My side of your window
Lyrics
Michael in the Garden
Out in the garden, amongst the bushes, Michael is crying
Caught in a spider's web, its broken wings beating, a butterfly dying
And they in their wisdom say
“Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind”
Well, they must be blind, if they can't see what Michael sees
Michael is silent, talking to no one of things that he sees
But out in the garden, he talks in soft whispers, like the wind in the leaves
And they in their wisdom say
“Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind"
They've seen the signs, but they can't see what Michael sees
And inside the building someone is calling his name through the halls
But he doesn't answer, though he easily hears each leaf as it falls
And they in their wisdom say
"Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind”
And they in their wisdom say
“Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind”
Well, they must be blind, if they can't see what Michael sees
Michael is silent, talking to no one of things that he sees
But out in the garden, he talks in soft whispers, like the wind in the leaves
And they in their wisdom say
“Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind"
They've seen the signs, but they can't see what Michael sees
And inside the building someone is calling his name through the halls
But he doesn't answer, though he easily hears each leaf as it falls
And they in their wisdom say
"Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind”
Well they must be blind, for they can't see what Michael sees.
Michael where are you?
Michael where are we,
We who see that there's something wrong with your mind?
And inside the garden Michael is smiling, at peace in his world
At one with the insects, the flowers, and the trees, and the wind and the birds
Oh Michael sees all
Behind the high walls
Surrounding his kingdom
Surrounding his kingdom
Whilst we in our wisdom
Still trapped in the spider's web
Far from the flow and ebb
Of life in the garden
But Michael has pardoned
Us for he sees
That really he's free
And there's nothing to mend
For his wings are not broken
And they in their wisdom say
“Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind”
They've seen the signs, but Michael feels fine inside the garden
Far from the flow and ebb
Of life in the garden
But Michael has pardoned
Us for he sees
That really he's free
And there's nothing to mend
For his wings are not broken
And they in their wisdom say
“Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind”
They've seen the signs, but Michael feels fine inside the garden
___________________________________________________________
Clown
The lights have gone dim, and the people are gone
And clown goes back into his caravan
Hangs up his smile on a hook by the door
And lets his ragged coat slip to the floor
With the sound of the children's laughter
Still ringing in his ears.
Laughing 'cause they're happy,
They laugh to hide their fears.
Clown loves the children for, like him, they feel
The world does not exist tonight,
And only the circus, only the circus is real.
As real as the elephants that trumpet in the ring.
Real like the trapeze, see it swing.
Real like the man who eats real fire,
Real like the lady on the high wire.
But the people are gone, his identity gone.
Clown peeps through the windows of his caravan.
From the trees on the common the town looks so small.
Clown puts on his coat and goes out the door.
And the distant neon lights they shine above the town.
“Looks almost like a circus,” thinks clown.
Then half with fear and half with delight, shivering, shaking,
Clown stands laughing, clown stands laughing,
Clown is laughing at the night.
And clown goes back into his caravan
Hangs up his smile on a hook by the door
And lets his ragged coat slip to the floor
With the sound of the children's laughter
Still ringing in his ears.
Laughing 'cause they're happy,
They laugh to hide their fears.
Clown loves the children for, like him, they feel
The world does not exist tonight,
And only the circus, only the circus is real.
As real as the elephants that trumpet in the ring.
Real like the trapeze, see it swing.
Real like the man who eats real fire,
Real like the lady on the high wire.
But the people are gone, his identity gone.
Clown peeps through the windows of his caravan.
From the trees on the common the town looks so small.
Clown puts on his coat and goes out the door.
And the distant neon lights they shine above the town.
“Looks almost like a circus,” thinks clown.
Then half with fear and half with delight, shivering, shaking,
Clown stands laughing, clown stands laughing,
Clown is laughing at the night.
___________________________________________________________
Girl on a Bicycle
Hey little girl on the bicycle, wheels spin like they're riding on air.
Hey little girl on the bicycle, wheels flash like the sun in her hair.
And the wheels go round but the bike has stopped moving
Trees on the river move by her.
Hey little girl on the bicycle, wheels flash like the sun in her hair.
And the wheels go round but the bike has stopped moving
Trees on the river move by her.
Hey little girl on the bicycle, sun plays in her hair like aflame,
And the river's reflecting her bicycle, and the reeds whisper her name,
And the wheels go round but the bike has stopped moving,
Trees on the river move by her.
Hey little girl on the bicycle, dressed in white, the trees well in green.
Sparkling cycling bicycle that moves through the trees like a dream
And the wheels go round and the trees stop moving
Suddenly she is gone.
___________________________________________________________And the river's reflecting her bicycle, and the reeds whisper her name,
And the wheels go round but the bike has stopped moving,
Trees on the river move by her.
Hey little girl on the bicycle, dressed in white, the trees well in green.
Sparkling cycling bicycle that moves through the trees like a dream
And the wheels go round and the trees stop moving
Suddenly she is gone.
Father Forgive Them
Jesus was a man who kept the company of men Till he got betrayed by one of them
And surely that must have been the biggest sin
But in his final hour, he even forgave him
And what he asked you then, well I now ask you too
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
For they too have their cross to bear
In your love, please let them share
For Jesus would have understood
And brought them home to you.
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Most of us are troubled and we cannot understand
Anything that doesn’t fall into our scheme or plan
But it’s we who made the rules, and it’s we must share the blame
For it’s we who make outsiders, and it’s we who give them names
And surely that must have been the biggest sin
But in his final hour, he even forgave him
And what he asked you then, well I now ask you too
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
For they too have their cross to bear
In your love, please let them share
For Jesus would have understood
And brought them home to you.
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Most of us are troubled and we cannot understand
Anything that doesn’t fall into our scheme or plan
But it’s we who made the rules, and it’s we must share the blame
For it’s we who make outsiders, and it’s we who give them names
And while we’re praying for them, what we really ought to do
Is say, Father, forgive them, but please, forgive us too.
___________________________________________________________
All Things Change
The bar is dressed for Christmas, with coloured lights
Renee the landlady looks so nice tonight
And the lights flickering, like her smile
And she still wears her hair in the 1940s style.
She prefers it that way, though it’s turned from red to grey.
All things change.
The only one who looks the same is the fairy on the Christmas tree.
Big Eddie and his songs are growing old
The piano player blames his fingers
Says they’re freezing cold and the tinsel hardly shines
On the faded paper chains that limply hang in lines
With the laughter in the air that is breathed and that is shared
But people change.
The only one who stays the same is the fairy on the Christmas tree.
Outside by the wall where snails have crawled
Leaving tinsel trails shining in the moonlight pale
Lovers promising nothing’s ever gonna change
The things they share, breathing promises
Of cloudy vapour disappearing in the frosty Christmas air.
All things change.
The only one who stays the same is the fairy on the Christmas tree.
Renee the landlady looks so nice tonight
And the lights flickering, like her smile
And she still wears her hair in the 1940s style.
She prefers it that way, though it’s turned from red to grey.
All things change.
The only one who looks the same is the fairy on the Christmas tree.
Big Eddie and his songs are growing old
The piano player blames his fingers
Says they’re freezing cold and the tinsel hardly shines
On the faded paper chains that limply hang in lines
With the laughter in the air that is breathed and that is shared
But people change.
The only one who stays the same is the fairy on the Christmas tree.
Outside by the wall where snails have crawled
Leaving tinsel trails shining in the moonlight pale
Lovers promising nothing’s ever gonna change
The things they share, breathing promises
Of cloudy vapour disappearing in the frosty Christmas air.
All things change.
The only one who stays the same is the fairy on the Christmas tree.
___________________________________________________________
I’ve Thought About It
I’ve thought about it
I really have tried
And the answer quite simply
Is that they tell lies
And they’ve got the power
And what they decide
Affects your life and my life and everybody’s life besides.
And I’ve thought about it
Till my brain says “no more”
I’ve justified their actions
And I’ve criticised their wars
And I’ve watched them balance on the edge of the knife
And it’s your life and my life and none of our lives are safe.
From lack of food
Thousands have died.
While farmers burn crops
Just to keep prices high
And from that kind of logic
There’s no place to hide!
That could be your life or my life or anybody’s life next time.
For the sword of justice
They can find an excuse
But her scales have gone rusty
From not being used
And no blindfold can hide
The tears in her eyes.
For your life, my life, and everybody’s life besides.
And if Jesus came back
To lead us again
They’d make sure that he met
The very same end.
Though their names have been changed
They survive to this day
They’ll take your life or my life, or anybody’s life in their way.
And my guitar protects me
But that’s not really true
If you took it away
I’d be just the same as you
And though songs never change things
But they help you decide
To change your life, my life, and everybody’s life besides.
And they talk about a revolution.
___________________________________________________________I really have tried
And the answer quite simply
Is that they tell lies
And they’ve got the power
And what they decide
Affects your life and my life and everybody’s life besides.
And I’ve thought about it
Till my brain says “no more”
I’ve justified their actions
And I’ve criticised their wars
And I’ve watched them balance on the edge of the knife
And it’s your life and my life and none of our lives are safe.
From lack of food
Thousands have died.
While farmers burn crops
Just to keep prices high
And from that kind of logic
There’s no place to hide!
That could be your life or my life or anybody’s life next time.
For the sword of justice
They can find an excuse
But her scales have gone rusty
From not being used
And no blindfold can hide
The tears in her eyes.
For your life, my life, and everybody’s life besides.
And if Jesus came back
To lead us again
They’d make sure that he met
The very same end.
Though their names have been changed
They survive to this day
They’ll take your life or my life, or anybody’s life in their way.
And my guitar protects me
But that’s not really true
If you took it away
I’d be just the same as you
And though songs never change things
But they help you decide
To change your life, my life, and everybody’s life besides.
And they talk about a revolution.
Factory Girl
Hurrying across the bridge before the siren calls.
This morning she's racing her shadow, all along the factory wall.
Then through the gate, where she will wait in line,
To cross the yard, to clock her card in time,
And under her scarf her hair set in curls,
The day begins for the factory girl.
For a while the girls try to talk, but their voices soon drown in the din.
Their eyes watch their hands do the work, and a new day's rhythm begins.
No change today, like yesterday, the same
But it’s dinner soon, then afternoon, then home,
And hurrying home in the fading light
The factory girl is going out tonight.
Her mother says, “Don't be late, you've got to get up again before eight”.
“Yes”, she cries, but there's joy in her eyes,
As she runs down the path through the gate.
And out on the rainy streets hoping that her night will last.
No whispering palms on the beach for her,
Just the swish of the cars going past.
But she believes no one could feel the same,
Touching and whispering in the rain,
But the rain takes away her beautiful curls.
The night is soon gone for the factory girl.
And hurrying across that bridge before the sirens call.
This morning she's skipping the puddles all along the factory wall.
A starling sings and shakes his wings, she smiles.
Then at the gate, she hesitates, for a while.
Then from inside the gates the sirens roar
And across the yard runs the factory girl.
This morning she's racing her shadow, all along the factory wall.
Then through the gate, where she will wait in line,
To cross the yard, to clock her card in time,
And under her scarf her hair set in curls,
The day begins for the factory girl.
For a while the girls try to talk, but their voices soon drown in the din.
Their eyes watch their hands do the work, and a new day's rhythm begins.
No change today, like yesterday, the same
But it’s dinner soon, then afternoon, then home,
And hurrying home in the fading light
The factory girl is going out tonight.
Her mother says, “Don't be late, you've got to get up again before eight”.
“Yes”, she cries, but there's joy in her eyes,
As she runs down the path through the gate.
And out on the rainy streets hoping that her night will last.
No whispering palms on the beach for her,
Just the swish of the cars going past.
But she believes no one could feel the same,
Touching and whispering in the rain,
But the rain takes away her beautiful curls.
The night is soon gone for the factory girl.
And hurrying across that bridge before the sirens call.
This morning she's skipping the puddles all along the factory wall.
A starling sings and shakes his wings, she smiles.
Then at the gate, she hesitates, for a while.
Then from inside the gates the sirens roar
And across the yard runs the factory girl.
___________________________________________________________
Blues in More Than 12 Bars
Billy ran away from home when he was 17 years of age
Folks swore that he’d land in trouble just as near as they could gauge
Cause he was a reckless kid, and everything he did
Was talked about and noticed by the folks that lived around him.
They swore that Billy was much too wild
Ma said, “no, he’s just a child.
There ain’t nothing wrong with Billy
That life won’t tame.”
Then Billy hit the new town with a few coins in his pocket
Thought about his past, but he pretty soon forgot it
And he walked into a bar, some fella bought him a drink
And he commenced the drinking until he could hardly think.
Some guy said “Kid, you’ve had enough
It takes a man to drink that stuff!”
And Billy swung around and he laid one on him.
Now the next day in the courthouse, poor Billy felt so ashamed
He hung his head down low when the judge called out his name
For fighting in a bar, which was a public place
He gave Billy a three month sentence, and poor Billy hid his face.
The judge said “Lock that boy away, give him three months to repay
His debt to society for lack of sobriety.”
Billy then wrote a letter saying “Mama get me out of here!
Time rolls by so slow, each day seems like a year.”
But his mama never got the letter, cos his daddy he read it first
And he figured that Billy should serve his time, and that would be the best.
Now Billy served his time, learning a life of crime
And thinking even his mama had let him down.
Now Billy got bad habits, drinking liquor that he could not take
Was in and out of trouble, chasing women that he could not make
And he was robbing houses, stealing cars, and feeling the blues in more than 12 bars
Wasn’t long before he was in the courthouse again
And this time when they made him free he vowed that he would never be
In court or get caught by no one again.
So when Billy then pulled a job, well he’d up and leave the town
And he robbed around the country till he had enough to settle down
And Billy used his head, took a wife into his bed
And he employed some other guys to do his dirty work instead
And Billy played it cool, and his kids did well at school
And his life of sobriety was respected by society.
At the parties at his place, all the rich folks came around
Wasn’t long before Billy was the mayor of the town
Bankers put up the money, and there wasn’t any fight
And it wasn’t too long ‘fore Billy had got the town sown up real tight
While the money backing him, and the rich friends at his side
The next step to state governor was as easy as a fairground ride.
And Billy then left his home when he was fifty-six years of age
To become the President of the United States
And if you think that is stretching it a little too far
Just think of this as having been a blues in more than twelve bars.
Folks swore that he’d land in trouble just as near as they could gauge
Cause he was a reckless kid, and everything he did
Was talked about and noticed by the folks that lived around him.
They swore that Billy was much too wild
Ma said, “no, he’s just a child.
There ain’t nothing wrong with Billy
That life won’t tame.”
Then Billy hit the new town with a few coins in his pocket
Thought about his past, but he pretty soon forgot it
And he walked into a bar, some fella bought him a drink
And he commenced the drinking until he could hardly think.
Some guy said “Kid, you’ve had enough
It takes a man to drink that stuff!”
And Billy swung around and he laid one on him.
Now the next day in the courthouse, poor Billy felt so ashamed
He hung his head down low when the judge called out his name
For fighting in a bar, which was a public place
He gave Billy a three month sentence, and poor Billy hid his face.
The judge said “Lock that boy away, give him three months to repay
His debt to society for lack of sobriety.”
Billy then wrote a letter saying “Mama get me out of here!
Time rolls by so slow, each day seems like a year.”
But his mama never got the letter, cos his daddy he read it first
And he figured that Billy should serve his time, and that would be the best.
Now Billy served his time, learning a life of crime
And thinking even his mama had let him down.
Now Billy got bad habits, drinking liquor that he could not take
Was in and out of trouble, chasing women that he could not make
And he was robbing houses, stealing cars, and feeling the blues in more than 12 bars
Wasn’t long before he was in the courthouse again
And this time when they made him free he vowed that he would never be
In court or get caught by no one again.
So when Billy then pulled a job, well he’d up and leave the town
And he robbed around the country till he had enough to settle down
And Billy used his head, took a wife into his bed
And he employed some other guys to do his dirty work instead
And Billy played it cool, and his kids did well at school
And his life of sobriety was respected by society.
At the parties at his place, all the rich folks came around
Wasn’t long before Billy was the mayor of the town
Bankers put up the money, and there wasn’t any fight
And it wasn’t too long ‘fore Billy had got the town sown up real tight
While the money backing him, and the rich friends at his side
The next step to state governor was as easy as a fairground ride.
And Billy then left his home when he was fifty-six years of age
To become the President of the United States
And if you think that is stretching it a little too far
Just think of this as having been a blues in more than twelve bars.
___________________________________________________________
Kew Gardens
The air was cool on lily pools,
Hazy, lazy,
And here and there he'd stop to stare
Admiring all the flowers
Wandering round for hours.
The sun was warm across the lawn
Scented, blended.
He saw her linger
And with her finger open up a rose,
Standing on tip toes.
Suddenly the rain came flurrying
Sending the two of them scurrying
Helter-skelter for the shelter
And feeling bolder in the big pagoda,
He gently enquired her name
And they waited till the sunshine came.
And for a while
The griffin smiled
Kindly, blindly,
Till the evening bell broke the spell
And sadly they said goodbye
And one of the griffins cried
In Kew Gardens.
___________________________________________________________Hazy, lazy,
And here and there he'd stop to stare
Admiring all the flowers
Wandering round for hours.
The sun was warm across the lawn
Scented, blended.
He saw her linger
And with her finger open up a rose,
Standing on tip toes.
Suddenly the rain came flurrying
Sending the two of them scurrying
Helter-skelter for the shelter
And feeling bolder in the big pagoda,
He gently enquired her name
And they waited till the sunshine came.
And for a while
The griffin smiled
Kindly, blindly,
Till the evening bell broke the spell
And sadly they said goodbye
And one of the griffins cried
In Kew Gardens.
Wait Until the Snow
How I'd like to run away
Oh how I'd love to go
Then I think maybe I will stay
And just wait for the snow
To wipe the year from off the page
I'll pretend I did not know
But I remember all the words
And the memory well it won't go
No it won't go
How I'd like to up and fly
Almost anywhere
But I don't have the nerve to try
And you think that I'd never cared
So I'll wait until the snow has come
Yes I think maybe I'll stay
For I really don't know where I'd run
And running's not that's not my way
No it ain't my way.
How I'd like to run away
Oh how I'd love to go
Then I think that maybe I will stay
And just wait for the snow
To wipe the year from off the page
And I'll pretend I did not know
But I remember all the words
And the memory well it won't go
No it won't go.
Oh how I'd love to go
Then I think maybe I will stay
And just wait for the snow
To wipe the year from off the page
I'll pretend I did not know
But I remember all the words
And the memory well it won't go
No it won't go
How I'd like to up and fly
Almost anywhere
But I don't have the nerve to try
And you think that I'd never cared
So I'll wait until the snow has come
Yes I think maybe I'll stay
For I really don't know where I'd run
And running's not that's not my way
No it ain't my way.
How I'd like to run away
Oh how I'd love to go
Then I think that maybe I will stay
And just wait for the snow
To wipe the year from off the page
And I'll pretend I did not know
But I remember all the words
And the memory well it won't go
No it won't go.
___________________________________________________________
Silver Birch and Weeping Willow
Silver birch and weeping willow Gliding swan and circling swallow
I’m standing here, watching the sun go down
And I’m wondering if she will come.
Silver birch and weeping willow
Heather bed and bracken pillow
I’m sitting here, watching the sun go down
And I don’t think that she will come.
Lying here watching the sun sink
Change the river, turn the swans pink.
Laying here watching the sun go down
And I don’t care at all, if she don’t come.
Silver birch and weeping willow.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.(Hello)
I’m standing here, watching the sun go down
And I’m wondering if she will come.
Silver birch and weeping willow
Heather bed and bracken pillow
I’m sitting here, watching the sun go down
And I don’t think that she will come.
Lying here watching the sun sink
Change the river, turn the swans pink.
Laying here watching the sun go down
And I don’t care at all, if she don’t come.
Silver birch and weeping willow.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.(Hello)