on
We walked through trenches filled with mud
Through rolls of barbed-wire stained with blood
Past young me cowering where they stood
Who just a quick were gone
The guns and shells not your concern
You’re cursed to let the fires burn
And wonder if we’ll ever learn
As we just prove to you we won’t
And as I watched you walking there
Your face the picture of despair
I wondered if you’re doomed to care
‘Cause it must seem to you we don’t
And as the sun sets on the battlefield
And the moon rises in its stead
There stands a lonely, hooded figure
And he gently bows his head
I’ve traced your steps through burning streets
Rubble falling at our feet
Mothers cried and children screamed
And bombs rained from the sky
And as the artist took his knife
All of his colours drained of life
Rendered the scene in black and white
He didn’t see you stood behind
And as the sun sets on the battlefield
And the moon rises in its stead
There stands a lonely, hooded figure
And he gently bows his head
I’ve followed you ‘cross land and sea
Seen all the pain there is to see
You go to offer them reprieve
The only certainty we share
And as I watch you standing there
Your face the picture of despair
I hope that you’re not doomed to care
‘Cause that’d be too much to bare
And as the sun sets on the battlefield
And the moon rises in its stead
There stands a lonely, hooded figure
And he gently bows his head
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6. |
If We're Damned
05:23
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We're back here again and I thought this time it'd passed
But it's always darkest before the dawn and I am holding on to that
We got it wrong and it seems that they're getting more right
And as the storm clouds all creep in it's getting hard to see the light
But there is hope and we've got enough to go around
There's a light that in the darkness can be found
There's a flame; a beacon that's not going out
There's a cause
And if we're damned we'll all go down together
We'll keep up the fight through the dark and stormy weather
'Cause that's all we've got; we'll hold on to each other
And we will mend
We'll get there in the end
The next act begins as the actors take to the floor
Whether a pantomime or a tragedy the crowd still calls for more
The curtains rise and it seems like everything's changed
But it's just a little bleaker now; the cause remains the same
But there is hope and we've got enough to go around
There's a light that in the darkness can be found
There's a flame; a beacon that's not going out
There's a cause
Yeah, we've something left to fight for
And if we're damned we'll all go down together
We'll keep up the fight through the dark and stormy weather
'Cause that's all we've got; we'll hold on to each other
And we will mend
We'll get there in the end
To the people sleeping rough tonight
Out underneath the cold street lights
And the one's who sing their kids to sleep
Who starve themselves so they might eat
To the people who've been left behind
And the ones we've lost to suicide
To those who don't know what to do
Listen up; this one's for you
To everyone who fought so hard
Now black and blue and battle scarred
To those who thought that we'd give up
We won't sit down we won't shut up
To those who stood and had their say
Who live to fight another day
Hats off to you the bold the brave
All I can say
Is if we're damned we'll all go down together
We'll keep up the fight through the dark and stormy weather
'Cause that's all we've got; we'll hold on to each other
And we will mend
And if we're damned we'll all go down together
We'll keep up the fight through the dark and stormy weather
'Cause that's all we've got; we'll hold on to each other
And we will mend
We'll get there in the end
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7. |
Black Cat
04:05
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I was walking home at midnight
Through the darkness and the gloom
There was no comfort in the street lights
No beauty in the moon
Then he stepped out of the shadows
And he stared into my soul
And he asked without a question
Won’t you let me share your road
We walked on for a while
Tears masked now by the rain
And I saw the moon return
And found the beauty once again
Something new and yet familiar
Walking silent by my side
With his coat of deepest black
And his gleaming, soulful eyes
These things come and go just like the weather
It’s just another mile down the road
Through the darkness and the rain
I will find myself again
‘Cause there’s a black cat’s always there to guide me home
And those days they are the hardest
When the black dog comes to call
You’ve locked the doors and windows
But it’s scratching through the walls
And it seems there is no good there
Just an overwhelming fear
One that’s tightening your chest
And that brings you close to tears
It’s on those days that you struggle
You should open up your eyes
Hold on tightly to your soul
Try to follow its advice
Find one thing that makes you smile
And then count up from there
Find the beauty in the small things
And let yourself repair
These things come and go just like the weather
It’s just another mile down the road
Through the darkness and the rain
You will find yourself again
‘Cause there’s black cat’s always there to guide you home
Through the darkness and the pain
There’s a soul that still remains
And there’s a black cat always there to guide it home
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8. |
Flags & Banners
03:47
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A friend of mine once asked what’s the point of us
Writing these words if we’re not gonna try and change the world
It could be down to us when all is said and done
When every other avenue’s been plugged and they won’t let our flags unfurl
And on that day
We can’t just stand by and let them get their way
Come what may
Our futures are defined by the actions that we take
So grab your flags and grab your banners raise them high
Make your hand into a fist and point it to the sky
Because all of us together is the only way that we’ll affect a change
There is power in a union and together we won’t let them get their way
No not today
He said it’s your turn now, go out and make a row
But when you sing make sure it’s from the heart so people know they’re not alone
It could be down to us when all is said and done
Cause everybody needs a song to sing to match the feeling in their bones
And on that day
We can’t just stand by and let the powers get their way
Come what may
Our future is defined by the actions that we take
So grab your flags and grab your banners raise them high
Make your hand into a fist and point it to the sky
Because all of us together is the only way that we’ll affect a change
There is power in a union and together we won’t let them get their way
I’ve heard people say I’m wrong putting politics to song
But I know we can change the world when our collective voice is heard
If only one life at a time. I’ll watch your back you watch mine
And they might think us naive but in the end you’ve got to be what you believe
So grab your flags and grab your banners raise them high
Make your hand into a fist and point it to the sky
Because all of us together is the only way that we’ll affect a change
There is power in a union and together we won’t let them get their way
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9. |
Ring Your Bells
04:06
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It’s rare I ever hope for rain
But I’ll keep my fingers crossed it rains today
I hope the river bursts its banks
And it washes that smug smile from your face
Yes I’m bitter, yes, you won
And it seems that there is nothing to be done
But sit and wait pen in hand
And write it all down in another pointless song
You see I falter now and then
And I think of giving up and giving in
Throw down the gauntlet, join the ranks
Worship the clown behind the door of number ten
It could be easy, I could be free
But I couldn’t live with who I’d have to be
I can’t ignore it, I’m not like you
I can’t watch it topple and pretend that I don’t see
So you ring your bells, you ring ‘em loud
‘Til they’re drowning out the roaring of the crowd
Ring them for peace, ring them for hope
For this country you’ve left broken and alone
I’m scared of what’s to come
And I’m scared of what my country has become
But we’ve got it back now let’s celebrate
Forget we’re staring down the barrel of a gun
The world’s on fire, the right’s on the rise
And they’d love to take us back to nineteen-thirty-nine
There are people starving, people lost
And all you’ll give them’s empty promises and lies
So you ring your bells, you ring ‘em loud
‘Til they’re drowning out the roaring of the crowd
Ring them for peace, ring them for hope
For this country you’ve left broken and alone
So it’s done. I understand
I’ll let you have today, I’m holding up my hands
So raise the colours, raise a toast
To our new Jerusalem; this green and pleasant land
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10. |
Stranger On the Tube
04:14
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I met a stranger on the tube today
Saw all the people as they turned their heads away
Kept my mouth shut; didn't know what I should say
But I doubt it would've mattered anyway
She was dressed up in red, white and blue
A bag on her back that she kept fumbling through
It was full of badges, flags and the posters that she drew
And I honestly could not think what to do
The silence in the dark there
Stalled the beating of my heart
She'd come to brag
If they wave that flag
They shall not pass
She wore proudly a cap on her head
That she kept removing to admire what it said
A bloody red colour and stitched in silver thread
The words she lives by: Let's Make Britain Great Again
She had a UKIP badge in her lapel
A "Free Tommy!" placard and a flag to match as well
A racist rhetoric in merchandise to sell
Yeah, she'll fight to spring her prophet from his cell
A stranger on a train
Is spreading hatred once again
Please mind the gap
If they wave that flag
They shall not pass
I asked her quietly what she believed
She said, "We march today to set our country free
They're coming over here to steal from you and me
Yeah, we need to get this filth off of our streets"
I looked around the people on the train
The different colours, creeds and classes, all afraid
Just to speak out against one stranger spreading hate
On the doorstep of the home that they have made
Stuck there underground
And all too frightened to speak out
To voice the facts
If they wave that flag
They shall not pass
She got off at Westminster to join the crowds
The ranks assembled made their way through London town
Marched to Trafalgar Square with Nelson looking down
On the mass of Union flags upon the ground
Well, they wear my flag but they don't speak for me
I will not buy into their ideology
'Cause when the fascists come to set my country free
Well, that is not a sight that I am proud to see
So stand and raise your fist
Just like in nineteen thirty six
We will fight back
If they wave that flag
We'll voice the facts
If they wave that flag
Please mind the gap
If they wave that flag
They shall not pass
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11. |
The Colour Of Nostalgia
05:10
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The sun on the leaves sparks a song in my head
And I know how it feels though it’s not written yet
Looking through a kaleidoscope of yellows and greens
The sun soft on my skin and a chill on the breeze
There’s a memory of something that I’ve felt before
A kind of synesthesia; a crack in the wall
The colours are warm like a fond memory
Like the peace of a sunset or the roar of the sea
It’s the warmth of a jacket two sizes too big
It’s like finding the toy that you loved as a kid
It’s those nights that you’ve spent sitting under the stars
With your family of friends as you pass the guitar
It’s those moments you know that you’ll treasure for life
It’s the stories you tell on those cold, stormy nights
It’s that old pair of boots that are falling apart
It’s the feeling of home you hold dear in your heart
It’s the song that they play at the end of the night
It’s your fist in the air, comrades stood at your side
It’s those words when they hit you so hard in the heart
It’s the arms of a friend after too long apart
It’s those moments you know that you’ll treasure for life
It’s the stories you tell on those cold, stormy nights
It’s that old pair of boots that are falling apart
It’s the feeling of home you hold dear in your heart
If I could do anything to capture that shade
I’d paint a picture so I could escape
Into all of the memories, the nights and the days
And I’d smile though I know I can’t go back there again
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12. |
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There’s a bar at the end of the world where we’ll meet when it’s over
There’s a light at the end of the tunnel you’re heading towards
Know that every week passed means that you are another week closer
To when you’ll sing and you’ll dance and you’ll laugh and you’ll smile like before
For now that door has been closed and you’re left all alone with your feelings
You’ve got time to get back on track but you’ve never known how
I can offer a song if it helps in the fight with your demons
Well, I know it’s not much but it’s all that I’m good for right now
And if you just hold on then I’ll try and help figure it out
With the same four chords and this knackered guitar
With a pint in my hand and a seat at the bar
I’ll be waiting when you get there
With these open arms and a seat by my side
With a hand you can hold and a safe place to hide
I’ll be waiting when you get there
There’s a bar at the end of the world where we’ll meet when it’s over
There’s a scratched up old record that plays the same line on repeat
And it’s hard to keep fighting the pull though you don’t want to go there
As you slowly get dragged back on to that same old dead end street
There’s a hand in the dark that’ll guide you if only you take it
Some wise words to be heard even over the roar of the crowd
I can offer a song if it helps you believe you can make it
Well, I know it’s not much but it’s all that I’m good for right now
With the same four chords and this knackered guitar
With a pint in my hand and a seat at the bar
I’ll be waiting when you get there
With these open arms and a seat by my side
With a hand you can hold and a safe place to hide
I’ll be waiting when you get there
If you need me to be
There’s a bar at the end of the world where we’ll
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Jess Silk Dudley, UK
Jess Silk is a guitarist, singer and songwriter from the Black Country. Her shouty but melodic brand of folk/punk music often has her being likened to a female Frank Turner or Billy Bragg, and it gets people sitting up and listening. Armed only with an increasingly sticker-covered acoustic guitar and a distinctive, gravely voice that many don’t expect, Jess plays to audiences up and down the UK. ... more
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