We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Surroundings Familiar

by Gallagher

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 CAD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Feelin' "Old School"?
    Still have that old Sony Discman laying around?
    Then grab yourself a copy (signed if you wish!) of this limited run of "Surroundings Familiar" compact discs. My team and I will gladly pack it up and promptly send it out to you courtesy of Canada Post.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Surroundings Familiar via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      $10 CAD or more 

     

1.
Henry Parker was a farmer, born and raised on this land A gentle man of kindness with hard and calloused hands Stephen James he was a drifter, rode the rails from town to town Said he’d help old Henry with the crops and in the barn he would camp out Rosa Lee was Henry’s grandchild turned twelve years old this July The apple of ol’ Henry’s eye, a graceful flower in the wild They found her in the orchard, her school books strewn all around Her Sunday dress in tatters, her small hands were tightly bound Now when The Sheriff broke the news to the congregation there No one could forget Henry’s cries of anguished deep despair Someone saw a drifter running hard down Maitland road And when the dogs did run him down, He was clutching a child’s locket made of gold Six strong hands carried the pine box down the 14 chapel steps And Henry’s eldest Leroy dug the hole where she would rest The preacher read the sermon the very best he could And in the morning sunlight teardrops stained the rough-hewn wood They tried James in September, just after harvest time But the Judge said there was no witness to place him at the crime As Stephen James stood up to leave one single shot rang out … And Henry’s smoking 44 dropped from his hand down to the ground, down to the ground Henry Parker was a farmer, born and raised on this land A gentle man of kindness with iron shackles on his hands
2.
3.
The starkly lit white walls are so frightening I can’t find no colour at all Except for the blue in the young nurses’ eyes That glisten with tears as she musters a smile And tenderly tries to make me more comfortable now I nod at her meekly since she’s trying to be sweet It’s a duty she works hard to uphold She holds my frail hand as I feel my heart wane As I stare up at the goddamned ceiling In this final leaving place so foreign and cold Let me die in surroundings familiar Let me sit down once more by the fire Let me go through the photos in old wooden frames, The faces that comfort though I’ve forgotten their names Because everything there is everything I’ve ever known Back in my home, back in my home, back in my home Do they see all the life behind these greying eyes Do they know that I once was young too? I once had a job, a wife beside me A contributing member of society Through Monday to Friday I toiled and I saved Saturdays rested and on Sundays I prayed Let me die in surroundings familiar Put me back in my favourite chair Let these poor old eyes fade as I look at the lake Past the tree my wife planted in ‘78 Then scatter my ashes over the soft sandy loam All around my home, all around my home, all around my home It’s the end of the line And there’s nobody here to kiss me goodbye Or sit here with me And who knows me by name and not just the dying old man in room 423 Let me die in surroundings familiar Full of colours and textures I know Surrounded and comforted with sweet memories Of places I’ve been and those close to me Reminding me of all of the life and the love that I’ve known Then slip away peacefully like the last line of a poem… Back in my home, back in my home, back in my home Let me go home
4.
5.
The Only One 03:36
I’ve never seen the sun Shine on anyone As brightly as you honey Uh huh, you’re the only one I walked around in a dream Uninspired, half asleep You breathed life into me Mmmm, you’re the only one I, I never saw the beauty In a sunset or a smile But I, will not miss one single moment Oh no, not not with you in my life I was just waiting to find Passion, love and desire I feel the love in your eyes Oh oh oh, you’re the only one I, I never knew the magic True love could bring But I will cherish every single heartbeat Oh honey now that you’re in my life
6.
7.
Harbourtown 05:52
From her window in this harbour town She sees the boats come in Her friends and family are homeward bound Thank God they’re safe again riff She takes his dinner from off the stove When she hears his truck roll in Outside the window breakers lash the cove And it sounds like music to him Chorus And he’d dance And he’d sing And oh how their children’s laughter would ring And he’d love her and she’d sigh Cuz in the morning her fisherman leaves with the tide riff The fog rolls heavy in this harbour town But there’s mouths to feed / bills to pay He pecks her cheek, and she turns her head To hide her tears away She checks the clock above the stove She clasps her hands around her tea Her window looks out upon the cove Where the lighthouse scours the sea Chorus + solo The window creaks as the rains roll down She dabs her eyes and sips her tea On the mantle cards and flowers from town Sympathies and memories She takes the flowers down to the cove And at the head she throws them in She holds the children’s hands and whispers a prayer The children quietly join in…..
8.

about

"Surroundings Familiar" is (Brian) Gallagher's 9th studio album to date and highlights his strong storytelling skills with emotional content that draws the listener in.

This album is dedicated to my dear friend Malcolm "Mac-man" Grundy who passed away on May 23, 2023. A mentor in music as well as in life, he was a one-of-a-kind soul who will be deeply missed by so many.

credits

released June 2, 2023

This album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Farmboy Studios, Pincourt, Quebec.

Brian Gallagher - vocals and all instruments
Nikki Girard - backing vocals
Dayna Jordynne - backing vocals

Special guests:

Malcolm "Mac-man" Grundy (vocals and handclaps on "The Only One"; vocals on "Henry Parker")
Sandra Giguere (vocals on "Forgive Me Son" and "Surroundings Familiar")
John Murray (guitar solo on "Forgive Me Son")
You can check out John and Sandra's own original music here on Bandcamp at: thebetterhalf1.bandcamp.com


Album front cover photo courtesy of Steve Gerrard Photography

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Gallagher Hudson, Québec

Brian Gallagher (Gallagher)'s 9th studio album and is easily his most introspective and thoughtful. He has a been a finalist in the UK Songwriting contest, the Blues and Roots Canada contest 2020 and a top 10 finish in the 2022 World Songwriting Awards. ... more

contact / help

Contact Gallagher

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Gallagher recommends:

If you like Gallagher, you may also like: