Tattoo'd lady
(Rory Gallagher)

Tattoo'd lady, bearded baby
They're my family
When I was lonely
Something told me where I could always be
Where I could push the penny, if you've got any
You'll meet me down at the shooting gallery
You know I'm a fair ground baby
Wonder what made me fall for the pearly queen

Well, I spent my youth under canvas roof
As I roamed from town to town
I'm not foolin' when I say I got no schoolin'
Never liked the class-bell sound

From inside the caravan, I hear the fair-ground band
Sounding good as they can be
You know I can't be found, if you look around
Tomorrow we'll be gone by dawn, oh yeah

Now hear it on the loudspeaker say
The fire eater is a real fine sight to see
You know he's a death cheater
Some kind of central heater
Be sure to save a seat for me
Let me tell you 'bout
Wicked Sadie, she's no baby
The law came and tried to close her side show down
But soon she had the DA cheering
The police chief wearing her garter for a crown

Oh, I spent my youth under canvas roof
As I roamed from town to town
I'm not foolin' when I say I got no schoolin'
Never liked the school-bell sound

From the caravan, I hear the fair-ground band
Sounding really good as they can be
You know I can't be found and if you look around
Tomorrow I'll be gone by dawn

Tattoo'd lady, bearded baby
They're my family
When I was lonely
Something told me where I could always be
Where I could push the penny, we have any
You'll meet me down at the shooting gallery
Fair ground baby
Wonder what made me fall for the pearly queen
 

Cradle Rock
(Rory Gallagher)

If I was a cradle then you'd let me rock
If I was a pony then you'd let me trot
If I was the atom then you'd split me into three
But when I want to see you, baby
How come you lock your door on me?

If I was a baby you wouldn't let me fall
If I was an outlaw you wouldn't have me caught
If I was a tiger you wouldn't have me caged
If I was somebody else you would act your age

You'll miss out if you leave me out of your day and night
I will try to make you see and hear what I got to say
It's all about me and you, alright

If I was a blind man then you'd make me see
If I was a deaf man you'd give me hears to hear
If I was a lame man you'd give me legs to walk
But if you were true to me, baby
You would listen when I talk

If I was a cradle then you'd let me rock
If I was a pony then you'd let me trot
If I was the atom then you'd split me into three
But when I want to see you, baby
How come you lock your door on me?
 

20:20 vision
(Rory Gallagher)

People talk about her
Like she was a diamond on a shelf
People talk about her
Like she was a diamond on a shelf
Well, I got 20:20 vision
I can see that for myself

I got a high steppin', baby
You know she's really 'bout as good as gold
I got a high steppin', baby
You know she's really good as gold
She can make my grandpa
Feel like he's six years old

I got 20:20 vision and that's all I need
Enough to keep my baby here by me

Well, you know my little baby
She buzz something like a bumble bee
Well, you know my little baby
She buzz like a bumble bee
And I won't complain
If she comes 'round here and stings me
Sting me!

I got 20:20 vision and that's all I need
Enough to keep my baby good company

You know my little baby
I'd recognise her anywhere
If I seen her in a crowd
I'd recognise her anywhere
She can even make my grandpa
Get up outta his wheelchair

All the boys hang around her
But she says she don't love no-one else
All the boys hang around
But she says she don't love no-one else
Well, I got 20:20 vision
I can see that for myself
I got 20:20 vision
I can see that for myself
 

They don't make them like you anymore
(Rory Gallagher)

They don't make them like you anymore, that's for sure
And when they made you
They made sure they threw away the mould
It comes as no surprise to me
That I wanna be in your vicinity

If I stand close to you, I'm not sure if I'm really there
With my feet on the ground but my head's lost in the air
Oh, how I wish you could see
That I'd love to be in your vicinity

Where would I go, what would I do
If you should run from me?
How does it show when you're to lose
Will you explain to me?
There's something growing
There's something showing
There's something won't let me be

Where would I go, what would I do
If you should run from me?
How does it show when you're to lose
Will you explain to me?
There's something growing
There's something showing
There's something won't let me be

They don't make them like you anymore, that's for sure
And when they made you
They made sure they threw away the mould
Oh, how I wish you could be
I wanna be in your vicinity

Well, I've heard that one day
Everything comes to him who waits
Well, that may be so, but you know it might be too late
Oh, how I'd love to see
That I wanna be in your vicinity
 

Livin' like a trucker
(Rory Gallagher)

Well, I've been living like a trucker for a month or more
Well, I'm steaming like a diesel that cannot feel its throes
Well, I'm closing all the windows, keeping out the rain
But I'm not complaining, in fact I'd do it all again
I'm a ramblin' man, cannot stop a travellin' man

I've been singing for my supper but I never get to eat
Well, I queue up at the dinner but I cannot find a seat
Well, I've been livin' like a gypsy, feelin' like a king
Really feel like singin', you know that's the mood I'm in
I'm a ramblin' man, some kind a travellin' man

You'll never catch me working nine to five
That's for some people but me, I wanna ride
All around the world, to the planet's end
I've seen some places, but more I ain't seen yet

Lose an hour, gain an hour, somewhere on the map
Flyin' through the time-zones, another plane to catch
Why I've always gotta see what's on the other side
So I pack my bags, get on my way, catch my train and ride

I've been living like a hawker in days both hot and cold
Well, I'm sleepin' if I have to, before the wagons roll
Well, I've been hopin' and I've been prayin' since I was last here
Tell your mama not to worry, come on baby, get on up here
I'm a ramblin' man, some kind a travellin' man

Well, I've been living like a trucker for a month or more
Well, I'm steaming like a diesel that cannot feel its throes
Well, I'm closing all the windows, keeping out the rain
But you won't hear me complaining, in fact I'd do it all again
I'm a travellin' man, some kind a ramblin' man
Yes, I'll do it all again, I'll do it all again, baby
Travellin' man, travellin' man
 

Sleep on a clothes-line
(Rory Gallagher)

I could sleep on a clothes line as easy as pie
I can't keep my eyes open, no matter how I try
I got to sit down, I can't stay on my feet
I been up all night, I been walkin' the street, oh yeah

Looking for my baby
But everywhere I've gone
They tell me I've just missed you
It's gone on too long

Well, I'd go up on a mountain and I'd fight a wild cat
Walk over Niagara and all the way back
Get lost in the jungle and I'd live up a tree
That's what I would once do if you would stay with me, oh yeah

Looking for you, baby
Gone from pillar to post
Everywhere I just missed you, baby
About a minute at the most

Well, I've been looking for you, baby
In every cafe, diner and bar
All the faces there they know you
And they say you can't have gone too far
But you've gone far enough, baby
I found out you've done me wrong
Don't ask to know who's the fool
I won't be the one

Well, I could sleep on the tail-plane of a jumbo jet
Walk over the ocean and I'd never once get wet
Go skatin' on an iceberg and that's what I would once do
Every dime and dozen times just to hear you say "I love you"

Looking for you, baby
But everywhere I go
They tell me I just missed you, baby
About a minute at the most

Well, I could sleep on a clothes line as easy as pie
I can't keep my eyes open, no matter how I try
I got to sit down, I can't stay on my feet
I been up all night, I been walkin' the street, yeah

Looking for you baby
But everywhere I've gone
They tell me I've just missed you, baby
No, it's gone on too long, yeah
Gone on too long, baby
 

Who's that coming
(Rory Gallagher)

Tell me who's that coming
Not walking or running
Cool as the mountain breeze
Well, that song she's humming
Could make my guitar start strumming
Automatically

Tell me who's that speaking
Make my heart start beating
Really wanna make it pound
Well, those words she's saying
Could make even the devil start praying
On his knees down upon the ground

She's always had just what it took
To read me like I was an open book
There's something burning deep inside of me
And she's the only one who can set me free

Tell me who's that coming
Not hitching or thumbing
Looking straight at me
Well, I sure am gunning
You know she's the one and
I guess she'll always be

Well, tell me who's that coming
Not walking but running
Cool as the mountain breeze
Well, that song she's humming
Could make this guitar start strumming
Automatically

She's always had just what it took
To read me like I was an open book
There's something burning deep inside of me
And she's the only one who can set me free
 

A million miles away
(Rory Gallagher)

This hotel bar is full of people
The piano man is really laying it down
Even the old bartender is a high as a steeple
So why tonight should I wear a frown?

The joint is jumping all around me
And my mood is really not in style
Right now the blues want to surround me
But I'll break out after a while

Well, I'm a million miles away, I'm a million miles away
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay
Yes, I'm a million miles away, I'm a million miles away
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay

Why ask how I feel
Well, how does it look to you?
I feel hook line and sinker
I lost my captain and my crew

I'm standing on the landing
And there's no one there but me
That's where you'll see me
Looking out on the deep blue sea

There's a song on the lips of everybody
There's a smile all around the room
There's conversation overflowing
So why must I sit here in the gloom?

This hotel bar has lost its people
The piano man has caught the last bus home
The old bartender is asleep in the corner
So why must I still be here, I don't know
Let me tell you

I'm a million miles away, I'm a million miles away
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay
I'm a million miles away, I'm a million miles away
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay
Yes, I'm a million miles away, I'm a million miles away
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay
Well, I'm a million miles, I'm a million miles, I'm a million miles
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay
 

Admit it
(Rory Gallagher)

Admit it baby, you've gone and broke your word
Now ain't it crazy, I believed every word I've heard
Imagine baby, we were just like one
But that's it baby, I believe you've had your fun

I'm mad when I'm mad and I'm mad with you right now
I'm mad when I'm mad and I'm mad with you right now

Yeah, someone told me time and time again
To watch you closely, but I didn't heed a word they said
Now something matter, but I know in time
You'll go your way and walk right out of my mind

Who cooled your goose, who took the wind out of your sails?
Who cooled your goose, who took the wind out of your sails?

You blew it baby, now look what you've done
You made me fall down, now you wanna run
Supposin' baby, we had just now met
Well, I guess I'd fall again, so why should I have some regrets?

Just a fool for you baby, you know I just can't say no
Just a fool for you baby, you know I just can't say no

Tattoo'd lady
(Rory Gallagher)

Tattoo'd lady, bearded baby
They're my family
When I was lonely
Something told me where I could always be
Where I could push the penny, if you've got any
You'll meet me down at the shooting gallery
You know I'm a fair ground baby
Wonder what made me fall for the pearly queen

Well, I spent my youth under canvas roof
As I roamed from town to town
I'm not foolin' when I say I got no schoolin'
Never liked the class-bell sound

>From inside the caravan, I hear the fair-ground band
Sounding good as they can be
You know I can't be found, if you look around
Tomorrow we'll be gone by dawn, oh yeah

Now hear it on the loudspeaker say
The fire eater is a real fine sight to see
You know he's a death cheater
Some kind of central heater
Be sure to save a seat for me
Let me tell you 'bout
Wicked Sadie, she's no baby
The law came and tried to close her side show down
But soon she had the DA cheering
The police chief wearing her garter for a crown

Oh, I spent my youth under canvas roof
As I roamed from town to town
I'm not foolin' when I say I got no schoolin'
Never liked the school-bell sound

From the caravan, I hear the fair-ground band
Sounding really good as they can be
You know I can't be found and if you look around
Tomorrow I'll be gone by dawn

Tattoo'd lady, bearded baby
They're my family
When I was lonely
Something told me where I could always be
Where I could push the penny, we have any
You'll meet me down at the shooting gallery
Fair ground baby
Wonder what made me fall for the pearly queen
 

Cradle rock
(Rory Gallagher)

If I was a cradle then you'd let me rock
If I was a pony then you'd let me trot
If I was the atom then you'd split me into three
But when I want to see you, baby
How come you lock your door on me?

If I was a baby you wouldn't let me fall
If I was an outlaw you wouldn't have me caught
If I was a tiger you wouldn't have me caged
If I was somebody else you would act your age

You'll miss out if you leave me out of your day and night
I will try to make you see and hear what I got to say
It's all about me and you, alright

If I was a blind man then you'd make me see
If I was a deaf man you'd give me hears to hear
If I was a lame man you'd give me legs to walk
But if you were true to me, baby
You would listen when I talk

If I was a cradle then you'd let me rock
If I was a pony then you'd let me trot
If I was the atom then you'd split me into three
But when I want to see you, baby
How come you lock your door on me?
 

20:20 Vision
(Rory Gallagher)

People talk about her
Like she was a diamond on a shelf
People talk about her
Like she was a diamond on a shelf
Well, I got 20:20 vision
I can see that for myself

I got a high steppin', baby
You know she's really 'bout as good as gold
I got a high steppin', baby
You know she's really good as gold
She can make my grandpa
Feel like he's six years old

I got 20:20 vision and that's all I need
Enough to keep my baby here by me

Well, you know my little baby
She buzz something like a bumble bee
Well, you know my little baby
She buzz like a bumble bee
And I won't complain
If she comes 'round here and stings me
Sting me!
I got 20:20 vision and that's all I need
Enough to keep my baby good company

You know my little baby
I'd recognise her anywhere
If I seen her in a crowd
I'd recognise her anywhere
She can even make my grandpa
Get up outta his wheelchair

All the boys hang around her
But she says she don't love no-one else
All the boys hang around
But she says she don't love no-one else
Well, I got 20:20 vision
I can see that for myself
I got 20:20 vision
I can see that for myself
 

They don't make them like you anymore
(Rory Gallagher)

They don't make them like you anymore, that's for sure
And when they made you
They made sure they threw away the mould
It comes as no surprise to me
That I wanna be in your vicinity

If I stand close to you, I'm not sure if I'm really there
With my feet on the ground but my head's lost in the air
Oh, how I wish you could see
That I'd love to be in your vicinity

Where would I go, what would I do
If you should run from me?
How does it show when you're to lose
Will you explain to me?
There's something growing
There's something showing
There's something won't let me be

Where would I go, what would I do
If you should run from me?
How does it show when you're to lose
Will you explain to me?
There's something growing
There's something showing
There's something won't let me be

They don't make them like you anymore, that's for sure
And when they made you
They made sure they threw away the mould
Oh, how I wish you could be
I wanna be in your vicinity

Well, I've heard that one day
Everything comes to him who waits
Well, that may be so, but you know it might be too late
Oh, how I'd love to see
That I wanna be in your vicinity
 

Livin' like a trucker
(Rory Gallagher)

Well, I've been living like a trucker for a month or more
Well, I'm steaming like a diesel that cannot feel its throes
Well, I'm closing all the windows, keeping out the rain
But I'm not complaining, in fact I'd do it all again
I'm a ramblin' man, cannot stop a travellin' man

I've been singing for my supper but I never get to eat
Well, I queue up at the dinner but I cannot find a seat
Well, I've been livin' like a gypsy, feelin' like a king
Really feel like singin', you know that's the mood I'm in
I'm a ramblin' man, some kind a travellin' man

You'll never catch me working nine to five
That's for some people but me, I wanna ride
All around the world, to the planet's end
I've seen some places, but more I ain't seen yet

Lose an hour, gain an hour, somewhere on the map
Flyin' through the time-zones, another plane to catch
Why I've always gotta see what's on the other side
So I pack my bags, get on my way, catch my train and ride

I've been living like a hawker in days both hot and cold
Well, I'm sleepin' if I have to, before the wagons roll
Well, I've been hopin' and I've been prayin' since I was last here
Tell your mama not to worry, come on baby, get on up here
I'm a ramblin' man, some kind a travellin' man

Well, I've been living like a trucker for a month or more
Well, I'm steaming like a diesel that cannot feel its throes
Well, I'm closing all the windows, keeping out the rain
But you won't hear me complaining, in fact I'd do it all again
I'm a travellin' man, some kind a ramblin' man
Yes, I'll do it all again, I'll do it all again, baby
Travellin' man, travellin' man
 

Sleep on a clothes-line
(Rory Gallagher)

I could sleep on a clothes line as easy as pie
I can't keep my eyes open, no matter how I try
I got to sit down, I can't stay on my feet
I been up all night, I been walkin' the street, oh yeah

Looking for my baby
But everywhere I've gone
They tell me I've just missed you
It's gone on too long

Well, I'd go up on a mountain and I'd fight a wild cat
Walk over Niagara and all the way back
Get lost in the jungle and I'd live up a tree
That's what I would once do if you would stay with me, oh yeah

Looking for you, baby
Gone from pillar to post
Everywhere I just missed you, baby
About a minute at the most

Well, I've been looking for you, baby
In every cafe, diner and bar
All the faces there they know you
And they say you can't have gone too far
But you've gone far enough, baby
I found out you've done me wrong
Don't ask to know who's the fool
I won't be the one

Well, I could sleep on the tail-plane of a jumbo jet
Walk over the ocean and I'd never once get wet
Go skatin' on an iceberg and that's what I would once do
Every dime and dozen times just to hear you say "I love you"

Looking for you, baby
But everywhere I go
They tell me I just missed you, baby
About a minute at the most

Well, I could sleep on a clothes line as easy as pie
I can't keep my eyes open, no matter how I try
I got to sit down, I can't stay on my feet
I been up all night, I been walkin' the street, yeah

Looking for you baby
But everywhere I've gone
They tell me I've just missed you, baby
No, it's gone on too long, yeah
Gone on too long, baby
 

Who's that coming
(Rory Gallagher)

Tell me who's that coming
Not walking or running
Cool as the mountain breeze
Well, that song she's humming
Could make my guitar start strumming
Automatically

Tell me who's that speaking
Make my heart start beating
Really wanna make it pound
Well, those words she's saying
Could make even the devil start praying
On his knees down upon the ground

She's always had just what it took
To read me like I was an open book
There's something burning deep inside of me
And she's the only one who can set me free

Tell me who's that coming
Not hitching or thumbing
Looking straight at me
Well, I sure am gunning
You know she's the one and
I guess she'll always be

Well, tell me who's that coming
Not walking but running
Cool as the mountain breeze
Well, that song she's humming
Could make this guitar start strumming
Automatically

She's always had just what it took
To read me like I was an open book
There's something burning deep inside of me
And she's the only one who can set me free
 

A million miles away
(Rory Gallagher)

This hotel bar is full of people
The piano man is really laying it down
Even the old bartender is a high as a steeple
So why tonight should I wear a frown?

The joint is jumping all around me
And my mood is really not in style
Right now the blues want to surround me
But I'll break out after a while

Well, I'm a million miles away, I'm a million miles away
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay
Yes, I'm a million miles away, I'm a million miles away
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay

Why ask how I feel
Well, how does it look to you?
I feel hook line and sinker
I lost my captain and my crew

I'm standing on the landing
And there's no one there but me
That's where you'll see me
Looking out on the deep blue sea

There's a song on the lips of everybody
There's a smile all around the room
There's conversation overflowing
So why must I sit here in the gloom?

This hotel bar has lost its people
The piano man has caught the last bus home
The old bartender is asleep in the corner
So why must I still be here, I don't know
Let me tell you

I'm a million miles away, I'm a million miles away
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay
I'm a million miles away, I'm a million miles away
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay
Yes, I'm a million miles away, I'm a million miles away
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay
Well, I'm a million miles, I'm a million miles, I'm a million miles
Sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay
 

Admit it
(Rory Gallagher)

Admit it baby, you've gone and broke your word
Now ain't it crazy, I believed every word I've heard
Imagine baby, we were just like one
But that's it baby, I believe you've had your fun

I'm mad when I'm mad and I'm mad with you right now
I'm mad when I'm mad and I'm mad with you right now

Yeah, someone told me time and time again
To watch you closely, but I didn't heed a word they said
Now something matter, but I know in time
You'll go your way and walk right out of my mind

Who cooled your goose, who took the wind out of your sails?
Who cooled your goose, who took the wind out of your sails?

You blew it baby, now look what you've done
You made me fall down, now you wanna run
Supposin' baby, we had just now met
Well, I guess I'd fall again, so why should I have some regrets?

Just a fool for you baby, you know I just can't say no
Just a fool for you baby, you know I just can't say no

                      Rory Gallagher's love affair with his guitar has been so
                      devoted for so long that one day it will be celebrated in an
                      epic verse. I mean, even B. B. King betrayed Lucille with
                      some fancy strings, and old white swaggerers like Eric
                      Clapton and Alvin Lee are settling, one by one, into
                      comfortable productions. No such betrayals from Rory, no
                      such laziness; the guitar is still his passion and night after
                      night, gig after gig, he's still thrilled by the sounds he can
                      coax from it.

                   Against the Grain is a studio set but there's no reason why
                      it should be. The basic sound is, as e er, one man and his
                      guitar and the production (by Gallagher himself) subsumes all
                      else in it. Gerry McAvoy and Rod de'Ath are an unselfish
                      and intelligent rhythm section, Lou Martin moves as
                      efficiently on boogie piano as on pub organ, Rory gets
                      through the lyrics throatily and effectively—but they're all
                      servants, putting the guitar at ease as it growls and swoops
                      and bites and relaxes. Gallagher needs few devices for his
                      pleasure. There's a touch of fuzz, a hint of echo, but mostly
                      there's his caress and an amazing range of tones—acoustic
                      (on Leadbelly's "Out on the Western Plain"), blue (on Bo
                      Carter's "All Around Man"), fruity (on "Lost at Sea"),
                      excited (on "Souped-Up Ford") and arrogant (on
                      Porter/Hayes/Hodges's "I Take What I Want").

                      Gallagher's songs are about arriving and leaving. He arrives
                      full of strut and need—"No highway cop gonna make me
                      stop"—and he leaves petulant and free—"You're making a
                      mistake and you'll see, when I'm gone."

                      Gallagher's obsessed, like all great lovers, but Against the
                      Grain will get your hands twitching too, even if you ain't Joe
                      Cocker! If a man can play this good standing still, why
                      should he progress? (RS 204)
 

                      SIMON FRITH