So Many Paths

So Many Paths

17 song lyrics by Irish singer/songwriter Paul Murphy.

A mesmerising set of works covering topics such as injustice, love, broken relationships, corrupt judiciaries, social commentaries, ruminations on the passage of life, and emotional narratives - thought-provoking, heartbreaking, engaging, angering, caustic and inspiring - all told in the unmistakeable style of a master of cinematic poetry.

Also included as bonus material are a song-by-song back-story essay, '...So Few Steps', and reproductions of all the existing handwritten manuscripts to the works presented here.

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Mayday [excerpt]

There's barbed-wire on the nursery floor
Justice just ran out the door
The Judge is laughing "I'm a good man"
"But bad news for you, the Law is a sham"

Letters are piling up on the mat
And they're all red, none are black
"She's running up bills that you must pay"
"What shall we take away today?"

"What's that you say, there's nothing left?"
"Then, first dibs on your final breath"
"You're not the only one that she's waylaid"
"Not by a long chalk, I'm afraid"

How much lower can a man sink?
I shudder even as I think
They're coming to nail me upside down
How are things in Golgotha town?
...


Suddenly - You Were There [excerpt]

When questions tried to block my way
And memories filled me with dismay
And I could only see as far as yesterday
Suddenly, you were there


When my thoughts were tied up in chains
And doubts were delivered by the evening train
And I started believing that hope was in vain
Suddenly, you were there

...


Craven Images [excerpt]


Wide boys strutting with arrogance
"Cinderella shouldn't have gone to the dance"
"The coach ain't comin' and it's a long walk home"
"Her daddy shouldn't have let her out on her own"


The whiskey sills are on overtime
"Drink your pain away until you feel fine"
"Don't worry if your problems continue to mount"
"Keep opening tops 'til you're out for the count"


The 9-to-5's becoming 6-to-8
"And don't complain about staying late"
"There's plenty more to come from where I got you"
"And while no-one's looking, you know what to do"

...