MP3 Dennis Derby - Can You Spare Some Change Mate?
Genuine, Rocky Blues about life on the streets as it really is, seen by someone who busks there in the dark with his back to the wall.
1 MP3 Songs in this album (3:01) !
Related styles: BLUES: Rhythm & Blues, ROCK: Folk Rock
People who are interested in Bob Dylan Bruce Springsteen Johnny Cash should consider this download.
Details:
Can You Spare Some Change Mate?
Being from England, I hope you like this number as much as my previous original called ''George Bush Blues,'' which was played by the BBC during a recent interview with me. I wrote that song as a bit of fun about politicians who seem to be the same no matter where they come from. I just don''t like them and never will!
Fortunately, that song is getting some press publicity although the title frightened many people from associating with it and I hope this latest one receives even more, so if you like it please tell your friends.
''Can You Spare Some Change Mate'' is a protest song to help the people who beg on the streets because they often have no home address. I was once very near that situation and count myself fortunate in not being there.
''George Bush Blues'' is also a protest song about the way things were being done politically in a wonderful country where many of my heroes came from. People such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and that great person called Paul Newman who could have taught us all a lot.
Earlier in my musical career, it was necessary for me to abandon my song writing and ''do the road,'' working gig after gig for very many years, my marriage wrecked and living in bedsit land alone. I also had a day job once but being divorced, I had to pay my dues and am fortunate in having a daughter and son and I am proud of each of them. In recent times, I do get to see them both and am grateful for that.
These days, I am almost fully recovered from open heart surgery for a second time so consider myself a lucky man. I rarely perform my songs on stage although I did a live show for refugee week this summer and in September David Francis from Brooklyn, New York invited me to appear with him, which was a pleasure. Personally, I love the freedom of sharing my music live on the streets for the fun of it late in the evening. This new song was inspired by what I saw down there in the darkness of my home city, which is Derby. Of course, I do my music elsewhere and say hello if you see me anywhere playing my black, Fender copy street guitar, which carries the sign: SMILE, BE HAPPY on it.
In the shadows of the city centre night, Busking with my back to the wall, I see life on the streets as it is, sometimes dark and sometimes dirty. Party goers out for a good time, students merry and loud, police in twos or fours keeping order or just keeping counsel, and those who life has left behind asking people with more than they have for help. Help for a bed for the night, help for something to keep them warm, help to face tomorrow - simply help, usually in the form of coins so cheap we call it small change.
I wrote this song for the beggars as society chooses to call them, because life on the street can be tough and hard, yet it''s only a step away for any of us. There but for the Grace of God...well you know the rest. So can you spare some change mate, because that''s a question you might find yourself asking one dark and cold winter''s night?
Please support our homeless centres to help our people get off the streets.
Keep smiling and please support my full album, which I hope to release later this year. Dennis Derby.