Music

Golden Heart

Golden Heart

Album Credits

Mark Knopfler: guitars and vocals
Richard Bennett & Paul Franklin: guitars
Glenn Worf & Michael Rhodes: bass
Chad Cromwell & Eddie Bayers: drums
Guy Fletcher & Steve Nathan: keyboards

Recorded by Chuck Ainlay, assisted by Graham Lewis at Emerald Sound Studios, Javelina recording Studios and Sixteenth Avenue Sound in Nashiville, and at Air Studios in London.
Recorded by Brian Masterson at Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin.
Mixed by Chuck Ainlay, assisted by Graham Lewis at Air Studios, London.
Mastered by Danny Purcell at Georgetown Masters Inc., Nashville, assisted by Jonathan Russell.
Produced by Mark Knopfler and Chuck Ainlay

All songs written by Mark Knopfler.
Tracks 1-6, 8-10 and 14 ©1996 Straitjacket Songs Ltd (PRS). All rights administered by Rondor Music (London) Ltd. (PRS) for the world; Almo Music Corp. ASCAP administers in the US and Canada.
Tracks 7 and 11-13 ©1996 Chariscourt Ltd (PRS). All rights administered by Rondor Music (London) Ltd. (PRS) for the world; Almo Music Corp. ASCAP administers in the US and Canada.

Design: Wherefor Art?
Photography: Dan Einzig
Portrait photography: David Scheinmann

Derek Bell appears courtesy of RCA Victor
Paul Brady appears courtesy of Mercury Records Limited
Vince Gill appears courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.
Sean Keane appears courtesy of RCA Victor
Sonny Landreth appears courtesy of Zoo Entertainment, Inc.
Liam O'Flynn appears courtesy of tara Music Company Ltd., Dublin

Mark's first solo studio album came after composing a string of successful film soundtracks. Golden Heart featured three hit singles: 'Rudiger', 'Cannibals', and 'Darling Pretty', which was featured on the Twister film soundtrack. The album also featured guest artists The Chieftans.

Released: Vertigo/Warner Bros. (1996)

Golden Heart

  • 1. Darling Pretty
    It’s time to come away, my darling pretty
    It’s time to come away on the changing tide
    Time to come away, darling pretty
    And I need you darling by my side

    Heal me with a smile, darling pretty
    Heal me with a smile and a heart of gold
    Carry me awhile, my darling pretty
    Heal my aching heart and soul

    Just like a castaway
    Lost upon an endless sea
    I saw you far away
    Come to rescue me

    Cast away the chains, darling pretty
    Cast away the chains away behind
    Take away my pain, my darling pretty
    And the chains that once were yours and mine

    There will come a day, darling pretty
    There will come a day when hearts can fly
    Love will find a way, my darling pretty
    Find a heaven for you and I

    Love will find a way, my darling pretty
    Find a heaven for you and I

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitars
    Richard Bennett: acoustic guitar
    Paul Franklin: pedal steel guitar
    Steve Nathan: Hammond organ
    Michael Rhodes: bass
    Eddie Bayers: Drums
    Paul Brady: whistle (intro)
    Derek Bell: Irish harp (intro)
    Máirtin O’Connor: accordion (intro)
    Donal Lunny: bouzouki (intro)
    Sean Keane: violin (intro)
    Matt Rollings: piano
    Danny Cummings & Guy Fletcher: backing vocals
    Jimmy Nail and Tim Healy: backing vocals
  • 2. Imelda
    She’s going shopping, shopping for shoes
    She wants them in magenta and Caribbean blue
    Platinum and buttercup lilac and black
    They fill a bucket up and laugh behind her back

    Imelda baby, Imelda baby what to do
    All the poor people saying that they gotta quit paying for you

    In New York and Paris on the Champs Elysée
    They see her coming from a long long way
    They clap their hands together when they get her in the store
    She’s gonna wanna get more more more and more and more

    Imelda baby, Imelda baby what to do
    All the poor people saying that they gotta quit paying for you

    Everyone’s gone Jackie O
    She was a regular here
    We thought madame would like to know
    We’ve got the blood red rouge right here

    Now we’ve got all of madame’s requisites and all in madame’s size
    Madame’s taste is truly exquisite she must accessorise
    The belts are alligator the bags are kangaroo
    Enchanté may I say the jade was made for you

    Imelda baby, Imelda baby what to do
    All the poor people saying that they gotta quit paying for you
    Imelda baby, Imelda baby what to do
    All the poor people saying that they gotta quit paying for you

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitar
    Richard Bennet: acoustic guitar
    Steve Nathan: Hammond organ
    Glenn Worf: bass
    Chad Cromwell: drums
    Danny Cummings: percussion & backing vocals
    Guy Fletcher: backing vocals
  • 3. Golden Heart
    She was swinging by the bangles in a main street store
    A while before we met
    The most dangerous angles that you ever saw
    She spied her amulet
    And she took a loop of leather for around her neck
    And that was then the start
    The most dangerous lady on her quarter deck
    She found her Golden Heart
    You found your Golden Heart

    Then we swirled around each other and the thread was spun
    to some Arcadian band
    I would stop it from swinging like a pendulum
    Just to hold time in my hand
    And you shot me with a cannonball of history
    And long forgotten art
    I’d be turning it over as our words ran free
    I’d hold your Golden Heart
    I’d hold your Golden Heart

    Nothing in the world prepared me for, your heart, your heart
    Nothing in the world that I love more, your heart, your heart
    Your Golden Heart

    And every time I’m thinking of you from a distant shore
    And all the time I sleep I will have a reminder that my baby wore
    A part of you to keep
    And I’ll send you all my promises across the sea
    And while we are apart
    I will carry the wonder that you gave to me
    I’ll wear your Golden Heart
    I’ll wear your Golden Heart

    Nothing in the world prepared me for, your heart, your heart
    Nothing in the world that I love more, your heart, your heart
    Your Golden Heart

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitar
    Richard Bennett: acoustic guitar
    Steve Nathan: keyboards
    Guy Fletcher: keyboards & backing vocals
    Glenn Worf: bass
    Chad Cromwell: drums
    Danny Cummings: backing vocals
  • 4. No Can Do
    Skint in a material world
    I did a warehouse stint for Southsea girl
    It was Hong Kong clothes for cash
    Everybody got treated worse than trash

    Punch the card in the company clock
    Load the trolleys and the company trucks
    And around and around the whole day through
    And you couldn’t sit down when there was nothing to do

    Well they had beaten up people from every land
    Fools like me trying to be in bands
    A little French girl so good to me
    But I couldn’t love her back so lonely

    A backpacker travelling through
    A lumberjack with the travelling blues
    We had worn out shoes and worn out cuffs
    And big ideas that were never big enough

    He said the man wants you go wash his car
    Hey you I’m talking to you I said me, not me uh uh
    No can do

    No can can do no can
    No can can do no can

    Now some were grown up unlike me
    And were dealing with reality
    I was spittin’ sulkin’ smokin’ shirkin’
    While a lady from Jamaica was singing and working

    I had everyone but me to blame
    And every day was just the same
    Well nobody ever said it was a righteous world
    But if they did they never said it at Southsea girl

    He said the man wants you go wash his car
    Hey you I’m talking to you I said me, not me uh uh
    No can do

    No can can do no can
    No can can do no can

    Well I’ve made my bed on peoples floors
    Opened up and closed some doors
    Dreamed that if my dreams came true
    Then I wouldn’t do what I didn’t want to

    Walking through the gates to the outside
    To dream some dreams that never died
    And I walked the streets of London town
    Looking for a place to put my head down

    He said the man wants you go wash his car
    Hey you I’m talking to you I said me, not me uh uh
    No can do

    No can can do no can
    No can can do no can

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitars
    Guy Fletcher: keyboards & backing vocals
    Glenn Worf: string bass
    Chad Cromwell: drums
    Danny Cummings: percussion & backing vocals
    Brendan Croker: backing vocals
  • 5. Vic And Ray
    A dirty motor with London plates
    Sitting in the gutter outside your silent gates
    Vic and Ray, Vic and Ray
    Vic and Ray, Vic and Ray

    Come to daddy baby, what is it worth
    Come to daddy, the scum of the crying earth
    Vic and Ray, Vic and Ray
    Vic and Ray, Vic and Ray

    Laughing at each other’s pain
    They run the heater in the morning rain
    This’ll pay the rent around the world
    Wanna buy a picture of a girl

    Christmas morning, there they are
    Two rent boys wishing on a shining star
    Vic and Ray, Vic and Ray
    Vic and Ray, Vic and Ray

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitars
    Richard Bennett: guitars
    Paul Franklin: pedal steel guitar
    Matt Rollings: piano
    Steve Nathan: keyboards
    Michael Rhodes: bass
    Eddie Bayers: drums
    Terry McMillan: djembe
    Danny Cummings: percussion
  • 6. Don’t You Get It
    Don’t you get it I don’t want to buy your car
    Don’t you get it I don’t want to buy it
    Don’t you get it I don’t want to buy your car
    Don’t you get it I don’t want to buy your car

    Cause I gotta be a free man to run
    I gotta be a free man to ride
    I gotta be a free man to run
    Cause I gotta be a free man to ride

    I gotta be a free man to run
    I gotta be a free man to ride
    I gotta be a free man to run
    Cause I gotta be a free man to ride

    Now don’t you get it I don’t want to dream your dream
    Don’t you get it I don’t want to dream it
    Don’t you get it I don’t want to dream your dream
    Don’t you get it I don’t want to dream your dream

    Cause I gotta be a free man to run
    I gotta be a free man to ride
    I gotta be a free man to run
    Cause I gotta be a free man to ride

    I gotta be a free man to run
    I gotta be a free man to ride
    I gotta be a free man to run
    Cause I gotta be a free man to ride

    Don’t you get it I don’t want to buy your car
    Don’t you get it I don’t want to buy it
    Don’t you get it I don’t want to buy your car
    Don’t you get it I don’t want to buy your car

    Cause I gotta be a free man to run
    I gotta be a free man to ride
    I gotta be a free man to run
    Cause I gotta be a free man to ride

    I gotta be a free man to run
    I gotta be a free man to ride
    I gotta be a free man to run
    Cause I gotta be a free man to ride

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitar
    Richard Bennett: guitar
    Bill Cuomo: Hammond organ
    Glenn Worf: bass
    Chad Cromwell: drums
    Danny Cummings & Guy Fletcher: backing vocals
  • 7. A Night In Summer Long Ago
    My lady may I have this dance?
    Forgive a knight who knows no shame
    My lady may I have this dance
    And lady may I have your name?

    You danced upon a soldier’s arm
    And I felt the blade of love so keen
    And when you smiled you did me harm
    And I was drawn to you, my Queen

    Now these boots may take me where they will
    Though they may never shine like his
    There is no knight I would not kill
    To have my lady’s hand to kiss

    Yes and they did take me through the hall
    To leave me not one breath from you
    And they fell silent one and all
    And you could see my heart was true

    Then I did lead you from the hall
    And we did ride upon the hill
    Away beyond the city wall
    And sure you are my lady still

    A night in summer long ago
    The stars were falling from the sky
    And still, my heart, I have to know
    Why do you love me, lady why?

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitars
    Paul Brady: whistle
    Donal Lunny: bouzouki
    Liam O’Flynn: Uillean pipes
    Sean Keane: violin
    Martin O’Connor: accordian
    Paul Moore: string bass
  • 8. Cannibals
    Well he’s daddy’s little boy he plays with his toys
    He holds on to his daddy’s hand
    His daddy says sonny you’re a big strong boy
    You’re gonna be a big strong man

    And they go play catch they go play ball
    They go take a walk along the sand
    Big strong daddy and a big strong boy
    Living in a big strong land

    Daddy is he a goodie or a baddie
    Daddy can I have a dinosaur
    Once upon a time there were cannibals
    Now there are no cannibals any more

    Down in Louisiana there’s a hurricane coming
    The little boy climbs the stairs
    And all along the levee all the people come running
    And the little boy’s saying his prayers

    And a sleepy little laddie smiles up at his daddy
    And he’s asking for his G.I. Joe
    And daddy tucks him in with a kiss upon the chin
    And says my little one I love you so

    Daddy is he a goodie or a baddie
    Leave the light outside the door
    Once upon a time there were cannibals
    Now there are no cannibals any more

    Lay down your head now don’t get out of bed
    Don’t you let the bedbugs bite
    It’s time to sleep now not another peep
    And I’ll see you in the morning light

    And then the radio was playing and the weatherman was saying
    The hurricane had blown away
    And daddy’s little boy was jumping up for joy
    And he was singing at the break of day

    Daddy is he a goodie or a baddie
    Daddy can I be a warrior
    Once upon a time there were cannibals
    Now there are no cannibals any more

    Yeah daddy is he a goodie or a baddie
    Daddy why do people go to war
    Once upon a time there were cannibals
    Now there are no cannibals any more

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitars
    Richard Bennet: acoustic guitar
    Steve Nathan: Hammond organ
    Guy Fletcher: keyboards & backing vocals
    Jo-El Sonnier: accordian
    Glenn Worf: string bass
    Chad Cromwell: drums
    Danny Cummings & Brendan Croker: backing vocals
  • 9. I’m The Fool
    I never thought I’d be the one
    To be the raging bull
    There’d always be a smoking gun
    Who’d up and lose his cool

    I never thought I’d have to say
    I’m sorry, my love, because
    I’m the fool I never
    Fool I never thought I was

    I left my dreams with broken strings
    It’s time I learnt to talk
    Stop falling over things
    Teach myself to walk

    I’m not a superman
    Or Mr. wonderful, because
    I’m the fool I never
    Fool I never thought I was

    I’m the know it all
    Trying to mend his broken heart
    But I don’t know who to call
    And I don’t know where to start

    Now if you should lose your faith in me
    I don’t know where I’d run
    I hope you’ll always let me be
    Your only one

    Am I your one true love
    Or am I too late for your applause
    I’m the fool I never
    Fool I never thought I was

    Darling, I’m the fool I never
    Fool I never thought I was

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitars
    Richard Bennett: acoustic guitar
    Paul Franklin: pedal steel guitar
    Barry Beckett: piano
    Steve Nathan: Hammond organ & keyboards
    Danny Cummings: percussion
    Michael Rhodes: bass
    Eddie Bayers: drums
  • 10. Je Suis Désolé
    We are leaving, leaving
    Leaving on the tide
    Come and stand beside me love
    The water is so wide

    You can hear the sailors calling
    At the dawning of the day
    Yesterday is falling, love
    And je suis désolé, je suis désolé

    Je suis désolé, mais je n’ai pas le choix
    Je suis désolé, mais la vie me demande ça

    I am turning, turning
    From a land that I loved well
    Look ahead my darling one
    Amark cross the rolling swell

    And you can hear the seagulls crying
    As we’re slipping out of the bay
    Yesterday is dying, love
    And je suis désolé, je suis désolé

    Je suis désolé, mais je n’ai pas le choix
    Je suis désolé, mais la vie me demande ça

    We are sailing, sailing
    For a land that’s proud and free
    I had no more endurance
    For what had become of me

    And I will do that which I must do, love
    And now we’re under way
    All that I can say to you is
    Je suis désolé

    Je suis désolé, mais je n’ai pas le choix
    Je suis désolé, mais la vie me demande ça
    Je suis désolé, mais je n’ai pas le choix
    Je suis désolé, mais la vie me demande ça

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitar
    Sonny Landreth: National steel guitar, backing vocals
    Richard Bennett: tiplé
    Steve Conn: accordion
    Michael Doucet: fiddle
    Michael Rhodes: bass
    Eddie Bayers: drums
    Billy Ware: triangle
    Danny Cummings: backing vocals
  • 11. Rüdiger
    Rüdiger stands in the rain and the snow
    Collector of autographs
    Names upon photographs
    Faces of people who everyone knows

    Rüdiger lives in a place on his own
    Briefcase and spectacles
    Strange and respectable
    He knows the meaning of being alone

    Rüdiger works as a clerk in the town
    Music or politics
    Rüdiger gets his kicks
    He gets information then he comes around

    Rüdiger waits at the hall in Berlin
    He waits there all night
    Security’s tight
    They know who he is but they don’t let him in

    Rüdiger waits in the dark by the stair
    His fingers are shaking
    His feet they are aching
    But your name’s in the paper so Rüdiger’s there

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitars
    Richard Bennett: acoustic guitar
    Paul Franklin: pedal steel guitar
    Matt Rollings: piano
    Steve Nathan: keyboards
    Michael Rhodes: bass
    Eddie Bayers: drums
    Danny Cummings: percussion & backing vocals
    Heike Barthe: backing vocals
  • 12. Nobody’s Got The Gun
    Nobody’s got the gun
    Nobody’s trying to get the drop on anyone
    Nobody’s standing out on main street
    With the sun blazing down
    Saying “There’s only room for one of us in this here town”
    Nobody’s got the be the number one
    Nobody’s got the gun

    She may not understand
    And she may want you eating from her hand
    If she’s got you in a corner
    And you can smell the smoke and flame
    You reach for your revolver
    To do the same
    You’ll blow your love away forever, number one
    Nobody’s got the gun

    You may think love is hard enough
    You may never get to rehearse
    And you can do without this stuff
    Making everything worse
    She’s just the same as you
    She needs your love just like you want her to

    You can’t go playing poker
    With a pistol in your sleeve
    You can’t make somebody love you
    By threatening to leave
    If you want a love forever, number one
    Nobody’s got the gun

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitars
    Richard Bennet: acoustic guitar
    Paul Franklin: pedal steel guitar
    Barry Beckett: piano
    Steve Nathan: Hammond organ
    Michael Rhodes: bass
    Eddie Bayers: drums
    Danny Cummings: percussion
    Guy Fletcher: keyboards
    Vince Gill: backing vocals
  • 13. Done With Bonaparte
    We’ve paid in hell since Moscow burned
    As Cossacks tear us piece by piece
    Our dead are strewn a hundred leagues
    Though death would be a sweet release

    And our Grande Armée is dressed in rags
    A frozen starving beggar band
    Like rats we steal each other’s scraps
    Fall to fighting hand to hand

    Save my soul from evil, Lord
    And heal this soldier’s heart
    I’ll trust in thee to keep me, Lord
    I’m done with Bonaparte

    What dreams he made for us to dream
    Spanish skies, Egyptian sands
    The world was ours, we marched upon
    Our little Corporal’s command

    And I lost an eye at Austerlitz
    The sabre slash yet gives me pain
    My one true love awaits me still
    The flower of the Aquitaine

    Save my soul from evil, Lord
    And heal this soldier’s heart
    I’ll trust in thee to keep me, Lord
    I’m done with Bonaparte

    I pray for her who prays for me
    A safe return to my belle France
    We prayed these wars would end all wars
    In war we know is no romance

    And I pray our child will never see
    A little Corporal again
    Point toward a foreign shore
    Captivate the hearts of men

    Save my soul from evil, Lord
    And heal this soldier’s heart
    I’ll trust in thee to keep me, Lord
    I’m done with Bonaparte

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitars
    Donal Lunny: bouzouki
    Liam O’Flynn: Uillean pipes
    Paul Brady: whistle
    Sean Keane: violin
    Máirtin O’Connor: accordion
    Paul Moore: bass
    Robbie Casserley: drums
  • 14. Are We In Trouble Now
    It wasn’t just the music
    It wasn’t just the wine
    Some other kind of magic
    Was sending shivers up my spine
    Then I was falling
    And I fell for you, and how
    Darling, are we in trouble now?

    They say we’re grown up
    But we’ve been searching all this time
    I wouldn’t own up
    Never would admit to flying blind
    But in the Darkness
    We found each other anyhow
    Darling, are we in trouble now?

    When we’d talk it over
    Love was a cry from a distant shore
    Then we found each other
    And all that we’d been searching for

    And I’m done denying
    I guess by now you know
    I’m through with trying
    Can’t bring myself to let you go
    And of all these feelings
    We said we never would allow
    Darling, are we in trouble now

    CREDITS
    Mark Knopfler: guitars
    Don Potter: acoustic guitar
    Paul Franklin: pedal steel guitar
    Hargus “Pig” Robbins: piano
    Steve Ntathan: Hammond organ & keyboards
    Michael Rhodes: bass
    Eddie Bayers: drums
    Danny Cummings: percussion
    Vince Gill: backing vocals