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about
In the Half-light (a Christmas Fable).
Funny really, we were supposed to record and release a third E.P of the year, in time for Christmas 2021. But time has a strange way of running away with everyone. So I suggested a Christmas song to Aaron, who in his beautiful, distracted way just said yeah, fuck it, let’s do it.
So I wrote it. In about 15 minutes. Off the cuff. Sent it to Aaron. And he said nice, let’s record it. Job done. No Pink Floydesque tinkering for 17 months. Just a fucking tune man. And one of my favorite now.
Vocals were recorded, alongside guitar and piano in the Archery Youth Club, Eastbourne, with pre-production controls by the brilliant and talented Amber (Ambz for you Spotify lot). Thank-you.
This all then went to Aaron to bring his magic alongside Dan and Tom. All honed by the hidden genius that is Joe at Pigeon Coop Studios, Leicester. And as far as I’m concerned, they nailed it, sprinkling the song with Christmas and the beauty of the half-light.
It’s a Christmas song. That’s it. Enjoy a moment, with a glass of something. Raise a glass to everyone you love man. Don’t be ashamed about being alive, as this Tory government so desperately tries to make us. Fools.
One for the ages now. It can be dragged out and enjoyed every year. All my songs are for my kids, Liam, Pops & Seb, but this one’s also for the one’s we’ve lost along the way. Reg. Julian. The song’s also for the mums. Everywhere. Past & present. “Wine on the hearth glow, Mum, skip to a crazy old song”. It’s for Dan’s mum. I’d have loved to have met her. Making Dan laugh to the point of him needing a hernia operation, has been the highlight of 2021 for me. ‘Good evening, Nuneaton’ is not something I ever expected to say on stage.
Sometimes nights that seem standard, turn into legend. Our gig in Nuneaton this year was one of them. Thank-you Nuneaton. 😊
Obviously a huge thank-you to Tom and Dan, yet again. Their nonchalant skill & genius in picking up a demo and turning it into a crafted song cannot be underestimated. We’re Stagg & Collins, but they’re in the band man, no doubt.
We’re going to need a bigger boat.
And of course to Aaron. My brother. Hold-fast. Believe in yourself. Merry Christmas my friend.
And a merry Christmas to all you fuckers. I hope this next year brings its love.
Peace. Oh and Fuck Boris.
lyrics
In the Half-light (a Christmas Fable)
Bells intro.
Piano intro.
(g)
In the half-light of christ-mas morning,
(emsus)
With Santa’s head deep in his sleigh.
(csus)
There’s a face at the window,
(csus)
Breathing frost on the light-glow,
(dsus)
& it’s that time of year yet again.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(g)
Merry Christmas my friends and my family,
(emsus)
Oh I hope that this year brings its love,
(csus)
There’s a bird on the wire,
(csus)
And some logs on the fire,
(dsus)
And some maple leaf treats on the way.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(g)
Turn the singers away from the doorstep,
(emsus)
No one likes all there stoopid ol’ songs,
(csus)
Stick a tune on the radio,
(csus)
Wine on the hearth glow mum,
(dsus)
& dance to some crazy ol’ song.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(g)
Come together to laugh at the memories,
(emsus)
Oh they won’t last forever my friend,
(csus)
Raise a glass to the lost ones girl,
(csus)
Jingle bell rostrum swirl,
(dsus)
& some maple leaf treats on the way…
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
*Guitar solo.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(g)
In the half-light of christ-mas morning,
(emsus)
With santa’s head deep in his sleigh.
(csus)
There’s a face at the window,
(csus)
Breathing frost on the light-glow,
(dsus)
& it’s that time of year yet again.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(g)
Merry Christmas my friends and my family,
(emsus)
Oh I hope that this year brings its love,
(csus)
There’s a bird on the wire,
(csus
And some logs on the fire,
(dsus)
And some maple leaf treats on the way.
(g)
Merry Christmas today…..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
*Piano outro with bells fading to silence.
credits
released December 19, 2021
Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocals: Russell Collins.
Drums/Percussion: Aaron Stagg.
Bas guitar: Dan Shenton.
Electric guitar: Thomas Fairbairn.
Pre-production controls and recording of Acoustic Guitar, Piano and Vocals by Amber (Ambz) at the Archery Youth Club, Eastbourne.
Drums/Percussion, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar recorded at: Pigeon Coop studios Leicester by Joe Doyle.
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