Song picture
RAK 08 Born to Survive
Like
Playlist
Comment Share
Free download
A traditional-style ballad with a rousing chorus
folk ballad traditional
Artist picture
Singer-songwriter, arranger and producer: acoustic contemporary folk but ranging into rock/blues/country/jazz/humour...all very eclectic, I'm afraid!
Martin Stirrup Singer/songwriter An old folkie who got back into it... These days I sing and play guitar(s) and other stringed instruments, then score and orchestrate where appropriate. My taste becomes increasingly eclectic ranging from finger-picked folk through country to soft rock mixed in with a few more alternative and eccentric numbers, including the odd novelty foxtrot...
Song Info
Genre
Acoustic • Acoustic Folk
Charts
Peak #104
Peak in subgenre #13
Author
Martin Stirrup
Rights
Martin Stirrup
Uploaded
October 16, 2014
Track Files
MP3
MP3 4.0 MB • 160 kbps • 3:30
Story behind the song
Ok, I was getting into a folky stride at this point… the lyrics are obviously fictional and generalised, though my great uncle did survive Passchendaele and my maternal grandfather was on a ship that was torpedoed – him being on the half that stayed afloat…
Lyrics
RAK 08 I was born to survive I was forged out of love in the back streets C Am I was born on the wrong side of town C G The scraps of the gutter were my bread and butter F C Am Yet despite it all I’m still around D7 G I was moulded by hardship and danger C Am I was focussed on staying alive C G For no matter the trouble I’d rise from the rubble F C Am I guess I was born to survive G G6 G G4 C born to survive, born to survive, I guess I was born to survive F C G For no matter the trouble I’d rise from the rubble F C Am I guess I was born to survive G G6 G G4 C I was taken abroad as a soldier At a time of confusion and strife And though I was willing to take the king’s shilling I never ghave up on my life Though I got to see plenty of action With the bayonette, the gun and the knife Sure the gods took a hand in - twas me was left standing I guess I was born to survive Then I took off to sea with the navy When a mine fairly blew us in two When I thought of it frankly I stood staring blankly Not running to boats with the crew Well the stern I was on stayed a floating Whilst the midships and bow took a dive Taking 500 knaves to their watery graves I guess I was born to survive So am I the one you should cling to Or maybe just give me wide berth Be it navy or army typhoon or tsunami I know I am safe on this earth Is it that trouble pursues me, just like the bees to the hive To this day I don’t know if I’m Daniel or Jonah But I know I was born to survive
Comments
Please sign up or log in to post a comment.