The neon lights, chimneys and curious chemical flames of the BP petrochemical plant at Grangemouth on the River Forth dominated the horizon from my childhood home. For all its reeking industry, it looked magical from the brae face above the unassuming Stirlingshire village of Banknock, a magical quality heightened still by thousands of alleged UFO visitations to the so-called Bonnybridge Triangle during the early 1980s. The song’s title is pinched from a line in Robert Burns’ majestic song A Man’s A Man.
lyrics
TINSEL SHOW
In the East the fires are burning
Spires of stone and steel
Smoke stack engine turning
Wheel upon wheel
From a window, such a wonder
Galaxies have come to land
She sees stars and spells and spangles
Sparklers in her hand
And the eyes of ages watch our tinsel show
While hireling wages steal our dreams from our souls
In the East the fires are burning
Spires of steel and stone
Smoke stack engine turning
Wheel upon wheel
From her window, such a wonder
Flying saucers on the shore
She sees disco lights and diamonds
Bold Orion’s sword
And the eyes of ages watch our tinsel show
While hireling wages steal our dreams from our souls
Minarets of industry
and spinnerets of alchemy
Belfry towers for bells to ring in
Colonnades of chemistry
and cavalcades of conjury
Choir stalls for hearts to sing in
In the East the fires are burning
credits
from TRACES,
released August 13, 2012
Written by Karine Polwart (MCPS/PRS)
A vibrant vision of "Central Americana" from the Costa Rica-based artist, blending heartland devotionals with playful Tropicália grooves. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 27, 2022
Montreal singer-songwriter Myriam Gendron's sophomore album, a mix of standards and originals, keeps living folk traditions vital. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 5, 2021