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Once I Had (Ballad of Nick Keir)

by Brigid Kaelin

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about

Imagine this song performed in a dark basement pub in Scotland ... traditional folk players all around, all toasting a dear friend who has passed on. This song is for Scottish troubadour Nick Keir -- a wonderful man who was gone too soon.

Profits from this track going to a charity in the UK ... trying to figure out which one Nick would have preferred.

lyrics

Once I had a garden in Old Town
A gate and a bicycle too
And a cobblestone street and an old apple tree
Once I had a friend in you

You stood up so straight in the spotlight
and hunched in the shadows and sang
and you touched my shoulder and said to remember that
Once I had everything.

Once I had a
Slow French waltz and a single malt
And a book of old burns poetry
And a Christmas card and a custom guitar
Once I had a friend in thee.

It’s so nice to meet you, here’s a key to my flat
And a bottle of whisky, I heard you liked that
I’ll be just down the street for a stay with my mum
If you need anything please give me a call

I’ve left you a
Slow French waltz and a single malt
And a book of old burns poetry
And a Christmas card and a custom guitar
And I have a friend in thee.

We waltzed in the back of the room to your song
The boy he was only ten days young
If it weren’t for you we wouldn’t be here
So thanks for the music, the friends, and the cheers.

When I think of a
Slow French waltz and a single malt
And a book of old burns poetry
thanks for the songs, I toast to you, slainte,
glad I once had a friend in thee.

credits

released February 24, 2015
Brigid Kaelin (vox, accordion), Steve Cooley (stringed things), Cathy Wilde (whistle)

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all rights reserved

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about

Brigid Kaelin Louisville

A "plucky redhead," a "genre-defying vaudeville rocker," and an "amazing multi-instrumentalist," Brigid Kaelin is a full-on entertainer. You've read her blog, heard her on the BBC and on NPR's "A Prairie Home Companion," seen her play accordion with Elvis Costello, and laughed and cried at her original alt-country cabaret songs. Maybe it's time to buy her albums? ... more

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