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Private Riley

from Flashbacks by Mark McNeil

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about

A song about a mythical, time-travelling soldier with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. A video of the song was part of a multimedia and special
section project at The Spectator. The Rileys’ 35-piece military band
is featured on the recording and video that can be seen at thespec.com or
YouTube. I was honoured to perform the song with the RHLI band at
a black-tie fundraising event at the James Street Armoury in November
2010. Private Riley was also used in the musical James Street.

lyrics

PRIVATE RILEY
My name is Private Riley I come from Hamilton
I needed some extra schillings so I joined the battalion
They shipped me on a cattle car with a battered musket gun
We made a stand at Ridgeway against the bloody Fenians

I’m a soldier, I’m a soldier, with my pack and uniform
when they called I was ready always ready in peace and war

My name is Private Riley through Flanders and the Somme
I crawled through clouds of chlorine gas, along the Western front
We waited cold and shivering for the rising of the sun
We took the Ridge had the Germans on the run.

My name is Private Riley on the beaches of Dieppe
We waded through the water with our guns above our heads
Gerry sat and picked us off in a hail of screaming lead
We bravely charged forward as the water all turned red.

My name is Private Riley deployed in Kandahar
I watch for suicide bombers, forever I’m on guard
And sometimes I do wonder have I really come that far
From the scared kid with the musket riding in a cattle car.

credits

from Flashbacks, released February 9, 2015
Mark McNeil, vocals, background vocals, guitar and bass; Michael Rehill and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry military band.

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all rights reserved

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about

Mark McNeil and Kris Rochard image

Mark McNeil and Kris Rochard Hamilton, Ontario

Mark McNeil and Kris Rochard were founding members of the popular Hamilton group The Lowest Lanes that played clubs and twice performed at The Festival of Friends. After the group disbanded in 2009, Mark and Kris got together to focus on songwriting and recording. One of the cuts has already received accolades. Sunny Days with You was runner up in the international Song of the Year contest. ... more

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