Stories ... That Rhyme

By Paul Murphy D&E

Stories ... That Rhyme

The second volume of the Paul Murphy - Lyrics anthologies, this superb collection contains a sweeping range of narrative works, in song, ballad, and prose forms.

The pieces herein are almost exclusively from 1990 to 1999 and cover solo works, material from the Murphy-Youngs recordings, and songs written for other artists.

Love songs, ballads, social commentaries, eulogies, soaring folk tales that showcase the depth and breadth of his canon are all presented here.

Having found a fresh audience through his Internet performances of his vast catalogue, several works are included at the express request of his fans, including the 'mini-movie' 'Pretty Woman And The Photographer', classic peans 'Please Come To Me' and 'I Want To Show You What Love Really Means', and the epic, harrowing tales of love's darkest ramifications, 'Outside The Gates Of Hell' and '"End-Move"'.

Moving, heartwarming, emotive, thought-provoking and, occasionally, disquieting, this anthology collates some of the finest works of a songwriter at the height of his powers.A STORY...... [excerpt]

The carnival was closing down
The band was playing out with 'Auld Lang Syne'
She walked into the cold night air
Holding a note that said 'Meet me where...
...You told me once, "Some other time..."'

She wonders why she really came
Curiosity, or some sense of regret?
She's thought about him many a night
Asked herself if she was right
And if she was, then why can't she forget?

He's changed his shirt a dozen times
And said a hundred prayers that she'll be there
He tells himself, "It's now or never"
Tries to pull himself together
Muttering "If I strike out, I don't care"

He's there fifteen minutes early
And starts re-rehearsing his opening line
And then behind his back he hears
"You haven't changed, in all these years"
And he stumbles, "Well, I hope that's a good sign?"

He turns on his heels to face her
And suddenly the memories all come flooding back
"How long has it been?" he asks her
"Too long," comes the perfect answer
"Any way, who's been keeping track?"

They hug gently, like friends do
But the echo of fire shines in their eyes
They start exchanging pleasantries
To put themselves at ease
But there's something in the air they can't disguise

He asks her if she'd like a drink
"There's a place around the corner that's open all night"
They sit 'til dawn in the back-street café
Have each other laughing right away
But keeping some unsaid things locked up tight

Finally he takes a deep breath
And says, "I had a motive for getting in touch"
"Oh yes?" she raises one eyebrow
Thinking, 'Will he start to lie now?'
Saying, "Well yes, I guessed as much"

He thinks, 'What does she mean by that?'
But then he sees a smile play on her lips
He tells himself, 'C'mon, take the plunge'
Draws a deep breath into his lungs
"You and me... us... that is..." he trips

She slides her hand across to his
And says, "Let's just take this step by step"
"The problem is, when you've been lovers"
"You know so much about each other"
"That a secret is a luxury you don't get"

He smiles in resigned acceptance
So she swiftly says "You didn't hear 'yes' -
but you didn't hear 'no'."
She brushes a hand across his face
Whispers "Take me back to your place"
"And take me back to the day before 'goodbye'."

He undresses her, gently, slowly
Kissing every contour, every curve
They make love soft and tenderly
Just the way it's meant to be
And at the end he breathes, "You're more than any man deserves"

Spent, they hold each other in silence
......

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FHP7J8MG
• ISBN13: 9798292224198
• Release Date: July 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 190 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"