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Mark Knopfler — Border Reiver
Album: Get Lucky
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1735









Released: 2009
Length: 4:29
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Southern bound from Glasgow town she's shining in the sun
My Scotstoun Lassie, on the border run
We're whistling down the hillsides, and tearing up the climbs
I'm just a thiever, stealing time
In the Border Reiver.

Three hundred thousand on the clock and plenty more to go
Crash box and lever, she needs a heel and toe
Shes not too cold in winter but she cooks me in the heat
I'm a six foot driver, but you can adjust the seat
In the Border Reiver

"Sure as the Sunrise", that's what they say about the Albion
"Sure as the Sunrise", that's what they say about the Albion
She's an Albion, she's an Albion

The Ministry don't worry me my paperwork's alright
They can't touch me: I got my sleep last night
Its knocking out a living wage in 1969
I'm just a thiever, stealing time
In the Border Reiver.

"Sure as the Sunrise", that's what they say about the Albion
"Sure as the Sunrise", that's what they say about the Albion
She's an Albion, she's an Albion
Comments (124)add comment
Bill aces it again!
 aspicer wrote:

Just can't get on board with that Celtic sound.....Mark Knophler or not!



interestingly enough, this is one of the few  "celtic sounds" i can tolerate.
 imklammer wrote:

C- , must study harder

The Reiver was a model of truck manufactured by Albion Motors of Scotstoun, and their badge emblem was the rising sun. The reference to any badass angry thieves is indirect at best, and explains why the lyrics reference a truck driver and his truck, as in:
   
   Three hundred thousand on the clock and plenty more to go
   Crash box and lever, she needs the heel and toe
   She's not too cold in winter but she cooks me in the heat
   I'm a six foot driver but you can adjust the seat

   etc, etc

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion_Motors



Thanks imklammer
One of the many things I love about RP is the information supplied by listeners like yourself.  I was wondering what in the heck a "border reiver" was and would most likely have been too lazy to do the research myself.
And a great many thanks to you, too, Bill, for providing this forum for us avid listeners.  I proudly wear my Radio Paradise T-shirt just so I can brag up your fine station.
I'm a sucker for those minor cords.
While the Reiver mentioned is a truck, the phrase 'Border Reiver',  also refers to the clans who lived on the borders of Scotland and England, and frequently raided each other from the 1100s to 1600s...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

Great song, but what else would one expect from Mark?
So good for the ears. So good for the soul. 
Albion Motors - Wikipedia

Albion truck
How I miss going to Scotland during this pandemic... I miss my friends over there

Thanks for the song 
 CHuLoYo wrote:
She's an albion, and he is a genius. Long live mark knopfler  
 
I love the way his mind works!
 RCinSoCal wrote:
Who could the 14 "1" votes for such a great Knopfler piece actually be, anyway?
 
Er, I dunno.  People who didn't like it, maybe?  Personally it's only just a 2.
 Slick wrote:
Perfect Saturday morning music {#Dancingbanana_2}

 
Same today, a perfect Sunday morning! {#Bananajam}
Fiddly forking diddly!
 Slick wrote:
Perfect Saturday morning music {#Dancingbanana_2}

 
I couldn't agree with you more. After a brutal week at work, my honey served me breakfast in bed and it's the first music I've heard this morning. Love grows.... Muy Bueno! 
Thanks Bill & Rebecca. 
 easmann wrote:
 "What would be weird, and worse, is if we all liked and disliked exactly the same things and to the same degree, don't you think?"

 
Absolutely!
Perfect Saturday morning music {#Dancingbanana_2}
Just can't get on board with that Celtic sound.....Mark Knophler or not!
Nice to wake up to here in North Florida.
Who could the 14 "1" votes for such a great Knopfler piece actually be, anyway?
Amazing!! Everything he does is phenomenal and the guitar playing is nuts!! Love it!! This song reminds me of Newfoundland and Celtic music!
She's an albion, and he is a genius. Long live mark knopfler  
Love. Sure as the sunrise.
 fredriley wrote:

Yep. Knopfler writes amazing songs about simple things. Who else would write a homage to a lorry? His song on this album about the scrapping of an old ship brings tears to the eyes, it's so beautifully written and poignantly sung.
 
Do you be such a whiner, Freddy!

Of course you are right in everything you say about Knopfler, his songwriting and guitar-playing!
Too good for a Scotsman! 
maravilhoso... é tudo de bom como sempre! amo
Y'know, this is following Bill and Rebecca's jaw-droppingly awesome use of a full half of The Decemberists' Hazards Of Love record as a single, 14+ minute track, and I (for better or worse) wasted half of that time thinking, "what on Earth can you possibly follow this up with?"

I will never question the Gods of RP again. {#Music}
9 > 10

Superb.
 fredriley wrote:

Yep. Knopfler writes amazing songs about simple things. Who else would write a homage to a lorry? His song on this album about the scrapping of an old ship brings tears to the eyes, it's so beautifully written and poignantly sung.

 
Same here.
if this song wouldn't be played by knopfler it would interest me at all, now it interests me just very, very little.
 burdell wrote:
Fukushima Radiation In Pacific Tuna Is Equal To One Twentieth Of A Banana 
But, what fraction of a Dancing Banana On A Piano is it? {#Bananapiano} 
I admire MK but this is too Gaelic "Outlander" smothered for me this morning, psd some Black Keys, aaaahhhh thank you!
Brilliant song but I wish it had bagpipes instead of the accordion.
{#Good-vibes}
 scott_bruce wrote:
Its about an Albion Truck, a truck manufactured near Glasgow Scotland by Albion Motors, and him running goods and supplies in and around the border region of Scotland.

 
Yep. Knopfler writes amazing songs about simple things. Who else would write a homage to a lorry? His song on this album about the scrapping of an old ship brings tears to the eyes, it's so beautifully written and poignantly sung.

Albion truck
{#Bananapiano} 8>>>>>>>>>>>>9
You might want to go learn about the reality of the situation. And learn to spell too. Here is an article in Forbes, a good place to start:

Fukushima Radiation In Pacific Tuna Is Equal To One Twentieth Of A Banana
https://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/11/16/fukushima-radiation-in-pacific-tuna-is-equal-to-one-twentieth-of-a-banana/


oldfart48 wrote:


as opposed to Albion Ca. the best place for fresh Salmon in the world....{#Yes}...............................before FUCISHIMA, {#Evil}      now all north  & west Pacific seafood glows in the dark.....getting radioactive garbage in Monterey Bay.....{#Flamed}{#Cry}

 



 scott_bruce wrote:
Its about an Albion Truck, a truck manufactured near Glasgow Scotland by Albion Motors, and him running goods and supplies in and around the border region of Scotland.

 

as opposed to Albion Ca. the best place for fresh Salmon in the world....{#Yes}...............................before FUCISHIMA, {#Evil}      now all north  & west Pacific seafood glows in the dark.....getting radioactive garbage in Monterey Bay.....{#Flamed}{#Cry}
Mark is always good, loved him with Chet Atkins    {#Guitarist} {#Guitarist}
Its about an Albion Truck, a truck manufactured near Glasgow Scotland by Albion Motors, and him running goods and supplies in and around the border region of Scotland.
I THOUGHT THIS SONG IS ABOUT A TRAIN (NOT A TRUCK)
Now this song is just bad ass, I dont get any other response.
So nice to hear on this dreary, rainy day.....Thanks....
Another daily dose of Mr. MTV.
Double de-clutching, hence the lyric about "heel and toe".

The Beeb re-ran the Mark Knopfler bio/documentary, plus a great Jools Holland hosted live session, a couple of weeks ago. Magic stuff as he explained some of the influences to his songs.
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
"Crash box and lever" - priceless. As the owner of an antique British auto, I can attest there's a reason they call it the "gear selector" rather than a "shifter" - and you do have to lever it into gear at times.

I love Knopfler's observations of his culture and the everyday people around him. 
 
I've never heard of it referred to as a gear selector over here - only gear lever. With those old crash boxes, timing the change has to be impeccable and you should double de-clutch for every change.

Nice tune too.
 Misterfixit wrote:
Melody recycled from "Ghost Riders in the Sky"

 
No, not really


 Misterfixit wrote:
Melody recycled from "Ghost Riders in the Sky"

 
It is certainly reminiscent of that tune, especially being in a minor key, but that melody's a lot older than "Ghost Riders..."  Like "Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye", "When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home", etc.  Apparently, Mr. Knopfler seldom strays far from the "roots music" vein.



"Crash box and lever" - priceless. As the owner of an antique British auto, I can attest there's a reason they call it the "gear selector" rather than a "shifter" - and you do have to lever it into gear at times.

I love Knopfler's observations of his culture and the everyday people around him. 
 Byronape wrote:
 dave216j wrote:
it amazes me to see how many details Mark Knopfler recalled to infuse his music with

Or maybe Mark has the Google too?

 

{#Lol}
 dave216j wrote:
it amazes me to see how many details Mark Knopfler recalled to infuse his music with

Or maybe Mark has the Google too?

 Misterfixit wrote:
Melody recycled from "Ghost Riders in the Sky"

 
Yes! And nice to see you back on the RP Road again, my friend!

Melody recycled from "Ghost Riders in the Sky"

 ubuntourist wrote:
Country Celtic? ;-)  Fun.
 

For a minute I was thinking Leo and Kate embracing on the Titanic.
8 > 9

Great documentary on the beeb about Knopfler the other day. He even smiled a couple of times.
 imklammer wrote:

C- , must study harder

The Reiver was a model of truck manufactured by Albion Motors of Scotstoun, and their badge emblem was the rising sun. The reference to any badass angry thieves is indirect at best, and explains why the lyrics reference a truck driver and his truck, as in:
   
   Three hundred thousand on the clock and plenty more to go
   Crash box and lever, she needs the heel and toe
   She's not too cold in winter but she cooks me in the heat
   I'm a six foot driver but you can adjust the seat

   etc, etc

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion_Motors

 
Brilliant! Thanks very much for that. It's so like Knopfler to write so lyrically and movingly about such mundane things. He could sing about a phone directory and have tears in listeneners eyes. A master of songwriting and the guitar, whom I'm only really appreciating now that I've heard his non-chart stuff on RP. This is a fine album, right enough, and very influenced by Scottish musical styles and instruments. The song about the ship going to its graveyard is particularly moving.

This is good country. {#Devil_pimp}
 Baby_M wrote:

More about the truck here.
 

Thanks, this is a fantastic page - it amazes me to see how many details Mark Knopfler recalled to infuse his music with, it's really rich story-telling to be able to generate so much care, thought, and nostalgia for such a specific physical piece and moment in time, and reading the page brought that to better light.
 Baby_M wrote:
Albion Riever
 
More about the truck here.


Love the flute!

13-09-05 by ~Spiner
Antonio G ©2005-2010 ~Spiner

13-09-05

yep, this is my fave of the series because of the expression :)

-


 imklammer wrote:

C- , must study harder

The Reiver was a model of truck manufactured by Albion Motors of Scotstoun, and their badge emblem was the rising sun. The reference to any badass angry thieves is indirect at best, and explains why the lyrics reference a truck driver and his truck, as in:
   
   Three hundred thousand on the clock and plenty more to go
   Crash box and lever, she needs the heel and toe
   She's not too cold in winter but she cooks me in the heat
   I'm a six foot driver but you can adjust the seat

   etc, etc

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion_Motors

 
*facepalm*

Thanks I needed that.

 vit wrote:

OK I was going to start bitching about how I was waiting for Dionne Warwick to chime in on this song (and I still am) but you have a point, so I'm going to go read the lyrics and then look up some of the history behind it.

OK Done. The music completely smothers the topic. Scottish Border Reivers were badass  angry thieves. They were the bane of Edward I and made his son look like a complete fop (ok that isn't hard).  Point being this song doesn't touch it.

 
C- , must study harder

The Reiver was a model of truck manufactured by Albion Motors of Scotstoun, and their badge emblem was the rising sun. The reference to any badass angry thieves is indirect at best, and explains why the lyrics reference a truck driver and his truck, as in:
   
   Three hundred thousand on the clock and plenty more to go
   Crash box and lever, she needs the heel and toe
   She's not too cold in winter but she cooks me in the heat
   I'm a six foot driver but you can adjust the seat

   etc, etc

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion_Motors

Albion Riever
 ubuntourist wrote:
Country Celtic? ;-)  Fun.
 
Bluegrass music evolved from the dance music and ballads from those who immigrated to the states from Ireland, Scotland and England. The design for the banjo originated in Africa. Rich roots, indeed. {#Sunny}

Not one of my favorite MK songs, but even my least faves are still 6+, with most being 9 or 10 in my book.

8 on this one.
how about "When i get to the border" by R.Thompson after this?
Country Celtic? ;-)  Fun.
i don't know what it is about Mr. Knopfler's music, but i always love it.
Sounds like incidental music to Titanic...
Yep, I looked up "Albion" on the internet as well.

This guy can do no wrong is right!

Also, learned about the Tyne River after hearing Sailing to Philadelphia..."far away from the coaly Tyne".
I've learned a lot from this genius!

Totally agree.  I read the history behind "Border Reiver," and it's worth noting. Knopfler is giving us a gift of history put to music. You young-uns - listen up. Crack open a book and learn. You folks who just have no use for Mark Knopfler, listen anyway, and open your ears and your sense of learning. Sure, this song isn't as tuneful as you might like - but it's got volumes of history in it. I sucked at history, but if I'd had it presented to me in this form, I'd have absorbed it and passed with flying colors.

I love Mark Knopfler.
 

I can do nothing but agree with you,
that KNOPFLER is great,
as a musician and guitar player.

NO QUESTION!

But I do not need him to teach history.
Intellegent, meaningful lyrics is a good thing, of course,
all I am saying is that you seem to like this song mainly
for the history of it!

And that - I say - is not enough of an argument!
90% of a good song is still the music!

That guys in KNOPF's league have decent lyrics,
can be expected!
Of course KNOPF is great,
but R(E)IVERDANCE is not!
 Cynaera wrote:

Totally agree.  I read the history behind "Border Reiver," and it's worth noting. Knopfler is giving us a gift of history put to music. You young-uns - listen up. Crack open a book and learn. You folks who just have no use for Mark Knopfler, listen anyway, and open your ears and your sense of learning. Sure, this song isn't as tuneful as you might like - but it's got volumes of history in it. I sucked at history, but if I'd had it presented to me in this form, I'd have absorbed it and passed with flying colors.

I love Mark Knopfler.

 
OK I was going to start bitching about how I was waiting for Dionne Warwick to chime in on this song (and I still am) but you have a point, so I'm going to go read the lyrics and then look up some of the history behind it.

OK Done. The music completely smothers the topic. Scottish Border Reivers were badass  angry thieves. They were the bane of Edward I and made his son look like a complete fop (ok that isn't hard).  Point being this song doesn't touch it.

.
 albatross wrote:
Over played.  A great song that is now irritating.  Sorry. 
 
By who? RP? I've heard it a few times here, but never on any other station.

I'm a young-in and I love this {#Hearteyes}
 scrubbrush wrote:
Mark Knopfler can do no wrong
 
Totally agree.  I read the history behind "Border Reiver," and it's worth noting. Knopfler is giving us a gift of history put to music. You young-uns - listen up. Crack open a book and learn. You folks who just have no use for Mark Knopfler, listen anyway, and open your ears and your sense of learning. Sure, this song isn't as tuneful as you might like - but it's got volumes of history in it. I sucked at history, but if I'd had it presented to me in this form, I'd have absorbed it and passed with flying colors.

I love Mark Knopfler.

Mark just keeps crankin' out good sounding tunes. I could let this one play for hours.
Nice. A toe tapper n' a knee slapper...{#Yes}
Reminds me of someone...can't put my finger on the singer...

ahhh my daily fix
 scrubbrush wrote:
Mark Knopfler can do no wrong
 
This is right!


 scrubbrush wrote:


I love how a song that's played 3 or 4 times a month can be considered 'overplayed' by us snobby RP listeners.
 
"Us" is overstating things ... hopefully by quite a bit.
Very nice, from a Scot born in the US!
 albatross wrote:
Over played.  A great song that is now irritating.  Sorry. 
 

I love how a song that's played 3 or 4 times a month can be considered 'overplayed' by us snobby RP listeners.
Mark Knopfler can do no wrong
Never gets old.  Keep it coming RP.  {#Yes}
Over played.  A great song that is now irritating.  Sorry. 
Bill played Roots by Show of Hands earlier today. Ironic, because for me, this pablum from Knopfler is driving out the more traditional music, just like Show of Hands lament.

I give K his due for working in this genre, but it really falls flat for me. Sappy and sentimental. This song, along with "Sailing to Philadelphia" and the one about ship-breakers are all so polished, overproduced and bland. They lack the energy and rough-edges of the more traditional stuff. Give me The Chieftans, Ian and Syvia, Joan Baez, Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie. They were derivative in their own way from their predecessors, too, but they had way more soul.

 iggam wrote:
How dare he rip off the title of one of the greatest albums of the 80s!

Get Lucky 
 
Turn me Loose! {#Roflol}
MUTE, MUTE
wiki

Border Reivers were raiders along the Anglo-Scottish border from the late 13th century to the end of the 16th century. Their ranks consisted of both Scottish and English families, and they raided the entire border country without regard to their victims' nationality. Their heyday was perhaps in the last hundred years of their existence, during the Tudor dynasty in England.


Okay that was perfect following up Billy Bragg!  Unfortunately the FM here has worn this baby out. 

 20 centuries of Scotland in these notes


 to_the_eleven wrote:
I learned from the songmeanings.net comments it's about a truck

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion_Motors
"Sure as the Sunrise"



fredriley wrote:
A love song for a train - love it! Nice use of Scottish phrases and rhythms too. Spot on, Mark. 8 from the Nottingham jury.

Some more info to help...

 

Sure as the Sunrise: A history of Albion Motors

The Journal of Transport History | March 1, 1999 < type="text/javascript">
document.write("| French, Michael");
<> | Copyright

Sam McKinstry, Sure as the Sunrise: a history of Albion Motors, John Donald, Edinburgh (1997), 222 pp., L25.00.

This book, aimed principally at a nonspecialist audience, provides a sound and accessible account of Scotland's most enduring motor business. From its foundation in 1899, Albion's operations combined conservative technology, owners keen to retain control and perpetual efforts to balance standardisation with a varied product range. McKinstry details the firm's products, managerial changes and personalities, and the main events in its history. The impacts of both world wars…



 

Just argh.
AAAARRRRGGHHHHHH, just walking in and hearing the outro.... This song is amazing!!! Love the tempo and love the usage of instruments, absolutely great!!!

10
I learned from the songmeanings.net comments it's about a truck

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion_Motors
"Sure as the Sunrise"



fredriley wrote:
A love song for a train - love it! Nice use of Scottish phrases and rhythms too. Spot on, Mark. 8 from the Nottingham jury.



 trekhead wrote:
Man! He puts out some of the best Highland Music...

8.
 
Hmm, Mr Knopfler hails from the northeast of England, Northumbria, which is border country with Scotland. It's definitely not the highlands, similar but different. There's an affinity there for sure (Local Hero & all that..).

This is a GOOD song!  Thanks for keeping on the play list rotation!
 helgigermany wrote:
I am going to see him this year in Frankfurt! Every year he gives a concert there!!
 
Lucky you !

I am going to see him this year in Frankfurt! Every year he gives a concert there!!
 coyote620 wrote:

I agree, what's up RP?  I know your not running out of songs to play.
 
It's a new song.  That's what radio does.  It's not like it's every hour.  Deal with it.  
the more i hear this, the more i like it!!
 peter_james_bond wrote:

We got lucky! Thanks Bill.

 
Well played, peter james.
I thought I had heard this earlier today so I looked back through the playlist to see. There is a mysterious gap in the playlist between 3:35 am and 9:57 am. Probably accounts for this. Was played at 6:29 based on comment by fredriley. Some computer glitch.

11:51 am - Death Cab For Cutie - Meet Me On The Equinox
10:56 am - Natalie Merchant - Saint Judas
9:57 am - Arctic Monkeys - Dance Little Liar
3:35 am - Peter Gabriel - We Do What We're Told
3:30 am - Porcupine Tree - Trains

 danagle wrote:
Twice in a 6 hour span?  I like it more when RP spaces out the rotation a little.  Once a day is bordering on too often.  After all, RP plays enough variety of music there is no need to have to dip back into the same pool this often.

That said, I find this song "okay".
 
I agree, what's up RP?  I know your not running out of songs to play.

 FamilyMan wrote:
Twice in one day, a double play.  Is this "two fer" Wednesday?
 
We got lucky! Thanks Bill.

Twice in one day, a double play.  Is this "two fer" Wednesday?

Man! He puts out some of the best Highland Music...

8.
A love song for a train - love it! Nice use of Scottish phrases and rhythms too. Spot on, Mark. 8 from the Nottingham jury.
Awesome!  The album is bought and downloading now (of course I used the RP purchase link).  

This album will be a great treat for my flight tomorrow, especially since I finally ponied-up for some decent noise-canceling headphones.
 
 


i heard 5 seconds of this song then saw it was Knopfler....gave it an 8. I'm giving everything an 8 tonight.....must be because I've just gotten over being sick for two weeks. But seriously....Mark Knopfler could play garbage can lids and I'd give it a good listen....

Very nice!
So much fun.. darn you RP.. another LP/CD/album I'm gonna have to buy.. I would have never heard on "normal" radio
Fantastic, as always.
The lowest i can rate Mark Knopfler is a 7. I love his music!! 
GREAT set this morning!! Tahnks RP!!

...But I'm a youngster!  Can't...help..but like this song!  Way to not get stuck in your own generation, Mark Knopfler.
 BillG wrote:


That was totally accidental. I guarantee it won't happen again — with this song or any other.
 
Totally understandable :)

 danagle wrote:
Twice in a 6 hour span?  I like it more when RP spaces out the rotation a little.  Once a day is bordering on too often.  After all, RP plays enough variety of music there is no need to have to dip back into the same pool this often.

That said, I find this song "okay".
 

That was totally accidental. I guarantee it won't happen again — with this song or any other.
How dare he rip off the title of one of the greatest albums of the 80s!

Get Lucky 
Twice in a 6 hour span?  I like it more when RP spaces out the rotation a little.  Once a day is bordering on too often.  After all, RP plays enough variety of music there is no need to have to dip back into the same pool this often.

That said, I find this song "okay".