Land Of Broken Dreams

By Paul Murphy

Land Of Broken Dreams

- Lyrics & Poems / March 2026 -

An anthology of all the known lyrics created by Irish singer/songwriter Paul Murphy during March 2026. In the space of just 29 days, an astonishing 34 works were crafted.

Written when almost completely paralysed due to an incurable muscle-wasting autoimmune condition, the material here is some of the harshest, most strident, and in some cases bitter, that even this chronicler of life's shadowed lands had crafted.

Among the topics covered are ruminations on an individual's existence, and the mistakes that are made during it 'Damn It', 'Passed Lives']; the breakdown of compassion in society 'Another Lonely Night In Company', 'Burn ']; Trump's America 'Was It Worth It?', 'Sacrificial Lambs']; domestic abuse 'It's Not Love']; broken relationships 'If Only We'd Never Met', 'Remind Me Again']; and, experienced first-hand, the contemptuous attitudes of organisations and charities to the ability-compromised 'I'm Coming For You All', 'Just Rewards'].

Three fictional 'mini-movie' songs are present, two inspired by actresses who left the world too soon 'Night On Fire' (Janet Munro), 'The Land Of Broken Dreams' (Carole Landis)], and an epic Old West ballad, 'The Day Justice Rode In'.
A semi-risqu blues, 'Bianca's Promise # 2'], brings a glimpse of the old humour among the starkness, and two beautiful love songs, 'For Her' and 'A Dream Come True', close out the collection, and Paul's career.

This anthology presents a stunning series of almost cinematic works - thought-provoking, heartbreaking, tumultuous, angering, caustic and inspiring - all told in the unmistakeable lyrical style of a true master of narrative poetry.

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Also included as bonus material are reproductions of all the existing handwritten manuscripts, plus The Songs Go On Without Me', an essay on the backstory and creation details of each work.

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Was It Worth It? Excerpt]

How are you sleeping? Undisturbed dreams?
Hear footsteps approaching? Have you guessed what that means?
What will you grab for? What good will it do?
Neither purse nor Bible are likely to rescue you

Can you feel trepidation, in the back of your throat?
Are you asking yourself, 'Is that all she wrote?'
Did you bury the bodies deep enough down?
Were you really so certain there was no-one around?

Is that your pillow, with the teeth-marks in?
What will the wheel say? Why not give it a spin?
How did you get here? Following clues or coins?
Have you chosen your team? Can anyone join?

Where did you start from? Do you know the way back?
Were you ever waylaid, out there on the track?
Who was your traitor? Do you know their name?
Is it spelt like yours? Are you one and the same?

Who wrote your agenda? Is the signature forged?
Where did you find it? On the nursery door?
There's a stain on the floor - has blood been spilled?
Can you remember a thing? What was that pill?

Can your eyes still focus? Can your legs still move?
Why did you stay here? Do you have something to prove?
Is that tattoo new? Is that a pentagram?
Is it a message to me? Do you know who I am?

......

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GVD9SJ7C
• ISBN13: 9798253892244
• Release Date: March 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 140 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"