In April of 1993, the East Coast Canadian Celtic rockers Rawlins Cross released their album entitled "Reel 'n Roll". Named after a busy street intersection in St. John's, NL, Rawlins Cross were a major force on the East Coast music scene. Core members and St.John's natives Dave Panting (guitar, mandolin) and his brother Geoff (accordion, keyboards), Nova Scotian highland piper and whistle player Ian McKinnon formed in St. John's in 1988, under the name of Open Road.
By the time the '90s had rolled around, they began touring as Rawlins Cross with the addition of Lorne Taylor on bass and Pamela Paton on drums. This was a time when the music industry was indeed reeling from a massive infusion of East Coast musical talent, such as the Rankin Family, the Barra MacNeils, Natalie MacMaster and other Celtic-flavored musical acts.
Although the title cut 'Reel 'n Roll' was the top-selling single from that album, the song 'Long Night' is one that I think of often these days, particularily when I hear of us losing yet another military member overseas. It begins with a plaintive intro on the bagpipes, performed flawlessly by Ian McKinnon. The song plays in my mind, almost of it's own volition.
The song was written by group member Dave Panting and he explains best where the song sprang from:
"I wrote Long Night as a eulogy for the great Newfoundland fiddler and raconteur, Emile Benoit who died in September, 1992. I would also like to dedicate it to Noel Dinn, founder of Figgy Duff, who passed away in July, 1993 at the age of 45. Both men were hugely influential on the Newfoundland music scene, and on me personally."
It was also in 1993 that the group was joined by R&B singer and PEI native Joey Kitson. Just in time for him to put the stamp of his powerful, distinctive, 'David Clayton Thomas-like' voice on this and other hugely popular Rawlins Cross tunes. Bassist Brian Bourne and St.John's A-List drummer Howie Southwood rounded out the band at this time.
Here then are the lyrics, which I find poignant and very à propos.
Long Night - Rawlins Cross (Dave Panting)
Long night...
So this is what it all comes to,
Long night...
This is what we all go through.
Long night...
Another friend is gone,
Long night...
Leaving us to carry on.
Death is a mighty uniter
The defeat that comes to every fighter
Live on! The dawn will be brighter
Live on! Live on! Live on!
Long night...
Let me be with you,
Long night...
I feel you need it too.
Long night...
Rollin' in each other's arms,
Long night...
Keep each other safe from harm.
Love is a mighty uniter
The night can only make it tighter
Love on! The dawn will be brighter
Love on! Love on! Love on!
Long night...
So this is what it all comes to,
Long night...
This is what we all go through.
Long night...
Another friend is gone,
Long night...
Leaving us to carry on.
Death is a mighty uniter
The defeat that comes to every fighter.
Live on! The dawn will be brighter
Live on! Live on! Live on!
Live on! Live on! Live on!
Live on! Live on! Live on!
Long night...
http://www.rawlinscross.com/history
By the time the '90s had rolled around, they began touring as Rawlins Cross with the addition of Lorne Taylor on bass and Pamela Paton on drums. This was a time when the music industry was indeed reeling from a massive infusion of East Coast musical talent, such as the Rankin Family, the Barra MacNeils, Natalie MacMaster and other Celtic-flavored musical acts.
Although the title cut 'Reel 'n Roll' was the top-selling single from that album, the song 'Long Night' is one that I think of often these days, particularily when I hear of us losing yet another military member overseas. It begins with a plaintive intro on the bagpipes, performed flawlessly by Ian McKinnon. The song plays in my mind, almost of it's own volition.
The song was written by group member Dave Panting and he explains best where the song sprang from:
"I wrote Long Night as a eulogy for the great Newfoundland fiddler and raconteur, Emile Benoit who died in September, 1992. I would also like to dedicate it to Noel Dinn, founder of Figgy Duff, who passed away in July, 1993 at the age of 45. Both men were hugely influential on the Newfoundland music scene, and on me personally."
It was also in 1993 that the group was joined by R&B singer and PEI native Joey Kitson. Just in time for him to put the stamp of his powerful, distinctive, 'David Clayton Thomas-like' voice on this and other hugely popular Rawlins Cross tunes. Bassist Brian Bourne and St.John's A-List drummer Howie Southwood rounded out the band at this time.
Here then are the lyrics, which I find poignant and very à propos.
Long Night - Rawlins Cross (Dave Panting)
Long night...
So this is what it all comes to,
Long night...
This is what we all go through.
Long night...
Another friend is gone,
Long night...
Leaving us to carry on.
Death is a mighty uniter
The defeat that comes to every fighter
Live on! The dawn will be brighter
Live on! Live on! Live on!
Long night...
Let me be with you,
Long night...
I feel you need it too.
Long night...
Rollin' in each other's arms,
Long night...
Keep each other safe from harm.
Love is a mighty uniter
The night can only make it tighter
Love on! The dawn will be brighter
Love on! Love on! Love on!
Long night...
So this is what it all comes to,
Long night...
This is what we all go through.
Long night...
Another friend is gone,
Long night...
Leaving us to carry on.
Death is a mighty uniter
The defeat that comes to every fighter.
Live on! The dawn will be brighter
Live on! Live on! Live on!
Live on! Live on! Live on!
Live on! Live on! Live on!
Long night...
http://www.rawlinscross.com/history
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