Song Writer

Singer

Musician

Hello, and welcome to Jim King's website.


Much of his songwriting draws upon his profound belief in equality and social justice. His songs tell stories of beauty, prejudice, and the kindness of people. He’ll inspire you, make you laugh and cry. He’ll make you angry and calm, help you face shadows and introduce you to wonders.

 

He has played pubs, clubs, and benefits, arts centres and festivals. He’s an acclaimed singer and songwriter who has been performing for more than 50 years.


If you'd like to invite Jim to play for you and share some songs - no audience too small, no venue too remote, house concert; club; festival; whatever - then go over to the contact page. Or you could call or text him at 07803549387. He also has a Facebook page here


All Jim's recorded song lyrics are available and linked to each album, along with links to soundcloud for your listening pleasure. Here, below, are some videos, and there are more on Jim's YouTube channel . . . .


John MacLean's Visit To Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show

John MacLean was a Scottish socialist and radical who was persecuted by the British government for his outspoken views. Imprisoned for sedition, force fed and mistreated, he died of pneumonia in 1923 aged 44.

 

He would have been around 12 years old when Buffalo Bill took his Wild West Show to Glasgow in 1891/92.

 

I imagine that MacLean would have likely seen the show and been influenced by it.

 

West Coast Days

Here's a song about one of my favourite bits of this planet - The Clyde Estuary with its coastline and islands.

 

Martin Forry filmed and produced this amazing video that works the magical spell of making me seem quite professional.

Take Back Control

(reasons to be fearful # 1)

A collection of some of the things that have been written and said to justify Britain leaving the EU.

 

Thanks to Gina Graham for filming this at The Nova Scotia Folk Club in Bishopriggs.

The Gathering

An ant-fascist song, performed at Edinburgh Folk Club in 2011. Filmed on Trish Santer's phone.

 

LittleJimmy

 

I don't know the origins of this song, I got the words from a friend many years ago.

 

Filmed on Eoin Kinane's phone at Dram in Glasgow.

Kristallnacht (No Passers By)

 

A song written to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Kristalnacht. Originally performed, on the 80th anniversary of the events, at Dram in Glasgow.

Little Posh Kids

 

The colours may change, but the behaviour will likely remain the same while Capital has control of our politics. So there's little I can do but laugh at it.

 

I am endebted to Malvena Reynolds for the melody.

Louisiana 1927

 

Randy Newman wrote this in 1974. The 'Great Flood' of 1927 left nearly a quarter of a million people homeless and around 500 known dead.

Blood Red Roses

 

Title track of my first album.

 

Directed at men who feel they have to dominate those closest to them.

The Spirit Dance

 

I have long been fascinated by the story behind the 'Ghost Dance Shirt' displayed at Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow, until its return to Wounded Knee in 1997. The shirt was sold to the museum in 1891, by a member of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show troupe, who claimed it was taken from the body of a Lakota Sioux warrior after the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890.

 

The Ghost Dance was, ironically, a ritual for engendering peace and salvation for first nation peoples. Sadly, the white settlers, army and government saw it as a 'war dance'.