From the recording Tales
Mark Westin: Guitars, Weissenborn, lead and background vocals
Will Bryant: Keyboards, mandolin and background vocals
Lee Falco: Drums, percussion and background vocals
Brandon Morrison: Bass and background vocals
Sara Milonovich: Fiddle and background vocals, All Are Welcome Here
Scott MX Turner: Bodhran, All Are Welcome Here
Produced by Mark Westin with Brandon, Lee and Will
Recorded and mixed by Brandon Morrison at The Building, Marlboro, NY
Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music, Cornwall, NY
Written by Mark Westin
Published by Spinach World Music/BMI (c) 2023
Lyrics
The red tabby cat curls up on the bar
Not far from the warming fire
The barkeeper wipes off the brass with his towel
Cleaning up, winding down
In a booth by the door is a monsignor
Who has fallen asleep on his beer
Just over his head, a notice that read
To those who pass through these portals, have no fear
Honest men, grifters, young poets and old-time drifters
All are welcome here
Couples conspire in corners and snugs
Unaware of the ravenous eyes
A singular student takes solace in stout
Hoisting up, drinking down
At the back are the boys trying prurient ploys
To advance their romantic careers
Through courtship and cuckoldry, love, lies, and lust
Furtive glances and devious smiles and genuine tears
Honest men, grifters, young poets and old-time drifters
All are welcome here
Who are we now
And when we’re in our cups
Then who do we become?
When we open the tap, what comes out?
When we’ve emptied a glass or three, who do we want to be?
This room has heard all of it much more than once
And it’s saved many lives in its time
There’s been quite a few kittens and keepers
Curling up, wiping down
Even when it’s unspoken
These walls understand when a spirit gets broken
With silent compassion for lost generations
Lost weekends and hours and years, they say loud and clear
Honest men, grifters, young poets and old-time drifters
All are welcome here