![](https://img.radioparadise.com/covers/m/B00004Y6Q0.jpg)
Avg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 2271
Length: 5:19
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I am a Geordie boy
A glass of wine with you, sir
And the ladies I'll enjoy
All Durham and Northumberland
Is measured up by my own hand
It was my fate from birth
To make my mark upon the earth...
He calls me Charlie Mason
A stargazer am I
It seems that I was born
To chart the evening sky
They'd cut me out for baking bread
But I had other dreams instead
This baker's boy from the west country
Would join the Royal Society...
We are sailing to Philadelphia
A world away from the coaly Tyne
Sailing to Philadelphia
To draw the line
The Mason-Dixon line
Now you're a good surveyor, Dixon
But I swear you'll make me mad
The West will kill us both
You gullible Geordie lad
You talk of liberty
How can America be free
A Geordie and a baker's boy
In the forest of the Iroquois...
Now hold your head up, Mason
See America lies there
The morning tide has raised
The capes of Delaware
Come up and feel the sun
A new morning is begun
Another day will make it clear
Why your stars should guide us here...
We are sailing to Philadelphia
A world away from the coaly Tyne
Sailing to Philadelphia
To draw the line
The Mason-Dixon line
Listening to Knopfler is a good enough groove, but when Taylor starts singing, the entire good folky gentle reassuring qualities of the 70s come rushing back, making me miss the old me so hard it gets a bit overwhelming, knowing we'll never ever go back there.
Yeah, but never say never...
There are not enough songs about surveyors. It's a plumb job.
Ha Good one!
Thanks, I just bought the novel. Looking forward to checking it out.
I picked up a copy in the bookshop. Then I put it down again as it weighed about 4 kg.
![{#Cheers} {#Cheers}](https://graphics.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cheers.gif)
Thanks, I just bought the novel. Looking forward to checking it out.
Everything I love about MK all wrapped up in one great song.
Obviously you are not referring to Milton Keynes...
Offhand, I cannot think of a similar modern example of a musical composition based on a complex and entrancing novel. Those with any interest in a novel that combines history, science, and their interplay through various cultural lenses should find the Pynchon novel Mason and Dixon, on which this song is loosely based, interesting. If not compelling. I have read it 3 times and may do it again if time permits. That is not the only reason I find this to be a really good piece of songwriting, but context always adds to the experience.
Haha, I just bought it!
![clap](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_clap.gif)
James Taylor is not Canadian.
Bostonian, like me. He's more famous.
What an odd but nice duet. We could use some James Taylor occasionally on RP.
Yes!
James Taylor is not Canadian.
But i wish he was
Missing in the credits is the mentioning of wonderful voice of Canadian James Taylor.
James Taylor is not Canadian.
![cool](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/smiley-cool.gif)
I'm hearing a bit of James Taylor in this. That's a good thing, no? At least the harmony sounds like James.
Yes, it is James.
I'm hearing a bit of James Taylor in this. That's a good thing, no? At least the harmony sounds like James.
That's because it is James Taylor.
He's the best and surrounds himself with other greats. This is one of the main reasons I come to RP - consistent quality and surprises.
And what a storyteller he is!
![{#Cheers} {#Cheers}](https://graphics.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cheers.gif)
Second that. Pynchon's Mason & Dixon is one of his best, and indeed, one of the best historical fiction novels I've ever read.
Also, only just realised it is James Taylor as the second voice - d'oh!
Besides... it's not fair to judge an entire city by it's sports fans.
![naughty](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_naughty.gif)
![angel](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_angel.gif)
Old JT much better than the 1980s stuff.
Besides... it's not fair to judge an entire city by it's sports fans.
![naughty](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_naughty.gif)
As MY friends used to say: Are you bragging...or complaining? :-)
![{#Cheers} {#Cheers}](http://graphics.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cheers.gif)
Highlow
American Net'Zen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTvc-bEP35I
I'd be fine with it. Thanks for the additional mind-candy to apply this song.
indeed
![{#Good-vibes} {#Good-vibes}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/good-vibes.gif)
![](https://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/graphics/masondixonline_sign.jpg)
He's the best and surrounds himself with other greats. This is one of the main reasons I come to RP - consistent quality and surprises.
I don't get tired of hearing Mark and his sweet guitar. Big bonus with James Taylor on this one.
What's up is that his music is wonderful.
Leaving the Boss lightyears behind!
This is a calm, laid back ballad but contains the sense of the excitement one gets on the deck of ship heading to new places.
Nice complementarity between the co-vocalists.
WonderLizard wrote:
In Philly they boo the Easter Bunny.
In Philly they boo the Easter Bunny.
Yes, they have. You were listening to it :-)
Thanks clydes I thought it was a duet ... great sound they produce together.
Yes, they have. You were listening to it :-)
Anal tentivity is a problem for many.
IMHO Knopfler's conversational voice transcends JT's tonal range. Pavarotti could sing the MK part and the song would be far worse. Technical ability is such a small part of an emotional connection.
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/high-five.gif)
About as thrilling as James Taylor. (But don't get me wrong, MK has done some great stuff.)
sirdroseph wrote:
You obviously have not listened to the album Brothers in Arms in its entirety.
![{#No} {#No}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_no.gif)
Or Love over Gold....Telegraph Road is one of my favs
You obviously have not listened to the album Brothers in Arms in its entirety.
![{#No} {#No}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_no.gif)
Why should a song be "challenging"? He's telling a story, not trying to give the listener grief. If "challenging" were a good thing in music then Stockhausen would be top of the pops.
Good riposte!
![{#Yes} {#Yes}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_yes.gif)
Nice!
![{#Yes} {#Yes}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_yes.gif)
history and M.K. does it as well as anyone.
PS
Question: does anybody know why Knopfler never returns to stage for a few extra songs
(sorry, don't know how this is called in English), once the concert is over?
Seems to be quite arrogant! Saw him 3 times - he NEVER did! Not even in Moscow,
where the crowd was soooo hungry for more! RIDICULOUS!
You mean an encore i think?
Saw him 4 times (1 in Rotterdam, 3 in Amsterdam), once a "private" concert of about 200 attendants... But every time he gave an encore of 2 and once 3 songs... So that's weird....
He's not arrogant i think, he's just really silent and peaceful... I love his style, though i have to agree, a couple more thank you's wouldn't be too much now and again...
![{#Yes} {#Yes}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_yes.gif)
As for this song: 7 —-> 8
Why should a song be "challenging"? He's telling a story, not trying to give the listener grief. If "challenging" were a good thing in music then Stockhausen would be top of the pops.
My son was GREEN MAN for Halloween.Hilarious.
I live (on) "green" every day...!
What is wrong in Wolverhampton? Since you're no longer in the "PL" your world
seems to be upside down!
Restaurant-music? Boring?
You must be wild!
Certainly an 8 - without question!
PS
Question: does anybody know why Knopfler never returns to stage for a few extra songs
(sorry, don't know how this is called in English), once the concert is over?
Seems to be quite arrogant! Saw him 3 times - he NEVER did! Not even in Moscow,
where the crowd was soooo hungry for more! RIDICULOUS!
My son was GREEN MAN for Halloween.Hilarious.
![jeremiah dixon](https://www.myoutbox.net/p144.gif)
I am a geordie boy
How many popular songs convey this kind of historical story telling?
Man.
Really, are you a musician/guitar player? If you already had this solo in your mind you should be. I think you are right punk never happened for Mark. I am not disappointed and have enjoyed his post Dire Straits projects
Sailing? bad choice of cover photo Mark. Really nice song though.
![{#Frown} {#Frown}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/smiley-frown.gif)
;-) Great Song really...
Thanks. No amount of mental floss will remove this image whenever I hear this one now.
I thought this was james taylor. I have my volume on low...I was all "holy crap, is Bill actually playing james taylor? Sweet!"
ik val in slaap
not a big fan of it either
![{#Sleep} {#Sleep}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_sleep.gif)
Good enough.... but needs a minor key change and a tempo shift or bit of arrangment to liven it up.
(Like I've ever written a song....)
;-) Great Song really...
Couldn't be further from it......................
ik val in slaap
Missing in the credits is the mentioning of wonderful voice of Canadian James Taylor.
From Boston, not Canada. Close enough I guess. Driving distance.