Song #71 New Times

NEW TIMES

(Listen)

CHORUS

Well my son’s away – our thoughts and prayers go with you
Travel far and safe – our love goes always with you

As you follow your dreams – remember those at home go with you
Though you’re far away we travel in silence with you
Hoping you’ll find what you’re seeking

There’ll be brand new faces – who will want to know you
Brand new places and some will no doubt test you
But I know you’ll find your way through

CHORUS

I have watched you change – from baby to grown man
I love who you’ve become – a man who knows that children
Can teach us lots of life’s lessons

And no matter how long – you roam the world afar
There are people at home – who you can always turn to
If it all seems too hard

CHORUS

BRIDGE

I wandered abroad to discover new seas
We took you away from this land that you now leave
So I well understand what now takes you away
And wonder alone what your new world will bring
And if this land.....will be home again

CHORUS

(Copyright M Coghlan 2012)

Commentary: a goodbye song I wrote for my son who had just headed off to live in Europe.

The Webheads Story

 

In 1997 I came across a website called English for Internet (EFI). It offered ESL and EFL students free web-based English lessons. It was run by David Winet out of his home in Berkeley (California) and he was looking for teachers willing to volunteer their time to teach an ever-increasing number of students who wanted to learn English this way. I knew almost nothing about how to teach online but I jumped in the deep end and with David’s help and endless patience I started my own sessions. 

As well as asynchronous web-based exercises we met weekly on Sundays in a virtual classroom called The Palace. There was another teacher who ran classes at The Palace just before my session - Vance Stevens and he was based in the UAE. 

Many students just stayed online at the end of Vance’s class and joined mine. Over time the two classes just blurred into each other and it became apparent that what students really wanted to was meet together online and practice their English. This arrangement continued for some years. We were joined by another teacher from Cologne in Germany, Margaret Ann Doty. But the majority of participants were bonafide students from all over the planet – Taiwan, Brazil, China, Australia, the US, Argentina. We called ourselves The Webheads.

In the early 2000s Vance decided to expand the group and try and recruit more practising teachers and use the growing community as a professional development vehicle for language teachers worldwide. It was an enormous success and became known as Webheads in Action and evolved into a fully-fledged community of practice with active members in multiple countries.

Many of us were involved in presenting at conferences about online education and it was quite normal for many of us to call on other webheads to help deliver what Jonathan Finkelstein dubbed multiple venue presentations. And slowly too as webheads began to travel many online connections were cemented by face to face meetings. Some of these meetings even extended to family members. My son met my dear webhead friend and colleague Teresa in Portugal. This frenzy of collaborative online teaching and learning, supplemented by regular meetings face to face, was a massively productive and enjoyable part of my personal and professional life up until around 2014. And throughout this time we continued our Sunday online meetings at noon GMT!

When I retired from full time work I deliberately scaled back much of my online activity but still today I meet a small group of webheads online every fortnight, and know that when I go travelling again there are webheads around the planet who will welcome me to their lands.

So perhaps the song below now makes a bit more sense. Being part of the Webhead community had a profound impact on my life, and I will forever be eternally indebted to Vance Stevens for his indefatigable efforts in making sure the community stays alive. And to Teresa, Rita, Ying Lan, Felix, Bee, Dafne, Chris, Jonathan, Eric, Aiden, John, Elizabeth, David, Nina, Carla, Jane, Buth, Tom, Peter, Graham, Thuan, Jennifer and so many others – thank you for enriching my life, and being friends across the waters.

24/7 – we’re online

It doesn’t really matter – whatever the time

Someone’s there to answer the call

Or maybe you’re lonely in the middle of the night

Someone’s there to answer your call

You’re going on a journey to a foreign land

Want to meet a friend there to show you around

There’ll be someone there to answer your call

 

Song #70 Webheads Theme

 

Michael doing the Webhead Salute

WEBHEADS THEME

 (Listen HERE)

CHORUS

Webheads – all over the world

Webheads – we’re all over the world

 

 

24/7 – we’re online

It doesn’t really matter – whatever the time

Someone’s there to answer the call

 

CHORUS

 

You want to know how to do it right

Or maybe you’re lonely in the middle of the night

Someone’s there to answer your call

 

CHORUS

 

You want to join your class up across the world

Or you want an expert to talk to them live

Someone will answer your call

 

CHORUS

 

You’re going on a journey to a foreign land

Want to meet a friend there to show you around

There’ll be someone there to answer your call

 

CHORUS

 

Learning together – sharing our views

Living together – sharing our news

Always someone there – on the same wavelength

 

CHORUS

COMMENTARY:  The Webheads changed my life. I can't believe I've come this far into this blog (about 20 years!) and not posted the story. The amazing story is inferred and referred to in many talks and presentations but it's time I documented my role in the Webhead story here. In the meantime co-Webhead founder Vance Stevens has done a sterling job of maintaining all webhead archives HERE.

Song #69 See You Later Reno

 

SEE YOU LATER RENO

 

He was sitting on a footpath in a town down south

Singing to passers-by for joy or some coin

“Man you’ve got a great voice”

Man you wrote some great songs

 

Target airconditioners and fights in the pub

Boring dancing girlfriends and friends who couldn’t swim

Man you wrote some weird songs

Man you made us laugh though

 

People still around who’d I’d rather not see

So full of themselves they’re not interested in me

See you later Reno

See you later Reno

 

We're friends in time and name but the time has gone

Once so close, now so far, we’ve all moved on

See you later Reno

See you later Reno

 

I journeyed there with an open heart

Enjoyed your sun

Sang up and down your coasts and malls

You enjoyed our song

 

So to everyone I’ve ever known

To those who’ve gone, days of yore, and the places we’ve been

I bid you all farewell now

So say goodbye to Reno

Say goodbye to Reno

Say goodbye

(See you later Baterz)

(Thanks for the songs man)

(See ya’ next time buddy)

Let’s say goodbye

Say goodbye to Reno

Say goodbye to Reno

 

Copyright (M Coghlan 2002)

COMMENTARY: Inspired by the death of friend and Adelaide/Canberra artist – Baterz. I think I was trying to make this song a metaphor for all the things we lose in life and it got a little confused along the way. In any event Baterz was an exceptional character – warm, talented, funny, honest. And yes – the first words he ever said to me were ‘man you’ve got a great voice’ so it was love at first sight! (More on Baterz.)

 

 

Song #68 Home to My Song

 

HOME TO MY SONG

(Listen HERE)

It’s a long long way that we all have to go

And it’s harder than we had planned

I’d rather sit tight and take it all in

I don’t want to take a stand

 

CHORUS

When it feels hard, too hard to explain

When it feels hard, hard to feel safe

Safe from the world, away from it all

I go home to my song

 

I can sing my songs and play them loud

And pretend that I sound great

I’m the centre of the sound and the call of my soul

Likes to tempt the edge of fate

 

I can live in that dream where I play all day

And don’t have to go to work

Scream and shout to a catchy tune

About fear pain and hurt

 

CHORUS

 

What is going on when I pick up my guitar

And the tears roll down my face?

I gotta go to work and do my bit as a part of the human race

Check my eyes in the mirror as I drive to see if I look OK

Good morning everyone your teacher is here

There’s a lot to get through today

 

CHORUS

 

(© M Coghlan 1995)

COMMENTARY:  One day, feeling quite happy, I picked up my guitar near the front door just before I left to go to work. Minutes later tears were flowing freely as I sang whatever stream of conscious sounds came out. It happened more than once actually. I had to move my guitar away from the front door to prevent it happening. It wasn’t a sad thing – it was quite a beautiful feeling in fact. This song explores why this happens A clash of worlds at play methinks. Other world views bubbling to the surface unbidden.

Song #67 Life's A Wonderful and Melancholy Thing

 

(LISTEN HERE)

LIFE’S A WONDERFUL AND MELANCHOLY THING

LIFE’S A WONDERFUL AND MELANCHOLY THING

 

THERE’S A LONG LINE OF DOORS AND SO MANY ARE OPEN9VfE0U

WITH NO SIGNS OUT THE FRONT TO TELL YOU WHICH ONE TO GO THROUGH

WHICH ARE THE DOORS THAT’LL SEE YOUR WAY FORWARD

ARE THERE MORE LEADING UP THAN THERE ARE LEADING DOWN

 

YOU MEET THE MAN WITH THE ANSWERS AND HE SAYS GO THROUGH THERE SON

WITH A SPRING IN YOUR STEP IT ALL STARTS OUT FINE

BUT THE ROCKS START APPEARING AND FORCE YOU TO SLOW DOWN

YOU FORGET ALL THE ANSWERS AND HEAD BACK TO THE WINE

 

CHORUS

 

LIFE’S A WONDERFUL AND MELANCHOLY THING (X2)

THERE ARE TIMES IT MAKES YOU WANNA DANCE AND SING

AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU JUST CANNOT DO A THING

COS LIFE’S A WONDERFUL AND MELANCHOLY THING

 

TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE WALK DOWN THE SAME ROAD

ONE COMES HOME WITH A TEAR IN HIS EYE

WHILE THE OTHER FINDS LOVE AT THE END OF THE SAME ROAD

ALL DOORS LEAD TO THE END OF THE LINE

 

CHORUS
 

LIFE’S A WONDERFUL AND MELANCHOLY THING

LIFE’S A WONDERFUL AND MELANCHOLY THING

Song #66 Fear of Being Too Good

 

Karam Board

FEAR OF BEING TOO GOOD

(Listen)

 You've walked the paths of history
 And you've watched the rivers flow
 You've been away for far too long
 It doesn't matter where you go
 You've been to funerals dressed in white
 You've stood pale among the dark skin
 You've looked for patterns around the world
 That describe the common man
  So where's the sense in returning
  To those who do not know?
  That's true devotion
  Or was it fear of being alone
       fear of being alone
       fear of being alone?
 

 You've kept your cool in foreign lands
 When conversation turned to God
 You've managed a touch of sympathy
 For the rundown unkempt sods
 You've drunk from flagons in the park
 And you found it quite a lark
 When the old man turned and told you
 He would never take a plane
 To the destinations across the sea
 That you flew to with your pain
  And the spirit then was lurking
  Like a misfit in your brain
       a misfit in your brain
       a misfit in your brain.
 

 You've sat out on the beach at night
 And were asked about Jesus Christ
 You found that you enjoyed it
 Like the tropics it warmed your heart
 The night wind formed your words
 In a way that you found easy
 But the sunlight left you questioning
 Unsure of where you stood
  It was all too bright and daunting
  Or was it fear of being too good
       fear of being too good
       fear of being too good?
 

 You've walked the paths of history
 And you've watched the rivers flow
 You've been away for far too long
 It doesn't matter where you go
  Where's the sense in returning
  To those who drove you away?
  That takes dedication
  Or was it fear of being alone
       fear of being alone
       fear of being alone?
 
 

 (Copyright  Michael Coghlan 1994)

COMMENTARY: a song that details the struggle between wanting to be away, and wanting to be home; between the freedom to wander where you will and fear of being alone, between a path of giving to others and a life of satisfying the self; and the fear of delving too far into religion in case you never get out! It’s about travel; staying home, and the person you need to/want to/should be 😊

 

 

Song #65 Under the Sea at Night

 

UNDER THE SEA AT NIGHT

 

People will say you can’t behave that way

But you know you can because you did it last night

People will say you wouldn’t risk what you’ve got

But I know I would because I gambled the lot

 

Driven by a force that pulls you down

Under the sea at night as you slowly drown

 

Suddenly she turns and faces your fury with pain

There’s some dumb expression about pain meaning gain

 

Then you notice there’s a fire in her eyes

You push no further or you’ll forfeit the prize

 

Of waking up tomorrow when the cool wind blows

With the one you’ve always dreamed of in a love that glows

 

People might say you’d never hide like a kid

Under the blankets to forget what you did

I know I can because I did it that day

Till she came to me and told me all was OK

 

No need to fret or frown just get on with the day

I didn’t know she’d already been away

 

She’d been down to the ocean in the dark of the night

Had already left me to make everything alright

 

So we’d wake tomorrow when the cool wind blow

With the one you’ve always dreamed of in the afterglow

 

INSTRUMENTAL

 

People might say that your sea looks so calm

They have no idea what can lurk beneath the charm

You’re always so together so much in control

But they don’t know the fire that consumes a restless soul

 

Driven by a force that pulls you down

Under the sea at night as you slowly drown

 

And you’ll wake tomorrow when the cool wind blows

With the one you’ve always dreamed of in a love that grows

 

(Copyright M Coghlan 1994)

Commentary; Speed bumps appearing on the relationship road. Jealousies and neuroses boil over in an uncharacteristic explosion. Fears confronted and staired down by someone who was wise enough to act, depart, and return. I'll leave it there! Quite a powerful song. Was never recorded.... we'll see ;)

Song #64 Santorini

 

CC image courtesy of Maggie Meng

SANTORINI

Santorini

Santorini

Santorini – we had such high hopes for you

They once called you Atlantis a long long time ago

We sailed into your darkness and came up against you -

You’re a jagged unforgiving land and you have lost your soul

You play with us like laughing clowns in a twisted carnival

 

Set ‘em up to knock them down

Get ready – easy pickings

Get ready - there are tourists in town

 

Get ‘em drunk – they’re gone tomorrow

They’re richer than their blue jeans show

They’re captives on this island

They’ll pay the price only locals know

 

La Bamba, Club Atlantis

You can dance down at the Lido,

Boppin’ young flesh down at the Rio

Nirvana in Acapulco

 

Meet Neptune at the Roxy

Get stoned – Marrakesh disco

Cocktails a la Adonis

ACDC rules Atlantis OK

 

Let ‘em stew ‘cos we don’t savvy

Their foreign ways and their weird lingo

There’s no need to scrape and smile

For like the wind they come and go

 

There’ll be more on the next boat

We don’t want them here anyhow

So let’s send them all a-packin’

Let’s have a real good row

 

And rip em’ off.

 

You’ve come to Greece , well here’s Led Zeppelin

A stairway to heaven

Ouzo, Metaxa, and retsina

Dionysus lets the good times roll

 

Apollo rocks with Aphrodite

Woodstock is at the Mars Bar

Get your rocks off at Paradiso

Copacabana

 

Santorini – we had such high hopes for you

They once called you Atlantis a long long time ago

We sailed into your darkness and came up against you

Santorini

Santorini

You’ve lost it.

 

(Michael Coghlan 1992)

COMMENTARY: a possible site of the mythical Atlantis legend, so much of Santorini truly was a big disappointment. Nightclubs and bars with stereotypical names to appeal to mindless young travellers – Lido, Paradiso, the Roxy, etc. But move out of the larger (spectacular!)  towns and you can find the peace and beauty typical of most Greek islands. It was a complicated song – lots of changes of pace – and I’ve almost completely forgotten how it went. Probably won’t try and resurrect it. It belongs to another life.

 

Song #63 Deep Creek

 

DEEP CREEK

(listen and watch HERE, or just listen HERE)

  When the wind comes up you'd better brace yourself
  It can catch you unprepared and sweep you down to the valley below
  Where your fears lie unprotected and your demons stalk too close
  You're gonna need a guide to help you that's never walked on a city street

  And as you look back up you no longer stand above
  All those fears you've been hiding lie awaiting round the next bend
  Of the creek that's deep and winding on its journey to the sea
  The water has gone before you and cut you out a path to see

  You're standing there with nothing but yourself and the water to show you
  The way you must go with those fears inside your head
  About those other people and what they might think of you
  You step into the icy water and it chills you to the soul

  You're losing all your history as you begin to start to know
  That you can't sink any lower so it's onward you must go

  Your eyes caress the mountains as you begin your slow sojourn
  It all looks so familar but you have lost control
  Of everything that's happened in that life on those city streets
  You get a taste of future wisdom as you go down Deep Creek

  You're gonna need a guide to help you that's never walked on those city streets
  You get a taste of future wisdom as you flow down Deep Creek
  Go down
  Flow down
  Go down

  (1992)

COMMENTARY: Deep Creek is a national park reserve south of Adelaide that is quite rugged, remote, and spectacular. This song is about facing demons and doubts and how the unfamiliar world of the bush (for a city boy) can either assist or trigger that process. It deserves a good recording ....)

Song #62 Once Around the Sun

 

ONCE AROUND THE SUN

 

Today I laid a demon to rest

And I fell in love with that lady again

It must be at least ten times this short year

That I’ve shed a fear

 

On our journey around the sun

With the wax on our wings still intact

We’ve been flying so high we’re getting further away

From the valley below

 

And as we lay in our bed at night

Listening to the Irish muse in flight

He takes us to places we’ve never seen

But we’re getting there

 

CHORUS

We’ve been through all the seasons

We’ve been through the heat and the cold

We’ve seen the age clock tick over

We’ve been once around

        once around

        once around the sun

 

And very night I just want to fall

Into her arms without a word

Travel again to that place of peace

Where no demons lay

 

But we keep them alive with our hours of talk

Touching on fears with a torrent of words

Keeping the passion alive and apart

Until we finally give in

 

And play in our bed at night

Listening to the Irish muse in flight

He takes us to places we’ve never seen

But we’re getting there

 

CHORUS

We’ve been through all the seasons

We’ve been through the heat and the cold

We’ve seen the age clock tick over

We’ve been once around

        once around

        once around the sun

 

© Michael Coghlan 1991

Commentary: think it's self-evident really :) The Irish muse referred to is Van Morrison.

 

 

 

 

The Ajoona Guest House - Review

 

Bakehouse Theatre, Wed  1 Dec

Courtesy of some well-deserved grants and funded residencies Stephen House set himself the exciting and daunting task of writing a performance monologue for each of three different cities. He has completed and performed the works on life in Dublin and Paris, and now unveils the final part of the trilogy – the Ajoona Guest House. Set in a dingier part of Delhi, the tale has House sharing memories of a long association with the guesthouse – “a dump with oodles of charm” – and India.

The Ajoona Guest House is something of a refuge for those Westerners who were smitten and subsequently trapped in a strange world of mysticism, drugs, and ultimately desperation. House introduces us to some of the desperados who will never check out, and shares the unlikely joy he finds in the company of a neighbourhood child beggar.

Often bleak, even harrowing, the tale is a sad one but it’s the kind of sadness that accompanies an understanding of what life is truly like. Life may be full of broken souls but even they have created moments of great joy and beauty. The trick is to realise that the wheel turns, that joy and pleasure are just as ephemeral as pain and suffering, that nothing is forever, and you can only hope that if you ever reach this point of understanding you are still sufficiently whole to appreciate the past and present with gratitude, and have enough strength left to pull yourself away from the darkness.

It has been said before but Stephen House is a wonderful story teller. The Ajoona Guest House is perfectly paced. His economy with words, obviously well-honed by the poet side of his creative self, is very easy to listen to, and gradually draws you into an intriguing tale that soon has you experiencing something else below the narrative; that sensation of being there, in the story, and wondering what you would do? How would you feel?

Beautifully presented on an almost bare stage with few props, The Ajoona Guesthouse is both simple and profound, entertaining and instructive. Bravo Stephen House.

(This review also published on The Clothesline.)

 

Weligama - one of the greatest experiences of my life

I recently told a friend in Weligama, Sri Lanka, that my first visit there in 1981 was one of the greatest experiences of my life. He wrote back and asked me to explain why it was such a wonderful experience. These lyrics of a song I wrote at the time went some way to answering this question. Below are some further thoughts - not in any particular order.

---------------------------------

I was absolutely amazed that almost complete strangers would take me in as their friend and share their lives with me.

It was my first experience of living in a place where people lived ‘hand to mouth’. Titus, Walter and others went fishing every morning, got money for the fish at the fish market, and took it home to their wives who went shopping, and made food for the family for the next 24 hours. And then the cycle began again the next day. It taught me a great deal about life, and how simple it can be. And I saw that poor people can live a happy life if they enough food and a place for sleep and shelter.

I became a much more confident swimmer often swimming out to Louise’s island:

I realised that my skills as a musician were really valued. I did so much singing in Weligama!

People would often dance when I played guitar and sang. I felt like a troubadour!

It was my first experience living in a non-Christian culture and I learnt a lot about Buddhism. Titus and I would sometimes talk about the difference between Christianity and Buddhism.

Playing karam on the beach at night with Titus while drinking arak. Magic!

The huge surprise when we came back to Weligama one day and Titus had built us a cadjan house!

Amazing parties out on Louse’s island:

Playing with the children each day in the sea: 

I learnt that I was extraordinarily privileged. As Titus told me, “You can come here anytime you want, but I will never see your country.” Though fishing families in Weligama had enough food and a place to sleep and shelter they had no real freedom to move out of that world. Having spare money – money left over after you have paid for your house and food – is a huge luxury.

Louise and I had a magical visit to ‘the Prince’s island’  - Taprobane. There really was a prince living there and he happily invited us in and treated us to tea and cake! 

Taprobane: the Prince's Island

I learned that people in places like Weligama people do not like to be alone. People would often watch me read, or write in my journal!

I learned that when you live right by the sea the world is never silent. Every night I would fall asleep to the sounds of the waves breaking on the shore

I learned that poor people can be incredibly generous.

In memory of our dear friend Titus. 

Titus was far from perfect but he taught me much about life, I only wish he could have lived long enough for me to tell him. And all of this happened because one day he just stopped a stranger on the streets of Weligama and started talking with them. Rest in peace dear friend. 

Titus and Lilian in 'our' new house

 

 

 

Song #61 Lady Spider

 

LADY SPIDER

(listen HERE. A clearer version coming soon.)

Finally the memory of my first love has gone

I have lived so long in the past – that road is long

Then I met my Lady Elizabeth

         I met my Lady Spider

 

Yes I had lived so long in the past not knowing if I could

Ever feel so in love again – I contemplate your smile

Your smile Lady Elizabeth

Your smile my Lady Spider

 

I’d given up all thoughts of joy of a woman’s charms

I found a gem who held me close – in her loving arms

And I’ll hold you Lady Elizabeth

       I’ll hold you my Lady Spider

 

I feel the wind that blows between our searching souls

It will carry us near and far until we’re old

When I’ll hold you Lady Elizabeth

           I’ll hold you my Lady Spider

 

Whatever I do, whatever I say

You owe me nothing - but I want for you to stay

When you come towards me how can I hold back

And pretend I don’t care?

 

When I love you Lady Elizabeth

           I love you my Lady Spider

 

© Michael Coghlan 1991

 

COMMENTARY: I knew I’d written this song years ago but I couldn’t find the words or the music until recently. Happily I found a muffled but heartfelt old recording and I have relearnt this beautiful song. I love it.