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MARMION ROAD

by David Heavenor

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Nick Smith
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about

Recorded and arranged by Malcolm Lindsay in his home studio in Rutherglen at the time. newmusicscotland.co.uk/profile/malcolm-lindsay/
I used to walk back and forth to primary school (and briefly secondary) along Marmion Road in the Scottish coastal town of North Berwick. Rosanne was a friend who used to chum me on her bike when I did my cub 'bob a job' round the town houses. It's a kind of love song for the house and town where I used to lie awake at night listening to the murmur of the sea and the plaintive cries of the gulls as our house was a big manse on the sea front directly opposite Craigleith Island. A boat was actually washed up one night after a storm and we used to go and play on it and one of the boys even thought we could start the engine. It gradually disappeared into the sand over time. One of few songs I've written on the piano...

lyrics

MARMION ROAD


A house by the sea, a child tossed on his sleep
The shale shifts under the bay, shapes rise up from the deep
The Hallow's Eve Ship paints white sails on the indigo blue
Midnight Captain's grim face shows a storm will break through

The ketch beached in the night; her dog howled for the crew
The Saturday boys cried out 'She's in one whole piece too...'
'Let's all sail away' shouted Bill, 'Blabbermouth' we all bawled
And by Spring tide she was lost to Flot and Jetsam's crab claws

And her long white gown tumbles down this Autumn evening
And the lightning cracks, interrupts our breathing
And all the words I lack
Fill up all the space between the stars

Sparkledark, sparkledark, who tailored your gown?
Just like my Taffeta girl, your sequins light up this town
See Rosanne float like the moon, lonely as sin
What a lovely cradle of light for my night to rest in


Have you lilies to crush, a dead arms to break through?
Where the old house gathers dust and memories fasten like glue?
Now hush child, don't you cry, don't fret any more
Your Moon-Ship waits for you just off the lee shore


Rosanna you’re warm, Rosanna I’m cold
Go on chum me back home down Marmion Road

credits

released October 1, 2023
David Heavenor. Voice and guitar
Malcolm Lindsay Guitar and instrument samples.

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David Heavenor Edinburgh, UK

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David Heavenor is a Scottish singer songwriter based in Edinburgh Scotland. He has produced 8 albums plus 3 EP's.

I'm Watching Rosanna. ' An insightful song....beautifully written and observed. Iain Anderson. BBC Radio

'Jenny & the Cold Caller. One of the best songs ever written...' Ricky Ross ... more

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