GIFFENMAN

  Synopsis:  A thoughtful folk ballad in Hindi about the uncomfortable space between the people we aspire to be and the people we really are. Lyrics हर चौखट पर... शीश झुका दूँ। चाहूँ तो... एक और देव बना लूँ। फिर भी मन... क्यों चुप न बैठे, जब कोई कहे... "बस एक... मैं ही सही हूँ..." [Chorus – slightly more melodic, soft harmony] मन की गाँठें... मन की गाँठें... कौन खोले? एक साथ... एक साथ... सब क्यों मैं चाहूँ? [Verse 2] चाहूँ... कोई भूखा न सोए। हर आँगन में... चूल्हा जले। फिर भी... दिल के किसी कोने में, मेरा सिक्का... ही चले। चाहूँ... सब जी-जान से खेलें। कोई भी... आधा मन न दे। फिर भी... जीत का आख़िरी सेहरा, आकर... मेरे सिर ही बँधे। [Chorus] मन की गाँठें... मन की गाँठें... कौन खोले? एक साथ... एक साथ... सब क्यों मैं चाहूँ? [Verse 3 – quieter] जानूँ जिसने... जन्म लिया है, उसको... एक दिन जाना है। फिर... भी मन ये सपना देखे, वक़्त... मुझे न छू पाए। बच्चों से कहता हूँ... "डरना मत..." ख़ुद... सारी रात जागता हूँ। माफ़ी की बातें... करता हूँ, पुरान...

  Synopsis:  A thoughtful folk ballad about the uncomfortable space between the people we aspire to be and the people we really are. Lyrics:   I can worship gods by the thousand, Or invent another tomorrow. Yet I still resent the preacher Who says there's only one road to follow. [Chorus – soft harmony joins on the second line] So, how do I reconcile my contradictions? Why do I want both worlds at once? [Verse 2 – bass and brushes enter] I want every human and animal To have enough to live. Yet I still want to be top dog, The one who always wins. I want everyone to play their best, To bring their finest game. Yet somewhere deep inside myself, I still want all the fame. [Chorus – fuller harmony] So, how do I reconcile my contradictions? Why do I want both worlds at once? [Verse 3 – cello and bansuri enter] I know that every child that's born Will one day grow old and die. Yet somewhere deep inside my heart, I dream I'll never say goodbye. I tell my children not t...

GIFFENMAN Origin of the ideas Every song begins with an idea rather than a melody. Those ideas emerge from a lifetime of lived experience, wide-ranging academic study, observation and critical reflection on the world around me. I am naturally drawn to questions that are neglected, misunderstood or capable of being viewed from an unexpected perspective. Many of these ideas remain with me for months, and sometimes years, gradually developing before they are ready to become songs. The writing process therefore begins long before the first lyric is written. It begins with sustained thought, curiosity and reflection. Writing and revising the lyrics When an idea has matured sufficiently, I record it in its simplest form. At this stage it may consist of little more than a question, an image, an observation or a loosely connected set of thoughts. The challenge then is to discover the story that best communicates the idea. Through repeated drafting and revision, I shape the material into...

Synopsis of the song: What if a nation isn't short of money—but short of courage? Blending folk storytelling with a sing-along chorus, "We Ain't Skint" challenges the familiar story of austerity and asks whether scarcity is a political choice rather than an economic necessity. Verse 1 They preach like we're broke at the kitchen table, "Cut the spending, tighten belts, or we're not able." But they're the ones who print the money, friend— Slash the NHS while the rich dividends never end. Chorus We ain't skint, we ain't skint, Money's just a tool they hold. They print it for the bankers— Now let's print it for the soul. We ain't skint, we ain't skint, Stop acting like we're done. We're only short on courage— Time to rise up in the sun. Verse 2 It ain't the ledger—it's the workers, steel and time. Empty factories while good people lose the line. Train the nurses, build it green, and feed the young; The only li...