We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Smugglers of Sorrow

from Living Shadows by Joel Bird

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Between the 1920s and the 1960s as many as 150,000 young children were taken from their parents, many of them forced to give up their child by church run-institutions because of poverty or social stigma. They were not given details of where their children were sent to and the reality for many that were taken was a childhood of servitude and hard labour. This is a song about this scandal.

lyrics

There was a girl, fifteen years old, a curious age, she'd never been told. If you enjoy the sin there's no one to blame but yourself, she's the one who put the family to shame.
A contract was signed, the family was poor, but the love it was strong and the baby was born. Now the mother and child in the bedroom alone, there's a knock at the door, the time it has come.
Out from the cradle into the car, through the old town and past the church yard and go down to the water and onto the boat, selling life in the name of the Lord to the smugglers of sorrow.
There was a woman fifty years old, who looked every day for the child that was sold. But the name it has gone, cut with the chord and the pain is her penance cos she let down the lord.
But the Lord isn't kind, the Lord isn't good and the church isn't holy if it punishes love. And the sisters they lie and the sisters don't grieve, they put the whole world to shame by stealing like thieves.
They went, out from the cradle into the car, through the old town and past the church yard and go down to the water and onto the boat, selling life in the name of the Lord to the smugglers of sorrow.

credits

from Living Shadows, released November 26, 2019

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Joel Bird image

Joel Bird UK

A modern folk artist inspired by graveyards, sea shanties and spaghetti western ride outs. I tell bittersweet stories to a soundtrack, composed with both traditional instruments and subtle electronics.
My past includes supporting Elvis Costello on tour & writing soundtracks for TV & film productions. ... more

contact / help

Contact Joel Bird

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Joel Bird, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now