a Jigsaw Archive

01. Farmhouse
02. Red Pony
03. His Secret
04. Crashing Into The Harbour
05. Like The Wolf
06. Return To Me
07. My Blood
08. Idiot Smile
09. Leap Of Ignorance
10. Six Blind Days
11. The Trial
12. A Little Story

2009 Rewind Music
Artwork: Pedro Freitas
Produtor: Miro Vaz
Words & Music by "a Jigsaw"

Guests / tracks

Becky Lee Walters (vocals): 3, 6

Carlos Ramos (drums): 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12

Gito (upright bass): 3, 10

Miguel Lima (drums): 3, 10

Drunken Sailors Choir (Daniela, Raquel, Monica, Susana,Miro, Becky Lee): 12

a Jigsaw (Joao Rui * Susana Ribeiro * Jorri) played: Banjo, Drums, Glockenspiel, Guitars, Harmonium, Kazoo, Mandolin, Melodica, Percussion, Piano, Ukulele, Upright Bass, Violin, Vocals, Xylophones, Harmonica, autoharp, etc...

The farmhouse is burning down and you laugh
The wolves in the hills will have their way
The little boys, out in the yard, are waving me

This boat has left, gone away
This boat has left, gone away

The hazy weather is back on the shore
And I will leave these walls behind
It can’t be love, ‘cause there is no true love
It can’t be love, ‘cause there is no true love

Captain Ahab, tell me a story about the sea
Tell me how it all ends
(He said) in time sometime, when the rain stops
(He said) in time sometime, when the rain stops

This boat has left, gone away
This boat has left, gone away

There are men, begging to be free
Stranded there, against the door
If all of this is real, then the dream is over,
And I, oh my, I am a stranger to you

So what about the moon, it’s mine to steal
So what about the moon, it’s mine to steal, mine to steal, alright!

Red, Red Pony, stand out by my door
Red, Red Pony, stand outside my door, alright

Oh let’s just sing of the old, the good old days
Let’s just bring them back
And hear them on hi-fi stereos

So what about the moon, it’s mine to steal
So what about the moon, it’s mine to steal, mine to steal,
Alright, boys!


Red, Red Pony, stand out by my door
Red, Red Pony, stand outside my door, alright

Let me tell you the story of a man, whom you adore
Whose eyes are like pools of madness

His calculated stroll is measured
His steps seem free willed to the untrained eyes
Crawling out, crawling out beneath the veil of the night

But I am his secret babe and you
But I am his secret babe and you
You, you, You are his wife

So Let me tell you the story of a man, whom you adore,
Whose eyes are adorned with shades so dark

His calculated stroll is measured
His steps seem free willed to the untrained eyes

And it’s been so many years since you’ve kissed this floor
When I go away, you’ll come back for more

But I am his secret babe and you
But I am his secret babe and you
You, you, You are his wife

Your hands are tied to his words
Crawling out ‘neath the veil of the night
Standing tall, Standing tall
Like if the rain was his mother

His truth is a lie, but better than a truth
is a truthful lie with sparks of love
And it’s been so many years since you’ve kissed this floor
When I go away, you’ll come back for more
Alright!

Henry James, sailed into the night
Such a poor vessel, such a lonely face
He had the courage, but didn’t have the knowledge
So he drowned

Madam waltzed into the room
Such an angry dress, in a beautiful saloon
Oh my, oh my my my
And it’s a slow walk, back into the night

On Fridays I get paid to forget what I’ve done
On Sundays I change, I turn a different man
I play cross harp, and I play guitar with the local band

A sad, sad story, true it is, but I’ve got no other one to tell
And this is how it is, and this is how it goes
And it’s a slow walk…

Henry James, last time we spoke
You were walking this floor, up and down
Staring at the train, that’s taking her away
Into your heart, and nothing more

And it’s a slow walk, back into the night

And now I stare, I stare into the emptiness
With roses wrapped around my ankles from moving too slow
Like a wave that broke too soon
And so she told me to stop right there
In your hands? Said I, with a hint of grief
Without a hint of truth
Isn’t irony such a good friend?

And what you see is not who I am (there were surely thunders)
What the devil doesn’t take it’s for god to claim
I’m like the wolf, riding through the night
I’m like the wolf, running up the hill

Have you lost your senses child?
I have tried, and tried to be somebody else
A sheep’s skin, a lamb’s tail and a bell (funny it didn’t work)
so I walked for a while, like peter the fool,
Stumbling across my old prayers
Isn’t irony a surprising friend

And what you see is not who I am (there were surely thunders)
What the devil doesn’t take it’s for god to claim
And this is not quite what you expected
Like I am not what I wanted for me
I’m like the wolf, riding through the night
I’m like the wolf, running up the hill
Isn’t irony such a good friend?

My lover, you took me down to the valley
Where are you, my lover?
My killer, you took me down to the valley
You gave me a real good time
My brother, my sister

Return, Return
Return, Return, to me

Sister, this pain is real,
a stranger of which I know nothing Is out by my doorstep
He is my lover, my killer
He’s the breath beneath my wings
And the ropes around my ankles
He will take me down to the valley
Where my steps are unheard

Return, Return
Return, Return, to me

My hands up on the sky and my feet sinking in the sea
And that’s more, so much more than I can take too

Return, Return
Return, Return, to me

The good lord's blood is in my veins,
but not his kindness, and surely not his mercy

I'm crawling under his shadow
well i'm lurking in the brightest light

My wings, I have set them free to past,
like my eyes gazing

Now that death knocks at my door
she can't even speak my name
Now that death knocks at my door
she can't even speak my name

The blood in my hands
The blood in my wings
The blood in my faith
The blood in my bullets

Well you're my blood, my blood
cold as fire, hard as rain
Well you're my blood, my blood
cold as fire, hard as rain

The blood in my hands
The blood in my wings
The blood in my hands
The blood in my wings

Well you're my blood, my blood
cold as fire, hard as rain
Well you're my blood, my blood
cold as fire, hard as rain

So I sat and I waited, patiently for the years to pass
with the violence of each day, of each coming day

When they thought I was running away,
I was merely gathering speed
I was merely gathering speed my friend

I did my best to avoid you
I made all efforts not to see her
my silence says too much
has shades of absence and the wrecks of your touch

Has your breath stopped lately?
do you not see it clear?
the life you knew laughs from the window
oh Idiot smile where have you gone to?
trust not the devil when your hands are clear

I'll tell the truth for once, this time;
My lies have aged to perfection

Oh my euphoria has its nerve in you
Oh my euphoria has its nerve in you

Has your breath stopped lately?
do you not see it clear?
the life you knew laughs from the window
oh Idiot smile where have you gone to?
trust not the devil when your hands are clear

Oh my euphoria has its nerve in you
Oh my euphoria has its nerve in you

By the time that I find what my eyes are looking for
I’ll go mute, as a whisper
For truth, at its best is just a side of the story
The secret side
The dark days are upon us
The dark days are upon us
And we smile foolishly as the light flees

This is not a leap of faith my friend
It’s a leap of ignorance
But still I push forward against, against the walls and the tide

Herds of people gathered around, to dance at my will,
But silence took the ground
And cruel words they did pour into my broken heart
They broke my little black heart

Death speaks closer and closer

This is not a leap of faith my friend
It’s a leap of ignorance
But still I push forward against, against the walls and the tide

Back when everything was a promise
long before they stole the light I wore my heart proud
But If I stay too long I may forget what lead me here
So I’m always on the run

The dark days are upon us
The dark days are upon us
And we smile foolishly as the light flees

I’m always leaving or on the run
Until I break this curse
And it won’t be long

On the last day, that I could see,
there were hounds on my trail,
As far as I could see,
so the first day I turned blind, came as a blessing

So I welcomed this friendly twist of fate with a smile, hum….

Poor Blind Jack of Hearts
Poor Blind Jack of Hearts
Poor, Poor Blind Jack of Hearts

On the third day I had made this bliss my faithful companion
My ears grew longer and my hands made it complete
Well the fourth was merely the sum of what came before
To precede the fifth, ah… a king among men
Flowers fading from purple red
into black scented babies (but it’s all good)

Poor Blind Jack of Hearts
Poor Blind Jack of Hearts
Poor, Poor Blind Jack of Hearts

On the second day, that’s when my sight returned
And I began pretending
Poor Blind jack of hearts, what are you going to do,
When they find the truth

Poor Blind Jack of Hearts
Poor Blind Jack of Hearts
Poor, Poor Blind Jack of Hearts

It was 1881 when my grandfather died,
And to this day I don't know why, I feel as though
I am too small for his shoes,
Yes i am
With a long beard and a slow heart, I used to hear him say
But I still have stories to tell
it never pours, rain is never gentle to a tormented soul

(oh and) he who never speaks, has a thousand voices within
“and I have you, but you have them”
Yes you do

Mercy, mercy, cries the sweat of my hands
Now they move a little faster, and they whisper to each other
It’s gonna be a big, big fall
Yes it will
Death has a funny way of sneaking up on me
That’s what i say so i can sleep
But the screams won’t go and the thunder won’t talk to me anymore

(oh and) he who never speaks, has a thousand voices within
“and I have you, but you have them”
Aiming at my heart
I will never let the wolf go
“and I have you, but you have them”
Yes you do

Let me tell a little story

A tale about the wolf inside

I’m gonna tell you a story that will make you cry

Let me tell a tale of old times,

The crimes that i did into your heart

I’m gonna tell a story about the wolf

One more round boys!

Louder! Louder! The Wolf is Comin’ Boys!

2007 Rewind Music
Foto: Sofia Silva
Produtor: Miro Vaz
Words & Music by "a Jigsaw"

1. Lion's Eyes Louder
Guilherme Barbosa: Harmonica
Sergio Nascimento: Percussions
Berito: Drums
Augusto Cardoso: Electric Guitar

2. The Waltz Of Fear
Sergio Nascimento: Percussions
Berito: Drums
Marta Navarro: Cello
Susana Ribeiro: Violin
Dijas: Closing Choir
Augusto Cardoso: Electric Guitar

3. You're The One I Want The Most
Guilherme Barbosa: Harmonica
Raquel Ralha: Vocals
Kalo: Drums
Augusto Cardoso: Guitars

4. New Man Waiting
Guilherme Barbosa: Harmonica
Raquel Ralha: Vocals
Kalo: Drums
Augusto Cardoso: Guitar

5. Blame Me
Sergio Nascimento: Percussions
Susana Ribeiro: Violin
Berito: Drums
Augusto Cardoso: Electric Guitar

6. A River For A Wife
Paulo Jacob: Keys
Berito: Drums
Augusto Cardoso: Electric Guitar

7. Letters From The Boatman
Sergio Nascimento: Percussions
Carlos Santos: Accordion
Augusto Cardoso: Electric Guitar

8. Return From Winter
Sergio Nascimento: Percussions
Carlos Santos: Accordion
Augusto Cardoso: Electric Guitar

9. My Kindness
Sergio Nascimento: Percussion

10. With My Voice
Sergio Nascimento: Percussion
Lipes, Dijas, Gertru: Choir
Marta Navarro: Cello
Augusto Cardoso: Guitars

11. Life's Like a Riverboat
Marco Nunes: lap Steel
Sergio Nascimento: Percussion
Augusto Cardoso: Electric Guitar

12. To Whom Shall I Give My Blood ?
Sergio Nascimento: Glockenspiel

13. Of Those Who Know You're right
Carlos Santos: Hammond
Sergio Nascimento: Percussion
Augusto Cardoso: Electric Guitar

14. Leave If You Can

Got a six string across my back - well I’m alone tonight
Feels like I’m riding on lie, well my heart said: beware of the flight
Got these timeless blues to sing well I’m alone again just by myself
‘cause
I’ve got a clock that just won’t strike
I have the feeling tonight that I am my own man
I’ve got a clock that just won’t strike
I have the feeling tonight that I am my own man
I‘ve got a fever inside of my head
I have the feeling tonight that I am my own
Man but you are the lion’s eyes
you are the lion’s eyes

hung around the same old tracks
– well I’m just right back where I started before
got these six string blues inside
well I’ve got my black coat all around me
I’ve got a feeling that just won’t shake
I am alone again just by myself

‘cause
I’ve got a clock that just won’t strike
I have the feeling tonight that I am my own man
I’ve got a clock that just won’t strike
I have the feeling tonight that I am my own man
I‘ve got a fever inside of my head
I have the feeling tonight that I am my own
Man you are the lion’s eyes
And you are the lion’s eyes

(Hum…) I’ve got a feeling that it just won’t change
I’ve got a feeling that it just won’t change

The waltz of fear waits for me
Her taste is old – her lips are enough
The woman inside hides from me
With dramas to love and lies to be told
Oh I’ll fall, but in truth your eyes won’t see the way,
The way I dance as I fall

my tired feet they know , this is the way the dance goes
my tired blood he said this is the way that we’ll flow
my tired eyes will say I’ve never been so close to something so pure

the flood will steal our steps
but our weakened limbs won’t show the grace of time

Oh we’ll fall, but in truth their eyes won’t see the way,
The way we dance as we fall

my tired feet they know , this is the way the dance goes
my tired blood he said this is the way that we’ll flow
my tired eyes will say I’ve never been so close to something so…

The waltz of fear waits for you
Her taste is old – her lips are enough

Lord, I’ve been waiting for you by the side of the road
And I’ve been unkind
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you by the side of the road
And I’ve been unkind

And the devil is out by my doorstep
He must have seen the fires I began
Or the smile I couldn’t hide – I think I turn him on

Of all that I see he shouts with his deepest voice
“You’re the one I want the most” – and he rises to the boat

And the trees outside they are a-moaning
That I’ve got a woman who will save my soul
And the trees outside they are a-moaning
That I’ve got a woman who will save my soul

And my future is coming to me
Gently whispering to my ear
“My hope – my all that I’ll be”
Well I’ve got a woman who loves me
Lord, I’ve been waiting for you by the side of the road
And I’ve been unkind

(Coins)
“This must do” he says, leaning violently against my face
Huh – you ain’t sinking this boat son – you’re coming with me

‘cause I’ve got a woman who loves me
Lord, I’ve been waiting for you by the side of the road
And I’ve been

And the trees outside they are a-moaning
That I’ve got a woman who will save my soul
And the trees outside they are a-moaning
That I’ve got a woman who will save me
Lord, I’ve been waiting for you by the side of the road
And I’ve been unkind
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you by the side of the road
And I’ve been unkind

Lonely hiding oh babe I’m lonely and hiding from the devil’s

I’m grieving – my blood is on fire oh babe
I’m crawling under the shame
Of what I said
Of what I prayed
Blame me for the road that we chose oh babe
I’m bleeding, but the trust still remains
In what I said/ In what I prayed
In what I said
In what I prayed
Lonely hiding oh babe I’m lonely and hiding
Lonely hiding oh babe I’m lonely and hiding from the devil’s
I’ve been lonely babe / I’ve been lonely babe / I’ve been lonely

Blame me for the wings that won't grow
Blame me for the desert we've become

my king has gone to hell, and I by his side

Blame me for the river gone dry
Blame me as the truth begins to fade

My king has gone to hell, and I by his side

Gone from home; again, from home
Well, damned be the wind that made you cry
My king has gone to hell…

Blame me for a god who won’t speak
Blame me for the words you can't hear
Blame me for the mercy I'll deny
Blame me you'll never know what I've done


My king has gone to hell,

And I by his side - oh man
I'm tired of sleep - oh god
And I by his side - oh man
My enemy is near and there's no-one to hear my side or follow me

Gone from home; again, from home
Well damned be the wind that made me cry
My king has gone to hell,
away From home again

I'm still the hopes and dreams of those who sleep
I'm still the life you wish you had kept
Damned be the wind that made me cry
My king, my king my king

My king has lost his way again from home

“I’ve got a river for a wife
And the soul of all mankind/
I’ve got a river for a wife”

“Hurry up” he screams, from the shivers of his boat
And he says “you’re the first who came smiling by the shore
With no coins and no love” – still he howls me:
“I’m telling you for the last time, I’m coming back again”

“And the soul of all mankind
I’ve got a river for a wife boy
And the soul of all mankind/
I’ve got a river for a wife”

“Step inside” he moans “you will never be so lonely
Like me you’ll wait closely by the open door
And hear the steps of time creeping gently to your side
Maybe then you’ll know why I scream it loud”

I’ve got a river for a wife boy
And the soul of all mankind
I’ve got a river for a wife
I’ve got a river for a wife boy
And the soul of all mankind/
I’ve got a river for a wife

I’ve got a river for a wife boy
And the soul of all mankind
I’ve got a river for a wife

I’ve been losing the keys of my doors,
Well I’ve been forgetting the secrets
And the violin lingers like a bell
that won’t surrender to silence

Letters from the boatman that I have kept
Letters from the boatman that I have kept

The flood is covered with lies where I’ve laid
And the wind that fled with us
He will never dance with them
Oh my failure will be so grand

Letters from the boatman that I have kept
Letters from the boatman that I have kept

I’ll leave my home by the fall,
quiet as a mouse – no one will hear me go
But a crowd of faces gathered by the river
to see my hands fighting with the first waves


oh man I’ve changed with time
my fear
oh man I’ve changed with time
my silenced fears found their way
and no one here believes that I’m coming back home

I cried you my dream
I followed the light; the scent of your garden
I closed my eyes too

I left my hands dancing in the memories
Of the hills that stand
Choosing words like picking flowers in here
In the birth of my rage this way I’m not coming back dear

oh man I’ve changed with time
my fear
oh man I’ve changed with time
my silenced fears found their way
and no one here believes that I’m coming back home today

I’ll travel south
I’ll be my woman, I’ll my man
And love has no place in here

But the crowd still waits
But even the fish don’t believe in my return from winter

oh man I’ve changed with time
my fear
oh man I’ve changed with time
my silenced fears found their way
and no one here believes that I’m coming back home

Pick it up, you ain’t my kind
The wind is burning in my soul

My kindness has been blind for all this time
But she’s been mine
I’ll take this fire through another road oh babe – one that’s mine

I’ll take off from home
And forget my past
So pick it up, you ain’t my kind
The wind is burning in my soul

I’ll take this fire through another road oh babe – one that’s mine
My kindness has been blind for all this time
But she’s been mine
I’ll take this fire through another road

Lord, don’t you beg, I’m on fire
Lord, there’s a wind that just won’t break, by my side
Lord, I’ve been mending all your clouds,
I’m your storm tonight

Lord, don’t you beg, I’m on fire
Lord, there’s a stranger in my bed with my voice
Lord, I’ve been following your steps
with eyes closed and sore

Life’s like a riverboat sailing out to nowhere

After all my hope is gone, I’m a client of this old man
But I’ll fight to the end of my days,
and when I go I’ll never be far from home ‘cause

Life’s like a riverboat sailing out to nowhere
I lost the keys of my hell and you found them back again
Life’s like a riverboat sailing out to nowhere

I lost my faith on angels and prayers
I’ve never seen the light and I’ve never been sure
That he’s waiting by the river – waiting for me
Oh babe, I’ll be dancing when he calls for me ‘cause

Life’s like a riverboat sailing out to nowhere

Lost it all on the roads that I crossed
with the angels that are walking around the room
with my eyes gazed on the stairs
-my lies are the best you’ll hear tonight ‘cause

Life’s like a riverboat sailing out to nowhere
I lost the keys of my hell and you found them back again
Life’s like a riverboat sailing out to nowhere

With my Voice
Lord, don’t you beg, I’m on fire
Lord, there’s a wind that just won’t break, by my side
Lord, I’ve been mending all your clouds,
I’m your storm tonight

Lord, don’t you beg, I’m on fire
Lord, there’s a stranger in my bed with my voice
Lord, I’ve been following your steps
with eyes closed and sore

The scarecrow host that you see has your blinded faith
You keep on waiting
Awake and smiling – well you’ll be the last to run

The spotlight is fading away – from me I guess; from you I guess

To whom shall I give my blood?
To whom shall I give my eyes?
‘cause I’ve seen too much of this life,
To whom shall I give my eyes?

The spotlight is fading away – from me I guess; from you I guess
Right…

I’m an empty theatre with all the grace missing

And when the wind betrays you, you’ll feel the same

Like those who sculpt their hearts of fire

This is the age of tender loss

And this is the age of tender pain

Of those who know you’re right

I’ve been blending with mirrors

And I’ve been sleeping with those trees

Like those who sculpt their hearts of fire

This is the age of tender loss

And this is the age of tender pain

Of those who know you’re right

I heard my voice singing “tides be still”

I’m quitting this life tonight

You’re the last I’ll ever take

so leave if you can

Of all the dreams I had, none was this pure

So I’m leaving this ship tonight

And you’re the last I must take,

So take what you can