The Band of Brothers: MP3s/Lyrics

• MP3 play whole song, hi-fi (broadband)
• MP3 play whole song, lo-fi (modem)

Note from Michael: This is the newest song on our 2nd CD - I wrote it in September of 2005, after we began recording the CD in August. I was leafing through the book 'Man And His Symbols' by Carl Jung and saw an illustration of the the 17th-century bandit Claude Duvall (the chapter concerned the 'animus' - basically the reason for infatuation, at least as far as I can figure it out.) Anyway, the picture caught my fancy and I began writing the song at my desk. Later that day I began researching Duvall's story, the roads that surrounded London at the time, whether the waltz existed during that time period, etc., etc. and then polished up the lyrics. For the recording we recruited Ashley Knights to play the flute and my son Sean wrote the score for the flute. Sean also added his vocals to the chorus. Instrumentation: Michael Scott Smith: lead vocal, guitar; Alan Fox, acoustic bass, bass harmony; Jamie Stevens: mandolin, harmony vocal; Henry Robin: 12-string guitar; Bruce Bailey, guitar; Ashley Knights: flute (arranged by Sean Smith); Sean Smith, Harmony Vocals; Jesse Sprinkle, additional guitar.

One bright early morning - without any warning

Our coachman pulled the reins in - brought his horses to halt.

We'd been riding a good road - from Holloway to London.

When the bandit Claude Duvall brought his guns out.

We peered out the window - our hearts in a shiver

Wondering what fate would be cast on this dawn.

From high on his horse, he said “Stand and deliver,

What goods ye have brought on your journey this morn.”

Then a lady - determined - to appear unafraid

Began to play on a flute to all she surveyed.

Duvall raised an eyebrow and flashed her a smile

And said, “Lady, allow me to dance with you a while.

Oh, dance with me Lady, here on the heath

I’ll forget I’m a bandit, forget I’m a thief.

Please lift up your skirts - away from the dirt

We’ll go dancing - This morning - I’ll do no robbing

We’ll go dancing the Highwayman Waltz.

When the dancing was finished - Duvall made a bow

He said, “My lady, you’ve charmed me - and to you I’ll vow

I’ll take none of your jewelry - none of your gold

But your husband now owes me - for tunes played on the road.”

“Now what say you Mister, ere’ the bargain I’ve struck

I’ve danced with your Lady - now you’re down on your luck

For four hundred pounds I’ll see you go free

And if you hasten you can hurry the sheriff on me.

(Chorus)

Now many a man - was lost of his wealth

In the days ‘fore and after Duvall danced on the heath

And many a Lady - was lost of her breath

When the captured Claude Duvall was sentenced to death.

Claude faced the crowd bravely at the end of his rope

With a smile in his eye and a lump in his throat

His life, tho’ a brief one, was filled with delight

And he knew many a lady would dream of him tonight

(Chorus)