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The Magician's Birthday Party

Recorded live at The Shepherds Bush Empire,
London on 7th December 2001

Classic Rock Productions

Soundtrack produced by Pip Williams
Recorded on the Fleetwood mobile and engineered by Tim Summerhayes
Assisted by Laura Whittaker and Alex Goodison
Mixed at the Stoneroom Studios and engineered by Lee Hirons
Line up:
Mick Box – Guitars, Vocals
Lee Kerslake – Drums, Vocals
Trevor Bolder – Bass Guitar
Phil Lanzon – Keyboards, Vocals
Bernie Shaw - Lead Vocals


Special guests:
Ken Hensley, John Lawton
Thijs van Leer (former Focus)
Backing singers:
	Emma Robbins, Kim Chandler, Aileen McLaughlin


The Magician's Birthday Party - front cover

Video DVD:
  1. Stealin' (Hensley)
  2. Return To Fantasy (Hensley/Byron)
  3. Tales (Hensley)
  4. Sweet Pretender (Bolder)
  5. Between Two Worlds (Box/Lanzon)
  6. Mistress Of All Time (Lanzon)
  7. I'll Keep On Trying (Box/Byron)
  8. July Morning (Byron/Hensley)
  9. Sunrise (Hensley)
  10. Paradise / The Spell (Hensley)
  11. Circle Of Hands (Hensley)
  12. Easy Livin' (Hensley)
  13. The Magician's Birthday (Hensley/Box/Kerslake)
  14. Sympathy (Hensley)
  15. Free 'N' Easy (Lawton/Box)
  16. Logical Progresion (Box/Lanzon) (Bonus track)

The Magician's Birthday Party - back cover



The Magician's Birthday Party - December 7, 2001 - CD cover
Audio CD:
  1. Return To Fantasy (Hensley/Byron)
  2. Tales (Hensley)
  3. Sweet Pretender (Bolder)
  4. I'll Keep On Trying (Box/Byron)
  5. July Morning (Byron/Hensley)
  6. Paradise/The Spell (Hensley)
  7. Circle Of Hands (Hensley)
  8. The Magician's Birthday (Hensley/Box/Kerslake)
  9. Sympathy (Hensley)
  10. Free 'N' Easy (Lawton/Box)
  11. Sunrise (Hensley)
  12. Easy Livin' (Hensley)

Stealin'
Hensley

Take me across the water
‘Cause I need some place to hide
I done the rancher’s daughter
And I sure did hurt his pride

Well, there's a
Hundred miles of desert
Lies between his hide and mine
I don't need no food
And no water, Lord
‘Cos I'm running out of time

Fightin', killin', wine and women
Gonna put me to my grave
Runnin', hidin', losin', cryin'
Nothing left to save but my life

Stood on a ridge
And shunned religion
Thinking the world was mine
I made my break and a big mistake
Stealin', when I
Should've been buyin'

All that fightin', killin'
Wine and those women
Gonna put me to an early grave
Runnin', hidin', losin', cryin'
Nothing left to save but my life, life...

So I stood on a ridge
And shunned religion
Thinking the world was mine
I made my break and a big mistake
Stealin', when I should've been buyin'
I was stealin’
When I should’ve been buyin’
I was stealin’
When I should’ve been buyin’
Stealin’, when I should’ve been buyin’
I was stealin’ ...

Return To Fantasy
Hensley/Byron

Searching every day
Looking every way
Trying to make a connection
To find a piece of the action
Like a hungry poet
Who doesn't know
He is close to perfection
Choice is the question

Moonlight night
After moonlight night
Side by side
They will see us ride
But if they cared to look
Then they would see
It's our return to fantasy
Fantasy, fantasy …

Can you understand
That in every man
There's a need to unwind
That's never been defined
Somewhere deep within
There's another being
You are somehow abusing
By the person you're using

Moonlight night
After moonlight night
Side by side
They will see us ride
But if they cared to look
Then they would see
It's just our return to fantasy
Fantasy, fantasy …

Travelling faster than lightening
Closer than ever before
We can go on for you
And take you nearer to
The legend of mystery
From the beginning of time
Dreaming... time ... dreaming
We can return to
The land of the good and the kind
Time... dreaming... time... dreaming
Why don't you come to our party
And open your minds

In another place
There's a newer face
Like an unfinished painting
Your creator is waiting
The brush and pen describe
What it is inside
That will set your mind thinking
While the others are sinking

Tales
Hensley

We told our tales as we sat under
Morning's sleepy sky
With all the colours of
The sunrise shining in our eyes

One, then another
With a story of yesterday's life
Or of a lover who had
Gone in a moment of strife

No thought of sleep ever dwells
Upon the wise man's mind
Some task or audience
Stealing every moment of his time

Thus we have learned to live
While mortal men
Stand waiting to die
How can we do what must be done
In just one short life

And if you ask
Then you must know
If you still doubt
You should be told
It was not we
That made it so
It was by those
Who went before

And there you sit
Tomorrow's child
So full of love
So full of life
But you must rise
To meet the day
Lest you become another tale

Another tale ...

Sweet Pretender
Bolder
	
I didn't see you standing there
You took me by surprise
In your long silk dress
And those deep brown eyes
I was captured by your smile
But when fate put out its hand
You're walking to your love
How was I to resist
The passion and the kiss
We raised the future alone

She stole my body and soul
With a heart next to mine
I didn't wanna face the day
But I have no choice when we kiss

She said
Goodnight my sweet pretender
Tonight we live forever
One heart, one soul
On the edge of the world
Goodnight my sweet pretender
Feels like we died together
In each others arms
On the edge of the world

When she touched me so warm
And so was her body
A kiss she gave to me
The name she said to pain and pleasure
Time my soul rescue me
But I know I'd be here on my own
As soon as the sun would rise
I didn't wanna face the day
But I have no choice when we kiss

I've dreamed of a place I know
With the shadows of my past
Still remain
You're buried in the midst of time
For always you'll be the sun that shines
Shines on me

Goodnight, goodnight
My sweet pretender ...

Between Two Worlds
Box/Lanzon

You’re not the only one
Amongst the saints and sinners
There are those that we can see
And those no longer with us
To take that walk again
With someone you were close to
On stage in the other world tonight

And there are many
Who will say it’s speculation
We need to focus on
The sleeping generation
The healing vision
That extends beyond the pain
Will take you there and back again

Aaaah... Aaaah...

I can remember
You were no stranger
As you came to me
	Dreamers walking
And in that moment
Between two worlds
I saw the furthest star
Exploding all around you

Aaaah... Aaaah...

And through the journey
You spoke in silence
And you made it clear
	Walk in peace now
Then you touched me
Revealing all upon your way inside
The burning fountain of time       
Of time ...
Of time ...
Of time ...
Of time ...

A time so real as the one
We share each day
The same dimension
Just a heartbeat away
In every part of you
There’s so much exploration
Out on the edge of space and time

Aaaah... Aaaah... Aaaah... Aaaah...

Mistress Of All Time
Lanzon

She dances on the seven seas
Dances on the ocean
Sunlight on her golden hair
Shapes of pure emotion
Her voice is heard like
Crystal words across the sky
She moves just like an angel
She’s the mistress of all time

Her sun pours down like liquid gold
To chase away the sorrows
Her clothes are like a million stars
Made of tears and rainbows
And all the while
Her senses smile into my life
She moves just like an angel
She’s a mistress of all time

Just like the restless
To a mission bell
I must run to her
Meet her everywhere
As her music fills the universe

She leaves the dancing visions
Of her image on the water
And precious stones upon the shore
From every distant corner
Like diamonds in the light
They shine beyond the stars
She moves just like an angel
She’s the mistress of all time

She dances on the seven seas
Dances on the ocean
Sunlight on her golden hair
Shapes of pure emotion
Her voice is heard like
Crystal words across the sky
She moves me like an angel
She’s the mistress of all time

She moves me like an angel
A voice of pure emotion
Her tears are like a rainbow

I'll Keep On Trying
Box/Byron

You came to me
With all of your lies
And I was taken in so well
It took me quite a time
To see the disguise
You made it very hard to tell
Now here you are again
But you’re begging in vain
‘Cause I really don’t want to know

You came to me
With a little bit of charm
You had me down on my knees
I didn’t really think
There was any harm
But all you ever did was tease
You took all the love
That I ever had to give
There was nothing left to show

Well, I remember everything
Everything around me
The long dark of winter
Till the breath of spring
Came close enough to drown me

So I’m gonna keep on trying
Till I feel like dying
And I lay down and pass away
But that won’t happen till tomorrow
And by then I can
Borrow another day
So I’m gonna keep on trying

July Morning
Byron/Hensley

There I was on a July morning
Looking for love
With the strength
Of a new day dawning
And the beautiful sun

At the sound
Of the first bird singing
I was leaving for home
With the storm
And the night behind me
And a road of my own

With the day came the resolution
I'll be looking for you
La la la la ...

I was looking for love
In the strangest places
Wasn't a stone
That I left unturned
Must have tried more
Than a thousand faces
But not one was aware
Of the fire that burned

In my heart, in my mind, in my soul
La la la la ...

In my heart, in my mind, in my soul
La la la la ...

There I was on a July morning
I was looking for love
With the strength
Of a new day dawning
And the beautiful sun

And at the sound
Of the first bird singing
I was leaving for home
With the storm
And the night behind me
Yeah, and a road of my own

With the day came the resolution
I'll be looking for you
La la la la ...

Paradise/The Spell
Hensley

I feel you trying
Though in my heart
I know you're lying
And though your love
For me is dying
I see you crying

It's the pain of your secret heart
Bringing you to tears
Filling you with fears
For your mind and for your soul

I touch you softly now
Borne on by hope
Until the end somehow
I am a man and I must keep my vow
I must go on

But the wall of your secret heart
Keeps my distance clear
Helps my footsteps fall
Back in line inside my mind

What's the use you turned me loose
And left me here to cry
Where's the love we talked about
Where's my sunny sky

Secret hearts and sorry tales
Will never help love grow
Spread your wings my daunted soul
The time has come to go

I will not be hurried down
Or blackened by your lies
I must go and find my dream
And live in paradise ...


What do you think I am
Do you think I'm dreaming
Don't you know I know
What it is you're scheming 

Who d’you think gave you the right
Hidden by the dead of night
To take the world and
Turn it upside down
When it should be round

Seems I made it just in time
To use my reason and my rhyme
To save us from
The evils of your mind 

I will cast the spell
Be sure I'll cast it well
I will light a fire
Kindled with desire

I'll fill you with fear
So you know I'm here
And I won't be treated like a fool

It’s no good you pretending
There'll be no happy ending
I'm alive and darkness is my tool 

But when the night is over
And daytime steals your cover
The goodness of the morning sun
Will warm away
What you have done
And leave you cold 

I have no need for moonlight
You're wrong to trust in sunlight
For I exist not just in storms
But in life itself in so many forms
To leave you cold 

I will leave you now
But you won't defeat me
You had best beware
When you come to meet me

Love and truth will follow me
An army of reality
Brought from every corner
Of the world

You will never break the spell
I'll summon all the fires of hell
And this is my advice 
For what it's worth

Let us not begin
This fight we cannot win
Be sure you're watching me
‘Cause all through your life
Everyday and everynight
You should know that
I'll be watching you

Circle Of Hands
Hensley

Circle of hands
Cold spirits plan
Searching my land
For an enemy
Came across
Love's sweet cost
And in the face of beauty
Evil was lost

Sky full of eyes
Minds full of lies
Black from their cold hearts
Down to their graves
Murdered the dawn
Spreading their scorn
Cursing the sun
Of which love was born

We must keep them away
Or pretty soon we'll pay
And count the cost in sorrow
Sacrifice - the future has it's price
And today is only
Yesterday's tomorrow

Tomorrow ...

The Magician's Birthday
Hensley/Box/Kerslake

In the magic garden
Some were singing
Some were dancing
While the midnight moon
Shone brightly overhead

The stars so gaily glistened
And the sphinx in silence listened to
The magician tell of 
Lives that he had led

Let the bells of freedom ring
Songs of love to Friday's king

Let's all go to
The magician's birthday
It's in a forest
But not so far away
Much to do
And so much to say
While we listened to
The orchid orchestra play

Happy Birthay to you ...
Happy Birthday to magician 
Happy Birthday to you ...

Then at the dead of midnight
As we watched the dancing firelight
The air grew cold
And seemed to dull the flame
The fire died
The music faded
Filled with fear of death we waited
For now we knew
Some evil was to blame

I challenge you
I challenge you all
For all you own
And all you know
And by all the powers of darkness 
I will steal what is mine

Surrender now or face my spite
I grant you it may be Friday night
But did you know this day
Also numbers thirteen

First I'll give you fire
I turn your fire into a sleepy stream
Yes, now I give you nightmares
From your horror I'll create a dream

You cannot fight me
For I have the sword of hate
But one thing you can't see
My answer is simply
An impenetrable fortress
Of love ... love ... love ...

The fear went as quickly as it came
The air was clear
The fire burned again
The flames leapt
The organ played
The swans sang
To greet the day
And then we knew that
Love will find love will find love ...

Sympathy
Hensley

Sympathy just doesn’t mean
That much to me
Compassion’s not
The fashion in my mind
And if you’re looking for
A shoulder to cry on
Don’t turn your head my way
‘Cause I’d rather have
My music any day

You and I are
Masters of our destiny
We look for consolation all the time
Until we find out things are not
What they were meant to be, oh no
And if it doesn’t suit our mood
We’ll call it crime

Dedication’s not an obligation
Or a figment of
Someone’s imagination
It’s the only way they say
To live from day to day
To make each passing way
A small sensation

Dreams are the possession of
The simple man
Reality the fantasy of youth
But living is a problem that
Is common to us all
With love the only
Common road to truth

Free 'N' Easy
Lawton/Box

Ain’t it strange
That when you’re onely
And your friends they’re not around
So you make your big decision
Get your feet back on the ground

When you’re down
And no one wants you
And you wonder who you are
When your friends
They don’t desert you
When you make it you’re a star

But I’m gonna stay
Free and easy
I know just what I am
I’m gonna be free and easy

Well, I’ve been through
All the heartaches
And I’ve been through all the pain
But when you’re up and riding high
Everybody stakes their claim

I’m gonna be free and easy
I know just what I am
I’m gonna be free and easy

I’m gonna be free and easy
I know just who I am
I’m gonna be free and easy

Sunrise
Hensley

Sunrise
And the new day's breakin' through
The morning
Of another day without you
And as the hours roll by
No-one’s there to see me cry
Except the sunrise
The sunrise and you

Tired eyes drift across the shore
Looking for love and nothing more
But as the sea rolls by
No-one's there to see me cry
Excep the sunrise
The sunrise and you

Sunrise
Bless my eyes
Catch my soul
Make me whole again

Sunrise, new day
Hear my song
I'm tired of fightin'
And foolin' around
But from now on
Till who knows when
My sword will be my pen
And I'll love you, love you
For all of my time

Easy Livin'
Hensley

This is a thing I have
Never known before
It's called easy livin'
This is a place I've
Never seen before
And I've been forgiven

Easy livin’ and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken
Your place in my heart

Somewhere along the lonely road
I had tried to find you
Day after day on that windy road
I had walked behind you

Easy livin’ and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken
Your place in my heart

Waiting, watching
Wishing my whole life away
Dreaming, thinking
Ready for my happy day
And some easy livin'

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