Rik Emmett (Triumph) - The Treadmill - rare unreleased song 1990

One of the first recordings Rik made after leaving Triumph in 1989. This song is not a polished cut, but rather a demo that was made in the sessions leading up to the release of Rik's first solo album 'Absolutely' in 1990. The song was co-written with Graham Shaw, and features the vocal harmonies of Sherrie Jeacocke. As Rik described it a decade later: "A strongly-felt lyric about the Irish troubles: there are currently some hopeful indications that they may be breaking some of the chains that bound them to the treadmill, which is a great thing... The song was eventually left off the package [Absolutely] in order to favour STAND and DELIVER as the prog rock centrepiece." This song was briefly released by Rik around 2001 as a website download. Enjoy this great song! Lyrics: The sun won't shine upon the island A cold hard rain keeps falling down That cannot wash away the sorrow All the scars cut deep into the bloodstained ground The lines are drawn in ancient places The sword of vengeance surely cuts both ways Inside the will of a distant aging empire On the battleground between churches and states Where is the promise of tomorrow? Where do we go to save our hopes and dreams? There is no god to sanctify the bloodshed There is no end to justify the means And it all goes on And it all goes on... The blacksmith hammers on the anvil The links are forged in ghetto politics and pain Each generation cast upon the treadmill Tell me who can ever break the chain? When the Easter lilly rises from the ground of Casement Park Casting ever longer shadows reaching deep into the heart Can you hear the children crying as they long for their release from the fight to keep the faith that somehow Never keeps the peace And it all goes on And it all goes on and on. Don't talk of freedom for the children Your empty words disguise a hollow lie There is no dignity or honour found in terror There is no justice in a blind eye for an eye Don't talk of pride - don't talk to me of reason Don't talk of heroes martyred to the cause There's only pawns, and puppets - only victims in drowning desperation, clutching out at straws. So say a prayer for Ulster's sons & daughters To liberate them from their past To break the chains that bind them to the treadmill that they may come to find some peace at last.