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Work My Claim

by Brooks Williams

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  • Streaming + Download

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

    Includes four extra tracks not included on the CD!
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      £7 GBP  or more

     

1.
Inland Sailor 04:22
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INLAND SAILOR words and music by Brooks Williams I'm a sailor miles from the sea Phantom waves beneath my feet Turning tides, changing times I curse the fates that brought me here I've a boat in my garden, it lay upside down Sometimes when I stand real close I hear the gulls cry, I smell the sea salt I feel the waves going up, up and down My face is weathered by the years I have worked on the sea The storms I faced nearly took my life I don't know how I made it back alive I've a boat in my garden, it lay upside down Sometimes when I stand real close I hear the gulls cry, I smell the sea salt I feel the waves going up, up and down Waiting for the stars to shine Heaven’s lights to guide my way The old man once told me, "That's the Sailor's Star, "Keep your eyes on it and you will stay on course." I've a boat in my garden, it lay upside down Sometimes when I stand real close I hear the gulls cry, I smell the sea salt I feel the waves going up, up and down
2.
King Of California 04:33
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3.
Frank Delandry 03:44
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FRANK DELANDRY words and music by Brooks Williams The voices on the levee are quiet now The only sound is the river And the boats heading close to New Orleans With their lights fading in the distance Like the night Frank DeLandry died Frank played guitar down at the hotel Five nights a week and all weekend long The notes that he played washed like the waves On the rough and tumble jetty down the line Like the night Frank DeLandry died Chorus On the night Frank DeLandry died There were no witnesses to say What had happened, what went wrong Where had Frank DeLandry gone The working women down at the hotel Would sit on the stairs and listen The songs that he played carried them away On waves of memory of lost love Like the night Frank DeLandry died People crowded ‘round the open windows Just to hear that Guitar Man play They came from up and down the river Some as far as fifteen miles away Chorus On the night Frank DeLandry died There were no witnesses to say What had happened, what went wrong Where had Frank DeLandry gone The voices on the levee are quiet now…
4.
Seven Sisters 03:20
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SEVEN SISTERS Brooks Williams Seven Sisters standing on the valley floor Each one more beautiful than the one before Up in the mountains the glacier’s left behind Through the trees I go, I walk a crooked line To an old foundation, the chimney and the stair The trees have taken back this land as if no one were ever here chorus
 The coyote runs in these hills The salmon swims in the river The trees are on the mountainside And if they can come back maybe there's hope for me Down in the streets they're selling lies and preaching greed You want happiness? This is what you need. And I've been first in line with my money in my hand Eager to buy everything, everything I can chorus
 The coyote runs in these hills The salmon swims in the river The trees are on the mountainside And if they can come back maybe there's hope for me I’ve let myself get overrun, I’ve let it get me down 
I buried my head in the sand, I have gone to ground
 But nothing comes from hiding or running away
 It’s not too late to stand up, to have your say chorus
 The coyote runs in these hills The salmon swims in the river The trees are on the mountainside And if they can come back maybe there's hope for me Seven Sisters standing on the valley floor Each one more beautiful than the one before
5.
You Don't Know My Mind 03:23
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YOU DON'T KNOW MY MIND Brooks Williams Walking down the road, head hanging low Someone tell me, where’d the years go You don't know, you don't know my mind When you see me laughing, I'm laughing to keep from crying Sometimes my heart feels like a stone Sometimes I feel so all alone You don't know, you don't know my mind When you see me laughing, I'm laughing to keep from crying

 I work every day, the whole year through All I got to show are these holes in my shoes You don't know, you don't know my mind When you see me laughing, I'm laughing to keep from crying 

If I had a nickel, If I had a dime I wouldn’t have to work all the time You don't know, you don't know my mind When you see me laughing, I'm laughing to keep from crying repeat verse one
6.
Here Comes The Blues 04:07
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HERE COMES THE BLUES Brooks Williams verse one
 The time has come, the hour is late No turning back the hand of fate The world’s gone mad, it’s come unglued The midnight deal is made, here comes the blues chorus
 Here comes the blues Here comes the blues Here comes the blues Here comes the blues verse two No place to run, no place to hide No way to cross this great divide Out in the street what’s the news? Everyone is saying here comes the blues chorus verse three The seas will rage, the winds will blow 
The watchman knows what no one knows
 Across the waves the spirit moves In peaks and troughs, here comes the blues
 chorus
7.
Whatever It Takes 03:34
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WHATEVER IT TAKES Brooks Williams Whatever it takes to be with you Whatever you need, that’s what I’ll do Hand on my heart, this promise I make For you I will do whatever it takes Whatever it takes to make you stay Whatever it is, don’t run away Give me a chance to demonstrate How I will do whatever it takes Whatever it takes to make things right To feel your touch at first light Trouble be gone, carry the weight For you I will do whatever it takes Whatever it takes for us to find If nothing else our love is kind As long as you need I can wait For you I will do whatever it takes Whatever it takes to make things right To feel your touch at first light Trouble be gone, carry the weight For you I will do whatever it takes
8.
Georgia 02:31
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GEORGIA Brooks Williams She’s a peach, the Land of Plenty The Empire of the South, Sweet Gum and Cherokee Rose
 The Golden Isles to Brasstown Bald The Piedmont’s shining jewel There’s music in her name Georgia, Georgia Though I’m miles away, I think of you today Georgia, Georgia You’re where I want to be Lazy river, sweet perfume Spanish moss and pine Hear how the cat bird sings Shadows lengthen all the way Down the red-clay road Carry me swiftly home Georgia, Georgia Though I’m miles away, I think of you today Georgia, Georgia You’re where I want to be
9.
Mercy Illinois 03:15
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MERCY ILLINOIS Brooks Williams In the town of Mercy Illinois Near Galesburg where Sandburg was born Squint was so cool, drinking beer and playing pool At the roadhouse down by the railroad tracks 

In the town of Mercy Illinois Near Galesburg where Sandburg was born Squint took his own life early last July Near the cornfields down by the railroad tracks

 In the town of Mercy Illinois Near Galesburg where Sandburg was born Word spread throughout, the Paper wrote about
 The funeral down at the church While the preacher said let us pray A gang of thieves made their way To an empty house, no sympathy They robbed Squint’s family blind, robbed them blind 

In the town of Mercy Illinois Near Galesburg where Sandburg was born Tears turn to rain, there is insult and there is pain
 And you don't know if you should laugh or cry In the town of Mercy Illinois
 At night the stars seem so close Like the fireflies that blink in the field
 Or the deer that walk through head-high corn Or the road that goes on and on…in the town of Mercy Illinois
10.
I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 04:29
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I GOT IT BAD (AND THAT AIN'T GOOD) Brooks Williams My baby never treats me Sweet and gentle, the way she should I got it bad and that ain't good My poor heart is sentimental Not made of wood I got it bad and that ain't good But when the weekend's over And Monday rolls around I end up like I started Just cryin' my heart out over you O Lord above me Make her love me, the way she once did I got it bad, and that ain't good Like a lonely weeping willow out in the wood The things I tell my pillow no one ever should I got it bad, and that ain't good
11.
Jump That Train 03:08
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JUMP THAT TRAIN Brooks Williams A train is coming down the tracks Hear the whistle call This train is bound for glory
 Jump that train and ride When the rails begin to sing You know your time is near Make your move or step aside Jump that train and ride Jump that train, jump that train, jump that train, ride Shake the dust from your shoes Leave it all behind There’s a place saved for you Jump that train and ride Below your feet the clickety-clack
 Stars above your head Brothers and sisters by your side Jump that train and ride Jump that train, jump that train, jump that train, ride Needs must when the devil drives When you can’t go back Needs must when there’s nothing left Jump that train and ride Roll on, engineer Roll on, fire and steel Roll on ’til you can roll no more Jump that train and ride Jump that train, jump that train, jump that train, ride Jump that train, jump that train, jump that train, ride
12.
My Turn Now 02:44
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MY TURN NOW Brooks Williams Big Clock, counting down My beating heart the only sound It’s my turn now, my turn now
 Flashing lights, red to green 
I’m ready to fly on this machine It’s my turn now, my turn now It’s my turn now to take my place With all of those who’ve won this race I’m tired of paying dues
 Being gracious when I lose
 It’s my turn now
 When I jump the starting line
 The golden ring will be mine It’s my turn now, my turn now I’m not one to ask for more 
I’m not one for keeping score It’s my turn now, my turn now It’s my turn now to take my place With all of those who’ve won this race I’m tired of paying dues
 Being gracious when I lose
 It’s my turn now
 People say I’m too far gone Tonight I’m gonna prove them wrong 
It’s my turn now, my turn now It’s my turn now to take my place With all of those who’ve won this race I’m tired of paying dues
 Being gracious when I lose
 It’s my turn now


about

Celebrating 30-years in music, Brooks Williams recorded "Work My Claim." Revisiting songs from across his career with fresh readings and the input of friends like John McCusker (Mark Knopfler, McCusker McGoldrick and Doyle, Heidi Talbot), Christine Collister (Richard Thompson, Daphne’s Flight), Jim Henry (Eliza Gilkyson, Tracy Grammer, The Boxcar Lillies), Aaron Catlow (Yola Carter, Sheelanagig, Hawes & Catlow) and Phil Richardson (Claypath).



"A career-defining statement, an important legacy and a lifetime achievement." BLUES MATTERS


"He's quite simply one of the most unassuming, natural performers on the circuit, and his easy, relaxed manner conceals the greatest level of true expertise, whether using jaw-droppingly effortless fingerstyle or soulful slide to accompany his extensive repertoire of songs (many, although self-penned, are wholly idiomatic, authentic creations). He's been at the top of his game ever since I can remember, and he shows no sign of slowing down or resting back on past glories." (FATEA)

credits

released March 20, 2020

Recorded and mixed by Mark Freegard
Brooks Williams: acoustic guitar and voice
Christine Collister: backing vocals
John McCusker: fiddle harmonium and whistle
Aaron Catlow: fiddle
Jim Henry: mandolin
Ralf Grottian: harmonica
Phil Richardson: piano

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Brooks Williams Cambridge, UK

Admired by both listeners and fellow musicians, acoustic guitarist, singer, songwriter and prolific collaborator Brooks Williams has beena leading light on the acoustic music scene for 3 decades. A Statesboro, Georgia native now living in Cambridge, UK, FATEA writes: "He is one of those select few 'how on earth does he do it?!' artists." He was, and is, Americana, long before they called it that. ... more

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