Catherine Cookson

Northern Grit 2019. Collaborative project with Songwriter Gary Miller. Dame Catherine Ann Cookson, DBE (née McMullen; 27 June 1906 – 11 June 1998) was a British author. She is in the top 20 of most widely read British novelists with sales topping 100 million, while retaining a relatively low profile in the world of celebrity writers. Her books were inspired by her deprived youth in South Tyneside, North East England, the setting for her novels. With more than 103 titles written in her own name or two other pen-names, she is one of the most prolific British novelists.

Gary Miller performing 'I Can and I Will' at Whippet Records HQ, Ferryhill, Co. Durham on Sunday 7th April 2019. A brand new song at time of recording, 'I Can and I Will' is written in honour of author Catherine Cookson from North East England. The song is accompanied by a fabulous illustration by Gary's partner Helen Temperley - look closely and you should be able to see it on the right-hand side of the video frame. Together, they form part of one of their latest collaborative projects 'Northern Grit: The Good, The Bad and The Greedy', a travelling exhibition, recording and performance project. 
I CAN AND I WILL 
There’s wind in the chimney there’s broth in the pan 
I remember the days when Kate and me ran 
“Let’s race the moon as fast as we can” 
I said “I can and I will” 
Counting the letters through the laughter and fights 
Reading away in the fading light 
Hoping I could make it all right 
I said “I can and I will” 
The word ‘impossible’ is the colour of black 
I can and I will and I’ll never look back 
Like a flame of gold I will burst down the track 
Because I can and I will 
Carrying the grey hen, carrying the shame 
An illegitimate child bruised by self-blame 
But I’ll rise above and take my name 
I said ‘I can and I will’ 
Savings my pennies not taking the tram 
It’s a long way to walk but who gives a damn 
I’d rather walk than be an also-ran 
Because I can and I will 
The word ‘impossible’ is the colour of black 
I can and I will and I’ll never look back 
Like a flame of gold I will burst down the track 
Because I can and I will 
Four beautiful eggs failing to hatch 
From such loss and such pain 
I could never detach 
But I will banish depression off of my patch 
Because I can and will 
They fried my brain, they scrambled my mind 
Leaving nothing but panic behind 
But I will gain strength from what I can find 
Because I can and I will 
The word ‘impossible’ is the colour of black 
I can and I will and I’ll never look back 
Like a flame of gold I will burst down the track 
Because I can and I will 
Reading poetry and fairy tales 
A prince will come to take me away 
To make me a lady if I show him the way 
I said ‘I can and I will’ 
I’ll put my experiences down on the page 
And my characters will all inhabit a stage 
Of love and loss and laughter and rage 
Because I can and I will 
The word ‘impossible’ is the colour of black 
I can and I will and I’ll never look back 
Like a flame of gold I will burst down the track 
Because I can and I will I can and I will 
(Gary Miller) 2019 Whippet Records Copyright Control MCPS/PRS
↑Back to Top