A Smuggler's Life

This is another submission for the Harmonic Verses challenge. It is divided into three parts: the lyrics, an actual recording of the song (with yours truly on vocals), and, for the truly musically minded, the song script detailing the musical structure.

The Lyrics

I have laid the lyrics out as if it was a transcript for a vocalist. Where there is a '-', it signifies to elongate that word. Where there is a '/', it means a pause or a stop.

Comments in italics and square brackets give a sense of the musical accompaniment.

Verse 1:

Load-ed birds on the border/

Smugg-led across the sea/

It’s not ver-y ni-ce/

I’s a wa-y of li-fe/

A smu-ggl—er'-s life./

Chorus:

A smu-ggl—er'-s li---fe/

A smu-ggl—er'-s li---fe/

A smu-ggl—er'-s li---fe/

It’s not vey nice/

A smu-ggl—er'-s life./

Verse 2:

Stuff the bird-s in-side a pi-pe/

Seal up the- ir beak- s for a nigh-t/

Hoping that they'-ll be alri-ght, alri-ght/

A smugg-le-r's life./

Chorus

A smu-ggl—er'-s li---fe/

A smu-ggl—er'-s li---fe/

A smu-ggl—er'-s li---fe/

It’s not vey nice/

A smu-ggl—er'-s life.

Bridge:

Asut-ra-lia to A-si-a/

That-s the comm-on rou-te/

Caught in a trap out in the ou-tba-ck/

A smugg-l-ers life./

[Extended musical bridge - lead break]

Verse 3:

Thousands die; onl-y a few sur-vive/

The trip over-sea-s/

But the market-s goo-d, so hund-reds try/

A smugg-l-er's life./

Chorus

[Musical epilogue]

Listen to how it sounds:

This is a recording of the song performed by my band ('Trade Secrets') from the 80's, recorded at York Street studio and from the CD “The Land”. It was never released; a long story. The story behind the song is provided in the author's notes at the end of the story.

Song Script:

The song is 100 BPM. The song features a definitive beat, controlled by the bass drum and bass. The song has an Indie (rock/ folk) feel to it with a melodic beat and vocals with echo, which create the illusion of distance and mystique.

The letters in bold above the lyrics are the guitar chords.

Verse 1:

Am G

Loaded birds on the bor-der/

Am G

Smugg-led across the se-a/

Am G

It’s not ver-y ni-ce/

F E

I’s a wa-y of li-fe/

[No chords music refrain ]

A smu-ggler'-s life/

Chorus:

A G

(Backing vocal): L----i—----f--e

(Lead vocal): A smu-ggl—er'-s li---fe/

A G

(Backing vocal): L----i—----f--e

(Lead vocal): A smu-ggl—er'-s li---fe/

A F

(Backing vocal): L----i—----f--e

(Lead vocal): It’s not vey n-ice/

F E

(Lead vocal only): A smu-ggl—er'-s life.

[Music bridge to second verse (Am - G) 8 bars]

Chorus

[Musical Bridge - (Am - G chords) 4 bars]

D C

Aust-ra-lia to A-si-a/

D C

That'-s the comm-on rou-te/

D C E

Caught in a trap out in the ou-tba-ck/

[Music refrain - no chords]

A smugg-l-er's life.

[Extended bridge / Lead break A-G chords (14 Bars)]

Verse 3 [As for verse 1]

Chorus

[Musical epilogue, slowing to a fade – 16 Bars]

Am G F E (x 3)

A m G F E - Am

******

[Author's note: 'Smuggler's Life' was one of the first songs I ever wrote. I revised the beat and some of the lyrics a few times, but I always returned to the original version.

It tells the story of Australian wildlife and the rampant smuggling racket that is ongoing. Today, it is estimated to be the fourth most lucrative illegal trade after drugs, people, and firearms. It remains a trade worth $450 billion worldwide.

A lot of the inspiration for the lyrics came from a TV documentary. This practice is cruel. It's shown in the lines "stuff the birds inside a pipe" and "thousands die; only a few survive."

The chorus captures the main feeling: "It's not very nice." Looking at it now, that's a big understatement.

The song moves with a steady beat from the drums and bass. The lead guitar adds a light touch with airy, floating notes.

Till next time,

Calvin

{Copyright © 27/3/25 Calvin London. All rights reserved.}