Released in 1991
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
“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
[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
Official album • Released in 1991
3:08 • Live • L1
Paul McCartney : Executive producer Eddie Klein : Additional engineer John Timperley : Balance engineer Carl Davis : Orchestra conductor Peter Mew : Additional engineer, Editor John Fraser : Producer Kiri Te Kanawa : Soprano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra : Orchestra Timothy Walden : Solo cello (?) Nic Raine : Assistant to carl davis Martin Astle : Additional engineer Tom Leader : Additional engineer, Editor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir : Choir Choristers of Liverpool Cathedral : Choir Ian Tracey : Chorus master and master of the choriste Jerry Hadley : Tenor Sally Burgess : Mezzo-soprano
Concert From the concert in Liverpool, United Kingdom on Jun 28, 1991
Selections from Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio
Official album • Released in 1992
3:08 • Live • L1
Paul McCartney : Executive producer Eddie Klein : Additional engineer John Timperley : Balance engineer Carl Davis : Orchestra conductor Peter Mew : Additional engineer, Editor John Fraser : Producer Kiri Te Kanawa : Soprano Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra : Orchestra Timothy Walden : Solo cello (?) Nic Raine : Assistant to carl davis Martin Astle : Additional engineer Tom Leader : Additional engineer, Editor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir : Choir Choristers of Liverpool Cathedral : Choir Ian Tracey : Chorus master and master of the choriste Jerry Hadley : Tenor Sally Burgess : Mezzo-soprano
Concert From the concert in Liverpool, United Kingdom on Jun 28, 1991
“Crises - Ghosts of the Past Left Behind” has been played in 2 concerts.
Liverpool • Liverpool Cathedral • United Kingdom
Jun 29, 1991 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
Liverpool • Liverpool Cathedral • United Kingdom
Jun 28, 1991 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
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