This album opens with "Gladiators", a self-penned song celebrating the life of
Tom Barker who was editor of the
Industrial Workers of the World's newspaper,
Direct Action just before, during and after the first world war. He led an effective campaign against the Australian government of
William Morris Hughes' plans to introduce
conscription. It tells the story of a young man who emigrates from Ireland to Glasgow in search of work but can't forget the sweetheart he left behind, even though he later discovers she married another. He then decides to travel farther afield and eventually finds love in New York, while never able to forget the girl who perjured her vows. "Way Out Yonder" is an instrumental Bulgarian tune Irvine received from many people who had sent him cassettes over the years. The lead melodies are performed by Nikola Parov on
gadulka, Brendan Power on harmonica and Rens van der Zalm of fiddle. "
The Highwayman" is
Alfred Noyes's long poem set to new music by
Loreena McKennitt and this is Irvine's adaptation of her song. "When the Boys Are on Parade" is a song written by
Marcus Turner from
Dunedin in
New Zealand. It reflects on the ambivalence of antimilitarists when confronted with the horrors of war. "On a Distant Shore" is an instrumental written by Irvine, with Declan Masterson on low whistle and pipes. The album closes with "Born in
Carrickfergus". It is a poignant song written by Irvine and inspired by the childhood memories of Adrian Jefferies, a Catholic who grew up in mainly Protestant East Antrim during
the Troubles in the 1970s. ==Track listing==