Sandy Denny

One evening fair I took the air
Down by Blackwaterside
'Twas gazing all around me
When the Irish lad I spied

All through the first part of that night
We did lie in sport and play,
When this young man arose and he gathered his clothes,
Saying, ``Fare thee well today''.

That's not the promise that you gave to me
When the first you lay on my breast,
You could make me believe with your lying tongue
That the sun rose in the west.

Go home, go home, to your father's garden
Go home and weep your fill,
And think upon your own misfortune
Which you bought with your wanton will.

There's not one girl in this whole town
As easily led as I,
And when the sky does fall and the seas will run dry,
Why, it's then you'll marry I.

One evening fair I took the air
Down by Blackwaterside
'Twas gazing all around me
When the Irish lad I spied

All through the first part of that night
We did lie in sport and play,
When this young man arose and he gathered his clothes,
Saying, ``Fare thee well today''.

That's not the promise that you gave to me
When the first you lay on my breast,
You could make me believe with your lying tongue
That the sun rose in the west.

Go home, go home, to your father's garden
Go home and weep your fill,
And think upon your own misfortune
Which you bought with your wanton will.

There's not one girl in this whole town
As easily led as I,
And when the sky does fall and the seas will run dry,
Why, it's then you'll marry I.

In Bruton Town there lived a noble man
He had two sons and a daughter fair
By night and day they were contriving
For to fill their sister's heart with care

One night one night our restless young girl
One brother rose up from his bed
He heard the servant court their sister
Oh he heard they had a mind to wed

Oh when he rose the very next morning
Went searching for the servant-man
And when he found him this young man he murdered
Oh left him lying in the briars around

Oh she went to bed a-crying and lamenting
And thinking of her own true love
And as she slept she dreamt that she saw him
a-lying in the countryside all covered with gore and blood

Oh brothers, brothers why do you whisper
And what's become of this servant man?
Oh we lost him when we were a-contending
We lost him were he won't ever be found

Oh she early rose the very next morning
And searched the countryside around
And there she saw her own dear jewel
A-lying in the briars where he'd been found

Three days and nights she'd lie by him
She thought her heart it would break with woe
When a cruel hunger came upon her
And in despair to her home she did go

Oh sister, sister why do you whisper
And won't you tell us where you've been
Stand off, stand off you bloody butchers
My love and I you have all slain

Missed the morning too, didn't rise before noon.
She's a lazy lady today.
Always yawning, you with your eyes on the moon.
Your're a crazy lady I'd say, da da da.

Now should I say more, for I know so well
And you're no hazy maiden in grey.
How can I be sure, it's not easy to tell.
But you're a crazy lady, I'd say.
Crazy lady

Missed the morning too, didn't rise before noon.
She's a lazy lady today.
Always yawning, you with your eyes on the moon.
Your're a crazy lady I'd say, da da da.

Now should I say more, for I know so well
And you're no hazy maiden in grey.
How can I be sure, it's not easy to tell.
But you're a crazy lady, I'd say.
Crazy lady

Crash on the levee, mama,
Water's gonna overflow,
Swamp's gonna rise,
No boat's gonna row.
Now, you can train on down
To Williams Point,
You can bust your feet,
You can rock this joint.
But oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now?
You're gonna have to find yourself
Another best friend, somehow.

Now, don't you try an' move me,
You're just gonna lose.
There's a crash on the levee
And, mama, you've been refused.
Well, it's sugar for sugar
And salt for salt,
If you go down in the flood,
It's gonna be your own fault.
Oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now?
You're gonna have to find yourself
Another best friend, somehow.

Well, that high tide's risin',
Mama, don't you let me down.
Pack up your suitcase,
Mama, don't you make a sound.
Now, it's king for king,
Queen for queen,
It's gonna be the meanest flood
That anybody's seen.
Oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now?
Yes, you're gonna have to find yourself
Another best friend, somehow.

''My shadow follows me
Wherever I should chance to go'',
John The Gun did say.
''If you should chance to meet me
As I wander to and fro,
Sad would be your day.

My life is mine and the light did shine
Till the guns they did go through me,
So now I shall never fall.
Ideals of peace are gold which fools have found
Upon the plains of war.
I shall destroy them all.''

Chorus
Put away your guns of steel,
Death comes too soon for all.
Your Master He may need you soon,
And you must heed His call.
''I am the master of the games
That you will hardly ever play,
So I will teach your sons.
And if they should die
Before the evening of their span of days,
Why, then they will die young.''

(Chorus)

''Condemn me not,
For always will I play the game of war,
In moonshine or in sun.
And if any cross the path I choose to tread,
Their chances they are poor.
My name is John The Gun.''

(Chorus)

''My shadow follows me
Wherever I should chance to go'',
John The Gun did say.
''If you should chance to meet me
As I wander to and fro,
Sad would be your day.

My life is mine and the light did shine
Till the guns they did go through me,
So now I shall never fall.
Ideals of peace are gold which fools have found
Upon the plains of war.
I shall destroy them all.''

Chorus
Put away your guns of steel,
Death comes too soon for all.
Your Master He may need you soon,
And you must heed His call.
''I am the master of the games
That you will hardly ever play,
So I will teach your sons.
And if they should die
Before the evening of their span of days,
Why, then they will die young.''

(Chorus)

''Condemn me not,
For always will I play the game of war,
In moonshine or in sun.
And if any cross the path I choose to tread,
Their chances they are poor.
My name is John The Gun.''

(Chorus)

The wine it was drunk, the ship it was sunk,
The shot it was dead, all the sorrows were drowned.
The birds they were clouds, the brides and the shrouds
And as we drew south the mist it came down.

The wooded ravine to the wandering stream,
The serpent he moved, but no-one would say.
The depths of the waters, the bridge which distraught us
And brought to me thoughts of the ill-fated day.

The temples were filled with the strangest of creatures
One played it by ear on the banks of the sea.
That one was found but the others they went under.
Oh the tears which are shed, they won't come from me.

The methods of madness, the pathos and the sadness,
God help you all, the insane and wise.
The black and the white, the darkness of the night,
I see only smoke from the chimneys arise.

The pilot he flew all across the sky and woke me.
He flew solo on the mercury sea.
The dream it came back, all about the tall brown people,
The sacred young herd on the phosphorus sand.

The wine it was drunk, the ship it was sunk,
The shot it was dead, all the sorrows were drowned.
The birds they were clouds, the brides and the shrouds
And as we drew south the mist it came down.

The wooded ravine to the wandering stream,
The serpent he moved, but no-one would say.
The depths of the waters, the bridge which distraught us
And brought to me thoughts of the ill-fated day.

The temples were filled with the strangest of creatures
One played it by ear on the banks of the sea.
That one was found but the others they went under.
Oh the tears which are shed, they won't come from me.

The methods of madness, the pathos and the sadness,
God help you all, the insane and wise.
The black and the white, the darkness of the night,
I see only smoke from the chimneys arise.

The pilot he flew all across the sky and woke me.
He flew solo on the mercury sea.
The dream it came back, all about the tall brown people,
The sacred young herd on the phosphorus sand.

Well, come-a little baby
let's jump the broomstick
Come on let's tie a knot
Come a little baby
let's jump the broomstick
Come on let's tie a knot
Sister don't like it,
your brother don't like it
father don't like it,
your mother don't like it
Come-a little baby
let's jump the broomstick
Come on let's tie a knot

Well, Goin' to Alabama back from Texarkana
Goin' all round the world
I'm goin' to Alabama back from Texarkana
Goin' all round the world
your sister don't like it,
my brother don't like it
your father don't like it,
my mother don't like it
Come a little baby
let's jump the broomstick
Come on let's tie a knot

Come-a little baby,
don't-a mean-a maybe
Come a let's settle down
Come a little baby,
don't-a mean-a maybe
Come a let's settle down
My sister don't like it,
your brother don't like it
My father don't like it,
My mother don't like it
Come a little baby
let's jump the broomstick
Come on let's tie a knot

Then came the question and it was about time.
The answer came back and it was long.
The house it was built by some man in a rhyme,
But whatever came of his talented son?
Who wrote me a dialogue set to a tune?
Always you told me of being alone,
Except for the stories about God and you,
And do you still live there in Buffalo?

They put up the walls with no more to say,
Nobody stopped to ask why it was done.
The stream was too far and the rain was too high,
So into the city the river did run.
Because of the architect the buildings fell down,
Smothered or drowned all the seeds which were sown.
I wish I were somewhere, but not in this town.
Maybe the ocean next time around.

I seem to remember the face and the name,
But if it's not you I won't care.
I know of changes, but nothing would change you
To Theo the sailor who sings in his lair.
And then I'll turn and he won't be there,
Dusky black windows to light the dark stair,
Candles all gnarled in the musty air
All without flames for many's the year.

Then came the question and it was about time.
The answer came back and it was long.
The house it was built by some man in a rhyme,
But whatever came of his talented son?
Who wrote me a dialogue set to a tune?
Always you told me of being alone,
Except for the stories about God and you,
And do you still live there in Buffalo?

They put up the walls with no more to say,
Nobody stopped to ask why it was done.
The stream was too far and the rain was too high,
So into the city the river did run.
Because of the architect the buildings fell down,
Smothered or drowned all the seeds which were sown.
I wish I were somewhere, but not in this town.
Maybe the ocean next time around.

I seem to remember the face and the name,
But if it's not you I won't care.
I know of changes, but nothing would change you
To Theo the sailor who sings in his lair.
And then I'll turn and he won't be there,
Dusky black windows to light the dark stair,
Candles all gnarled in the musty air
All without flames for many's the year.

Then came the question and it was about time.
The answer came back and it was long.
The house it was built by some man in a rhyme,
But whatever came of his talented son?
Who wrote me a dialogue set to a tune?
Always you told me of being alone,
Except for the stories about God and you,
And do you still live there in Buffalo?

They put up the walls with no more to say,
Nobody stopped to ask why it was done.
The stream was too far and the rain was too high,
So into the city the river did run.
Because of the architect the buildings fell down,
Smothered or drowned all the seeds which were sown.
I wish I were somewhere, but not in this town.
Maybe the ocean next time around.

I seem to remember the face and the name,
But if it's not you I won't care.
I know of changes, but nothing would change you
To Theo the sailor who sings in his lair.
And then I'll turn and he won't be there,
Dusky black windows to light the dark stair,
Candles all gnarled in the musty air
All without flames for many's the year.

They stood upon the deck
As the ship went out to sea
The wind it took the sails
And left the land a memory
All upon the shore for
To wonder why the sailor goes
All to close their eyes
And wonder what the sailor knows
That is you to they
That is how they think you are
Never on the land
But sailing by the north star
That is you to them
That is how they think you are
Never on the land

But sailing by the north star
To the tower and to the ravens and
The tale that hopes they'll never leave
What if they should go?
We always dread to think of them
I wonder if they flew one day
And no one ever knew they'd gone
To circle over ships at sea
Claiming yet another son
That is you to me
That is where I think you are
Never on the land
But gone to find the north star

They stood upon the deck
As the ship went out to sea
The wind it took the sails
And left the land a memory
All upon the shore for
To wonder why the sailor goes
All to close their eyes
And wonder what the sailor knows
That is you to they
That is how they think you are
Never on the land
But sailing by the north star
That is you to them
That is how they think you are
Never on the land

But sailing by the north star
To the tower and to the ravens and
The tale that hopes they'll never leave
What if they should go?
We always dread to think of them
I wonder if they flew one day
And no one ever knew they'd gone
To circle over ships at sea
Claiming yet another son
That is you to me
That is where I think you are
Never on the land
But gone to find the north star

The steps he took were nice and easy.
He never knew he could stumble and go down.
As he saw the buildings and the mountains crumble,
Over the road he would take to the town.
He said, ``Next year I'm coming back, I'll see you later.''
It takes longer when you're far away.

There's a tale which says he was pursued by an assassin.
What he knows of that, no-one can tell.
How close he came to the trapper,
But he stopped by a wishing well.
He said, ``Next year there will be many flowers,
Each one much brighter than the one before.''

As he turned he caught the feeling,
And he smiled as he walked down the road.
All my days they are filled with meaning,
But I have yet to fathom the code.
But next year I'll call the tune and it won't be easy,
The timing's all out of place with how you feel.

Next year I'm coming back, I'll see you later.
It takes longer when you are far away.
Next year there will be many flowers,
Each one much brighter than the one before.
Next year I'll call the tune and it won't be easy,
The timing's all out of place with how you feel

The steps he took were nice and easy.
He never knew he could stumble and go down.
As he saw the buildings and the mountains crumble,
Over the road he would take to the town.
He said, ``Next year I'm coming back, I'll see you later.''
It takes longer when you're far away.

There's a tale which says he was pursued by an assassin.
What he knows of that, no-one can tell.
How close he came to the trapper,
But he stopped by a wishing well.
He said, ``Next year there will be many flowers,
Each one much brighter than the one before.''

As he turned he caught the feeling,
And he smiled as he walked down the road.
All my days they are filled with meaning,
But I have yet to fathom the code.
But next year I'll call the tune and it won't be easy,
The timing's all out of place with how you feel.

Next year I'm coming back, I'll see you later.
It takes longer when you are far away.
Next year there will be many flowers,
Each one much brighter than the one before.
Next year I'll call the tune and it won't be easy,
The timing's all out of place with how you feel

To cross the wide sea I deserted,
From the shore I did fly.
I thought it time that I travelled,
So I took to the roads of the sky.

It was late and the wind it did gently blow,
Oh the night it was calm.
I saw the flower of the ocean
And the universe did me noo harm,
It said to fly on.

The sea captain he loved the ocean,
But his ship was on fire.
His hands they did stretch out before him,
For to take one of many desires,
But there was no time.

Across the wide sea he departed,
From the ship he did fly.
He thought it time that he travelled
And I saw him as he passed by,
And I saw him as he passed by.

To cross the wide sea I deserted,
From the shore I did fly.
I thought it time that I travelled,
So I took to the roads of the sky.

It was late and the wind it did gently blow,
Oh the night it was calm.
I saw the flower of the ocean
And the universe did me noo harm,
It said to fly on.

The sea captain he loved the ocean,
But his ship was on fire.
His hands they did stretch out before him,
For to take one of many desires,
But there was no time.

Across the wide sea he departed,
From the ship he did fly.
He thought it time that he travelled
And I saw him as he passed by,
And I saw him as he passed by.

The summer was the reason
Why it took so long to see
That even if I do possess
Some seeds of honesty,
There is no garden,
So how come I have no land?
I shall be waiting here awhile
To see what comes to hand.

Misers mise and compromise;
I know what I have seen.
The wanderers are in the east;
That's where I should have been.
But I did not go there;
I couldn't find the way.
I do believe I made a try,
But I really couldn't say.

Oh, that wretched Wilbur,
He keeps ploughing up the land.
He fights the battle thoughtfully
With roses in his hands.
But where is the fight now?
So play us your merry song.
The autumn, it has blown away,
And the winter, it is long.

The summer was the reason
Why it took so long to see
That even if I do possess
Some seeds of honesty,
There is no garden,
So how come I have no land?
I shall be waiting here awhile
To see what comes to hand.

Misers mise and compromise;
I know what I have seen.
The wanderers are in the east;
That's where I should have been.
But I did not go there;
I couldn't find the way.
I do believe I made a try,
But I really couldn't say.

Oh, that wretched Wilbur,
He keeps ploughing up the land.
He fights the battle thoughtfully
With roses in his hands.
But where is the fight now?
So play us your merry song.
The autumn, it has blown away,
And the winter, it is long.

I've been on the road, so long
Been tired and broke, so long
I've been to the south where the winds they were warm
Travelling the road of no return, so long

I've seen what was war, so long
The ruins and the scars, so long
The mansions of mud, the wounds and the blood
Seen the dying of all that was good, so long.

Seen the world in the shadow, so long
Is its mushrooming cloud, so long
And the lies and the greed of the leaders of men
Those cheats who would take us to war again, so long.


Yet hope is in me, so long
For it's love that I see, so long
The courage and strenght of the young men's smile
The faith that's in a little child, so long

I've travelled this road, so long
Have been tired and broke, so long
I've been to the south where the winds they were warm
Travelling the road of no return, so long

Gold and silver is the autumn
Soft and gentle are her skies
Yes I know, are the answers
Written in my true love's eyes

Autumn's leaving, winter's coming
I think that I'll be moving on
I've got to leave him and find another
I've got to sing my heart's true song

Round and round the burning circle
All the seasons, one, two, and three
Autumn leaves with the winter
Spring is born and wanders free

Gold and silver burnt my autumns
All too soon they'd fade and die
And then there were no others
Milk and honey were their lives

Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me
Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me
Before we get married some pleasure to see

She got up behind him and away they did ride
She got up behind him and away they did ride
Over the hills and the valleys so wide

They rode a little further and what did they spy
They rode a little further and what did they spy
But a new-dug grave with a spade lying by

Oh Willy, oh Willy, I'm scared of your ways
Oh Willy, oh Willy, I'm scared of your ways
Scared you might lead my poor body astray

Polly, pretty Polly, you've guessed just about right
Polly, pretty Polly, you've guessed just about right
I've dug on your grave the best part of last night

And he stabbed her in the heart and the heart-blood did flow
And he stabbed her in the heart and the heart-blood did flow
Into her grave pretty Polly did go

He threw a little dirt over her and started for home
He threw a little dirt over her and started for home
Leaving nothing behind but the wild birds to moan

And it's debt to the devil, and Willy must pay
And it's debt to the devil, and Willy must pay
For killing pretty Polly and running away

I once loved a lass and I loved her so well
And I hated all others who spoke of her ill.
And now she's rewarded me well for my love,
For she's gone and she's wed another.

And I saw my love up to the church go
With bridesmen and bridesmaidens she made a fine show.
And I followed on with my heart full of woe
For she's gone and she's wed another.

I saw my love as she sat down to dine.
I sat down beside her and poured the wine.
And I thought of the lassie that should have been mine,
I thought her sweet company better than meat
Now she's gone and she's wed another.

All the men in yon forest they asked of me,
How many strawberries grow in a salt sea?
And I answer them with a tear in my e'e,
How many ships sail in the forest?

Oh dig me a grave and dig it sae deep,
And cover it over with wee flowers sae sweet.
And I lay me down for to take a long sleep
And maybe in time I'll forget her.

So they dug him a grave and they dug it sae deep
And they covered it over with wee flowers sae sweet
And he lay him down for to take a long sleep
And maybe in time he'll forget her.

It's a lesson too late for the learning
Made of sand, made of sand
In the winking of an eye my soul is turning
In your hand, in your hand.

Chorus:
Are you going away with no word of farewell?
Will there be not a trace left behind?
I could have loved you better
Didn't mean to be unkind
But you know that was the last thing on my mind.
You had reasons plenty for going
This I know, this I know.
For the weeds have been steadily growing
Please don't go, please don't go.

(Chorus)

As we walk, my thoughts are a-tumbling
Round and round, round and round
And the subway beneath my feet is a-rumbling
Underground, underground

(Chorus)

As I lie in my bed in the morning
Without you, without you.
Every song in my breast dies a-borning
Without you, without you.

(Chorus)

This train don't carry no gamblers, this train,
This train don't carry no gamblers, this train,
This train don't carry no gamblers
No crap shooters, no midnight ramblers,
This train don't carry no gamblers, this train.

Chorus:
This train is bound for glory, this train,
This train is bound for glory, this train,
This train is bound for glory,
Don't carry nothin' but the righteous an' the holy
This train is bound for glory, this train.
This train goes down the track, this train,
This train goes down the track, this train,
This train goes down the track,
And once you're on board you don't come back
This train goes down the track, this train

(Chorus)

This train don't pay no transportation, this train,
This train don't pay no transportation, this train,
This train don't pay no transportation
No Jim Crow and no discrimination,
This train don't pay no transportation, this train.

(Chorus)

The dancing plants grow low
Burning embers start to glow
The pictures soon will fade
Pictures that the flames have made
Your hazy, wistful face
Suddenly is gone without a trace

[Chorus]
Summer days I'll float downstream
Wondering where the day has been
Boats that sail away at night
Come the day
Have sailed far out of sight
Reminiscing summer walks
Empty glances, moonlit talks
Candyfloss and ice-cream cones
Discothques and rolling stones
Passing fancies fly away
Empty shadows on a sunlit bay

[Chorus: x 2]

Fotheringay version
The dancing flowers grow low
Burning embers start to glow
The pictures soon will fade

Pictures that the flames have made
Your hazy, wistful face
Suddenly is gone without a trace

Reminiscing summer walks
Empty glances, moonlit talks
Promises that mean so much
Broken with a single touch
Passing fancies fly away
Painting shadows on the sunlit bay

[Chorus]

Summer days I'll float downstream
Wondering where the day has been
Boats that sail away at night
Come the dawn
Have sailed far out of sight
Deserted evening warm and still
Strangers come and go at will
Driftwood on the silent shore
Laughter from an open door
Friendly faces once again
Come inside before it starts to rain

[Chorus]

Across the evening sky, all the birds are leaving
But how can they know it's time for them to go?
Before the winter fire, I will still be dreaming
I have no thought of time

For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?

Sad, deserted shore, your fickle friends are leaving
Ah, but then you know it's time for them to go
But I will still be here, I have no thought of leaving
I do not count the time

For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?

And I am not alone while my love is near me
I know it will be so until it's time to go
So come the storms of winter and then the birds in spring again
I have no fear of time

For who knows how my love grows?
And who knows where the time goes?

Wondering and waiting, my back agaist the wall
Not a word that passed between us comes to recall
Just you shadow at the window as you pass on down the hall
You never wanted me and never knew me at all

I haven't any picture to set before my eyes
Nothing I can blame when the blues start to rise
Just the memory of laughter and a living out of lies
But if I could change my ways we would never have said goodbye

If you ever get the time, please think of me
It's a lock that can't be broken and there isn't any key
I'm only in your mind, only you can set me free
You can't hurt me anymore and it isn't hard to see

Someday, someone will leave you and I know you'll feel the same
But you'll mark it down to memory and a dream that never came
But they are no answers given when love is just a game
And you never wanted me and now I feel the same

We search for everything
Keeping what we would win
Orchids or tiny flowers
Wooden huts or ivory towers
Centuries or hours
Dark are the winter days
Holy in many ways
Vaults of time unshaken
Whilst as through them we are taken
Sleeping forests wake
Ice melts on the lake
Birds begin in making their way back home
The frost and the fire goes
East winds and winter snows
Sun upon the daffodils
Dancing on the verdant hills
Lambs in the fields
Warmer grows the morning sun
Days of youthfulness and fun
The prime of the year begun
The song of summer to be sung
Everything is one
Working day is done
Watch the river running through our lives
How slowly the colours change
We feel the drops of rain
Mists of evening rise again
We rarely stroll the shadowed lanes
As autumn night draws in
We sit upon the sand
Warmth draining from the land
Watching the ruby sun
Setting on the ocean
The echoes in the caves
The flame upon the waves
Memories for saving all our days

The summertime's escaping, and the carnival's away,
And the sunshine is awaiting for another sunny day.
Breakers whisper to the shells upon the shore,
And hear the seagulls they cry for more.
And hear the gulls they cry for more.
Good day to you sweet autumn, so gently you appear.
Why i never even realised those rustic times were near.
The moment's changing from a dusty green to gold,
The summer fair she has grown old.
The summer fair she has grown old.
And away in the blue of the skies and over the treesHow the carnival flies on the wings of a breeze.
You've had your time and now it's mine for me to go,
These colder days they move too slow.
These older days they move too slow.
So the summertime is leaving, and the carnival's away,
So the sunshine is relieving us of all our sunny days.
But i'll be waiting for to greet your fleeting calls,
So come back soon the carnival.
So come back soon the carnival.
Come back soon.

It seems like a lifetime since I saw you
Lover lover Ive been away too long
When I see lovers holdings hands and sighing
I hang my head for shame of doing wrong

Bus wheels spinning, song birds singing break my heart
Take me back to old remembered days
Remind me of the times we spent together
Times before we went our separate ways
I wish I was a fool for you
I wish I was a fool for you
I wish I was a fool for you again

Im sorry for the things Ive said, the things Ive done
Im sorry for the restless thief Ive been
Please dont make me pay for my deceiving heart
Just turn up your lamp and let me in
I wish I was a fool for you
I wish I was a fool for you ...
I wish I was a fool for you again

I've watched you rise up and I've watched you fall down
'Til you've lost everything but what money can own.
And you feel alright now, but for how long?
You feel alright now, how long?

Do me a favour, stay away from my door.
I could use some good company but I don't care for yours.
No more pageants, no more.
No more pageants, no more.

I find your words empty and you know as a rule
To you I have purposefully never been cruel.
But you waste my time, such fools.
You waste my time, such fools.

My love is not here, my love is away.
You've caught me alone but you've nothing to say.
And it's time to leave now and you know the way.
And it's time to leave and you know the way.

Go and live in the country and I'll stay in town.
I have everything but what money can own.
And I'll be just fine now, so long.
I'll be just fine now, so long.
So long.

Summer skies are gone for ever
Nothing left but to remember
Morning leaves a bed of echoes
Tears of blood in weaping meadows
Can you see me, can you hear me
Can you leave me here in silence?

Drums and flags and trumpets playing
Armies in the night are praying
Hymns of hate to have their souls blessed
For the morning's blood shed harvest
Can you reach me, can you hold me
Can you leave me here in silence?

Take my children, golden children
Grow them, train them, cut them, kill them
For the justice of your Jesus
For the service of your leaders
Can you feel me, can you touch me
Can you leave me here in silence?

Innocence is gone forever
Nothing left but to remember
Autumn cracks the leaves of pity
Winter chokes the cries of mercy
Can you free me, can you love me
Can you leave me here in silence?

You make me nervous when I see you.
I can't imagine what it's like to be you.
It's a mystery to me every day,
And I've got to get away.

I put a bet on with a bookie
For the race they put on over in Kentucky.
It's lovely at this time of year, so they say,
And I've got to get away.

Chorus
I'm a dreamer, and you know
I'm a schemer with an eye for a show.
It's my imagination when I get low,
And the truth is I don't think I'll ever go.
When the music's playing, that's when it changes,
And no longer do we seen like total strangers.
It's all those words which always get in the way
Of what you want to say.

When I wake up in the morning
I think it only fair to give you warning
I probably won't go away,
I'll more than likely stay.

(Chorus)

My name is Jan the gypsy
I travel the land.
There are no chains about me
I am me own man.
I can tell a fair old story which I'm sure ain't no surprise
Of the places I have been, oh,
And they ain't no lies.

I've never had a proper home,
Not one like yours is.
I've nearly always had a caravan
With horses.
And I know you won't believe me
Though it is the truth to tell
That the living it is hard, oh,
But it suits me well.

I am I traveller of the seas,
I am a sailor.
The ocean has been good to me,
She ain't no jailor.
I can tell a fair old story which I'm sure ain't no surprise
Of the places I have sailed, oh,
And they ain't no lies.

I've never had a garden,
Or a place with windows.
I stand upon the salty deck,
And feel the wind blow.
And I know you won't believe me
Though it is the truth to tell
That the living it is hard, oh,
But it suits me well.

My mother was a fire-eater,
'Fore she desert us.
So when I was only seven years old
I joined the circus.
And I can tell a fair old story which I'm sure ain't no surprise
Of the places we have played, oh,
And it ain't no lies.

I've never had no money,
And no hope to get none.
I can always get a penny,
When there is good reason.
And I know you won't believe me
Though it is the truth to tell
That the living it is hard, oh,
But it suits me well.<BR

Oh it's like a storm at sea
And everything is lost,
And the fretful sailors calling out their woes,
As to the waves they're tossed.

Oh they are all gentlemen,
And never will they know
If there is a reason each of them must go,
To join the cruel flow.

And it'll take a long, long time.
It'll take a long, long time.
It'll take a long, long time.
Oh it'll take such a long, long time.

There is no need for rules,
There's no-one to score the game
And there is nobody living in this town
As even knows its name.

Oh it'll take such a long, long time.
It'll take a long, long time.
It'll take a long, long time.
A long, long time.

''My shadow follows me
Wherever I should chance to go'',
John The Gun did say.
''If you should chance to meet me
As I wander to and fro,
Sad would be your day.

My life is mine and the light did shine
Till the guns they did go through me,
So now I shall never fall.
Ideals of peace are gold which fools have found
Upon the plains of war.
I shall destroy them all.''

Chorus
Put away your guns of steel,
Death comes too soon for all.
Your Master He may need you soon,
And you must heed His call.
''I am the master of the games
That you will hardly ever play,
So I will teach your sons.
And if they should die
Before the evening of their span of days,
Why, then they will die young.''

(Chorus)

''Condemn me not,
For always will I play the game of war,
In moonshine or in sun.
And if any cross the path I choose to tread,
Their chances they are poor.
My name is John The Gun.''

(Chorus)

The wine it was drunk, the ship it was sunk,
The shot it was dead, all the sorrows were drowned.
The birds they were clouds, the brides and the shrouds
And as we drew south the mist it came down.

The wooded ravine to the wandering stream,
The serpent he moved, but no-one would say.
The depths of the waters, the bridge which distraught us
And brought to me thoughts of the ill-fated day.

The temples were filled with the strangest of creatures
One played it by ear on the banks of the sea.
That one was found but the others they went under.
Oh the tears which are shed, they won't come from me.

The methods of madness, the pathos and the sadness,
God help you all, the insane and wise.
The black and the white, the darkness of the night,
I see only smoke from the chimneys arise.

The pilot he flew all across the sky and woke me.
He flew solo on the mercury sea.
The dream it came back, all about the tall brown people,
The sacred young herd on the phosphorus sand.

Roses are red, and violets are blue,
Primroses pale on a velvet green hue,
Warm summer days by cool waterfalls,
Like the music we hear,
Those things we'll always hold dear,
Like an old fashioned waltz.
When the moonlight shines down
On the hollywood world,
And the heroine waits for her beau to return,
And violins play from behind garden walls,
How i'd love to remain with the silver refrain
Of an old fashioned waltz.
As they dance round the floor,
And there's no-one else there,And the world is no more and there's never a care,
By the perfect lagoon where the nightingale calls,
With only the moon and the nostalgic tune
Of an old fashioned waltz.
Roses are red and violets are blue,
Primroses pale on a velvet green hue,
Warm summer days by cool waterfalls,
Like the music we hear,
Those things we'll always hold dear,
Like an old fashioned waltz,
Like an old fashioned waltz,
An old fashioned waltz.

The young man rose his pretty face,
All for to feel the salty spray.
When storms are mustering, they say
I'll come and take you all away.

I am a traveller by trade,
I only have what I have made.
A fortune teller too they say,
And I can take you all away.

Chorus:
Listen Listen to him do.
He is the one who is for you.
Listen, they say
He'll come and take us all away.

And over there the young man stayed,
Upon on the rocks so rough and grey.
Watching the boy, watching the day
Thinking of how he came to be.

A young man he, he is so real,
And never more to go astray.
He is of value now they say,
And he can take himself away.

(Chorus)

Where are you riding to Sir Knight
Alone and armed for war?
If not to fight for right Sir Knight
Then what are weapons for?

Why d'you hide your face Sir Knight
Within a face of iron?
The more you shield your eyes from light
The more you'll make them blind.

Turn your horse for home Sir Knight
Your hawk and hounds are waiting.
Your lady does not sleep at night
She fears the hand of fate tonight.

Turn your face towards the sun
And listen to the minutes run
Oh can't you feel the warning breeze
And hear the whisper in the trees?

Look behind you, man of iron
And your children call and do
Not find you and a wall of silent
Laughter scornes the chorus of their cries.

Was this the end you chose, Sir Knight?
Was this why you were born so bright?
The wolves will chew your bones tonight
It is your brother's hand you hold so tight.
Your brother's blood, your brother's life,
Your brother's love, your brother's knife.

Then came the question and it was about time.
The answer came back and it was long.
The house it was built by some man in a rhyme,
But whatever came of his talented son?
Who wrote me a dialogue set to a tune?
Always you told me of being alone,
Except for the stories about God and you,
And do you still live there in Buffalo?

They put up the walls with no more to say,
Nobody stopped to ask why it was done.
The stream was too far and the rain was too high,
So into the city the river did run.
Because of the architect the buildings fell down,
Smothered or drowned all the seeds which were sown.
I wish I were somewhere, but not in this town.
Maybe the ocean next time around.

I seem to remember the face and the name,
But if it's not you I won't care.
I know of changes, but nothing would change you
To Theo the sailor who sings in his lair.
And then I'll turn and he won't be there,
Dusky black windows to light the dark stair,
Candles all gnarled in the musty air
All without flames for many's the year.

They said that it was snowing in astounded tones upon the news.
I wonder why they're always so surprised 'cos every year it snows.
Frozen images of snowploughs as they churn along the motorways.
I haven't had no boots to wear or any loot to spare for days and days.
I've travelled more than forty miles today, i must have grown some wings.
It's strange how time just seems to fly away, i can't remember things.
In a world of my own they say and who can blame them, they're just not the same.
I've known about it all along though i thought i was all wrong, and it's such a shame.
Why don't you have any brushes any more, i used to like your style.
I see no paintings anywhere and there's no smell of turpentine.
Did i really have no meaning? well i never thought i'd hear those words from you.Who needs a meaning anyway, i'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
I couldn't even tell you all the changes since you saw me last.
My dreams were like the autumn leaves, they faded and they fell so fast.
In fact as you say the snows are here and how the time it slips away.
But i'm glad you did pass by, i think i'll have another try. it's another day.
The day and then the night have gone, it was not long before the dawn,
And the travelling man who sat so stiffly in his chair began to yawn.
Having kept me here so long my friend, i hope you have a sleeping place to lend,
But the painter he just smiled and said: i'll see you in a while, this one has no end.

Here comes the morning how it pleases
It always brings me something new
Its golden light will wash away the dust of yesterday
If I try it may let me forget you

And when these winter days are over
I mean to set myself upon my feet
I see me as something that I have never been
And I'll pick up the pieces that will make the girl complete

I'll be smiling all the time at everybody
My friends will tell me I'm just not the same
I won't linger over any tragedies that were
And I won't be singing any more sad refrains

There you may stand in your splendour and jewels
Swaying me in both directions.
One is the right one, the other for fools,
How do I make my selection?
The city lies silent in the warm morning light,
The sand is as golden as saffron.
Oasis of love, sweet water of life,
God bless the poor ones who have none though they have tried.
Someone is drowning down there in the flood
But this river will dry by tomorrow.
Is it ocean or stream, this love in my blood,
Bringer of joy or of sorrow?
The end of the journey must soon be in sight,
Birth is the start of the swansong.
Oasis of love, sweet water of life,
God bless the poor ones who want some but are denied.
No one is given the map to their dreams,
All we can do is to trace it.
See where we go to,
Know where we've been,
Build up the courage to face it
While we fumble in the darkness where once there was light
Roaming the land of the ancients.
Oasis of love, sweet water of life,
God bless the poor ones whose patience never died.
While we stumble in blindness where once there was sight
Searching for trees in the forest.
Oasis of love, sweet water of life,
God bless the poor ones, so helpless they have cried.
God bless the poor ones who have none though they have tried.
God bless the poor ones who want some but are denied.
God bless the poor ones whose patience never died.
God bless the poor ones on that one way donkey ride.

As gentle tides go rolling by,
Along the salt sea strand
The colours blend and roll as one
Together in the sand.
And often do the winds entwine
Do send their distant call,
The quiet joys of brotherhood,
And love is lord of all.

The oak and weed together rise,
Along the common ground.
The mare and stallion light and dark
Have thunder in their sound.
The rainbow sign, the blended flower
Still have my heart in thrall.
The quiet joys of brotherhood,
And love is lord of all.

But man has come to plough the tide,
The oak lies on the ground.
I hear their tires in the fields,
They drive the stallion down.
The roses bleed both light and dark,
The winds do seldom call.
The running sands recall the time
When love was lord of all.

Good morning, good afternoon,
And what have you got to say?
Well i'm waiting, but i can't stay long,
It's such a lovely day.
There's a time to be talking
And a time when it's no use.
Right now i think the things you say
Are liable to confuse.

I've just gone solo.
Do you play solo?
Ain't life a solo?

What a wonderful way to live,
She's travelling all over the world.
Why, the fame and all the golden
Opportunities unfurled.
No time for the gent with the mulliner bentley
And heaven knows what else.



Why, he wouldn't even stand a chance
With all his oil-wells.

She just went solo.
Do you play solo?
Ain't life a solo?

I've always lived in a mansion
On the other side of the moon.
I've always kept a unicorn
And i never sing out of tune.
I could tell you that the grass is really greener
On the other side of the hill,
But i can't communicate with you
And i guess i never will.

We've all gone solo.
We all play solo.
Ain't life a solo?

He was a stranger to himself,
A spy in his own camp,
And his money was his health,
All thrown to the dust by his very own hand.

Yet his beauty lingered still,
Beyond the draining of the sand,
But greener was the other side of the hill,
Richer was the other man's land.

But we loved him, loved him just like brothers would.
We loved him, loved him like no others could,
And she loved him, loved him like a lover should.

Take good care of an aching heart,
You never can replace it.
You know you are the master of your art,
You'll realise that when you think it fit.

Those orbs of blue are jading away,
No laughter from these dances.
Yet you're bound to remember this one day,
Hazards are risks, and risks are chances.

You can run for cover, run for cover like a frightened hare,
Till it's all over, all over and there's no-one there,
'Cause you daren't discover, daren't discover that we really care.

The lady she had a silver tongue.
For to sing she said,
And maybe that's all.
Wait for the dawn and we will have that song.
When it ends it will seem
That we hear silence fall.

The lady she had a golden heart,
For to love, she said
And she did not lie.
Wait for the dawn and we'll watch for the sun.
As we turn it will seem
To arise in the sky.

We heard that song while watching the skies,
Oh the sound it rang
So clear through the cold.
Then silence fell and the sun did arise
On a beautiful morning of silver and gold.

They stood upon the deck
As the ship went out to sea
The wind it took the sails
And left the land a memory
All upon the shore for
To wonder why the sailor goes
All to close their eyes
And wonder what the sailor knows
That is you to they
That is how they think you are
Never on the land
But sailing by the north star
That is you to them
That is how they think you are
Never on the land

But sailing by the north star
To the tower and to the ravens and
The tale that hopes they'll never leave
What if they should go?
We always dread to think of them
I wonder if they flew one day
And no one ever knew they'd gone
To circle over ships at sea
Claiming yet another son
That is you to me
That is where I think you are
Never on the land
But gone to find the north star

How often she has gazed from castle windows o'er,
And watched the daylight passing within her captive wall,
With no-one to heed her call.
The evening hour is fading within the dwindling sun,
And in a lonely moment those embers will be gone
And the last of all the young birds flown.
Her days of precious freedom, forfeited long before,
To live such fruitless years behind a guarded door,
But those days will last no more.
Tomorrow at this hour she will be far away,
Much farther than these islands,
Or the lonely Fotheringay

My friend i know you've suffered,
Although you are still young.
Why was it you who'd not take help
From anyone?
Oh it's true, it's very true, he said,
Some hard times i have known,
But i have always overcome them
On my own.
Oh the pearls that you hold in your hand
They are beautiful to see,
But you show them not to anyone,
Not even me.
For you are like the others, he said.
I never can be sure
That you wish just to see the pearls
And nothing more.
Why can you not see reason?
Our lives they are not long.
Why can you take no time
To tell us all we're wrong?
My tune it does not change, he said,
And neither does your song,
And words i use them rarely
When i'm all alone.

Annie wanders on the land.
She loves the freedom of the air.
She finds a friend in ev'ry place she goes.
There's always a face she knows.
I wish that I was there.

She says, "I'm leaving here tomorrow
To find a new town far away."
She says, "Won't you come too? You need a break.
You love to wake up somewhere new
And find another day."

But I live in the city
And imagine country scenes.
For among the rich,
Within four walls and out of reach,
I live behind the screen.

She smiles as one who loves to smile,
To show that she is free.
But is she thinking now it's time
To wander back again,
To see her friends and me?

We all live in the city
And imagine country scenes,
For among the rich,
Within four walls and out of reach,
We live behind a screen.

Do I ever wonder? You don't know.
You'll never follow, and I'll never show.
D'you see the water and watch it flow
And float an empty shell,
And you think that I'm hiding from the island.
You've a fault in your senses. Can you feel it now?

Time? What is that? I've no time to care.
I've lived for a long while nearly everywhere.
You will be taken, everyone, you ladies and you gentlemen.
Fall and listen with your ears upon the paving stone.
Is that what you hear? The coming of the sea?

Sea flows under your doors in London town.
And all your defences are all broken down.
You laugh at me on funny days, but mine's the slight of hand.
Don't you know I am a joker, a deceiver?
And I'm waiting for the land.

Across the evening sky, all the birds are leaving
But how can they know it's time for them to go?
Before the winter fire, I will still be dreaming
I have no thought of time

For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?

Sad, deserted shore, your fickle friends are leaving
Ah, but then you know it's time for them to go
But I will still be here, I have no thought of leaving
I do not count the time

For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?

And I am not alone while my love is near me
I know it will be so until it's time to go
So come the storms of winter and then the birds in spring again
I have no fear of time

For who knows how my love grows?
And who knows where the time goes?

This is the text on the Rendezvous album:

If your eyes are blue you know the rest
Champagne if it's very cool
It's never very formal how you dress
For oysters by the swimming pool
Then slip away into the mountainside
Like the man in the Lazy E'
It's great to have a place where you can hide
Why you must amazes me

Chorus
Golden,
Where are you?
Sold on gold dust
I shuttled all around America
From New York to Los Angeles
Nervous breakdown later, there we were
From Liberty to redwood trees
A friend of mine, she hitched from east to west
In time to hear my final song
It seems to me she tried her very best
She is a good companion

(Chorus)

He stores away the moments of her smiles
As if they were rare butterflies
Stalks his prey for miles and miles and miles
Then barters for the merchandise
When Life it drags the likes of me around
Just when we need some time alone
You have a simple mansion underground
Without address or telephone

(Chorus)

The live version on The Attic Tracks Vol. 3 and on Gold Dust - Live At The Royalty is a bit different. The last two lines of verse one are:
It's nice to have a place where you can hide
For why you must amazes me

And the last verse is:
He stores away the moments of her smiles
As if they were rare butterflies
Stalks his prey for miles and miles and miles
And barters for the merchandise
As time it drags the likes of me around
Just when we need some time alone
You have a private mansion underground
Without address or telephone

It seems like a lifetime since I saw you
Lover lover I've been away too long
When I see lovers holdings hands and sighing
I hang my head for shame of doing wrong

Bus wheels spinning, song birds singing break my heart
Take me back to old remembered days
Remind me of the times we spent together
Times before we went our separate ways
I wish I was a fool for you
I wish I was a fool for you
I wish I was a fool for you again

I'm sorry for the things I've said, the things I've done
I'm sorry for the restless thief I've been
Please don't make me pay for my deceiving heart
Just turn up your lamp and let me in
I wish I was a fool for you
I wish I was a fool for you ?
I wish I was a fool for you again

You make me nervous when I see you.
I can't imagine what it's like to be you.
It's a mystery to me every day,
And I've got to get away.

I put a bet on with a bookie
For the race they put on over in Kentucky.
It's lovely at this time of year, so they say,
And I've got to get away.

Chorus
I'm a dreamer, and you know
I'm a schemer with an eye for a show.
It's my imagination when I get low,
And the truth is I don't think I'll ever go.
When the music's playing, that's when it changes,
And no longer do we seen like total strangers.
It's all those words which always get in the way
Of what you want to say.

When I wake up in the morning
I think it only fair to give you warning
I probably won't go away,
I'll more than likely stay.

(Chorus)

Oh it's like a storm at sea
And everything is lost,
And the fretful sailors calling out their woes,
As to the waves they're tossed.

Oh they are all gentlemen,
And never will they know
If there is a reason each of them must go,
To join the cruel flow.

And it'll take a long, long time.
It'll take a long, long time.
It'll take a long, long time.
Oh it'll take such a long, long time.

There is no need for rules,
There's no-one to score the game
And there is nobody living in this town
As even knows its name.

Oh it'll take such a long, long time.
It'll take a long, long time.
It'll take a long, long time.
A long, long time.

''My shadow follows me
Wherever I should chance to go'',
John The Gun did say.
''If you should chance to meet me
As I wander to and fro,
Sad would be your day.

My life is mine and the light did shine
Till the guns they did go through me,
So now I shall never fall.
Ideals of peace are gold which fools have found
Upon the plains of war.
I shall destroy them all.''

Chorus
Put away your guns of steel,
Death comes too soon for all.
Your Master He may need you soon,
And you must heed His call.
''I am the master of the games
That you will hardly ever play,
So I will teach your sons.
And if they should die
Before the evening of their span of days,
Why, then they will die young.''

(Chorus)

''Condemn me not,
For always will I play the game of war,
In moonshine or in sun.
And if any cross the path I choose to tread,
Their chances they are poor.
My name is John The Gun.''

(Chorus)

Here comes the morning how it pleases
It always brings me something new
Its golden light will wash away the dust of yesterday
If I try it may let me forget you

And when these winter days are over
I mean to set myself upon my feet
I see me as something that I have never been
And I'll pick up the pieces that will make the girl complete

I'll be smiling all the time at everybody
My friends will tell me I'm just not the same
I won't linger over any tragedies that were
And I won't be singing any more sad refrains