Category: Randall Stephen Hall

Song for Monday. “ROOM IN OUR HOUSE”. Stiofán. Cold and misty. But don’t let that get you down. Who knows what it may be like by lunchtime? Floods, pestilence and we’ve run out of mayonnaise for a sandwich. And so the day unfolds . . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4soBge978E

Sunday song. “INTO YOUR ARMS I WILL RUN”. RSH. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT9exnu6l48 All feedback welcome.

Song for Saturday. “FOR THE LOVE OF COFFEE”. RSH. No milk for mine. Thanks . . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81fHub3H_34

Today’s poem. Inspired by the broken mouth sculpture outside Queen’s University Library, Belfast, Northern Ireland and seeing a connection with our broken politics here. RSH. RHI WE CRY.
By Randall Stephen Hall © 19.1.17

Like the broken front teeth
Of a beggar man
The RHI Scandal reveals itself
From out of the dark spaces
And shadowy corners
Of a mouth that should be
Articulating our needs, our hopes
Our lives, amongst a broken peace.

RHI we cry, RHI.

From out the mouth that should
Trickle and run the clear waters
Of democratic government
Comes the broken workings of shame
Intrigue, greed, and the foul waters
Of a polluted desire
For change, in a wonderful land.
Controlled and let down
By the needs of those
Who sell us ideas, schemes
And the ash of burnt feathers.

RHI we cry, RHI.

Song for Tuesday/Wednesday. “The Fair Ground”. Talks a bit about the neutrality of shared spaces and the love we find there. Stephen Stiofán. As we step through January thoughts of February come to mind. The wheel of the year gathers momentum. I yawn and stretch in the man cave, hunched over the laptop in a non ergonomically approved slouch. A new year’s resolution, the box of which I haven’t quite ticked (Yawn . . . burp etc . . .) . . . yet.https://soundcloud.com/randall-stephen-hall/the-fairground-29-9-12

http://tradconnect.com/profiles/blogs/song-of-the-week-randall-stephen-hall-re-wired Song for Monday. “REWIRED”. As a song it is what it is based on growing up in North Belfast from 1957 – 1989 when, as a young family we left for “Bunkerville”, sometimes known as “Obscurity” but still in Co. Antrim. I love the accents. I love the character. Less four-tracks on the road and pretty much less of everything than the more urban areas of Co. Down. But it has its good spots like Millen Bay, Ballinoe Stone Circle and of course, The Mourne Mountains. Amazing stuff and all for free. You just have to get there. Stiofán. Good Luck for Monday . . .

Buff Books and Canvases. “Beep Beep” Another drawing from St. George’s Market, Belfast. RSH.

Song for Saturday. “ALMOST 80”. Now this song won’t be everyone’s cup of tea as it combines poetry/monologue with music. Narrated by Hugh Midden (“Hugh Midden Speaks”) who can be found in large quantity on Sound Cloud. Hugh Midden is an older man with his own opinions. He expresses them well and is to the point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5tXkQfIr5I

Here is a song for Friday on this page. “THE GREEN AND BLUE”. Quite a few of my songs come with some background and/or lyrics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-P7AljltBw RSH.

Well, here we are. It’s Friday. Cold. Occasionally bright with a wind that cuts through your keks like a dry leaf power-spray. Here’s another Buff Canvas from our Rufty-Roo-Hah stall at St. George’s Market, Belfast. Enjoy your day whatever you are doing, but make sure you take moments out to catch your breath, to perch, to chill and notice the world around you. I find that all these “moments” help the day. RSH.