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Sweet Water & Whisky

from A Minstrel in Moray by Bruce Coughlan

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lyrics

SWEET WATER AND WHISKY

When I was a child, I’d drink sweet water
Clear, sweet water from the fresh, cold stream
I never had a care or a trouble
Or strayed from a path, that was pure and clean

When the ways of the world leave a stain on your pallet
Only hard liquor can wash it clean
If it kicks like a mule, you can bet I’ve had it
Trying to wash off the dust and the dirt I’ve seen
Beer by the pail, and wine by the gallon

Hard, hard liquor, every strength and style
But I’ll never get enough of that clear, sweet water
Or pure malt whiskey ‘till the day I die

For every young man with a thirst for adventure
There’s liquor from every point on the globe
I’ll leave it tae th’ Scots fer th’ pure, malt whisky
There’s nothin’ much sweeter in the world, to know

You can take your bourbon, take your corn whiskey
Throw ’em in a sack, in to the deep blue sea
But save me just enough of that pure, malt whisky
And I’ll be as happy as a man can be

These years gone by, I’ve begun to mellow
Not hard ‘round the edges as I used to be
I take a little drop of that clear, sweet water
Whenever I take of the malt whisky

You can save me all of your grand elixirs
Spare the mixer and I’ll do just fine
If I take a little drop of that pure, malt whisky
And drink sweet water until the well runs dry

But if you give me just a drop of that clear, sweet water
I’ll drink malt whisky ‘till the barrel runs dry

credits

from A Minstrel in Moray, released June 1, 2014
Produced & mastered by Joby Baker

All songs by Bruce Coughlan (SOCAN) 2009 except: Kinreen o’ the Dee – music by Bruce Coughlan, lyrics from The Piobrach O’ Kinreen by William Forsyth (1818–1879), Apron Strings – music by Phil Cunningham, lyrics by Bruce Coughlan and Ower Lang Awa’ – music by Bruce Coughlan, lyrics by James McQueen of Forres, published 1905. Additional Gaelic lyrics by Mary Ann Kennedy

Recorded and mixed at Baker Studios Ltd., Victoria, BC
Additional tracks recorded at Watercolour Music, Ardgour, Scotland

Bruce Coughlan – 1980s Jean Larrivee D5 dreadnaught guitar (Mahogany), 1927 Ludwig “Kingston” tenor banjo, 1940s Gibson TG 50 tenor guitar (Mahogany), Casey Burns keyless wood flute (Mopane), Elf Song D Whistle (West Coast Whistle Co.), Soodlum D whistle, Antonio Duarte Portuguese cittern (circa 1900) 1965 Gibson “Heritage” dreadnaught guitar (Brazilian Rosewood), 1982 Takamine classical guitar (Rosewood) Nashville mandolin (plywood).

Joby Baker – 1939 Kay upright bass, Yamaha C5 grand piano (spanky new), 2005 Gretsch kick & toms, 1959 Rogers snare drum, Istanbul cymbals, 1940s Gibson TG 50 tenor guitar (Mahogany), DW Karn pump organ (circa 1900), wood shaker & maraca (origins unknown), Wurlitzer piano, Hammond B3, hose
Mary Ann Kennedy – Gaelic vocals on Ower Lang Awa’
Artwork & design – Carylann Loeppky

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Bruce Coughlan Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Pacific Canadian-based recording & performing artist, Bruce Coughlan has spent decades making Acoustic Roots Music Music of all descriptions. An expressive singer and rock-solid guitarist, Bruce is driven by one guiding principle: It's all about the Song. ... more

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