I dreamt the title for this new song, and somehow that very fact became part of the song.
My wife and I were in Dublin for a Glen Hansard concert at the National Concert Hall. It would be the first time we’d see him live. Having flown in around lunchtime, we made our way into Dublin and walked up through the Temple Bar area, getting some lunch along the way and visiting a nice music shop where I played a lovely lefty Taylor.
We got off the coach near the Ha’penny Bridge, a famous pedestrian cast iron bridge made in 1816. There used to be a toll charge to cross it, back in the day, hence the name.
It was also one of those bridges where lovers clip padlocks with their names engraved, to symbolise their eternal love. Except they were all removed for some necessary preservation work, following which the practice was banned. So these days it’s a lovely white, pristine bridge and good for another 200 years or so.
Here’s a photo of it, taken from the coach, on a mobile phone, in the rain.
So, something stuck in my head and the phrase “Half way across the Ha’penny” came to me in semi-sleep in the hotel that afternoon.
The Glen Hansard show was spectacular, moving, inspiring. What an unbelievable talent that man has.
Ştefan is clearly a fantastic photographer. Follow him on Twitter
Glen made it into my song too. (On Instagram he’s got an account called thegingerman222.)
The following day we were due to fly home in the evening so had most of the afternoon walking around Dublin – in torrential rain.
And yes, that sort of catalysed the whole song. The cheap umbrella for 5 euros made its way in there too. Oh, incidentally we did make our way back to the Ha’penny Bridge. Having dreamt the title, I wanted to soak in some vibes to inspire the song I knew was coming.
Most of the lyrics came quickly, hastily typed into my phone as we walked around a very wet Dublin.
When I picked up my guitar at home the next day, the tune came immediately, and without any sense of self censorship or second guessing, or trying to make it less simple than it felt.
The simplicity felt good.
Anyway, here are the lyrics.
Half way across the Ha’penny
There’s a river in the street, like the sky broke open
People shelter under restaurant canopies
This rain is seeping in, it’s nature’s way of telling me
Something in me needs to be cleaned
The night before, we held each others hands
Listening to the gingerman sing
Moving hearts in the dark, silent promises and resolutions.
Try to be a better man
I’ll meet you
Half way cross the ha’penny
This cheap umbrellas turning inside out
Such little shelter from the storm
But I’ll promise I’ll love you, love you forevermore
Keep your heart safe and warm
I thought I half dreamt this song dozing in the hotel room
Wilder townhouse 315
But there’s nothing like you to bring it all home to me
Wake me up make me feel alive
And you kissed me
Half way cross the ha’penny
There’s a river in the street, like the sky broke open
People shelter under restaurant canopies
This rain is seeping in, nature’s way of telling me
Something in me needs to be cleaned
First “bedhead” version
I always like recording “bedhead” versions of my songs when they’re very new. I borrow the expression from a series of Ryan Adams bootleg compilations which feature early versions, often the first ever live plays of songs, so they’re often still in that stage where they’re feeling their way. Like new shoes that haven’t been worn in yet.
Come to think of it, these bedhead versions are often the only recorded versions of my songs.
Let me know if you like it.
Leave a Reply