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Released in 1991

Crises - Ghosts of the Past Left Behind

Written by Paul McCartney • Carl Davis

Last updated on July 11, 2019

Album This song officially appears on the Liverpool Oratorio Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1991

Master album

Related songs

“Ghosts of the Past Left Behind” is the tenth track of the seventh movement – entitled “Crises” – of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, released in 1991.

VII: CRISES. Mary Dee sings to the child inside of her, fretting for it’s future, Shanty arrives home slightly drunk, short-tempered and demanding dinner. They row over money and Shanty’s feelings of inadequacy. Shanty wounds her by doubting her love and Mary Dee storms out – telling him, as she goes, that she is pregnant. In her blind anger and her hurt, she runs in front of a car and is knocked down. In hospital, a nurse wills her to live as – in delirium – Mary Dee sees the ghosts again. She fights to cling on to the life of her baby as the ghosts try to steal it from her. At her bed, Shanty prays, promising to reform if only Mary Dee and the baby are saved.

“Liverpool Oratorio” liner notes

Lyrics

[BOYS]

Ghosts of the past left behind

[MEN'S Chorus (ghosts)]

You're sleeping

Amongst us

We're in your dream

[NURSE]

You're dreaming. try to rest, my child

[MEN'S Chorus (ghosts)]

You called us

We heard you

And we are here

[NURSE]

To save your child you must be still

[MEN'S Chorus (ghosts)]

We're ready to listen

To what you ask

[NURSE]

Go to sleep

[WOMEN'S Chorus (ghosts)]

You're crossing

The water

The tide is strong

[MARY DEE]

No!

[WOMEN'S Chorus (ghosts)]

Your child is drawn to us

Into our throng

[SHANTY]

No!

[FULL Chorus (ghosts)]

This child is

Most welcome

Soon one of us

[MARY DEE]

No, I tell you!

You'll never get through

I'll never let you

No-one is stealing this child

I'm not afraid of Ghosts that the past left behind

[SHANTY]

Let her recover

Then let me love her

Until we run out of time

And in the future

I will promise to be the man

She had in mind

[NURSE]

Be still

Be calm

Your child is safe

Officially appears on

Live performances

“Crises - Ghosts of the Past Left Behind” has been played in 6 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Crises - Ghosts of the Past Left Behind” has been played

See all concerts where “Crises - Ghosts of the Past Left Behind” has been played

Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.

The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

Buy on Amazon

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