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Chris DeBurgh


A little something about Chris De Burgh
Chris de Burgh was born in Argentina, of English parents. And while he headed back to the northern hemisphere to go to school at Dublin's Trinity College, and eventually to record his first solo material, the South American connection would prove important in his musical career. His first single, "Flying" in 1975, was something of a dud at home. However it did become a number 1 hit in Brazil, and his new South American audience would prove his most loyal over the years. In 1980 he had chart-topping success in another unlikely market - Norway. The song that finally introduced deBurgh to audiences in the US and the UK was "Don't Pay the Ferryman" from his 1982 album The Getaway. The single peaked at #30 in the UK, #43 in the States - not exactly stellar success, but after seven years of hits and tours in South America, Canada, and the continent it was enough to get the monkey off his back. It was the lighter side of Chris deBurgh that would finally prevail in 1986, when DeBurgh had a number 1 hit at home with "Lady In Red." Since then he has continued to record, and his most recent album was released in 1999.

Lyrics featured below: "Don't pay the ferryman", "The Lady in Red".

Don't pay the ferryman

It was late at night on the open road
Speeding like a man on the run
A lifetime spent preparing for the journey

He is closer now and the search is on
Reading from a map in the mind
Yes there's a ragged hill
And there's the boat on the river

And when the rain came down
He heard a wild dog howl
There were voices in the night - "Don't do it!"
Voices out of sight - "Don't do it!
Too many men have failed before
Whatever you do

Don't pay the ferryman
Don't even fix a price
Don't pay the ferryman
Until he gets you to the other side

In the rolling mist then he gets on board
Now there'll be no turning back
Beware that hooded old man at the rudder
And then the lightning flashed, and the thunder roared
And people calling out his name
And dancing bones that jabbered and a-moaned
On the water

And then the ferryman said
"There is trouble ahead.
So you must pay me now" - "Don't do it!"
"You must pay me now" - "Don't do it!"
And still that voice came from beyond
Whatever you do

Don't pay the ferryman
Don't even fix a price
Don't pay the ferryman
Until he gets you to the other side

Don't pay - the ferryman!

The lady in red

I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance
They're looking for a little romance
Given half a chance
And I've never seen that dress you're wearing
Or that highlights in your hair
That catch your eyes
I have been blind

CHORUS:
The lady in red is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget the way you look tonight

I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright you were amazing
And when you turned to me and smiled it took my breath away
And I have never had such a feeling such a feeling
Of complete and utter love, as I do tonight

CHORUS

I never will forget the way you look tonight
The lady in red
My lady in red
I love you...