Home For A Rest - Spirit Of The West, 1990

 
 

You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best
I've been gone for a month, I've been drunk since I left
These so-called vacations will soon be my death
I'm so sick from the drink I need home for a rest.

We arrived in December and London was cold
We stayed in the bars along Charing Cross Road
We never saw nothin' but brass taps and oak
Kept a shine on the bar with the sleeves of our coats

CHORUS:
You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best
I've been gone for a week
I've been drunk since I left
And these so-called vacations
Will soon be my death
I'm so sick from the drink
I need home for a rest
Take me home....

Euston Station the train journey North
In the buffet car we lurched back and forth
Past old crooked dykes through Yorkshire's green fields
We were flung into dance as the train jigged and reeled

- CHORUS -

By the light of the moon, she'd drift through the streets
A rare old perfume, so seductive and sweet
She'd tease us and flirt, as the pubs all closed down
Then walk us on home and deny us a round

You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best
I've been gone for a month
I've been drunk since I left
And these so-called vacations
Will soon be my death
I'm so sick from the drink
I need home for a rest
Take me home....

The gas heater's empty, it's damp as a tomb
The spirits we drank now ghosts in the room
I'm knackered again, come on sleep take me soon
And don't lift up my head 'till the the twelve bells at noon

You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best
I've been gone for a month
I've been drunk since I left
And these so-called vacations
Will soon be my death
I'm so sick from the drink
I need home for a rest
Take me home

 
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One of Canada's most successful alterative bands, Spirit of the West was formed in Vancouver in 1983. It was originally called Evesdropper, and was more-or-less a folk act in the early days. In 1989, Warner Bros. Records signed the band, and helped lead them to international success. The band has stood up well over the years, with hard rock, pop and Celtic influences defining its direction.

Home for a Rest was included on the album Save This House, but was never released as a single. However, it remains the bands' most popular song, having attained status as a "frosh week" anthem at Canadian colleges and universities. The lyrics speak for themselves, although it should be noted that the specific location for this wild vacation is London, England...

This song was rated the 22nd all time greatest on a CBC Radio listener's vote. If you need proof of it's popularity, request it in a pub where students are frequently found. I have seen staff and customers alike get up and start dancing spontaneously!