When The Whistle Blows (lyrics and live video link)

When The Whistle Blows - based on the experiences of Mike's grandfather Captain Jack Kneafsey in World War One and his own father in World War Two. Plus stories from the world war one experiences of the grandad of a childhood friend from Bolton.

Out in the wind and the weather
Trying to find the feeling in my face
Digging a hole for my body
To keep it in one piece

I was a boy from the village
Press ganged and made to stand in line
Swimming in oceans of madness
I pray that it's not my time

PRE CHORUS: When you're facing a ll your fear
And a second takes your life
I say to myself, what do I know,
who am I? To take my one last look at the sky?

You were a mad Jack the captain
Fighting for the English against the Hun
In shit and mud and bombs and yellow poison
Which way should a man run?

So put up the ladders get ready
Hold onto your rifles if you can
A million may die on this day today
For a piece of land

CHORUS: 

So think on all you know
And when that whistle blows ...it's over we go.

Running from Dublin to London
A man with no armistice in mind
The police and the priests they cannot catch you
If you make yourself hard to find

Gave up all my children to their future
Scattered all their lives and blew them free
Here's to good whiskey and the crucifix
Long may they carry me

So think on all you know and when that whistle blows
it's over we go...

And the town played you home
And you crossed the Irish sea
Took us from the trenches to the mill
Taught us to serve
Put us to work
And then they train us to kill.

So put up the ladders get ready
Hold onto your rifle if you can
A million may die on this day today
For a piece of land.

So think on who you know
When that whistle blows
It's over we go...

For a video link to the live version of this song...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYpeMWSfVLE


JUST to let you know: Sweeney have secured an ace support gig for this Friday at the New Conti in Preston (Sept 6th) supporting Manchester's John Bramwell of iamkloot. Shortlisted for a Mercury Music Prize in 2010 after releasing an album produced by members of Elbow, songwriter John has secured fame among Manchester's most high profile musicians and gathered a significant following since the band released their first album in 2001. The Friday gig sold out in a few days and we're delighted to be playing the support slot (line up: Mike (vocals/electric/acoustic); Anna (full kit); Elliott (six string bass) and Katie Ritson (vocals/acoustic guitar).

We are also playing at the Green Chimney Cafe in Colne the next day (Sept 7th). Follow the M65 to its end and hit the centre of Colne you'll find it easily enough. It's a bohemian cellar bar with lots of atmosphere. Hope to see you there.