A

A Boy And His Dog

(Cousins/Parren)

Old School Songs

A dog is all a good boy needs
To lick his wounds when his heart bleeds
To gnaw his bones and chew his meat
A friend to turn to in defeat.

A dog is all a good boy needs
To follow where the master leads
A faithful servant true and kind
The seeing eye that guides the blind
Who understands all his commands
Who never queries his demands
Who disapproves but still concedes
A dog is all a good boy needs.

A dog is all a good boy needs
To cure the sick among the weeds
To fix the root of his disease
And set his weary mind at ease
Who always answers when he calls
Who never stumbles when he falls
Who breaks the back of his misdeeds
A dog is all a good boy needs.
Who bares her teeth but never bites
the Mother courage when she fights
Who stands to lose but still succeeds
A dog is all a good boy needs.

Don't Say Goodbye, 1987, Side 1, Track 1

A Glimpse Of Heaven

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The hillside was a patchwork quilt
Neatly stitched with tidy hedge
And crumbling grey stone wall
The trees were bare, but Spring was near
To conjure up its endless strings
Of green magic handkerchieves

Could you only see what I've seen
You would surely know what I mean
I think I must have caught a glimpse of heaven.

A string of diamonds formed a stream
That tumbled down the daunting cliff
To sparkle bright on the beach.

New born lambs that sweetly played
Speckled eggs all newly laid
But for you I would have stayed
I think I must have caught a glimpse of heaven.

From The Witchwood, 1971, Side 1, Track 1

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 1, Track 3

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 5

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 8

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 9

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 13

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 13

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Live 1988, 2005, Track 3

A Good Woman's Love

(Trad. Arr. Cousins)

Not available

I've been a roaming
By land and by sea
Till a good woman's love
Made a man out of me

Life had no meaning
It was all incomplete
'Till a good woman's love
Put me back on my feet

Instead of roaming
I go home in the evening
And she's waiting there
And I know that no matter what happens
She'll always care

And when the night falls
And the moon shines above
I'm a man with a dream
And a good woman's love

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 4

A Mind Of My Own

(Coombes)

Not available

Politician's fighting hard to win,
Getting a good position
So he won't have to lose again.
The battle's always on,
Working against disgrace,
He has to win you over.
Well it's always the case,
Ends up saving face.

Delegations, flying in,
Happiest relations,
Smiling faces, shaking hands.
The battle's always on,
Working against displacement.
They have to win them over,
If it's only a case
Of saving space.

No don't bother telling me,
I can see it for myself.
I was born with a mind of my own,
And I intend to keep it free.

Still the seasons come and go,
Bad influences pile up,
Like the dirty driven snow.
Turn off the news,
I really don't want to know.
If there was anywhere left to go,
Well I think I'd want to go,
'Cause I really don't like the show.

Nomadness, 1975, Side 2, Track 3

A Song For Me

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Once I was a minstrel boy, I sang just like a bird
I used to trade in memories, I relived every word
But the galleries are empty now, the crowds have all gone home
I locked away my songs, I sang them on my own
I sang them on my own.

Now those who walk behind me have heard it all before
They knew the many reasons I screwed them like some whore
Like jumped-up jacks of all trades they walked with fettered legs
And wondered where the tent went when I pulled out all the pegs
I pulled out all the pegs.

This song is sung for me
This song is sung for me
This song is sung for me
This song is sung for me
This song is sung for me.

The peaceful queen of platitudes sat resting on his throne
His laurel wreath was slipping as he retrieved his buried bone
Ah but I had got there sooner, I had chewed away the fat
While he slept in the gutter, I slept on the mat
I slept on the mat.

This song is sung for me
This song is sung for me
This song is sung for me
This song is sung for me
This song is sung for me
This song is sung for me
This song is sung for me.

Old School Songs, 1979, Side 2, Track 6

Absent Friend

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

My ashtray's flowing over,
And the 'phone's left off the hook.
I've been staring for three hours
At the first page of a book.
Day and night I keep the curtains drawn,
And curse the very day that I was born,
And get to thinking,
How I need you,
Now.

I keep staring at my wristwatch,
Until it's ticking fills the room,
And the hollow sound reminds me
Of the silence of a tomb,
And as the ceiling and the walls close in,
And the furniture begins to spin,
I get to thinking,
How I need you,
Now.

And as the days go passing by,
And I never get a letter,
How I need you.
Days turn into weeks,
And it doesn't get much better,
How I need you.

The gaslit streets lean slowly
As I reel against the wall,
And my musty head is aching
As I stagger down the hall;
Then I fill the broken glass once more,
And fling the empty bottle to the floor,
And get to thinking,
How I need you ...

Nomadness, 1975, Side 1, Track 4

(How I Need You)

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 12

(How I Need You)

Afraid To Let You Go

(Demick/Hudson/Willoughby)

Fazz Music

In the light of the morning after
There's no lover's laughter
Just a pile of clothes beside my door
In the street I can hear the rain
But in my heart there's only pain
I've seen you look that way before.

Oh I can't let you go
I'll find it hard to be without you
I want to feel you all around me
Hold on to you somehow
And I pray that you'll stay with me
I'm so afraid to let you go.

You watch the clock as you fix your make up
Turn around as you hear me wake up
But you can't look me in the eye
You grab your coat and start to run
'Cause you can't face the only one
Who makes it hard to say goodbye.

Ringing Down The Years, 1991, Track 5

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 6

Ah Me, Ah My

(Hooper)

Old School Songs

I'd like to live on a farm again like I did for part of the war
I've got a few happy memories though we were rather poor
But I can't go back, these days have gone
I'm only reminiscing
Ah me, things aren't what they used to be
Ah my, in days gone by.

Just take a look at these photographs I took of baby and you
They're rather brown but you still can see the love come shining through
But a photograph's no substitute
I'd rather have the real thing
Ah me, things aren't what they used to be
Ah my, in days gone by.

I've got a pile of old clothes upstairs that have come in style again
I know they suited me but nowadays it doesn't seem the same
'Cause I can't go back those days have gone
I'm only reminiscing
Ah me, things aren't what they used to be
Ah my, in days gone by.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 2, Track 2

Grave New World, 1972, Side 2, Track 4

Alexander The Great

(Cousins)/(Lambert)

Old School Songs

They called him Alexander
With the best band in the land
He'd topped the bill in Paris
But in Venice it was banned
A pile of dusty gold discs
Were among his claims to fame
There was no-one over sixty
Who didn't know his name.

Alexander you were great
The man the critics loved to hate
You could have been as big as the Beatles or the Stones
Alexander you became
The lonely housewife's favourite name
You could have been the greatest of them all.

The gig was held in honour
Of his golden jubilee
He did not need the money
So he said he'd play for free
He got the band together
Who'd been with him through the years
They rehearsed the Alexander songs
And shed nostalgic tears.

The crowd rose to their feet
When Alexander hit the stage
His face had been rebuilt
So that you could not tell his age
He played all of the old songs
And the crowd sang every word
He danced like Margot Fonteyn
And whistled like a bird.

He came on for the encore
But collapsed against the stand
The crowd was hushed, the doctor came
There was panic in the band
He diagnosed a broken heart
The critics had been fed
Their reviews became
Obituary notices instead

Burning For You, 1977, Side 1, Track 5

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 9

Alice's Song

(Craig/Willoughby)

SGO Music

If I could live in Alice's world
I wonder if I'd learn
What makes her strong
What makes her safe
What makes her suddenly afraid
I'd understand this little girl
But I'll never live in Alice's world

If I could see through Alice's eyes
I wonder what I'd see
Is her sky blue, is her grass green
Does she see things I've never seen
What's in her mind she keeps inside
I'll never see through Alice's eyes

If could love through Alice's heart
I wonder who I'd trust
So silently she smiles at me
But answers she will not reveal
She never tells why it's so hard
To win a place in Alice's heart

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 11

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 14

Acoustic Strawbs version

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 11

All I Need Is You

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Love is a mist that's turning everything red to white
Like the full moon it send you out of your mind at night
Wishing wells ain't no use, they just say may or might.

And all I need
Well all I need is you
Somehow it just grew and grew
Till all I need is you.

Cats have got eyes that seem to follow me where I go
Purple and green, they seem to know everything I know
Be it all the feelings I just didn't want to show.

And all I need
Well all I need is you
Somehow it just grew and grew
Till all I need is you
All I need is you,
Yes all I need is you.

Caught my mind suddenly just drifting out the door
Saw all my lifetime passing, feeling so insecure
You knew for certain, but I just didn't know for sure.

And all I need
Well all I need is you
Somehow it just grew and grew
Till all I need is you
All I need is you
Yes all I need is you
Yes all I need is you.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 1, Track 1

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 2, Track 1

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 7

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 7

All In Vain

(Cousins/Wakeman)

Old School Songs/SGO: RW Music Ltd

The open book
The telephone
The tangled line
The broken bone
The monkey man
The golden locks
Forget me not
The money box

Please don't break my heart again
I looked for all
But all in vain

The willing crew
The even keel
The sharpened knife
The grinding wheel
The jealous wife
The binding trust
Forget me not
The cut and thrust

You tore my heart out in the rain
I looked for all
But all in vain
A damaged heart can feel no pain
I looked for all
But all in vain

The miner's luck
The mother lode
The gambling man
The master code
The knowing more
The caring less
Forget me not
The emptiness

We took the vows but few remain
I looked for all
But all in vain
Please don't break my heart again
I looked for all
But all in vain
You tore my heart out in the rain
I looked for all
But all in vain
Please don't break my heart again
I looked for all
But all in vain

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 10

All The Little Ladies

(Cousins/Hooper)

Old School Songs

looking through their windows
Peering through lace curtains
All the little ladies
With grey haired hat-pinned heads
Watching people they know who don't understand
That they're living their lonely lives second hand
Even second hand's better than none.

Spreading all the gossip
Baking cakes for tea time
All the little ladies
With lonely single beds
Watching children they know as they jump and play
Trying giving them sweets but they run away
Even naughty boy's better than none.

Sunday lunch is coming
In a van of kindness
All the little ladies
With no friends but the dead
Watching doctor they know as he takes their pulse
Trying giving a smile for there's nothing else
Even this sad life's better than none.

Strawbs, 1969, Side 1, Track 3

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 2, Track 3

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 1

Always On My Mind

(Hooper)

Not available

When we met for the first time
I didn't even like your name
Then we met once again and
I wondered if I'd been insane.

Now I find you're always on my mind
Now I find you're always on my mind.

Never thought love could hit me
The way it does when I'm with you
Never dreamed I'd feel this way
Loving you the way I do.

Now I find you're always on my mind
Now I find you're always on my mind.

Now it seems I've always known you always on my mind
Couldn't stand to live without you
These days you're always on my mind.

When we met for the first time
I thought that love was just a game
Then I fell for you and then
You told me that you felt the same.

Now I find you're always on my mind
Now I find you're always on my mind.

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 1, Track 4

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 17

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 12

And Wherefore

(Strawbs)

Old School Songs

The King of hearts, he gave me frankincense
The King of clubs, his flask was myrrh
The diamond Queen brought back a purse of gold
That I had wanted from her.

The pack lay crushed and broken in her hand
.... (?)
The King of spades was all that I deserved
And I sat back and and wondered why
And I sat back and and wondered why.

Non-album tracks on single A-side or B-side

And You Need Me

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I wish I knew you were to stay
I know too well why I feel this way
It's just that I can plainly see
That I need you and you need me.

I'll stay with you while the days go past
Live for today, try and forget the past
My friends all say and I agree
That I need you and you need me.

I'd like to say it isn't true
But all of me must lie with you.
Sometimes I say how can it be
That I need you and you need me.

Do you recall what I said before
I meant it then, now I mean it more
I'd like somehow to make you see
That I need you and you need me.

I'd like somehow to make you see
That I need you and you need me.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 2, Track 1

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 2, Track 6

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 5

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 13

Another Day

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

An orange balloon on the distant horizon
The air had a nip for the sun was still rising
A delicate fusion of ambery tone
Brought warmth to the shore where I walked all alone
Another day begins.

A crab scuttled awkwardly, shyly away
Perhaps the strangest of all nature's rebels
Night shed its cloak with the sounds of the day
The gentle lap of the tide on the pebbles
Another day begins, another day.

The gulls on the breeze, soaring over my head
Like marionettes with invisible thread
The day unfurled like the flags on a mast
Spelling a message of sunshine at last
Another day begins, another day.

I walked along for miles
The clear blue sky was free
And the smiles shone like pearls on the sea
Another day begins, another day.

Far too soon it was time to be leaving
A gull flew ahead of me bobbing and weaving
It caught my eye with a quizzical stare
Was it my love, was it she who was there?
Another day begins.

I climbed the steep path to the high cliff top's heather
The sea was as clear as a fresh mountain stream
The gull as it circled away dropped a feather
A souvenir of a beautiful day dream
Another day begins, another day.

Dragonfly, 1970, Side 1, Track 5

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 1, Track 4

By Choice, 1974, Side 1, Track 2

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 1, Track 5

Another Day Without You

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

We were young
Our hopes were high
Our sights were set
On the terra nova
Now it's over
I can't bear to spend
Another day without you.

We set sail
On a changing tide
When the glass was down
And the moon was mellow
Lucky fellow
I can't bear to spend
Another day without you.

We were drifting as the days turned into night
The sky sent up a signal in the fiery Northern light
I can't bear to spend another day without you.

I was broken and I doubted I would last
The clouds had gathered quickly now the final die was cast
I can't bear to spend another day without you.

The storm came up
As the sun went down
I was all at sea
On the raging ocean
Such devotion
I can't bear to spend
Another day without you.

Heartbreak Hill, 1995, Track 2

Autumn

(Hawken)/(Cousins)/(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Heroine's Theme
(Hawken)

[instrumental]

Deep Summer's Sleep
(Cousins)

I sense Autumn coming on
The mist has hung low all day
Small birds gather on the wing
Preparing to make their way.

The trees begin to show
A trace of brown among the green
Bringing back the memories
That only you and I have seen.

I sense Autumn coming on
The sun sinking red and deep
The fires burning in the fields
As late Summer falls asleep.

The leaves begin to scatter
As the North wind calls their name
Folding gently back into
The silent earth from which they came.

The Winter Long
(Cousins)

Still waters flow
Sea breezes blow
Wild flowers grow
Abundant at your feet.

Soft falling snow
Warm candle glow
Flushed faces show
The pleasure when we meet.

Hold on to me, I'll hold on to you
The winter long I will always be with you.
Hold on to me, I'll hold on to you
I will be the one who will always see you through.

Hero And Heroine, 1974, Side 1, Track 1

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 1, Track 1

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 1, Track 10

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 4

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 12

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 7

20th Century Masters - Millenium Collection, 2003, Track 8

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 1

Painted Sky, 2005, Track 9

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 5

B

Back In The Old Routine

(Cousins/Cronk/Lambert)

Old School Songs

I get up in the morning in the usual state
Listen to the breakfast show and know that I'm late
Clock in at the factory and pick up my tools
I never give a damn because the union rules (OK)
I'm back in the old routine

I drop in at the local for a pint and a chat
End up at the takeaway for Siamese cat
The wife is watching telly in a pink negligee
The midnight horror movie and she's ready to play.

I look forward to the weekend and Match of the Day
When we're back in the old routine.

Perhaps I'll win the pools and be a millionaire
I'll get myself a sports car and a sexy au pair
I'll buy myself a yacht and sail away for a year
With Susan George for company and plenty of beer
But I'm still in the old routine.

Burning For You, 1977, Side 2, Track 2

Back On The Farm

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I sailed with Miss Columbus for a trip across the sea,
The horizon was behind me when I found that I was free.
I smashed the glass I drank from, drove it deep into my arm.
Tell me how do you feel, now you're back on the farm?

She put me on the periscope and told me she was lost,
She said she was expensive, but I did not mind the cost.
I said her deep-sea diver did not mean her any harm.
Tell me how do you feel, now you're back on the farm?

I rang the bell of freedom,
Drank from the well of plenty,
The milk of human kindness
Was succour to my soul.
I took her to the mast head
And showed her my conditions,
She promised me the cargo
That she carried in her hold.

The sails were set for sunrise when we found the wind had dropped,
I tried to make the time up but the clock had somehow stopped.
A fire broke out below the decks and I sounded the alarm.
Tell me how do you feel, now you're back on the farm?

Now you might think it strange of me to write to you this way.
For years I was a farmer, but I could not make it pay,
Yet here I am a sailor and I feel a sense of calm.
Tell me how do you feel, now you're back on the farm?

Nomadness, 1975, Side 1, Track 5

Backside

(Cousins/Hudson/Ford/Lambert/Weaver)

Not available

The boy stood on the burning stage, his back against the mast
He did not dare to turn around till Davy Bowie passed
The stardust painted round his eyes was really fading fast.

Oh but I think I'm going to come again.
Oh but I think I'm going to come again.

The spiders from Uranus were climbing up the walls
With such a space (?) the oddity, his fey libido calls
But the people in the front row can only see his smalls.

Oh but I think I'm going to come again.
Oh but I think I'm going to come again.

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 16

Barcarole (For The Death Of Venice)

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

Will you save me
Will you wave me
Goodbye

Will you need me
Will you miss me
Goodbye

Venetian moon
Silent lagoon
Answer me soon
Will the gondoliers still sing the barcarole

We have loved you
We will kiss you
Goodbye.

Burning For You, 1977, Side 1, Track 4

Beat The Retreat

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The rat race was over
Before it was won
And I started walking
When I could have run
Like a child who missed out
On a sunday school treat
Now you know how I feel when
I beat the retreat.

I slept like a soldier
My gun at my side
My uniform folded
I wore it with pride
I could not rest contented
Till I joined the elite
Now you know how I feel when
I beat the retreat.

This winter wind brings
Such a chill to my bones
Erect in my memory
A small cairn of stones
So that those from afar
Can see where our paths meet
Now you know how I feel when
I beat the retreat.

The last post is sounding
Now it's time to be gone
There's no further reason
For singing this song
The battle is over
I accept the defeat
Now you know how I feel when
I beat the retreat.

Don't Say Goodbye, 1987, Side 2, Track 4

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 5

Benedictus

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The wanderer has far to go
Humble must he constant be
Where the paths of wisdom
Distant is the shadow of the setting sun.

Bless the daytime
Bless the night
Bless the sun which gives us light
Bless the thunder
Bless the rain
Bless all those who cause us pain.

Yellow stars may lead the way
All diversions lead astray
While his resolution holds
Fortune and good will will surely follow him.

Bless the free man
Bless the slave
Bless the hero in his grave
Bless the soldier
Bless the saint
Bless all those whose hearts grow faint.

Grave New World, 1972, Side 1, Track 1

By Choice, 1974, Side 2, Track 1

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 1, Track 2

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 1, Track 6

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 10

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 5

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 10

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 13

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 13

Acoustic Strawbs version

The Collection, 2002, Track 8

20th Century Masters - Millenium Collection, 2003, Track 2

Painted Sky, 2005, Track 5

Beside The Rio Grande

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

It happened rather suddenly that the Preacher came to town
With stories from the Testaments of men of great reknown
With his box of patent medicines he swore to cure all ills
From the lameness in the horses, to the children's colds and chills
And he had along his Indian wife and a country music band
Who sang of peace and brotherhood beside the Rio Grande.

Now the Preacher quickly gathered sick and poor from miles around
Who came to him for comfort and to hear his country sound
But the mayor thought he was trouble when he spoke against the law
And he saw the growing power of the crowds that he could draw
And he worried when the Preacher bought himself a plot of land
To settle with his family beside the Rio Grande.

The saloon was pretty crowded and the stakes was a-running high
And the girls sang sentimental songs that made us cowboys cry
We began to criticise the Preacher marrying a squaw
And how could he associate with cripples, drunks and whores
And in a crazy fit the Preacher scattered chips and winning hands
And condemned it as a den of vice beside the Rio Grande.

Now the boys were drunk and rowdy, and mostly pretty mean
And we dragged him to the sidewalk and whipped his shoulders clean
We said he was responsible for bringing on the drought
That had burned off all the spring grass and had wiped the young herd out
The sheriff would not get involved, the law could take no hand
The Preacher had not harmed a soul.

We pegged him on the hillside alongside two Apache braves
Who'd been given picks and shovels and been made to dig their graves
And when he asked for water stood and pissed around his feet
While his tongue swelled up and blackened in the burning desert heat
And someone said we ought to mark the Preacher with a brand
To show that he did not belong beside the Rio Grande.

Then the sky began to darken and a breeze whipped up the dust
And some of us were frightened while others swore and cursed
And the Preacher said a few words with his final dying breath
About forgiving us for what we had done to bring about his death
And as the night began to fall we covered him with sand
And left his weary bones to bleach.

Deep Cuts, 1976, Side 2, Track 4

Old School Songs, 1979, Side 2, Track 3

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 4

Big Brother

(Hudson)

Fazz Music

No work, we just got paid
But we're not on our holidays
'Cause there's not much to do
When you got a big brother like you.

We all have the right
To go work, well if you like
But we never do
'Cause we got a big brother like you.
We got a big brother like you.

Tell me where will it end
There'll be no work for the working men
We're all lined up with nothing to do
'Cause we got a big brother like you.

Now all they ever say
'Cause there's no work for you today
So go and join the queue
With the other poor beggars like you.

And all I ever hear
Is you're not qualified my dear
You need GCEs and a high IQ
If you want to join the chosen few
Be one of the chosen few.

Tell me what can we do
There'll be no work for the likes of you
Sit around all day with nothing to do
'Cause we got a big brother like you.

But oh how will it take
For you to make the same mistakes
For you will never turn back
Or try to find another way.

Tell me where will it end
There'll be no work for the working men
We're all lined up with nothing to do
We'll sit around all day and listen to you
But you can say what you like but you haven't a clue
What a big brother should do.

Now when the time is right
We'll call on everyone to fight
And we'll show them what to do
With another big brother like you
Another big brother like you
With another big brother, we'll turn the screws
With another big brother, we just can't lose
With another big brother, 'cause we won't choose
Another big brother like you
Another big brother like you.

Don't Say Goodbye, 1987, Side 1, Track 5

Bitter Sunshine

(Cousins)

Not available

Bitter sunshine sinking this way has no return
See the Redwings gliding
See the rivers burn
Reflections in the water
Memories of a dream
Night time shadows coming you'll see what I mean

Heat wave comes so suddenly
There's no time to hide
Bent and twisted tree trunks on the other side
Shrivelled water melons
Lie rotting in the sun
I'm just a poor man, please don't point that gun

I've been here about a year
No chance of getting home
Though may be I'll get sent back, set in solid stone
Then looking for a reason
There's none that I can see
I don't know who I am fighting they all look the same to me

Bitter sunshine sinking this way has no return
See the Redwings gliding
See the rivers burn
Reflections in the water
Memories of a dream
Night time shadows coming you'll see what I mean

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 19

Blue Angel

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Divided

The gypsy girl stood quite alone
Her eyes were brightly shining
Her head was in the clouds
Where she had found the silver lining
And all the while the crippled boy
Was dancing with his lady fair
While I stood on the sidelines
Trying to make out that I wasn't there.

So loud the music grew and grew
With ever greater pain
I stepped back in the shadows
For I could not stand the strain
I tried to look, my eyes were blind
I tried to speak but could not find
The words to say.

They left me lying where I lay
I could not bear the light of day.

Treat me kindly dear blue angel
Deepest colour of the night
Be merciful, be gentle
For I have no strength to fight.

Half Worlds Apart

So I lay in half world dream state
Pressed like a flower in the pages of a half book
Words in softly spoken whispers
Steal through the silence of the blue veiled half light
The best of questions have no answers
The best of answers need no questions
Born on the quest for a wave of half peace
Acquired in a Dresden china cuplet
Bound in the chains of the half book binding
Half way to my half life.

Treat me kindly dear blue angel
Deepest colour of the night
Be merciful, be gentle
For I have no strength to fight.

So she lay in half museum
Pinned like a butterfly which failed to reach its half life
Tender moments left half spoken
Lost like an orphan in the pleasures of the dream state
A man of honour has no secrets
How can I be a man of secrets
Trapped in the web of the woven blue veil
Peering to find the angel weaver
Most sacred saviour of the silver lining
Half way to my half life.

Treat me kindly dear blue angel
Deepest colour of the night
Be merciful, be gentle
For I have no strength to fight.

At Rest

Sleep the sleep of peace my love
And I will let you be
I alone can comfort
I alone can set you free
I will be your healer
And give you back your pride
In times of need remember me
At rest here by your side.

When the hour of darkness comes
And time itself stands still
When voices from the future
Seem to come and go at will
I will be your servant
Your ever constant guide
When all is lost remember me
At rest here by your side.

The wisdom of the fool is such
That he alone is sane
So delicate the balance
That e'er the moon could wax and wane
I will be your teacher
And show you where to hide
When all else fails remember me
At rest here by your side.

Treat me kindly dear blue angel
Deepest colour of the night
Be merciful, be gentle
For I have no strength to fight.

Dave Cousins: Two Weeks Last Summer, 1972, Side 1, Track 3

Strawbs & Dave Cousins (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 2, Track 1

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 2, Track 9

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 3

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 18

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 1

Burning For Me

(Cousins/Mealing)

Old School Songs

There's a house on the headland
Overlooking the sea
They're burning a lantern by day and by night
It is burning for me.

There's a fire on the far hill
It's a warning to be
They're burning a beacon by day and by night
It is burning for me.

I long to feel the anchor down
When they ring the harbour bell
It's good to be back home again
And know that all is well
And when the stormy southern seas
Are running wild and free
You light a lamp of love at home
It is burning for me.

There's a light in the distance
It is easy to see
They're burning a candle by day and by night
It is burning for me.

Burning For You, 1977, Side 1, Track 1

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 3

Can You Believe

(Cousins/Leon/Webb)

Empire Music

You and I spoke in confidence
About the turning of the years
We both told stories that could break a heart
We brushed aside our tears

You spoke of one desire
I turned away to go
You spoke to me of solitude
Did you really know
Can you believe the words of love?

You and I spoke of tenderness
In a world filled with rage
We spoke at length of our uncertainty
And tomorrow's headline page

Seven hills to the city
Another space, another time
We were deep in conversation
In a vacant state of mind
Can you believe the words of love?

A second in a lifetime
A time for letting go
A painting in the manner Of Michelangelo
You and I spoke of innocence
There are victims of this crime
We both believed in our sincerity
I am taken back in time

The calling of the ocean
The movement of the sand
I could see my dreams forever
Running slowly through my hand
Can you believe the words of love?

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 11

C

Canon Dale

(Hudson)

Fazz Music

Dyfan's tale
Of the holy Canon Dale
Setting sail
Homeward for his lonely cell
In your holy ground I found.

Peace to dwell
The beginning of a world
Love entwined
Throughout all the world combined
In your holy ground I found.

Days and day
He would go his chosen way
Keeping trace
Of the things you do and say
In your holy ground I found.

From The Witchwood, 1971, Side 2, Track 2

Carry Me Home

(Cronk)

Not available

In my life there's been a few loves
But never such a true love as you gave
Carry me home
In a world of false emotions
You showed me such a true devotion
Carry me home.

I don't want to lose my mind
Without it life would seem too kind
So when the world finds out about us
Don't leave me here to live without you
Carry me home.

As a child I'd watch the night sky
Sit up waiting for the morning light
To carry me home
As a man I've seen the dawning
Of a love so great my heart is calling
Carry me home.

Burning For You, 1977, Side 2, Track 4

Changes Arranges

(Coombes)

Not available

It's a warm summer's evening and it's been a beautiful day
But the sky is getting darker in a special kind of way
I'm anticipating something, think it's going to be OK
'Cause tomorrow will show me what I can't see today.

Oh those changes arranges like the warmth of the storm
It says (?) change comes to cool us and you know it can't be wrong
Evolution rules us from the moment we are born
So just blow with the wind and the warmth of the storm.

Change is three white horses, one creates and one maintains
And though the last one is destructive, it can come to ease your pain
'Cause you're caught up in the wheels of life, you can't escape
You just try to resist it, you know the force is far too great.

Everybody gets them, it'll catch you if you run
You know you never can escape it, can't you feel it's got to (?) go
Sometimes something will tell you that you just can't stay this way
Even though it has been a most beautiful day.

Ghosts, 1975, Bonus track on CD re-issue - Track 9

Charmer

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

Charmer
When I look into your eyes
I can see straight through those old white lies
Can someone take you higher
Liar
Charmer
You are one of those mistakes
A lonely singer sometimes make
You hurt my pride and leave me tongue-tied.

Charmer
Even when you're near me
Love is far away
See.

Charmer
Now where should I begin
To explain the shape I find you in
You're under age and underrated
Charmer
You're a wild storm in the night
You're the early morning shining bright
A time and motion revolution.

Charmer
Can you hear me
Do you see yourself reflected
In the stars in your eyes
Do you wear their disguise
Have they taught you how to cry.

Charmer
Deep down you're very hard
And you never played a losing card
But I am just beginning
Winning
Charmer
Now you'll make out alright
Just keep your halo shining bright
Our lines were crossed
And you just lost out.

Deep Cuts, 1976, Side 2, Track 2

Close Your Eyes

(Cousins/Hooper)

Old School Songs

Close your eyes, and go to sleep
The night will soon be gone
There'll be nothing here when the light goes out
That wasn't here when the light was on.

Dragonfly, 1970, Side 2, Track 4

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 3, Track 4

Coal Creek March

(Cousins)

Not available

Instrumental

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 1

Cold Steel

(Lambert)

SGO Music

Lonely, have you ever felt lonely
Like you're floating on a deep sea
And the world is somewhere else?
And when you're trying to disguise it
It only makes it deepen
Trying to pretend will only weigh you down

Cold steel
Cold, cold steel

Searching, is this why everybody's searching
Looking to the sky
To try to touch a star
And when they get it in their hand
They never want to lose it
They get a monkey on their back and a pocketful of sand

Good times, I heard about the good times
I read it in a book
It sounded alright
But then I thought I saw a stranger
So I had to give chase.
She stabbed me in the back with a smile across her face

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 6

Painted Sky, 2005, Track 7

Crie Du Coeur

(Wakeman)

RW Music

Instrumental

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 9

Cry No More

(Cousins/Willoughby)

Old School Songs/Copyright Control

Never mind the rain, never mind the weather
Take a little time when you lose your grip
Never mind the pain, treat it as a warning
Never mind the truth when it cuts your lip.

Cry no more for me
I'll cry no more for you
I'll cry no more for you.

Never is a word I never wanted spoken
Never is a kiss with your mouth closed tight
Never is a dream of never ending pleasure
Never is defeat in the darkest night.

The night closed down with the passion of a thousand years
Far out in open space
A mirror shades the likeness of your pretty face
Drowning in my tears.

Never break a vow that's never yet been broken
Never cross your heart when it's all in vain
Never trust a girl who takes it all for granted
Never mind the rain when it's pouring down

Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby: The Bridge, 1994, Track 6

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 6

Cut Like A Diamond

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

I was born
In the calm before the storm
In the quiet hour of dawn
With the full moon in my eyes.

I was kissed
By the rolling river mist
That betrayed the lovers' tryst
A mysterious disguise.

Cut like a diamond
Sharper than steel
Sweet as the razor's edge
Before the jagged wheel.

I am lost
I have sold my heart at cost
On the bridges that we crossed
I have carved my name in stone.

Bitter wife
You have cut me like a knife
I could never take a life
That could never take its own.

I was born
In the calm before the storm
In the quiet hour of dawn
With the full moon in my eyes.
I will die
With the sun high in the sky
With the river rolling by
Far below the bridge of sighs.

Burning For You, 1977, Side 1, Track 2

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 1

Concert Classics, 1998, Track 6

D

Dance On

(Adams/Murtagh/Murtagh)

Not available

Instrumental

Recollection, 2006, Track 12

Deadly Nightshade

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The silent prophet
Seeks his inspiration after midnight
With a candle lit for comfort
In the shadow of the shade.

Belladonna
Waves a parasol beneath the window
So enchanting and inviting
In the scheme that she has laid.

The lonely prophet
Waves to Belladonna from the window
In the hope that she will notice
And may wish to know his name.

But cruel Belladonna
Turns to face the waiting sunrise
With its promise of excitement
Thinking little of the game.

Shine your lantern brightly
Do not heed the darkness lightly
We must always talk politely
In the presence of the night
Deadly nightshade
Hear me calling
Shadows of the evening
Falling down.

The quiet prophet
Gathers up his papers for the fire
He alone will read the message
In the words that he has burned.

Belladonna tries the door
To find the room is empty
And she coldly rakes the ashes
For the love that she has spurned.

Deadlines, 1978, Side 2, Track 3

Do You Remember

(Cousins/Willoughby)

Old School Songs/Copyright Control

Do you remember the day we met
How we made our way in fits and starts
Do you remember the day we met
How we played our roles in silent parts
Oh what a day we had
Oh what a day.

Do you remember the day we met
How we kissed the way they do in France
Do you remember the day we met
How we lost our tongues before the dance
Oh what a day we had
Oh what a day.

Photographs of junior high
Your hair was straight and so was I

Do you remember the day we met
How we scandalised the scripture class
Do you remember the day we met
How we walked away on broken glass
Oh what a day we had
Oh what a day
Oh what a day we had
Oh what a day.

Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby: The Bridge, 1994, Track 7

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 8

Don't Try To Change Me

(Lambert)

Not available

You brought a new kind of sound into my life
You brought love every day
You brought a new kind of sound into my life
And I threw it away.

You gave my eyes a new sight they'd never had before
You brought beauty every day
You gave my eyes a new sight they'd never had before
And I threw it away.

The song that I sing
Is the music I bring
Don't try to change me
I'm doing the best I can
Don't try to change me
I'm happy the way I am.

You gave the mornings a light they'd never seen before
You brought love every day
You gave my mornings a light I'd never seen before
And I threw it away.

The sound they appeared to hear
Was the sound that didn't disappear
But stayed forever
You are love, you need love
You know that much better than I do.

You brought a new kind of sound into my life
You brought music every day
You brought a new kind of sound into my life
And I threw it away.

Ghosts, 1975, Side 2, Track 2

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 2, Track 1

Down By The Sea

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Maybe you think, a lot like me
Of those who live beside the sea
Who feel so free, so I surmise
With their comfortable homes, and wives
Who end up drinking tea together
In the afternoon of their lives.

They build their homes upon the seashore
The quicksand castles of their dreams
Yet take no notice of the North wind
Which tears their building at the seams.

In their dismay and blind confusion
The weeping widows clutch their shawls
While as the sea mist ever deepens
The sailors hear the sirens' calls.

And in the maelstrom sea which follows
The lifeboat sinks without a trace
And yet there still remain survivors
To bear the shame of their disgrace.

Last night I lay in bed
And held myself
Trying to remember
How it once was with you
How your hands were softer.

Yesterday I found myself
Staring into space
Rather like the sailor
In my own home surroundings
I'm not sure I know me.

If you were me what would you do
Don't tell me I don't need you to
It won't help me now.

Bursting At The Seams, 1973, Side 1, Track 4

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 2, Track 2

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 2, Track 5

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 16

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 9

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 8

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 16

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 5

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 14

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 11

Acoustic Strawbs version

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 12

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 15

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 9

Dragonfly

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The dragonfly appeared
The North wind brought it by
As summer slipped away
And autumn was approaching
It flew through silver trees
That stood beside the lake
I looked into its eyes
To find that it was smiling.

The dragonfly was mine
As slender as a wand
It cast a spell as it clung
To leaves that soon were falling
Its camouflage grew faint
As my mind grew darker still
I scarcely dared to breathe
It was frail and I might harm it.

Its touch was as soft as the thistledown
That is borne on the evening breeze
Its kiss was as warm as the summer rain
That whispers and sighs through the trees
And now the warmth of the pale winter sun
Has melted the heart of the snow
I lie awake throughout the night
And wait for the North wind to blow.

Dragonfly, 1970, Side 1, Track 2

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 1, Track 2

E

Evergreen

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Long gone the days, of which dreams were made
Naive in the glow of evergreen
Innocent days, of fresh airs and graces
The bruising of hearts, the losing of races.

Passionate days, remember them well
The devil may care of evergreen
We measured success in the stains on the back seat
Our tongues in your mouths, our hands on your heartbeat.

Evergreen
Sweet evergreen
You are all the love
There's ever been
You are all to me
And more sweet evergreen.

Gentle the breeze that blows through the trees
Caressing the leaves of evergreen
We married in haste, young lambs to the slaughter
We weep in the arms of a favourite daughter.

Evergreen
Sweet evergreen
You are all the love
There's ever been
You are all to me
And more sweet evergreen.

Here in the windchill years of our lives
We dwell in the shade of evergreen
Stirring the last of the slow burning embers
Counting our way through a year of Decembers.

Evergreen
Sweet evergreen
You are all the love
There's ever been
You are all to me
And more sweet evergreen
Sweet evergreen
You are all the love
There's ever been
You are all to me
And more sweet evergreen.

Don't Say Goodbye, 1987, Side 2, Track 2

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 4

Acoustic Strawbs version

Face Down In The Well

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The countryside was out of sight
The sky was acid blue
The saplings were beside themselves
The storm had passed on through
The trees were wearing racing silks
A vibrant grass-snake green
With maidens clutching violets
In many shades between

But somewhere in the distance
I could hear the tolling bell
I saw myself reflecting back
Face down in the well

The tolling bell reminded me
Of someone I had lost
I could not quite remember who
Or what had been the cost
Naked from the waist up
Naked upside down
No matter how you break your fall
You sure as hell will drown

The hounds from hell were howling
For the many wasted years
While every sin was washed away
With semi-precious tears
Some said it was suicide
Others first degree
No matter what the paradox
Was somehow lost on me

The courage of a patient man
Is measured in his pace
While some may take the higher ground
Others run the race
Some folks do the dandy strut
And trade as ne'er do well
But I have always please myself

Somewhere in the distance
I could hear the rebel yell
I saw myself reflecting back
Face down in the well

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 3

F

Fingertips

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Her hair the weeping willow
At the water's edge
And from my windy crag
Above the moorland sedge
I see the willow fronds caress the ripples
I feel her nipples
At my fingertips.

Her breasts are gentle snowdrifts
In an open field
The supple fingered winter wind
The grass concealed
And though the winter wind may be deceiving
I feel her breathing
At my fingertips.

Her legs the spreading branches
Of the tree of life
The willow wand will bend
Before the woodman's knife
The tangle thicket parts before the forest fire
Her warm desire
Is at my fingertips.

Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios, 1970, Side 2, Track 1

Recollection, 2006, Track 5

Flight

(Hudson)

Fazz Music

I wish I were a bird
Then I could fly
I'd see the crowded people
As they go by
I'd soar into the air
And fly as high as I could see
Drifting through the clouds
With no-one to bother me
Just looking for a star
I wonder if you are here.

I feel the loss of time
As days go by
And see the lonely people
Who wonder why
Just searching for a reason
To reveal a secret sin
Trying to find an answer
To release the good within
Just looking for a star
I wonder if you are here.

I'll rise the early bird at dawn
To sing my ever-loving song
I'd come and sit beside you a friend
Then you'll see me flying again.

From The Witchwood, 1971, Side 1, Track 4

Flinthill Special

(Trad. Arr. Cousins)

Not available

Instrumental

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 8

Flying

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Young boy that I know
Feels he has lived too long
His spirit of adventure
Slipped away
With little sense of pride
He feels deep down inside
He is flying
To be free again.

Young girl that I know
Feels she has lost her way
Her only chance of love
Once passed her by
But little does she know
This is hardly so
She is flying
To be free again.

And just as in the willow patter fantasy
The boy and girl have crossed the bridge of tears
And like the birds above
They are sending down their love.

Flying to be free again.
Crying to be free again.
Dying to be free again.

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 2, Track 6

Bursting At The Seams, 1973, Side 1, Track 1

Following The Rainbow

(Cousins)

Not available

Red tears of deepest sorrow
Will flow until tomorrow
The sun sets in the West
And nights grow cold

I'm following the rainbow
'Till I find a pot of gold

The orange blossom falling
And the sound of people calling
Will last a million years
So I have been told

Yellow flowers in the morning
Will blossom in a warning
The river bursts its banks
Unless controlled

Green trees upon the mountain
And a ripple of a fountain
A silver kiss at night
And love was sold

The blue moon sends a shiver
Of light across the River
There's nothing left but space
For men to hold

An indigo confusion
Is the sign of man's delusion
The searing heat
Turns matter into mould

The violet robes of morning
Will surely bring a warning
To everyone around
Who's growing old

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 16

Forever

(Cousins/Hooper)

Old School Songs

Blue skies above me
I've someone to love me
To take good care of me
Forever.

Through all that time can send
We'll make it to the end
Just you and me my friend
Forever.

Oh weeping willow
Please share my pillow
So that the clouds will billow
Forever.

And I don't have to bend
We'll make it to the end
Just you and me my friend
Forever.

The gypsy woman
Who sold me her heather
She told me its good luck
Would last me
Forever.

We've got our lives to spend
We'll make it to the end
Just you and me my friend
Forever.

Through all that time can send
We'll make it to the end
Just you and me my friend
Forever.

By Choice, 1974, Side 1, Track 3

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 6

Forever Ocean Blue

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Treasure each passing day
Each hour and every moment
This is where we belong
Where the heart beats strong
Should you ever feel alone - don't despair
I'll always be around to take good care.

On lonely winter days
We'll think of one another
And in the darkest night
Look for my guiding light
And should you ever feel alone - don't despair
We'll soon be on our way
But who knows where.

We'll build ourselves a dreamboat
Me and you
Forever ocean blue

I sometimes close my eyes
When I'm in distant places
I see you wild and free
Down beside the sea
Should you ever feel alone - then don't despair
We've got our everlasting love affair.

Ringing Down The Years, 1991, Track 3

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 13

Further Down The Road

(Cousins)

Empire Music

Strike the fiddle, start the hoedown
Rid me of my heavy load
I can see those bright lights shining
A little way further down the road.

Mysteries of ancient wonders
Vanish as my world explodes
Memories of old ambitions
A little way further down the road.

All the pain of making progress
Vanished when the West wind blowed
I have seen myself tomorrow
A little way further down the road.

I have rid myself of strangers
Buried in the overload
I can see myself tomorrow
A little way further down the road.

Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby: The Bridge, 1994, Track 2

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 1

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 3

G

Ghosts

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Sweet Dreams

Go to sleep my babies
Don't you wake up
The stars will keep you company
So close your eyes
Old Uncle Moon will shine his dearest sweetest dreams
And hold you in your arms
Until the morning comes.

Night Light

Dark the night, not a sound
Damp and cold, frosty ground
Above your head the lion screams
To tear you from your moonlit dreams.

Damp with sweat, mouth is dry
Twisted branches catch the eye
Beside your bed the angel stands
You cannot touch his withered hands.

Guardian Angel

As the lion's eyes dance before me
They are kindly yet bloody red
I can see that he is smiling
But I cannot live inside his head.

There the needle stands before me
I climb inside it towards the light
Where the angel stands in glory
His sword of peace defends the night.

So the world is spread before
As I fly high on angel wings
But the angel is deceiving
For he is weeping as he sings.

Night Light (continued)

Early birds, morning breeze
Spinning leaves, sleepy trees
Gently tap the window pane
It's good to see the sun again.

Ghosts, 1975, Side 1, Track 1

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 3, Track 1

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 1

Concert Classics, 1998, Track 2

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 12

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 5

Acoustic Strawbs version

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 13

20th Century Masters - Millenium Collection, 2003, Track 10

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 3

Going Home

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

You gave me so much pleasure
But caused me so much pain
I really don't believe
That I could go through this again.

I'm going home
I'm going home
I'm going home
I'm going home.

A friend and I were talking
We've been much the same
Both of us decided
To forget you ever came.

I'm going to frame you as a memory
And hang you on the wall
To keep me straight and narrow
Should I ever start to fall.

Dave Cousins: Two Weeks Last Summer, 1972, Side 2, Track 5

Goodbye (Is Not An Easy Word To Say)

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Goodbye
Goodbye

It's not an easy word to say
Sometimes life turns out that way.

Goodbye
Goodbye
It's time to make another start
You never mend a broken heart.

I cried
I lied
I looked the other way
I tried to make you see that we were through
There was nothing else to do.

Burning For You, 1977, Side 2, Track 5

Grace Darling

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

You have been my lighthouse
In every storm
You have given shelter
You have kept me safe and warm
And in my darkest nights
You have shone your brightest lights
You are my saving grace
Darling I love you.

You have been the pilot
Who guides me home
You have been the my rock
As on the seven seas I roam
And when I was becalmed
You were the strength in my arms
You are my saving grace
Darling I love you.

And when I found my back
Was torn and broken on the reef
You sailed your tiny boat
Across the dark seas of my disbelief.

You have been the anchor
And I the chain
Straining as we hold ourselves
Together in the rain
I have found you ever there
My constant keeper's daughter fair
You are my saving grace
Darling I love you.

Ghosts, 1975, Side 2, Track 5

Old School Songs, 1979, Side 1, Track 1

Ringing Down The Years, 1991, Track 4

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 7

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 2

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 13

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 2

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 4

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 6

The Collection, 2002, Track 12

20th Century Masters - Millenium Collection, 2003, Track 9

Painted Sky, 2005, Track 2

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Live 1988, 2005, Track 1

H

Handsome Molly

(Trad. Arr. Cousins)

Not available

I wish I was in London
Or some other sea port town
I'd set my foot on a steamboat
That'd sail the ocean around


Sail across the ocean
Sailing across the sea
I think of handsome Molly
Where ever I may be


Her eyes were dark as raisins
Her hair was black as coal
And she's the finest lady
Where ever I may go


Do you remember Molly
When you gave me your right hand
You swore that if you married
I would be your man

I went to Church on Sunday
I saw her go on by
I knew her love was changing
By the rolling of her eyes

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 11

Hanging In The Gallery

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Is it the painter or the picture
Hanging in the gallery?
Admired by countless thousands
Who attempt to read the secrets
Of his vision of his very soul.
Is it the painter or the picture
Hanging in the gallery?
Or is it but a still life
Of his own interpretation
Of the way that God had made us
In the image of His eye?

Is it the sculptor or the sculpture
Hanging in the gallery?
Touched by fleeting strangers
Who desire to feel the strength of hands
That realised a form of life.
Is it the sculptor or the sculpture
Hanging in the gallery?
Or is it but the tenderness
With which his hands were guided
To discard the unessentials
And reveal the perfect truth?

Is it the actor or the drama
Playing to the gallery?
Heard in every corner
Of the theatre of cruelty
That masks the humour in his speech.
Is it the actor or the drama
Playing to the gallery?
Or is it but the character
Of any single member of the audience
That forms the plot
Of each and every play?

Is it the singer or his likeness
Hanging in the gallery?
Tongue black, still and swollen,
His eyes staring from their sockets,
He is silent now, will sing no more.
Is it the singer or his likeness
Hanging in the gallery?
Or is it but his conscience,
Insecurity, and loneliness,
When destiny becomes at last
The cause of his demise?

Nomadness, 1975, Side 2, Track 4

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 3, Track 3

Old School Songs, 1979, Side 2, Track 2

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 16

Hard Hard Winter

(Cousins/Kirby)

Old School Songs

The red sun sets, the lone wolves wail
It's lonesome here out on the Eastern trail
And all my friends are tired and pale
It's going to be a hard, hard winter
Long and cold.

My eyes reflect the crystal moon
As cold as ice at highest noon
The birds have left a month too soon
It's going to be a hard, hard winter
Long and cold.

My lady of the midnight sun
Shone her rays on everyone
But knew not when the day was done
She wasted her life
Having fun.

The night grows old, the sandman cries
He may be sad but is he wise
The tears are frozen to his eyes
It's going to be a hard, hard winter
Long and cold.

Deep Cuts, 1976, Side 1, Track 3

Hard Times

(Cousins)

Not available

Instrumental

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 12

Heartbreak Hill

(Cousins/Cronk/Richards)

Old School Songs

I was taken prisoner and carried down
To a dungeon cold and bleak
Where my trial was a foregone conclusion
At which I might never speak
While the innocent live with freedom of speech
And the confidence of their wives
So the guilty remain on Heartbreak Hill
In the chains of their humdrum lives.

The sun beat a trail in the summer sky
It mounted me with desire
It consumed me with ease and then left me to burn
In the wake of its hungry fire
I was torn limb from limb by its passionate kiss
I was left in a cold deep sweat
Now I shiver alone on Heartbreak Hill
With a memory to forget.

It was spring when I woke from a long deep sleep
Inspired with a second chance
And I join with the newborn leaves in the trees
Spinning in the dance
As I rubbed the sleep from my deep-rimmed eyes
I was gratified by the sight
Now I see myself on Heartbreak Hill
In a totally different light.

If I've broken my back on the treadmill once
I've broken my heart on it twice
I'm not going back on Heartbreak Hill
At any price.

A man must do what a man must do
A woman must do what she must
But neither can really be satisfied
Without that mutual trust
In the eyes of a child, there's a simple truth
One can either be right or wrong
But if you ask those on Heartbreak Hill
They will sing you a different song.

If I've broken my back on the treadmill once
I've broken my heart on it twice
I'm not going back on Heartbreak Hill
At any price
At any price
At any price.

Heartbreak Hill, 1995, Track 4

Heartbreaker

(Lambert)

Not available

I need someone to call my own
Someone to be near me forever
I won't cry when I grow old alone
So many chances I've never taken.

Heartbreaker
I want her
Heartbreaker
I want her
And I want love.

A heart that takes is soon to break
A heart that is giving will give forever
Now I've learned to give, so now I live
Waiting for someone I can give to.

I can't believe this is happening to me
I can't believe this is happening to me
Won't let you down, won't let you down
I'll always be around, always be around.

A heart that takes is soon to break
A heart that is giving will give forever
Now I've learned to give, so now I live
Waiting for someone I can give to.

Burning For You, 1977, Side 2, Track 3

Concert Classics, 1998, Track 4

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 6

Heat Of The Street

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

There's a cafe on the corner where the Latin lovers meet
They're dancing to the rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.
There's a glow of expectation, the narcotic of the beat
They're dancing to the rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.

Rhythm of the night, heat of the street.
Rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.

There's a girl in every alley trying to whip you off your feet
They're dancing to the rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.

They play it tough
They play it cool
They play to win
They drink the pool
They play it by the golden rule
Lady Luck is no-one's fool.

There are roly poly mamas, electric slippers on their feet
They're dancing to the rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.

When they offer you the menu, try the rack of spicy meat
They're dancing to the rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.

Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby: The Bridge, 1994, Track 4

Heavy Disguise

(Ford)

Fazz Music

Crowded afternoon and there's not enough room in the city today
The people assembled to hear what resembled evangelists say
Some came just to see them for a laugh
Others to be free
Fools must pretend to be wise
We've a faith that we use as a heavy disguise.

Tears from the crowd with men crying aloud or just ringing their hands
The love in their hearts at this joining of people from far away lands
I'd so many questions I could ask
I wanted to be free
Fools must pretend to be wise
We've a faith that we use as a heavy disguise.

Cheers from the crowd for a much-loved constituent lately arrived
Here's to the soul of the man who takes toll for just staying alive
Can't ignore the feeling in the air
Glad that I was there
Fools must pretend to be wise
We've a faith that we use as a heavy disguise.

Evening drew on with a change of opinion from left wing and right
And North accused South who were left little doubt that they needed to fight
I cannot begin to understand
The suffering tonight
Fools must pretend to be wise
We've a faith that we use as a heavy disguise.

Grave New World, 1972, Side 1, Track 4

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 2, Track 7

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 6

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 15

The Collection, 2002, Track 9

Here It Comes

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I will give you silver
I will give you gold
I will give you treasures
To keep when you are old.

Here it comes
Here it comes
Here it comes
Here it comes.

The moon will be your chariot
The heavens open wide
I will be your comfort
As through the stars you glide.

Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes.

Come and lay beside me
We'll light a single flame
Safe and warm within you
My thigh (?) will bear your name.

Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes (love, love, love)
Here it comes.

By Choice, 1974, Side 2, Track 2

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 4

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 1

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Puddly pools, oily traces
Storm clouds scudding past the moon
Rusty hinges broken windows
All is broken, all too soon

Here today, gone tomorrow
Shadows in the setting sun
Here today, gone tomorrow
Darkness when the day is done

Broken china doll stares blind
Painted porcelain figurine
Loved to death by those who loved her
Prettiest face you've ever seen

Down the hill houses tumble
Overlapping cheek by jowl
Strike a match, frozen fingers
Restless dog begins to growl

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 11

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 12

Hero And Heroine

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Hero's face was gaunt and tanned
His sail was set in search of land
His life-raft, solely by him manned
Was guided by the tide
Heroine wore fleecy white
She beckoned like some saviour bright
Shipwrecked sailors in the night
Were bid welcome to her side.

Where one man's search must surely cease
The irresistible white fleece
Led Hero in search of the peace
That she alone could offer
Thus he knelt before her feet
Wary lest their eyes should meet
He knew his life was incomplete
For he had yet to suffer.

Enticing Heroine, so calm
Took Hero firmly by the arm
Told him that she meant no harm
That she alone could save him
Hero could no longer speak
While realising he was weak
His life increasingly grew bleak
For all the love she gave to him.

While storm clouds gathered high above
The heroine he grew to love
Turned slowly to a snow white dove
And spread her wings to fly
Crushed and broken in the end
Hero watched his soul ascend
Knowing that he was condemned
To sail all alone to die.

Hero And Heroine, 1974, Side 2, Track 1

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 2, Track 1

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 1, Track 1

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 11

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 12

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 15

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 13

Concert Classics, 1998, Track 9

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 8

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 7

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 14

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 14

20th Century Masters - Millenium Collection, 2003, Track 6

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 12

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 10

Hey Little Man ... Thursday's Child

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Hey little man
Won't you come and sit by my side
Give me your car
How about if we go for a ride
We could feel the wind
Blow through our hair
Wouldn't it be nice
For maybe an hour
To not have a care.

Grave New World, 1972, Side 1, Track 2

Hey Little Man ... Wednesday's Child

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Hey little man
I could buy you a train or a gun
I'd choose the train
Ride away while the battle is won
I would sing this song
To earn me the fare
Wouldn't it be nice
For maybe an hour
To not have a care.

Grave New World, 1972, Side 1, Track 6

Higher Germanie

(Trad. Arr Cousins/Wakeman)

Old School Songs/SGO: RW Music Ltd

Polly, dearest Polly
The war is now begun
And I must ride away
At the beating of the drum
Come dress yourself
All in your best
Come go along with me
I will take you
To the cruel wars
In Higher Germanie

Oh Harry, dearest Harry
Mind what I do say
My feet they are so tired
I cannot go away
Besides, my dearest Harry
Though I'm in love with thee
I am not fit for cruel wars
In Higher Germanie

I'll buy for you a horse, my love
And on it you shall ride
And all of my contentment
Shall be rarching by your side
We'll stop at every alehouse
And drink when we are dry
So quickly on the road, my love
We will marry by and by

Oh cursed be those cruel wars
That ever they should rise
And out of Merry England
Take many a lad likewise
They took my dearest Harry
Also his brothers three
And sent them to the cruel wars
In Higher Germanie

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 7

How Everyone But Sam Was A Hypocrite

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Half a bitter for the vicar
He's here to save your soul
He's looking fat and jovial
Though he's nearly on the dole
Anne Riley cooks his dinner
She keeps him washed and fed
She doesn't need much prompting
To jump into his bed.

And they all think they're so grand
Yes, they all think they're so grand
Yes, they all think they're so grand
But they're not
Oh no they're not.

Dr. Watson drinks large whiskies
He's nearly always high
He supplements his income
Aborting on the sly
Mrs. Thompson is an angel
In the W.V.S.
Her meals on wheels are very cheap
And she cooks the books for less.

Sammy Cohen is the bookie
Sitting over there
Drinking three star brandy
He doesn't seem to care
No-one wants to know him
They say he's been inside
They say his dear old mother
Committed suicide.

Dr. Watson charged Anne Riley
A fifty guinea fee
For Mr. Thompson's peace of mind
As far as I can see
Mrs. Thompson envies Annie
Cooking for the preacher
And everyone thinks Sam
Is a quite disgusting creature
But if the truth was known
It would shake all their foundations
It seems the preacher lives
On Sam's anonymous donations.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 2, Track 5

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 2, Track 2

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 4

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 3

How I Need You

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

My ashtray's flowing over,
And the 'phone's left off the hook.
I've been staring for three hours
At the first page of a book.
Day and night I keep the curtains drawn,
And curse the very day that I was born,
And get to thinking,
How I need you,
Now.

I keep staring at my wristwatch,
Until it's ticking fills the room,
And the hollow sound reminds me
Of the silence of a tomb,
And as the ceiling and the walls close in,
And the furniture begins to spin,
I get to thinking,
How I need you,
Now.

And as the days go passing by,
And I never get a letter,
How I need you.
Days turn into weeks,
And it doesn't get much better,
How I need you.

The gaslit streets lean slowly
As I reel against the wall,
And my musty head is aching
As I stagger down the hall;
Then I fill the broken glass once more,
And fling the empty bottle to the floor,
And get to thinking,
How I need you ...

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 13

Titled Absent Friend on Nomadness

Hummingbird

(Cousins/Wakeman)

Old School Songs/SGO: RW Music Ltd

The spirit of the hummingbird
Hovers in the shade
Blinded by the spider's web
That glitters newly made

The stillness of the hummingbird
Betrays her beating wings
She is silent in the darkest hour
But bell-like when she sings

The sweetness of the hummingbird
Is nectar to my lips
The brush-tipped tongue; her silent smile
Commands her claws and whips

Come with me
Come with me
The race is almost run

Tenacious is the hummingbird
Among the jewelweed
Her deeply-forked and blue-black tail
Is quick to gather speed

My Lucifer of hummingbirds
Steals among the thieves
Bathing in scattered trees
Clutching to wet leaves

The collar of the hummingbird
Is bright as fresh spilled blood
She leads me to the water's edge
Reddened by the flood

Come with me
Come with me
The race is almost run

The set aside of many years
The soft taillight of evening nears
My solitary friend appears
To circle round the sun

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 2

I

I Don't Want To Talk About It

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

There's a place that I know
There's a place I want to be
There's a girl that I love
She is waiting there for me

There's a time that we share
When the sun is going down
With the world to ourselves
When there's no-one else around.

I don't, I don't
(You lit the fire)
I don't want to talk about it
(and let it burn)
I don't, I don't
(You've reached the point)
I don't want to talk about it
(of no return)
Actions speak much louder than words
Let's do it.

There's a kid on the streets
Who will never know his name
There's a woman in black
Who should hang her head in shame.

Every now and then
In the dead of night
You call on me
To make it right.

There's a voice in the night
That is calling out to me
There's a fire that will burn
In your eternal memory.

Deadlines, 1978, Side 1, Track 4

I Feel Your Loving Coming On

(Lambert)

Old School Songs

Feeling like I do
There's not a lot of words to say
I only know I love you
Trying as I do
To put it all another way
It still comes out
I love you.

I feel your loving coming on
I feel your loving coming on
And I can feel the hope in your heart
I can feel the hope in your heart
I feel your loving coming on.

If only I could use the beauty of the poet's words
Your name would last forever
Simple as I am
Simple as I choose to be
I know we'll last together.

Goodnight, goodnight
I'm hoping that I find you well
We're really going to have to try hard
Goodnight, goodnight
I'm hoping that time won't tell.

Burning For You, 1977, Side 1, Track 3

I Only Want My Love To Grow In You

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

It takes a little sunshine
It takes a little rain
It takes a little laughter
It takes a little pain
But I can take the heartaches
I only want my love to grow in you.

It takes a little kindness
It takes a little tears
It takes some understanding
To last so many years
But I can take the changes
I only want my love to grow in you.

I'll hang in on you
While you hang out on me
I know you have your reasons
For needing to be free
Why don't we talk it over
And find out where we stand
In my old-fashioned way
I'll always lend a helping hand.

It takes the joy of knowing
That even if we're poor
We somehow turn out richer
Than we ever were before
Now I don't need much money
I only want my love to grow in you.

Deep Cuts, 1976, Side 1, Track 1

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 9

The Collection, 2002, Track 17

I Turned My Face Into The Wind

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I wandered far onto the lonely moors
Sparse coarse tufts of grass reached out to trip me
And above my head the leaden clouds hung low
As I turned my face into the rain.

I huddled close against a tumbling wall
Wrapped in a cloak to shield me from the bitter cold
The solitude weighed heavy on my mind
As I turned my face into the rain.

The mist rolled down across the countryside
I thought I heard the coastal sirens sound
As I turned my face into the rain.

I tried to peer into the deepening gloom
To glimpse a lighted window in the distance
But just too far to penetrate the rain
As I turned my face into the rain.

And yet somehow I sensed her presence near
And tufts of sheep's wool hanging from a gorse bush
Were as though her hands were beckoning me home
As I turned my face into the rain.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 1, Track 8

Dragonfly, 1970, Side 1, Track 3

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 1, Track 3

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 1, Track 3

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 5

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 5

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 2

The Collection, 2002, Track 5

Ice Maiden

(Wakeman)

RW Music

Instrumental

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 6

If

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

If I should live a thousand years
I would spend my whole life dying for you
If I should shed a thousand tears
I would spend my whole life crying for you

As certain as eternity
It's written in the stars
It reaches through the universe
From Jupiter to Mars
It stretches to infinity
Beyond the edge of space
Where time itself is measured
In the smile upon your face
If I should live a thousand years
I would spend my whole life loving you

If I should pick a thousand flowers
I would touch each petal for a trace of you
For every thousand April showers
I would chase the rainbow for a place with you

If I should bless a thousand brides
I would never find a-one as sweet as you
For every thousand high spring tides
There could never be one to compete with you

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 5

Painted Sky, 2005, Track 8

I'll Carry On Beside You

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Short is the time
Though eternity long
Life is but part of the journey
While you've the faith to carry on
I'll carry on beside you.

Steep is the path
But your feet have wings
Sharing the weight of your burden
While you've the strength to carry on
I'll carry on beside you.

Dark is the night
Yet the road shines clear
Lit by the souls of believers
While you can see to carry on
I'll carry on beside you.

Deep is the grave
May you rest in peace
Preparing yourself for the next time
While you still need to carry on
I'll carry on beside you.

From The Witchwood, 1971, Side 2, Track 5

Strawbs & Dave Cousins (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 2, Track 2

The Collection, 2002, Track 2

I'll Show You Where To Sleep

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Just paint a picture of the world
In gentle pastel shades
Indistinct and somehow blurred
Like childhood escapades
The painting box is rather dear
But the paints themselves are cheap
Leave your pack at the side of the road
I'll show you where to sleep.

Dead brown weeds in a ditch at the side
Of a field of burning corn
The road opens out before you
Like the womb where you were born
There's no need to pretend again
To try and earn your keep
Leave your pack at the side of the road
I'll show you where to sleep.

And crowds will gather in the sun
As stone madonnas weep
And the shepherd is a good man
As he tends his flock of sheep.

In case you find your tortoise shell
Is getting rather tight
You can wrap yourself in your magic cloak
And disappear from sight
And I will stand guard over you
As through the door you creep
Leave your pack at the side of the road
I'll show you where to sleep.

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 12

In Amongst The Roses

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The old house stands deserted
Crumbling and decaying
Its broken windows watching
As a young child wanders
In amongst the roses
Overgrown and falling
The garden once was cared for
Life is like the garden.

The roses reach to touch her
They whisper as she passes
Their petals form a carpet
Soft and warm and scented
In amongst the roses
Full in bloom and fading
The young child cannot hear them
Life is like the young child.

The young child has been gathering
Flowers for her mother
Flowers for her bedside
Flowers for her table
In amongst the roses
She is gathering wild flowers
The roses bend to kiss her
Life is like the roses.

The old house stands deserted
Crumbling and decaying
Its broken windows watching
As a young child wanders
In amongst the roses
Full in bloom and fading
The young child cannot hear them
Life is like the young child.

From The Witchwood, 1971, Side 2, Track 4

Inside Your Hell Tonight

(Lambert)

SGO Music

Storms are breaking in California
From the East Coast a twister comes
She lies waiting for her lovers
A crumpled rag doll that's cast away
Then they call her on the phone
Telling lies that she can see through
So they'll live inside their hell tonight
Knowing they were saving their own skins

Signing up for high adventure
Young and innocent so alive
Mules and asses held the high ground
While the lions stood like sitting ducks
Then they drove them through the fire
With a cry of "we know better"
So they'll live inside their hell tonight
Knowing they were saving their own skins

Sailing oceans to a new life
Friends and family are tied as one
Captain's table rocks with laughter
Glasses raised to a job well done
And the market place is waiting
For the souls that can't be bought
So they'll burn inside their hell tonight
Knowing they were shaming mankind

Like a dead bird in a green field
Still and peaceful the body lay
I don't need to witness something
To confirm all my deepest fears
But I climb inside my car
And I stop the help arriving
So I'll live inside my hell tonight
Knowing I was only gloating

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 8

Acoustic Strawbs version

Is It Today Lord

(Hudson)

Fazz Music

Half light appears
Shading in the weary days
Darkness draws near
Spreading chills in endless ways
Death holds no fear
For those who see clear
Is it today Lord
That I'll reach you.

Old minds gain will
Strengthened by their silent prayer
New seekers still
Searching for you everywhere
Some find the way
To reach you and say
Is it today Lord
That I'll see you
Is it today Lord
That I'll reach you.

Grave New World, 1972, Side 2, Track 5

I've Been My Own Worst Friend

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

At the gate you will wait
And hesitate and you will lose
I've got my life to live
You must take what you make
From the fake without a name
I've nothing more to give.

But if pleasure means money, then take it all
I'll make sure I'm out the next time you call
I know that something always turns up in the end
I've been my own worst friend.

I was blind, you were kind
Now I find that I was shy
Nothing to do but leave
I understand, it was planned
Like the sand I'm high and dry
I've no more dreams to weave.

But if pleasure means money, then take it all
I'll make sure I'm out the next time you call
I know that something always turns up in the end
I've been my own worst friend.

Like a fool, I was cool
As a rule it works out fine
This time it worked out wrong
Now you've turned, I have learned
And I've earned that which is mine
Why not take me along.

But if pleasure means money, then take it all
I'll make sure I'm out the next time you call
I know that something always turns up in the end
I've been my own worst friend.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 1, Track 7

Old School Songs, 1979, Side 1, Track 2

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 9

J

Jenny O'Brien

(Cousins)

Not available

Jenny O'Brien sat waiting that evening
Impatiently watching the clock
Twisting her handkerchief into a bundle
Waiting for Harry to knock
The first picture started
Still that doesn't matter

Jean said it wasn't much good
If he's drinking with Peter
I'll never forgive him
Though I suppose if I had to I would
She was waiting at home on a Saturday night
Waiting for hours

I wonder why
He doesn't call
He told me he'd be round about seven
I told him not to be late
I just can't imagine what could have happened
Here it is a quarter past eight

He's never this late
I just hope nothings happened
Maybe the cars broken down
It's a pity he's not on the phone
Or I'd ring him
Perhaps he's been held up in Town

Wait there's a car
No it's going next door
For a minute I thought it was him
And here I am stuck in
On Saturday night
When I could have gone dancing without him

I wonder why
He doesn't call
He told me he'd be round about seven
I told him that'd be fine
I just can't imagine what could have happened
Here it is well after nine

He said he quite fancied
That girl in the office
I am sure he was having me on
I've run out of fags
So I'll go down the shop
But then he'll turn up while I'm gone

What was her name?
I think he said Ann
He said she lived out his way
If he thinks that he can go off
With somebody else
Then I'll really have some thing to say

She was waiting at home
On a Saturday night
Waiting for hours
I wonder why
He doesn't call

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 6

Joey And Me

(Cousins/Cronk/Lambert)

Old School Songs

Joey and me were out on the freeway
Leaving the city race
Out of the hustle, into the country
Searching for open space
Shoulder to should, mile for mile
But neither of us knew where
Sleeping at night out under the stars
Inhaling the mountain air.

Under the open skies
Living in paradise
Joey and me were free
Nobody else allowed
Anyone more's a crowd
Joey and me makes three.

Often we talked of wasting our time
And bridges that we had crossed
But mostly we looked in vain for ourselves
Forgetting that we were lost
Joey and me were two of a kind
In love with our own ideals
Aiming to keep the gathering years
In pace with our rolling wheels.

Let me tell you how it all went wrong
How me and Joey didn't belong
We were tripping the light fantastic
Intergalactic
Joey and me.

The wilderness road had taken its toll
I knew I could never last
The lines had gone down in a f;lurry of snow
The winter was on us fast
I made my way back into the city
Hitched to a guiding star
Joey is out on his own again
He's richer than me by far.

Deadlines, 1978, Side 1, Track 2

Josephine, For Better Or For Worse

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The years have left their mark
And time must be to blame
To me you're still the same
Josephine, for better or for worse.

I thought that I would stay
Always young and free
But now you're part of me
Josephine, for better or for worse.

For richer, for poorer
To honour and obey
For better or for worse
You're still the same today ... Josephine.

Sometimes our way of life
Has gone against the grain
Yet somehow you remain
Josephine, for better or for worse.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 2, Track 3

Dragonfly, 1970, Side 1, Track 4

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 1, Track 4

Old School Songs, 1979, Side 2, Track 4

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 8

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 10

Recollection, 2006, Track 8

Just Love

(Lambert)

Not available

I can see you through my window
With the world you just go passing by
I can hear you in my garden
Waiting for my flowers all to die
Nothing in here is real
Nothing in here is real
No matter how I try
I can't get you out of my mind.

It's just love
Don't try to understand it
You can't put your arms around it
You might never love again
It's just love
Don't try to understand it
If you've money you'd best spend it
You might never love again.

There's your face right in my mirror
I can hear you calling out my name
Feel your hand upon my shoulder
Will I ever be the same again
Nothing in here is real
Nothing in here is real
No matter how I try
I can't get you out of my mind.

Without your song
Something's gone
Something good enough to hang your heart on.

If you call me I will answer
You will always be my helping hand
And if I need you in my darkness
I know you will always understand
Nothing in here is real
Nothing in here is real
No matter how I try
I can't get you out of my mind.

Hero And Heroine, 1974, Side 1, Track 3

Just The Same In Every Way

(Cousins)

Not available

At the gateway to my life you stood
The door was open wide
And even though I tried so hard
You would not step inside
You would not step inside

You're just the same in every way
As others I have known
I just don't want you round no more
I'd rather be alone
I'd rather be alone

I keep on hearing footsteps, on the stairs
Makes me think I made the grade
But they pass on by my empty room
And down the hall they fade
And down the hall they fade

You took all I had to give
And flung it back in my face
And what's the use of trying again
I have nothing left to waste
I have nothing left to waste

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 2, Track 4

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 2

K

Keep On Trying

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

When that ray of sunshine's overdue
You've got to keep on trying
When the thunder rolls though the storm is through
You've got to keep on trying
Lightning never strikes the same place
I've taken many chances in the middle of the ice.

When the dice are down on a losing streak
You've got to keep on trying
When your mind is willing but your heart is weak
You've got to keep on trying
I never had it easy and I never will
The sun is always shining on the far side of the hill.

Oh if you feel like crying
Don't give up
Keep on trying
Swallow your pride
And come back into my life.

When lady luck's got nothing new
You've got to keep on trying
When you're feeling melancholy blue
You've got to keep on trying
I didn't want to be the one to take the blame
I always played to win but it's a solitary game.

Burning For You, 1977, Side 2, Track 1

Keep The Devil Outside

(Ford)

Fazz Music

As for the help you called for
Nobody seemed to answer
The difference in man is no more
Than being a priest or dancer.

....
You really don't know what they're after
They cling to the things that they see best
And drown in their tears of their laughter.

If you see fit to fight
Whether you're black or white
How many hope to keep the devil outside
How many hope to keep the devil outside.

You've been given your name and your number
Right from when you were a baby
I look at the earth and I wonder
What have they done to her lately.

If you see fit to fight
Whether you're black or white
How many hope to keep the devil outside
How many hope to keep the devil outside.

Love dies hard
You will never hear me say
That the world will not
See a better day
See a better day.

If you see fit to hide
The stakes of the men that died
How many hope to keep the devil outside
How many hope to keep the devil outside.

If you see fit to fight
Whether you're black or white
How many hope to keep the devil outside
How many hope to keep the devil outside.

From The Witchwood, 1971, Bonus track on CD re-issue - Track 11

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 8

The Collection, 2002, Track 10

L

Lady Fuschia

(Hudson/Ford)

Fazz Music

A child denied all love can't weep
But bravely bears her life alone
So Fuschia as you try to sleep
You dream of friends you've never known.

In troubled years when no-one cared
You searched for comfort everywhere
For heavy burdens never shared
Become too much for one to bear.

So much to give
But those who live
Don't know of you
Your fantasy
Of love to be
Cannot come true
Oh Lady Fuschia
Oh Lady Fuschia.

Now poised above the castle walls
She looks your last on lonely skies
Night owls pray for her as they call
Returning ere the dawn shall rise.

Your loveless life
Has led you here
Not knowing why
Your troubled mind's
No longer clear
To live or die
Oh Lady Fuschia
Oh Lady Fuschia.
Oh Lady Fuschia
Oh Lady Fuschia.

Bursting At The Seams, 1973, Side 1, Track 2

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 3

Lawrence Brown

(Cousins)

Not available

Lawrence Brown was a family man
Worked as hard as any man can
His wife was thin
And his daughters were fat
And all day long his daughters just sat
And watched their mother scrub the floors
And do the other family chores
They just sat around indoors

A bank clerks life is boring is as hell
It's even worse when you're not feeling well
He came home one afternoon
At four o'clock on the second of June
With a cup of tea
He went to bed
He took a book
That he never read

By five o'clock Mr Brown was dead
The Doctor came and with hardly a look
He drew the sheet and closed the book
Mrs Brown sat numb and just stared
The only one who really cared
She thought of all that she had to do
And wondered how she would see it through
And how she did it no one knew

Her daughters went out dancing that night
Staying home didn't seem right
Mrs Brown was left all alone
To sort the future out on her own
She got a job in a week or two
In an office block with a lousy view
Of another block
That was lousy too

Six months later poor Mrs Brown
Had a council flat in the middle of Town
Her youngest girl had ran off from home
Leaving her mother to cope on her own
Her elder daughter quite by chance
Had an easy life in the South of France
As a paid companion
To a maiden Aunt

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 17

Lay A Little Light On Me (Early Version)

(Cousins)/(Lambert)

Old School Songs

Watch my hand
See it shakes
Trembling as my life blood bleeds
Comfortless
Superfakes
Offering their empty creeds
That have faith or substance
That change to suit the doubter
To satisfy his needs.

Rid me of your darkness
Lay a little light on me
Clothe me with your brightness
Lay a little light on me
Oh save me someone
Lay a little light on me

Growing boys
Masturbate
Drink the wine and take the bread
Saintly priests
Castigate
Holy water for the head
With shades of John the Baptist
Who came intent to rescue
And danced with death instead.

Bless the good
Curse the bad
Some are wise
Others mad
Phoney profiteers suitably seeming sad
Preparing for the kingdom
Annointing us with wisdom
Convinced that we'll be glad.

Hero And Heroine, 1974, Bonus track on CD re-issue - Track 12

Lay A Little Light On Me/Hero's Theme

(Cousins)/(Lambert)

Old School Songs

Watch my hand
See it shakes
Trembling as my life blood bleeds
Comfortless
Superfakes
Offering their empty creeds
That have faith or substance
That change to suit the doubter
To satisfy his needs.

Rid me of your darkness
Lay a little light on me
Clothe me with your brightness
Lay a little light on me
Oh save me someone
Lay a little light on me

Growing boys
Masturbate
Drink the wine and take the bread
Saintly priests
Castigate
Holy water for the head
With shades of John the Baptist
Who came intent to rescue
And danced with death instead.

Bless the good
Curse the bad
Some are wise
Others mad
Phoney profiteers suitably seeming sad
Preparing for the kingdom
Annointing us with wisdom
Convinced that we'll be glad.

Hero And Heroine, 1974, Side 2, Track 5

By Choice, 1974, Side 2, Track 5

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 16

Lay Down

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

By still waters I lay down with the lambs
In pastures green I made peace with my soul
And I cared not for the night
While my guiding star shone bright
By still waters I lay down
I lay down.

Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
For my soul.

At the roadside I took toll of my times
In dirty streets I found peace for my soul
May the merciful be right
Are you ready for the night
At the roadside I lay down
I lay down.

Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
For my soul.

In deep sorrow I took flight with the sun
From mountains high I gained strength for my soul
I proved stronger than the test
When my spirit came to rest
In deep sorrow I lay down
I lay down.

Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
For my soul.

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 2, Track 7

Bursting At The Seams, 1973, Side 2, Track 4

By Choice, 1974, Side 2, Track 4

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 2, Track 6

Old School Songs, 1979, Side 2, Track 5

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 1

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 10

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 11

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 15

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 6

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 11

The Collection, 2002, Track 18

20th Century Masters - Millenium Collection, 2003, Track 1

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 12

Lemon Pie

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The sharper is the berry
The sweeter is the wine
The longer we are parted
The sooner you are mine
You are mine.

Lovely lemon lady
You make me feel so shy
But lovely lemon lady
I love your lemon pie.

The stronger my deception
The lesser grow my lies
The shallower the whole truth
The deeper are my eyes
Are my eyes.

Bitter lemon lady smile
I'll see you in a little while
Lemon lady sweet and sour
You have me in your lemon power
My lemon pie.

The simpler the solution
The more that it will mean
The greater the resistance
The further I will lean
I will lean.

Ghosts, 1975, Side 1, Track 2

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 2, Track 8

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 2

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 14

The Collection, 2002, Track 13

20th Century Masters - Millenium Collection, 2003, Track 3

Let It Rain

(Cousins/Cronk/Richards)

Old School Songs

I'm never one for fighting, but I'm about to make a stand
There's no sense in retreating when you're standing on dry land
Our life has been a turmoil, a stormy night at sea
The low of deep depression to the high of ecstasy.

Let it rain, let it pour
That's what the sun shine's for
Who needs sadness anymore
That's what the sun shine's for
Let it rain, let it pour
That's what the sun shine's for.

True love runs a narrow gauge, it carries heavy freight
It never runs on schedule but it comes to those who wait
The going may be torturous and the truth may hit you hard
At your final destination, I'll be standing there on guard.

Now you're making progress, I've got something to report
At last we've learned our lessons after all that we've been taught
We've travelled such a long way down a solitary track
We're heading for the sunrise and never looking back.

Don't Say Goodbye, 1987, Side 1, Track 2

Heartbreak Hill, 1995, Track 8

Little Sleepy

(Lambert)

Old School Songs

Listen to my story,
I've got something I must say
All about a new experience
That came to me today.

Well I don't want your sudden changes,
I don't need your New York zoo,
But I want some understanding
'Cause I think I'm going to lose
Yes I think I'm going to lose.

Take me home, little sleepy,
You don't have to take that train
That leads you where you just don't want to go
Take me home little sleepy,
You don't have to take that train,
This little rock and roller's going to show you what you are.

Well it might have been in Texas,
And it could be New Orleans,
But it really doesn't matter
'Cause it's only in my dreams.
In the places where I travel,
And the people that I meet,
All I know is what I'm fighting for,
It's you I really need.
Yes, it's you I really need.

In the middle of time,1
I'm going to be thinking about you
Take a look at yourself,
I just can't live without you.

Nomadness, 1975, Side 1, Track 2

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 2, Track 2

M

Martin Luther King's Dream

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Speak only with your voices
And not the sword
Listen to your leaders
And the words of the Lord.

Shake hands with your brothers
Has been my theme
For I have had a dream.

While fury gathers around you
Provoking you to hate
Remember what I told you
Don't heed the dangled bait.

The leaders of the country
Are speaking much the same
As those who've gone before them
And those who are to blame.

Proclaim a day of mourning
And let the flags fly low
The future is before us
As I have told you so.

Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios, 1970, Side 1, Track 1

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 1, Track 5

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 18

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 7

The Collection, 2002, Track 14

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Live 1988, 2005, Track 9

Midnight Sun

(Cronk/Cousins)

Old School Songs

I have seen the midnight sun shining
I saw you fly away smiling
The dark night sheds no light
It merely serves a warning
I pray for one single ray of hope
Oh midnight sun.

I have seen the midnight sun shining
Watched her rays steadily dying
The candles are alight
I sit alone in mourning
I wonder is there death after life
Oh midnight sun.

While in my life
I have loved
I have lost
I feel no warmth from your days.

Yet I have seen the midnight sun shining
Welcomed her full golden lining
For when I have to fight
To wake up in the morning
I look to her for her open arms
Oh midnight sun.

Hero And Heroine, 1974, Side 2, Track 2

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 9

Painted Sky, 2005, Track 6

Might As Well Be On Mars

(Williamson/Chapman)

Not available

Sunday morning with the New York Times
The sun is shining in my penthouse suite
My lady love laid down some lines
They reach from Culver Beach to Easy Street
Before the mirror you apply your cream
Cosmetic secrets of eternal youth
There's something the matter, it's just a bad dream
I knew you'd leave me if you knew the truth.

I might as well be on Mars
I might as well be on Mars
Only the stars mean anything to you
I might as well be on Mars
I might as well be on Mars
I'm already that far away from you.

We lead such a sweet existence
But I'm reaching out to you in vain
You're disappearing in the distance
Of this alien terrain.

Monday night, another day goes by
Your voice keeps telling me that life is sweet
I watch your star flash into the sky
Crash down to earth again on Easy Street.

Ringing Down The Years, 1991, Track 1

Morning Glory

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Take my hand, I'll show you how to fly
We will cross the valley road, the river rolling by
Open fields, high cascading streams
We will climb the mountainside, a multitude of dreams.

I wake up to your morning glory
Say goodbye to my late night story
I close my eyes and count to ten
It all comes round again.

Miles apart, still further in between
Once you talked to me in tongues, who knows what they can mean.

The party ran all summer long, way beyond extremes
The morning glory days were gone, suddenly a world of broken dreams.

Deep blue days and ever darker nights
No matter what the time of day, we never dim the lights.

Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby: The Bridge, 1994, Track 5

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 10

My Friend Peter

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

My friend Peter was not that old
A generous man with a heart of gold
They took his money, they took his home
They wouldn't leave my friend Peter alone.

My friend Peter's mother, boy she was a bitch
All she ever gave him was a nervous twitch
She left her money to her fancy gent
She didn't leave my friend Peter a cent.

My friend Peter was the company boss
With labour problems and a heavy loss
The school bills came with a rise in fees
My friend Peter was on his knees.

My friend Peter was never hip
But his wife was fond of the groovy trip
She spent her money like she spent her nights
She wouldn't show my friend Peter the sights.

My friend Peter was a worried guy
When the taxman came with his beady eye
They froze his bank account, they took his car
They wouldn't let my friend Peter go far.

My friend Peter was a family man
With a decent job and a long-term plan
He loved his kids, adored his wife
My friend Peter just took his life.

Deep Cuts, 1976, Side 1, Track 4

N

New Beginnings

(Cousins)/(Lambert)

Old School Songs

I see myself reborn
In every generation
I look to children
For my source and my salvation
And I will build my house of rock
On their foundation stone.

I can see the new beginning
The universal loser winning
I can hear the children singing
Making a date with tomorrow.

Once I was blinded
By the light of my reflection
The mirror's eyes were moist
With tears of deep affection
I could not see my way
To make the last connection home.

The leaves of my life
Have been falling
And time rolls along
Like a wheel
The innocent games
That we once played as kids
Are for real.

Deadlines, 1978, Side 2, Track 2

New World

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

There's blood in the dust
Where the city's heart beats
The children play games
That they take from the streets
How can you teach when you've so much to learn
May you turn
In your grave
New world.

There is hate in your eyes
I have seen it before
Planning destruction
Behind the locked door
Were you the coward who fired the last shot
May you rot
In your grave
New world.

There is death in the air
With the lights growing dim
As those who survive
Sing a desperate hymn
Pray that God grants you one final request
May you rest
In your grave
New world.

Grave New World, 1972, Side 1, Track 5

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 2, Track 3

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 2, Track 3

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 1, Track 5

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 7

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 1

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 16

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 12

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 1

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 4

No Return

(Cousins)/(Lambert)

Old School Songs

Hold me tight
We've got a way to go tonight
We tore ourselves apart
In spite of all the promises we made.

Name your price
But take a note of my advice
Don't ever make a sacrifice
Without a chance of being paid.

No return
You've reached the point of no return
You lit the fire and let it burn
You've reached the point of no return.

Right or wrong
I was with you all along
But now you're back where you belong
Among your family and friends.

Make or break
We really made a big mistake
There's one decision left to make
And that is how the story ends.

Though my life is a mystery
My heart is an open page
If only you would choose to read
Between the lines of age.

Deadlines, 1978, Side 1, Track 1

Concert Classics, 1998, Track 3

Not All The Flowers Grow

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

If the school bell had rung
Would it have rung a death knell?
Now the dark day has gone
And there isn't any bell

In the flower of their youth
How were they to know?
And now there's so few left
And not all the flowers grow

Just think how you would feel
Had one been a child of yours
And you look out every day
And still see the coal seam sores

To remind you of that day
Just you look out in the rain
And although some children p1ay
It will never be the same

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 7

Acoustic Strawbs version

Nothing Else Will Do

(Cousins)

Not available

My gate is swinging open
My fence is broken down
My window's staring blindly
Greets the callers with a frown
And I need a place to hide away
When I am feeling blue.

Nothing else will do, babe
Nothing else will do.

I've got no friends to turn to
When I am feeling low
I'm lonely sad and empty
Most everywhere I go
I'd like to leave the world behind
And try and start anew.

Nothing else will do, babe
Nothing else will do.

All I ever wanted
Was a place to call my own
A place that's quiet and peaceful
Where I can feel so all alone
I've been told this place is heaven
I wonder if it's true.

Nothing else will do, babe
Nothing else will do.

But it seems the path to heaven
Is always round the bend
And always in the distance
There's a road that has no end
But I will hope to find it
Before my life is through.

Nothing else will do, babe
Nothing else will do.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 1, Track 5

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 2, Track 5

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 1

NRG

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

NRG
It's really elementary
NRG
It's time to take inventory

Take the time
To take some action soon
There will be
A chain reaction soon
Along the backstreets a fire burns

Inside
Outside

NRG
It's time to hear the voices
NRG
It's time to take some choices

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 12

O

October To May

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Summer's gone come chill October days
We will stroll through russet trees
Through the fallen leaves of oak and sycamore
That carpet earth through harsh December freeze.

Fireworks and children with eyes that sparkle bright
In November's Guy Fawkes flames
Parents thinking of their forgotten years
As they join in with their children's games.

December brings nostalgic Santa Claus
Toys and shining Christmas trees
Families huddled round their open fires
As they wait for winter's grip to ease.

Seaside piers, iron girders gaunt and still
Gone the crowds of yesterday
Icy fingers in the sea at night
Sad and empty tears the first of May.

Dave Cousins: Two Weeks Last Summer, 1972, Side 1, Track 2

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 5

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 5

Oh So Sleepy

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I leave you with your head buried in the pillow
Oh so sleepy, oh so sleepy
As twisted as a knot, as tangled as a wire
Burning like a coal on the open fire
Oh so sleepy, oh so sleepy.

I talk to you in riddles of the drunken sailor
Oh so sleepy, oh so sleepy
As pretty as a rose, as bitter as a thorn
A smear of virgin blood on the broken dawn
Oh so sleepy, oh so sleepy.

Now did you hear the wind, did you ride the carousel
Did you find the seaman's mission, only time can really tell
Or do you see your future in the wishing well
Oh so sleepy, oh so sleepy.

I brush you with a kiss as the moonlight murmurs
Oh so sleepy, oh so sleepy
As simple as defeat, as certain as a toy
Crying like a girl with the future of a boy
Oh so sleepy, oh so sleepy.

Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby: The Bridge, 1994, Track 9

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 2

Oh, How She Changed

(Cousins/Hooper)

Not available

She leaned forward in the lamplight
In her eyes an amber glow
She was promising the earth
And yet somehow saying no
We talked of pleasant summer days
Kew Gardens, Hampton Court
The jewellers where we bought
The ring that held us close together.

Oh how she changed with every passing day.

In the swirling misty morning
As the day began to break
In the heavy dew her footsteps
I am floundering in her wake.

Oh how she changed with every passing day.

The shutters of indifference
Have close to bar the view
A person I once knew.

Oh how she changed with every passing day.

Strawbs, 1969, Side 1, Track 6

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 1, Track 1

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 2, Track 6

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 19

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 11

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 3

The Collection, 2002, Track 4

Painted Sky, 2005, Track 1

On A Night Like This

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Well, it was on a night like this
We made a vow
We knew could never miss
You and me
Meant to be
So free
On a night like this

Well, it was on a night like this
The stars looked down
It was a night of bliss
In a world
Of our own
So alone
On a night like this

And if ever I get to thinking back
On the good times we have had
I think of the days before I met you
And end up feeling sad

Well, it was on a night like this
We sealed our fate
With just a single kiss
In a world
Of extremes
Simple dreams
On a night like this

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 4

On Growing Older

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The scarecrow stood with its head held high
Admiring the view from the hill
The waterfall scattered its glistening jewels
As the heron stood gracefully still
It seemed I looked without seeing
I failed to grasp what I saw
For all of Nature's beautiful gifts
I blissfully chose to ignore.

As sandy beaches and soft swelling tides
Invite the inquisitive young
And caviar, oysters and pate de fois
Invite the discerning tongue
So comes the desire to be lost awhile
In the depths of the forest glade
Midst the cool deep greens where ancient oaks
Cast wondrous spells in their shade.

And if sometimes I feel in retrospect
A regret for the waste of my youth
Then I pause to reflect that I still have time
Before growing long in the tooth
To achieve all the things that I should have achieved
When idleness led me astray
And being aware of what I have missed
I'm extending my use of the day.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 1, Track 9

Grave New World, 1972, Side 2, Track 3

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 2

On My Way

(Cousins)

Not available

Empty glasses on the table
Rows of bottles without labels
No-one drinks with friends no more
Look to yourself and that's for sure.

Pull up all the roots I'm growing
I'm on my way
Don't know quite just where I'm going
I'm on my way

I'm on my way
I don't know when but I'm going soon
On my way
It won't be long, perhaps this afternoon.

I'll follow signs that point the way
To yet another empty day
Seems it's just my generation
But I never leave the station.

Memories that come it seems
To haunt me always in my dreams
Trains go whistling by forever
I'll just hope for sunny weather.

Pull up all the roots I'm growing
I'm on my way
Don't know quite just where I'm going
I'm on my way

I'm on my way
I don't know when but I'm going soon
On my way
It won't be long, perhaps this afternoon.

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 1, Track 1

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 10

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 6

Or Am I Dreaming

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The fragile gentle butterfly with multi-coloured wings
Settles on the toadstools in the midst of fairy rings
Midsummer sounds of tinkle bells as sweet Titania sings.

Or am I dreaming
Or am I dreaming ?

And I will have a castle with a drawbridge and a moat
And light my open fires with a brand new five pound note
And go off on a winter cruise in a bright red sailing boat.

Pick the golden casket
And you'll get what you deserve
Yards of pure white chiffon
Falling in a graceful curve
Crystal clear cut chandeliers
Orchids in a bowl
Mulled wine by the fire
And the finest ermine stole.

The water melon moon makes gentle progress in the sky
Upside down it's floating as the satellites go by
And you can hold a conversation if you're not too high.

The magic mountain music man
Is really rather shy
Or am I dreaming ?

Strawbs, 1969, Side 2, Track 1

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 4, Track 1

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 11

Recollection, 2006, Track 2

Out In The Cold

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I walked in the city at midday
It was empty and bare
I looked in the mirror at midnight
There was nobody there
You had become the very breath that I breathed
You were all I desired, my will to succeed
But now I know how it feels to be old
Out in the cold.

I walked in the city at midday
It was feeling the strain
I looked in the mirror at midnight

It was starting to rain
I sucked on your breasts, your legs opened wide
I could scarcely believe all the pleasures inside
But now I know how it feels to be old
Out in the cold.

Whoever believed in astrological signs
Under my eyes your name burns in the lines
For now I know how it feels to be old
Out in the cold.

Hero And Heroine, 1974, Side 2, Track 3

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 13

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 17

Concert Classics, 1998, Track 7

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 10

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 5

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 9

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 1

P

Part Of The Union

(Ford/Hudson)

Fazz Music

Now I'm a union man
Amazed at what I am
I say what I think
That the company stinks
Yes I'm a union man.

When we meet in the local hall
I'll be voting with them all
With a hell of a shout
It's out brothers out
And the rise of the factory's fall.

Oh you don't get me I'm part of the union
You don't get me I'm part of the union
You don't get me I'm part of the union
Till the day I die, till the day I die.

As a union man I'm wise
To the lies of the company spies
And I don't get fooled
By the factory rules
'Cause I always read between the lines.

And I always get my way
If I strike for higher pay
When I show my card
To the Scotland Yard
This what I say.

Oh you don't get me I'm part of the union
You don't get me I'm part of the union
You don't get me I'm part of the union
Till the day I die, till the day I die.

Before the union did appear
My life was half as clear
Now I've got the power
To the working hour
And every other day of the year.

So though I'm a working man
I can ruin the government's plan
Though I'm not too hard
The sight of my card
Makes me some kind of superman.

Oh you don't get me I'm part of the union
You don't get me I'm part of the union
You don't get me I'm part of the union
Till the day I die, till the day I die.

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 2, Track 5

Bursting At The Seams, 1973, Side 2, Track 1

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 2, Track 3

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 15

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 11

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 10

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 13

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 2

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 15

The Collection, 2002, Track 1

20th Century Masters - Millenium Collection, 2003, Track 5

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Live 1988, 2005, Track 2

Pieces Of 79 And 15

(Cousins/Hooper)

Old School Songs

Pieces of 79 and 15
Drifting along a jumbly scene
Pieces of 79 and 15
Drifting along a jumbly scene.

79
Out of work people
Sitting on top of a barberous pole
Strippers who like it and fancy a bit
And parties and songs in the night.

15
More people but mostly the same
Girls down with love, tell me what can you do
Seeing your friends down a hole in the ground
With the ceilings and walls falling down.

Strawbs, 1969, Side 1, Track 4

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 2, Track 4

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 15

Poor Jimmy Wilson

(Cousins)

Not available

Jimmy Wilson had a glass eye, I could see it
And he stuttered sometimes
And he needed a girl friend night times
Didn't know how to go about it
Poor Jimmy Wilson, poor Jimmy Wilson.

All the boys used to tease him, I know I did it
And he was my friend
At school we were always close together
Hardly a day I didn't see him
Poor Jimmy Wilson, poor Jimmy Wilson.

He used to go out for walks on his own
With no-one to talk to at all
He'd walk in the park till the evening grew dark
Just feeling quite incredibly small.

He was sitting in the park one Sunday evening
Around about five
When along came a lady, a total stranger
Wanted young Jimmy to go with her
Poor Jimmy Wilson, poor Jimmy Wilson.

Well she was so persuasive and seemed quite friendly
So he went along
And the lady who was lonely gave him tea
And she was his friend for ever after
Poor Jimmy Wilson, poor Jimmy Wilson.

Strawbs, 1969, Side 2, Track 3

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 4, Track 3

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 6

Queen Of Dreams

Q

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Spoke the Queen of Dreams
I was Lord of the Forest
Walked within her paths
Sheltered within her bowers
Pine needles for my pillow
The dove my only true friend
I was Lord of the Forest.

Spoke the Queen of Souls
I was Lord of the Ocean
Swam beneath her waves
Sheltered within her shipwrecks
Precious gifts I bring you
From rusting hulls of the deep
I was Lord of the Ocean.

Spoke the Queen of Heads
I was Lord of the Mountains
Scaled her highest peaks
Sheltered within her valleys
Climb high upon my shoulders
I will show you the world
I was Lord of the Mountains.

I had no head for heights
But close my eyes to make the climb
Oh Queen of Dreams
Oh Queen of Souls
Oh Queen of Heads
It's time.

Grave New World, 1972, Side 1, Track 3

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 3, Track 4

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 6

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 14

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 7

R

Remembering

(Hawken)

Old School Songs

instrumental

Ghosts, 1975, Side 2, Track 3

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 2

Acoustic Strawbs version

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 5

Replaced by Witchwood on the 2005 re-issue

Rhythm Of The Night

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

There's a cafe on the corner where the Latin lovers meet
They're dancing to the rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.
There's a glow of expectation, the narcotic of the beat
They're dancing to the rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.

Rhythm of the night, heat of the street.
Rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.

There's a girl in every alley trying to whip you off your feet
They're dancing to the rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.

They play it tough
They play it cool
They play to win
They drink the pool
They play it by the golden rule
Lady Luck is no-one's fool.

There are roly poly mamas, electric slippers on their feet
They're dancing to the rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.

When they offer you the menu, try the rack of spicy meat
They're dancing to the rhythm of the night and the heat of the street.

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 9

Ringing Down The Years

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

We met when you were still a girl
In nineteen sixty eight
You wore a white dress and a hat
I touched the hand of fate
Your sweet voice took my breath away
Your smile lit up your face
You still had both feet on the ground
I was out in space

That certain sadness in your eyes
The secret of your smile
I've carried all these memories
Down many's the weary mile
And every time I hear your name
My eyes moist up with tears
As every word you ever sang
Comes ringing down the years.

We sat and talked the whole night long
Of all our rights and wrongs
Of mutual acquaintances
We sang each other's song
You were with me when the morning broke
The birds refused to sing
They knew when they were beaten
They hid beneath their wings.

I was in a Cleveland hotel room
When they telephoned the news
I drowned my sorrow all night long
The Southern Comfort blues
The show went on to great applause
Choking back the tears
As every word you ever sang
Came ringing down the years.

I reached out for the hourglass
To turn it face about
But who knows where the time goes
When your time is running out
I know someday we'll meet again
And I know just what I'll find
You'll have taught the angels how to sing
Georgia - Georgia on my mind.

Ringing Down The Years, 1991, Track 7

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 4

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 3

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 10

Riviera Del Fiori

(Cousins)/(Lambert)

Old School Songs/SGO Music

Instrumental

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 1

Round And Round

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I drew the blade across my wrist
To see how it would feel
Looked into the future
There was nothing to reveal
For we were just the product
Of the ever spinning wheel
Round and round we go
Round and and round we go.

Come and see me
When the screw has turned another turn
It's not that I'm confused
But I've an awful lot to learn
But I will be the one
To make you work for what you earn
Round and round we go
Round and and round we go.

After all it's just the revolution I despise
The dawn of revelations and the flower power prize
And I pity those poor children with no sunshine in their eyes
Round and round we go
Round and and round we go.

Hero And Heroine, 1974, Side 2, Track 4

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 3, Track 2

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 1, Track 4

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 8

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 14

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 18

Concert Classics, 1998, Track 8

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 11

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 6

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 9

20th Century Masters - Millenium Collection, 2003, Track 7

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 10

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 11

(reprise)

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 2

Russian Front

(Cousins/Cronk/Hawken/Lambert)

Old School Songs/SGO Music

It was back along summer of thirty years
I'll tell you a story to bring you tears
Of the likes of a romance so few hears
Out on the Russian front

She had startling eyes of sapphire blue
She lived in a house where camellias grew
But where she came from no-one knew

He stood as firm as the mighty oak
Smelled as keen as forest smoke
Loved her with a velvet stroke
Out on the Russian front

She loved a man who burst with pride
Buried deep in her countryside
Their love for life was long denied

Even now I'm still unclear
Those who held each other dear
Are living in a state of fear
Out on the Russian front

Both were sent their separate ways
Victims of their yesterdays
The party wins the farmer pays

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 10

S

Sad Young Man

(Coombes)

Not available

You look to me a sad young man
Down is where you're going
You've blindly found an easy way
You think that it's not showing.

Is this what you want
Is this what you're struggling to be
Brought your face to the ground
Won't you ever see.

You came down south from Birmingham
Tired of all the faces
A stranger to a strange new town
Unfamiliar places.

You came down and you didn't know why
And then you didn't even try
Swept along by the crowd
Blown along like a cloud.

The heavy spell of dark and night
Your created isolation
This loneliness just need not be
You are your own creation.

Though you may be down and out
Life need not be so heavy
For even though your dues are high
Should you become the levy.

Is this what you want
Is this what you're struggling to be
Is this what you want
Is this what you've struggled to be.

Hero And Heroine, 1974, Side 1, Track 2

Sail Away To The Sea

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The hands on the clock keep turning round
They point to the time of the day
The time means nothing with you by my side
Though some time I'll be on my way.

Down the road to where I must go
There's nothing between you and me
I'll take a boat down the river my love
And sail away to the sea
I'll sail away to the sea.

What will you take to remember me by
I've no money to buy you a smile
I can't say the words to bid you farewell
So I'll carry them with me a while.

You'll wave goodbye 'till I pass out of sight
As you're waving goodbye for good
I can't even take you part of the way
I only wish that I could.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 1, Track 3

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 2, Track 3

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 4

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 2

Sealed With A Traitor's Kiss

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I must have been the saddest man
Who ever wrote a love song
For when I spoke of ways and means
I knew it would not last long
After all the years
The growing pains and heartaches
I swore that I would die for you
And sealed it with a traitor's kiss.

We must have been a crazy pair
To think we'd last together
I hope you find your own new world
And make it last forever
You gave me your best
I gave you all my worst years
I swore that I would die for you
And sealed it with a traitor's kiss.

Thank you for your sympathy
God bless you for your kindness
I'm sure that as the years roll by
You'll understand my sadness
I can't have been the only man
Who ever wrote a song for you.

Take care of the kids
I didn't want to hurt them
I swore that I would die for you
And sealed it with a traitor's kiss.

Deadlines, 1978, Side 1, Track 3

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 11

Sheep

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

July the fourth in the market town
Farmers have come for miles around
Bringing their wives and children.

A farmer stands with his youngest son
Watching their sheep driven from the pen
The slaughterhouse is waiting.

Look they're turning back
They're frightened
Dogs are snapping at their heels
Jumping on each other's backs
Hear their squeals.

The young boy stands looking quite dismayed
How can they know they're just animals
Come pull yourself together.

The farmer tells him to look inside
Row after row of raw carcasses
Their blood runs in the gutters.

Listen to their silly bleating
Farmer beats them with his stick
Milling by the open door
Don't be sick.

The young boy
Takes a look around
See people watching blankly
And he pities them
For they too
Look like sheep
And he tells himself
When he grows up
When he becomes a farmer
He will just plant seeds of love
He will just plant seeds of love
He will just plant seeds of love
And he will harvest peace.

From The Witchwood, 1971, Side 2, Track 1

Strawbs & Dave Cousins (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 1, Track 1

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 2, Track 1

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 4, Track 2

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 2

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 10

Shine On Silver Sun

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Once I sat upon a hill
To watch the world go by
My friend the young magician
Had forbidden me to cry
But I was the comedian
With the laughs in short supply.

Shine on silver sun
Shine on everyone
Shine on silver sun
Shine on.

The sunlight filtered softly
Through the pale and watery sky
To catch the mirrored salmon
As it rose to take the fly
The flowers on the riverbank
Were left alone to die.

The church bells sounded midnight
As I rose to say goodbye
And a solitary tear
Fell from the corner of my eye.

Hero And Heroine, 1974, Side 1, Track 4

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 1, Track 7

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 9

The Collection, 2002, Track 11

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 2

Painted Sky, 2005, Track 3

Silver Smile

(Cousins)

Not available

That which was wont to wonder when
The magic mountain music man
Speak slowly soothsayer
In your way
For sure
The dreams of yesterday
Mean more than just a play to lay
A silver smile.

Not included on record

Simple Visions

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

Simple visions come to me
I was blind but now I see
Simple visions of my soul
Cut in pieces now I'm whole.

Simple visions from the heart
Once I faltered at the start
Simple visions of my past
Seldom first but never last.

Time will mend this broken heart
For fate decreed that we must part
One for all and all in vain
It would be marvellous to see you again.

Simple visions in the night
Walk on air in coloured light
Simple visions lost in time
Come and see the rainbow line

Let us conjure magic from the moon
Raise the phantom tide and swell the stream
Sweep away the bridge on which we stand
Bind the lovers' knot and find the dream.

Let us make a pact beneath the stars
Intertwine our limbs like windswept trees
Tearing in the passion of the storm
Spent in harmony like autumn leaves.

Let us make deep cuts and mix our blood
Sacrifice the mockingbird above
Soaring on the wings of paradise
Simple visions of a perfect love.

Deep Cuts, 1976, Side 2, Track 1

Concert Classics, 1998, Track 5

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 6

So Close And Yet So Far Away

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

You're my secret
You're my inspiration
You're my journey
You're my destination
You have always
Been so close
And yet so far away.

You're my best friend
You're my total stranger
You're my lifeline
You're my hint of danger
You have always
Been so close
And yet so far away.

In my hour of weakness
I called on you to comfort me
But you could only set me free.

You're my memories
You're my rock of ages
You're my future
You're my empty pages
You have always
Been so close
And yet so far away.

Deep Cuts, 1976, Side 2, Track 5

So Shall Our Love Die

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The rose buds are hard and firm;
Erect and proud they stand
On slender stems,
Wrapped in silk
And tied with a velvet ribbon.

"Tie the ribbon in my hair,"
She says,
"Your gentle touch upon my brow
Can make me close my eyes
In sleepy pleasure."

Low the candle burns
And flickers shadows on the wall;
It's crimson lips are closing
Round the flame.
As the flame dies
So shall our live die?

The roses stoop lower
As their petals fall.
So shall our love die?

"What is it,"
She says.
"Nothing,"
Say I,
"Nothing but the west wind,
The wind of change."

Nomadness, 1975, Side 2, Track 1

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 3

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 10

Something For Nothing

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

The question was survival
The answer was myself
I was on the inside looking out
You took me to the limit
But you only took yourself
You were on the outside looking in.

Something for nothing
Something for nothing
Was all you ever wanted from me
Something for nothing
Something for nothing
Was all you ever wanted to be.

You bit the hand that fed you
Ripped the fingers to the bone
You were scoring blood, when times were lean
While I looked on disgusted
Ashamed to be your friend
Thinking to myself what might have been.

Now the lone wolf beats a new trail
With scent of easy game
Howling at the full moon on his back
While his lover eats her heart out
To the bitter taste of failure
Hungry for the leader of the pack.

Don't Say Goodbye, 1987, Side 2, Track 1

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 2

Heartbreak Hill, 1995, Track 1

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 1

Song For Alex

(Cousins/Hooper)

Old School Songs

I've been many places, I've passed through many cities
Paris to Toronto and the rest
The travelling can bring you down, you're always on your own
But I see friendly faces everywhere.

From a song that pulls your heartstrings to a sea of smiling faces
Oh, but a careless word can make you feel so sad
But in the end I add things up and I find it's all worthwhile
When I see friendly faces everywhere.

The windswept streets are empty when my working day is over
And I always think of home last thing at night
Then I close my eyes and fall asleep for I know that in my dreams
That I'll see friendly faces everywhere.

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 19

Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby: The Bridge, 1994, Track 10

Song Of A Sad Little Girl

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

She looks so frail beside you
As she wears her sick disguise
You say she'll soon be better
As you dry her tearful eyes
You tell her fairy stories
She tries to understand
She looks to you for comfort
And holds out her little hand.

But early in the morning
When the sun shines
Into her tiny room
She wakes up like a bird
And she's fine again.

You gently kiss her forehead
And from the room you creep
But you linger in the doorway
As she whimpers in her sleep
Her cheeks are flushed like sunset
And her head's an open fire
All night she turns and tosses
As her temperature gets higher.

But early in the morning
When the sun shines
Into her tiny room
She wakes up like a bird
And she's fine again.

The nightlight in the corner
Casts a soft and peaceful glow
Her face becomes much cooler
And her breathing much more slow
She dreams of clowns and princes
Sailing boats and trains
The fairies come by moonlight
To take away her pain.

But early in the morning
When the sun shines
Into her tiny room
She wakes up like a bird
And she's fine again.

She wakes up
Like a bird
And she feels fine.

Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios, 1970, Side 2, Track 2

Strawbs & Dave Cousins (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 2, Track 3

By Choice, 1974, Side 1, Track 4

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 2, Track 4

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 12

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 7

The Collection, 2002, Track 6

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Live 1988, 2005, Track 4

Recollection, 2006, Track 3

Spanish Is The Loving Tongue

(Trad. Arr. Cousins)

Not available

Spanish is the loving tongue,
Soft as music, light as spring
Was a girl that I learned it from,
Living down Sonora way.

I don't look much like a lover,
But I say her love words over,
Mostly when I'm all alone
"Mi amor, mi corazón."

On the nights that I would ride
She would listen for my spurs,
Throw those big doors open wide,
and raise those laughing eyes of hers

How those hours get to flying
All too soon I'd hear her sighing
In her little sorry tone
"Mi amor, mi corazón."

I haven't seen her since that night
I can't cross the line you know
Want me for a gambling fight
Like as not, it's better so.

And Yet I've always sort of missed her
Since that last sad night that I kissed her
Lost my heart and left to roam
"Mi amor, mi corazón."

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 10

Starshine/Angel Wine

(Cronk)

Not available

Starshine

I can hear you
Like the rain that falls so sweetly
I can hear you
Like the sun that dries the fields
And feeds the grain
I can hear your spirit
Singing sweet refrains
Oh little starshine
Oh little starshine.

I can feel you
Like a breath of fresh green pastures
I can feel you
Like the touch of summer breezes
In my hair
I can sense your presence
Flowing through the air
Oh little starshine
Oh little star.

Angel Wine

The sun was sinking in the west
The sky was burning wild
As evening showed its starlit crest
I looked deep into my child.

Oh fool, oh mortal man
We live life as we can
But now who do I think I am.

The world is black, the world is white
The world is you and I
We surely ought to see the light
That burns in children's eyes.

Oh Lord give us a sign
The world's a bitter crime
That soon we may taste angel wine.

I see my future clearly now
My world is full of song
Be truthful to yourself my child
And your heart will be forever strong.

Ghosts, 1975, Side 1, Track 3

20th Century Masters - Millenium Collection, 2003, Track 4

Starting Over

(Cousins/Richards)

Old School Songs

When I was a young man I wasted my days
Dreaming of fortune and fame
Now as I look back, I can see the mistakes
It's time to move on for I'm starting over

A kid starting out has much more of a chance
Than I ever had at his age
If only he's willing to take what is his
Time to move on for I'm starting over.

Time knocks again and again at your door
Opportunities never return
Remember you only get back what you give
It's time to move on for I'm starting over.]

Time, you have everything
Share it with me
Dark is the mystery
How silently the kestrel is flying.

He of the watchful eye
In careful pursuit
We the willing prey
Aware of the danger
Content with our fate.

Swift is the kestrel's flight
Straight to the heart
Solved in a second's pause
How short-lived our time here.

I envy the wild bird his freedom and space
His view of the world far below
My eyes are wide open to take in the view
It's time to move on for I'm starting over
An experience entered can only be gained
It's never forgotten or lost
We're here for a purpose that few of us find
It's time to move on for I'm starting over.

Heartbreak Hill, 1995, Track 5

Stay Awhile With Me

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

It seems that loving is a game that I can't win
No sooner are you here than gone again
Is there nothing I can say
To change your mind and stay
Alone with you is all I long to be
Will you stay awhile with me.

I've often gazed into my crystal ball
To find out if you think of me at all
But there's no reason why
You should even try
For there's nothing I can give as you can see
If you stay awhile with me.

Stay awhile with me
And I will show you I'm true
Stay awhile with me
That's all I'm asking you to do.

I see you in the street lamp's rusty gleam
It casts a magic spell as in a dream
The night is growing old
Come in from the cold
I'll lock the door and throw away the key
If you stay awhile with me.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 1, Track 2

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 1, Track 5

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 13

Steppes

(Wakeman)

RW Music

Instrumental

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 4

Still Small Voice

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I am the depth of age of the mountain
Yet still you believe to know how to be free
You are the life of the stars in the night sky
As constant much brighter yet younger than me

But I am the echo that calls you forever
The conscience that shows you the way to belong
And if you allow me I'll love you forever
And make you the voice of the words of my song

Hero And Heroine, 1974, Bonus track on CD re-issue - Track 11

Stone Cold Is The Woman's Heart

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The woman moves in mysterious ways
Her miracles to defend
She is patient as your enemy
Triumphant as your friend
She lures her prey with sleight of hand
And scores with a poisoned dart

Who knows why
Deep down inside
Stone cold is the woman's heart.

The woman has the cutting tongue
But the man still has his pride
The fire may long have burned out
But he smoulders deep inside
The drama calls for a leading man
He hungers for the part

She will set you up
Let you down
Lay your body low
She will lead you to believe
THat you have nowhere else to go
She is sorcery
In every way a perfect work of art

The woman has the frigid touch
Still the memories remain
She has clothed herself in loneliness
And learned to wear the pain
She has run the race
In many's the way
But ends back at the start.

Ringing Down The Years, 1991, Track 8

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 8

Stormy Down

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The night sky hung so heavy
The wet road shone so bright
Reflecting back my headlights
As I drove on in the night
To Stormy Down.

I drew into a lay-by
My eyes were dark with strain
Turning up my collar
I walked out in the rain
On Stormy Down.

I was high on Stormy Down
Thinking of my friends below
But they had gone some other way
They did not want to know
About Stormy Down.

I thought I saw the devil
In the branches of a tree
It was just imagination
But he looked a lot like me
On Stormy Down.

The cold moon drew strange faces
On a slowly changing cloud
One looked like God the father
And I shouted right out loud
On Stormy Down.

Bursting At The Seams, 1973, Side 1, Track 3

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 5

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 4

Strange Day Over The Hill

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The sky was like a crystal, it was sapphire blue
I was like a kid again, so were you
It's a strange day, a strange day over the hill.

The sun came round to polish up the copper beech
The leaves were black as leather where the sun don't reach
It's a strange day, a strange day over the hill.

I was close enough to heaven as a man could be
Knowing I had solved your little mystery
It's a strange day, a strange day over the hill.

We could hear the distant compromise of wedding bells
As we leaned on one another bidding fond farewells
It's a strange day, a strange day over the hill.

As we drove into the valley, the mist rolled down
We were in the grip of winter in our own home town
It's a strange day, a strange day over the hill.

The lights were shining brightly in the house across the street
I was looking for adventure, I was turning on the heat
I shivered in the shadows, it was cold as hell
The church bell sounded seven going, well, well, well
It's a strange day, a strange day over the hill.

Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby: The Bridge, 1994, Track 3

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 12

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 5

Strawberry Picking

(Cousins)

Not available

Instrumental

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 3

Sunday Morning

(Cousins)/(Lambert)

Old School Songs/SGO Music

The stars begin to fade
The early morning mist is lifting
As he wakes with the silence still unbroken
The night has rolled away
The dawn is creeping through the window
As he rubs the shadows from his eyes

The sun begins to rise
To warm the room where he was sleeping
As he reads through the headlines of the papers
The dew is fading fast
As he is walking through the long grass
With church bell sounding in the tower

He waits inside the door
The clock strikes out the hour
He smiles pausing for a word as they arrive.
Farmers with their wives
Children with their flowers
Ladies in their bright mid-summer clothes

The stained glass windows shine
The congregation kneels in silence
Then the organ and choir
Join the birds in the trees
As they sing their Sunday morning song

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 7

Sweetling

(Hooper)

Old School Songs

I've got something richer than money
I've got something sweeter than honey
I've got someone funnier than funny
Sweetling I've got you
Sweetling I've got you.

I hear music better than Bach was
I see light shine into my darkness
I feel your touch electric sparkle
Sweetling I've got you
Sweetling I've got you.

I love you Sweetling
I'd give you anything
You're so delighting
Sweetling.

I've got something richer than money
I've got something sweeter than honey
I've got someone funnier than funny
Sweetling I've got you
Sweetling I've got you.

I love you Sweetling
I'd give you anything
You're so delighting
Sweetling.

I hear music better than Bach was
I see light shine into my darkness
I feel your touch electric sparkle
Sweetling I've got you
Sweetling I've got you.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 2, Track 8

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 2, Track 4

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 7

T

Taking A Chance

(Demick/Hudson/Willoughby)

Fazz Music

You come knocking at my door
'Cause no-one wants you around
Should I swallow my pride
Forget what happened before
When I found out
You were fooling around with my feelings
And messing around with my heart
Now you come here saying we can make a new start.

I don't need you now
I believe I don't know how
You can say that we're forever
We've been apart too long
You know what went wrong
You left me with nothing to believe in.

Once there was a time
I'd always follow you 'round
I believed in us
And every word you said
'Til I found out
You were out on the town with my best friend
But I was the last one to know
Did you honestly think a love like that could grow.

You know you made a fool of me
Nothing can change that now
Hanging onto a dream of how it used to be
Taking a chance, hoping it all works out.

Ringing Down The Years, 1991, Track 9

Tears And Pavan

(Cousins/Hudson/Ford)

Old School Songs/Fazz Music

Tears
(Cousins)

Where are the tears
That you should be crying right now
I see the world weariness
In your eyes
I hear your voice
Soft and sad
Yet your laughter rings
Like carillons of bells
In my ears
I feel your heart
Beat like the wings of the wild goose
I smell your love
On me
I can still taste the tears
That you should be crying right now.

Pavan
(Hudson/Ford/Cousins)

And when she lies in need of care and comforting
So as a child's toy she is caressed
And yet when cast adrift upon the changing tide
So as a ship becalmed she lies at rest

Oh darling go to sleep
For the night is young
There are many songs
Yet to be sung
Oh but I will sing them all to you
Before the night is through.

Bursting At The Seams, 1973, Side 2, Track 2

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 1, Track 3

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 1, Track 2

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 13

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 3

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 3

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 1

Acoustic Strawbs version

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 8

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 8

Tell Me What You See In Me

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

My ship sails in
On a cloud of broken promises
It's just not true
Not a single word she says
Time will tell
Whether I can change my ways
It might take years
It might even take always.

Tell me what you see in me
And I'll tell you what I see in you.

Your picture melts
Before my tired eyes
And all it leaves
Is just a trace of paradise
You'll change again
That's what I've been told
But don't take long
Or I might get too old.

Take it easy
But take it slow
For who knows which way next
That wind will blow
Time goes by
Just as quickly as I want it to
And I'll make out
Like I never knew.

Strawbs, 1969, Side 1, Track 5

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 1, Track 3

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 2, Track 5

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 10

Ringing Down The Years, 1991, Track 6

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 8

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 17

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 8

Temperament Of Mind

(Wakeman)

Not available

[instrumental]

Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios, 1970, Side 1, Track 3

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 1, Track 6

Strawbs & Dave Cousins (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 2, Track 4

Recollection, 2006, Track 7

Thank You

(Weaver/Cousins)

Old School Songs

We thank you for the wind and rain
The sunshine and the flowers
We thank you for the moon and stars
The minutes and the hours
We live each day as best we can
And wake up with new friends
For when the nights have turned around
The days begin again.

Bursting At The Seams, 1973, Side 2, Track 5

That Which Once Was Mine

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

If in some capricious moment
I should give you cause to fear
Then you have but to remember
That my being here is mere fortune
For the rules have laid down
To guide the thoughts of those who stray.

If in some deserted hour
We should murmur last goodbyes
With the snowflakes falling softly
As the tears well in your eyes
Then we kiss but once and walk away
Never turning round
And the snow falls on our footsteps
Leaving nothing to be found.

And my life is yet determined
By the span of what it holds
And the span grows ever shorter
As my lifetime folds away.

Strawbs, 1969, Side 1, Track 2

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 1, Track 2

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 2, Track 2

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 3

Recollection, 2006, Track 4

That's The Way It Ends (including The World)

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

In the darkened room her face was just a shadow
You might have been a dream, perhaps you were
The pillow dried your tears
The sadness in your eyes
As time goes by, your case remains unheard.

You never know we might have parted lovers
We might even have parted best of friends
But now you know the score
I'm not worth waiting for
Sad it is, but that's the way it ends.

Dave Cousins: Two Weeks Last Summer, 1972, Side 1, Track 4

That's When The Crying Starts

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Such a strange affair, here today and gone tomorrow
What a way to go, such a crazy note of sorrow
Some guy will make a fortune with a remedy for broken hearts
Don't say goodbye, that's when the crying starts.

What a bitter blow, such a cruel hearted letter
I don't understand, is he really that much better
I'll make it on my own but it's not easy when the guideline parts
Don't say goodbye, that's when the crying starts.

Started out my best friend
But you ended up a traitor
Don't pack your bags
I'll send your things on later
Don't say goodbye, that's when the crying starts.

You were clever, there was never any reason I should doubt you
I just booked a trip on a one way cruise without you
I'll find my self an island
I'll hunt for buried treasure
I'll let you go the half share
It'll really be a pleasure
Just don't say goodbye, that's when the crying starts
Don't say goodbye, that's when the crying starts
Don't say goodbye, that's when the crying starts.

Don't Say Goodbye, 1987, Side 2, Track 3

The Actor

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The storm casts off the shadows as it slips behind the clouds
The peacock looks dejected though his tail is standing proud
The actor tries to prove that he's the face in every crowd.

Oh there stands your hero losing his sight
Confused by his symptoms, and trembling with fright
Oh give him the key, won't you show him the light.

The judge lays down his papers with the hearing at an end
The parish priest reminds you that he's everybody's friend
And the actor wastes his money trying to keep up with the trend.

The fisherman weighs anchor with his catch of drowning souls
The foxes fear the hunters as they hide deep in their holes
While the actor lies down naked on his bed of glowing coals.

Dave Cousins: Two Weeks Last Summer, 1972, Side 2, Track 1

By Choice, 1974, Side 2, Track 3

The Antique Suite

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The Reaper

The reaper stood before him in the room
His melancholy smile matched the gloom
He tried to rise but fell back where he lay
Tried to speak but stumbled as the sentence slipped away.

The room grew far away and strangely still
He caught the reaper's eye and felt a chill
He thought he saw his mother's smiling face
As sunlight filtered softly through the yellowed curtain lace.

He thought back to the days when he was young
He heard the children's choir in which he'd sung
His letter floated softly to the floor
The reaper took his hand and led him gently through the door.

We Must Cross The River

Take my hand and I will lead you safely
There's no need to be dismayed
Though it's dark there will be no danger
There's no need to be afraid.
If you wear the cross your wife once gave you
You will find that it is blessed
Should you find that you are growing weary
You may lean on me and rest.

We must cross the river
We must cross the river
We must cross the river
Together.

Old familiar friends have long been waiting
To welcome you when you arrive
Time is on your side now, do not hurry
You are one who will survive
God is kind to those who seek salvation
Those who know no sense of hate
You will find him on the day of judgment
The God of love, the God of hate.

We must cross the river
We must cross the river
We must cross the river
Together.

Antiques And Curios

On the mantlepiece a china dog waits patiently
The faded velvet curtains are still drawn
The well worn tray of medal ribbons slowly gathers dust
The armchair's chintzy covers have been torn.

The photograph of Nancy on the honeymoon in France
The nearly finished letter underneath
The wheelchair that he never used, he always was too proud
Is folded in the corner by the wreath.

The choirboy's cassock hanging on the hook behind the door
The wooden box in which he kept his cross
The Coronation teapot that his mother always used
Helps to bring about a sense of loss.

Just a collection of antiques and curios.

Hey It's Been A Long Time

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again
Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again.

We met quite by chance
I thought she'd moved away
We never made love but were very good friends.

We were married secretly
Her parents disapproved
For some reason or other they never made clear.

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again
Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again.

We were in France when war broke out
We caught the first boat home
She gave me her cross when I went to the front.

I was hurt in Normandy
She didn't wait at all
I lived with my mother till she passed away.

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again
Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again.

Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios, 1970, Side 1, Track 2

Painted Sky, 2005, Track 4

Recollection, 2006, Track 9

The Battle

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

In the early dawn the Bishops' men
Shivered in the damp
But the shiver came not from the cold
And spread throughout the camp
The trembling horses sensed the fear
Of silent thoughtful men
Who prayed that wives and families
Might see them once again.

The bishops sent a dawn patrol
To investigate the weight
Of forces at the King's command
Ensconced behind the gate
The ground mist hid the patrol's approach
As they drew close enough to show
The sentries on the battlements
And an archer drew his bow.

From the topmost tower a sentry fell
As an arrow pierced his skull
And his headlong flight into the moat
Seemed that of a gull
The patrol reported little
There was nothing much to see
But the strong and silent castle
A symbol of the free.

The King's men took communion
As the first rays of the sun
Lit up the castle's gloomy walls
The fatal day begun
From the castle green the rooks took flight
To the high trees in the east
To their carrion minds the battlefield
Set a table for a feast.

A tide of black, the Bishops' men,
Equality their right
Swarmed like ants across the hill
Their aim at last in sight
The King's men dressed in purest white
Were driven back by force
And the fighting grew more violent
As the battle took its course.

The Bishops gave the order
No mercy to be shown
The sacrifice will reap rewards
When the King is overthrown
The sight of children lying dead
Made hardened soldiers weep
The outer walls began to fall
They moved towards the keep.

The rooks surveyed the battlefield
Their hungry beady eyes
Revelled in the sight of death
Showing no surprise
The pressure mounted steadily
As the Bishops neared the gate
And the desperate King called to his knights
"It's your lives or the State"

When the anxious King began to fail
As many thought he might
The Queen ran screaming round the walls
And urged the men to fight
The Bishops' men were tiring
As the afternoon drew late
And the King's men lowered the drawbridge
And poured out through the gate.

They fought their way across the bridge
The men like falling leaves
Or ears of corn that fall in swathes
The vicious sickle cleaves
The tide receded up the hill
The waste of reclaimed land
Once decaying swamp became
A shore of pure white sand.

A blinded priest was seen to bless
Both dying and the dead
As he stumbled around the battlefield
His cassock running red
If uniform were black or white
His eyes could never see
And death made no distinction
Whatever man he be.

As darkness fell both camps withdrew
Their soldiers slain like cattle
Leaving the rooks to feast alone
The victors of the battle
At evensong both camps reviewed
Their sad depleted ranks
As survivors of the battle
Gave God their grateful thanks.

Strawbs, 1969, Side 2, Track 5

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 4, Track 5

Old School Songs, 1979, Side 1, Track 5

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 5

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 1

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 3

Recollection, 2006, Track 10

The Blantyre Explosion

(Trad. Arr. Cousins)

Not available

By Clyde's bonny banks
As I sadly did wander
Among the coal slag heaps
As evening drew nigh,
I spied a fair maiden
A-weeping and wailing
Weeping and wailing
With many a sigh.

I stepped up beside her
And thus I addressed her:
"Pray tell me fair maid
Of your trouble and pain."
Sobbing and sighing,
She sadly did answer:
"Johnny Murphy, kind sir,
Was my true lover's name."

Twenty-one years of age,
Full of youth and good looking,
To work down the mines
To High Blantyre he came.
The wedding was fixed
All the guests were invited
That calm summers evening
Young Johnny was slain.

The explosion was heard,
All the women and children
With pale anxious faces
They haste to the mine.
When the news was made known,
The hills rang with their moaning,
Three-hundred-and-ten
Young miners were killed

Now husbands and wives
And sweethearts and brothers,
That Blantyre explosion
They'll never forget;
And all you young miners
That hear my sad story,
Shed a tear for the victims
Who are laid to their rest.

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 9

The Desert Song

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The night was ablaze
With the light of a thousand memories
Your eyes were on fire
With the light of a million stars
The clouds went sailing past the moon
Like silver-winged flamingoes
And then he kissed you
Goodnight.

The eyes of your desert prince
Had held you spellbound
You could feel the full heat of the sun
Across his back
He dragged you to his Bedouin tent
This rapid Valentino
And then he kissed you
Goodnight.

You had tasted the fruits
Of his privately owned oasis
He had drugged your wine
Massaged you with perfumed oils
He drank deep at the well
Until you fell back in surrender
And then he kissed you
Goodnight.

The ceaselessly shifting sands
Have erased his footprints
You are left with his jewelled dagger
In your hand
Your face still glows with pleasure
As you linger in the sunset
Until I kiss you
Until I kiss you
Goodnight.

Heartbreak Hill, 1995, Track 7

The Flower And The Young Man

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

While seasons change in timely way
The salt sea ever flows
Where open moors lie cold and bleak
A single flower grows.

Though winter snows fall deep and long
The flower grows the while
The weary traveller passing by
Feels warmer for her smile.

Sunshine and the tender flower
Both melt the young man's heart
But he who lingers waits his turn
Must learn to play his part.

Through summer days of warmth and love
The young man tends his flower
But blinded by their colours bright
Heeds not the passing hour.

The autumn trees once clothed with gold
Now frayed and sadly worn
The flower bids a chill farewell
The young man's heart is torn.

While seasons change in timely way
The salt sea ever flows
Where open moors lie cold and bleak
A single flower grows.

Grave New World, 1972, Side 2, Track 1

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 12

Acoustic Strawbs version

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 4

The Golden Salamander

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The bird had silver wings, my friends,
And reached out for the sky;
It found its wings were broken,
It had lost the right to fly.
The pink-eyed salamander
Changed its colours for the day;
It changed from white to purest gold
And left the stag at bay.
Now I am but a p;oor man
In the apple blossom state,
I choose to fly where'er I please,
The stag must needs a mate.

My golden salamander,
You must take me as I am.
I cannot change my colours,
I am but a simple man.

The golden salamander
Had become the rite of spring;
The silver bird made promises
That scarcely meant a thing;
They told the wicked huntsman
Where the stag had run to rest.
Now the elderly survivor
Knew this was not for the best;
He opened up his heart
And prayed for peace for all mankind.
He asked a fortune teller
But found out that she was blind.

The clouds were passing over,
There was little sign of rain;
The sun was slowly rising
From its slumberdown again.
The stag had run to cover
In a copse beside the lake;
The huntsman broke the silence
And the birds began to wake.
The fortune teller smiled
As the survivor spoke of fate.
He thanked her for her interest
But knew it was too late.

Nomadness, 1975, Side 1, Track 3

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 11

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 9

Acoustic Strawbs version

The Hangman And The Papist

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The village square stands quiet with the curfew still in force
The streets are even clear of dogs and whores
Like some evil bird of prey the scaffold spreads its wings
The people build their fires and bolt their doors
The mayor is giving dinner to the officers and wives
His eldest son is learning how to fawn
The barrack block is hushed and tense, the soldiers drawing lots
Who will be the hangman in the dawn.

The lot falls on a young man who has served for but a year
His home is in the village close nearby
He shivers at the thought of what he's forced to do next day
He wonders who it is that has to die
The full moon casts a cold light on the gloomy prison walls
The papist walk his cell, he cannot sleep
He hears the waiting gallows creaking just beyond the door
He prays for he has no more tears to weep.

The day begins to break, the muffled drums begin to sound
A crowd begins to gather in the square
The presence of the hangman in his terrifying mask
Weighs heavy on the minds of all those there
The colonel reads the sentence which the papist knows by heart
He has failed to show allegiance to the King
His crime is thus with God himself, in His name he must hang
The papist, head held high, says not a thing.

The jailer binds his hands and puts the blindfold to his eyes
He leads him through the door before the crowd
The hangman sees his victim and the blood drains from his face
He sees his younger brother standing proud
The hangman tries to protest but is ordered to proceed
His trembling hands begin to take the strain
His eyes are blind with streaming tears, he cries for all to hear
"Forgive me God, we hang him in they name".

From The Witchwood, 1971, Side 1, Track 5

Strawbs & Dave Cousins (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 1, Track 2

Old School Songs, 1979, Side 2, Track 1

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 6

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 3

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 4

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 9

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 12

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Live 1988, 2005, Track 5

The Journey's End

(Cousins/Weaver)

Old School Songs

The signpost stands where the crossways meet
There's but one road to the journey's end
The wanderer bent with his heavy load
Is waiting for a friend.

The sun sinks slowly behind the hill
The dead leaves lie where the wind has blown
Likewise he who has travelled far
Must find his way alone.

And as he leaves so the signpost turns
To point the way to the journey's end
The old grey man with his heavy load
No longer needs a friend.

Grave New World, 1972, Side 2, Track 6

The King

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The soft blush of evening
Returns to the folded hills
The sky rains magenta
In praise of the shepherd's skills
The lion lies down beside the lamb
At peace in the holy ground.

The King is returning
And those that were lost are found.

The old moon is resting
She sleeps in the new moon's arms
The love of a mother
Eclipsed by her daughter's charms
The robin bares his wounded breast
And sings with a joyful sound.

The glory of Heaven
Explodes in the rising sun
The long wait is over
The new reign just begun
The ransom of the holly bush
Was paid when the King was crowned.

A symphony of harmonies
In one triumphant sound.

Ringing Down The Years, 1991, Track 2

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 13

The Last Resort

(Cousins/Cronk/Lambert)

Old School Songs

This is the last resort
You'll ever know
The old straight track
The long way back
One more familiar face has gone

Will you miss me
I doubt it
There are many more
At the last resort.

This is the last resort
You'll ever take
The summer old
The winter cold
And now the seasons will never change.

Will you miss me
I doubt it
There are many more
At the last resort.

This is the last resort
It's make or break
The ray of hope
The silken rope
Your feet are on the endless slope
Just one more chance to touch the sun.

Will you miss me
I doubt it
The damage has been done.

This is the last resort
You'll ever know
The lights are down
On your favourite clown
The time has come
The final bow

Will you miss me
I doubt it
There are many more
At the last resort.

Deadlines, 1978, Side 1, Track 5

Concert Classics, 1998, Track 1

The Life Auction

(Cousins/Hawken/Lambert)

Old School Songs

Impressions Of Southall From The Train
(Cousins/Hawken)

Row upon row
Of drab colourless houses
Bowing low
Before high rise blocks
Varicosed housewives
With sweaty armpits
Scrimping and scrubbing
Their husbands' socks
A limp polluted flag
Flutters sadly in its death throes
While crippled trees in leg irons
Wearily haul themselves
Through another diluted acid day.

The Auction
(Cousins/Lambert)

The vultures stood outside the gate
Quite unaware that fate
Is unaware to those who wait
In vain. Their pride
Betrays the means of their destruction.

Take my rings and trinkets bright
But leave my eyes which give me light
My tongue which gives me leave to speak
The rest is yours and welcome.

The wolves will suck the bones they bought
Those over which they fought
Their elders always having taught
Them envy. Their greed
Explains their total lack of conscience.

The auctioneer is seldom lost
Our paths have sometimes crossed
But he has never failed to count the cost
Of passion. Desire
Is the whole point of his existence.

Now you have given cause to bleed
You join the wolf pack as you feed
But now you find yourself in need
Of comfort. But peace of mind
Has no home for the loveless.

Ghosts, 1975, Side 2, Track 1

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 4, Track 3

The Man Who Called Himself Jesus

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

He came into the shop and looked me straight between the eyes
And said "You know I'm Jesus", and I must have looked surprised
Because he said "Please don't be hasty, no-one understands
But I've got a way to prove it" and he lifted up his hands.

He was the man who called himself Jesus.

For a minute I was speechless, then I looked into his face
With sufficient lines of sadness for the total human race
And I said "You must be joking" but he slowly shook his head
And said "That's what they all say, I might as well be dead".

He asked me if I knew a place where he could start to preach
I said "Well try a church or maybe Brighton beach"
And I was trying to be serious but he didn't seem impressed
He said "You think I'm crazy, you're just like all the rest".

I was really quite embarrassed, he was looking so sincere
So I said "I close the shop soon, won't you come and have a beer"
Then he asked me if I meant it and he smiled a funny smile
And he said he'd rather like that and he hung arounds a while.

On the way he stopped to pat little children's heads
And he taught them one line prayers to say as they went off to their beds
But mostly they were frightened and they looked at him wide eyed
And when he said his name was Jesus, one girl even cried.

In the pub I asked him if he'd tried to see the Pope
And he said although he'd thought about it there was really not a hope
Then he said he thought he'd better go, he had some work to do
He said he'd come and see me in about a week or two.

Well after he had gone I thought of what he'd said
And all his funny actions they kept running through my head
And when I felt my mind was drowning in a sea of mud
It seemed his pint of beer had turned into a pint of blood.

Strawbs, 1969, Side 1, Track 1

By Choice, 1974, Side 1, Track 1

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 2, Track 1

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 14

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 3

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 1

The Collection, 2002, Track 3

Recollection, 2006, Track 6

The Plain

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The plain stretched out before me as far as the slate grey sky
I told her I was leaving with the migrant birds to fly
I said she might expect me with the coming of the spring
When the birds return back home again with new-found songs to sing.

I hit out on the highway, high on the rising sun
I felt my spirit rising, my journey was newly begun
The joy of expectation rose in my heart with a song
The courage of conviction carried my journey along.

I bathed in the lake of comfort, the milk of my mother's breast
The son of constant sorrow sank to his knees in the West
I prayed to my God for guidance to find there was no-one but me
There was just the open highway as far as my eyes could see.

Throughout my endless journey I have been searching for paradise lost
I now retrace my footsteps with the burden of infinite cost
I see myself returning alone with my head held high
The plain stretched out before me as far as the slate grey sky.

Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby: The Bridge, 1994, Track 8

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 7

The Promised Land

(Cronk)

Not available

It was early in the morning
And our ship was still at sea,
With a lifetime far behind us we were free.
We had strong hearts and a faith
In our good Lord's guiding hands;
The mist before us cleared, and we saw the promised land.

With our brothers and our sisters
We soon forged into the land,
Building towns and cities far beyond our dreams.
As the tree which reaches to the sky,
The child who learns to stand,
So we had men of vision to create the promised land.

But the vision soon became
One man's view of wealth and fame,
And the gun became what wisdom used to be.
So the struggle had begun
Which has never yet been won,
Hear the people, hear them saying, "Are we free?"

So God bless you, my promised land,
Let nothing you dismay,
For the hand that guides our fortunes has strange ways.
And when the fight is over
And the judgment is at hand,
Please don't forget our brothers,
Far beyond the promised land.

Nomadness, 1975, Side 2, Track 5

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 17

The River

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I made a sideways motion
Turning a new leaf
The single minded miner's girl
Was there to share my grief
I shivered in the butter wind
Three times the cockerel crowed
I waited for the river
But the river did not flow.

An autumn turned to silver
Winter turned to gold
The weatherman said dress up
Oh but I did not feel the cold
Kids waited with toboggans
As I sheltered from the snow
I waited for the river
But the river did not flow.

I will drink the milk from you breasts
Meld myself to you
Collect the valley lilies
The worshippers once strew
My body aches with hunger
Yet your belly has to grow
I waited for the river
But the river did not flow.

Bursting At The Seams, 1973, Side 1, Track 5

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 1, Track 4

Greatest Hits Live, 1993, Track 8

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 7

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 15

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 4

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 13

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 10

Acoustic Strawbs version

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 14

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 8

The Shepherd's Song

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The heavy air was scented by
The disappointed flowers
The weatherman had promised them
Warm soft summer showers
They bowed their weary heads
Resigned to wait a few more hours
And we walked together in the half light
Down secret paths
Climbed wooden fences
Till a dancing meadow
Enveloped us within its grassy web.

There was no need for discussion
It was surely no disgrace
Her soft skin had the texture
Of the finest silken lace
Waiting moist and trembling
It was just the time and place
And our woven bodies sang together
In harmony
With understanding
Till we fell back smiling
Rejoicing in the music we had made.

The blood red summer sunset
Was a slowly spreading stain
That rose behind the bandstand
As the shepherd played again
We heard his silver trumpet
It had blown away the rain
And we lay together in the long grass
Holding hands
And making sweet talk
Till the smell of woodsmoke
Reminded us that it was to go.

From The Witchwood, 1971, Side 2, Track 3

By Choice, 1974, Side 1, Track 5

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 5

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 11

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 3

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Live 1988, 2005, Track 7

The Soldier's Tale

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

The watchers on the hillside stand in silence
As the dawn appears
Then they gather to their horses in an instant
As a sunshaft sears
Through the morning mist which hangs low in the valleys
Like a serpent's tail
Both poisonous to enemies and heroes
In the soldiers' tale.

A lonely tower stands empty as a refuge
By the sullen lake
As the straggle of survivors, in their weakness,
Make a grave mistake
For the crossroad sign which points towards the cost
Is another nail
In the cross of the Pretender and his comrades
In the soldiers' tale.

The dream we once knew
Is now over
The battle is lost
The retreat has begun
Let us make our escape
In the dead of the night
While the lone widows wail
In the soldiers' tale.

The French boat, at the ready, stands at anchor
On the swollen tide
His loyal followers raise a faint cheer
As he draws aside
The Pretender's cause is lost, a sad farewell
As the boat sets sail
And the rain hurls down on the challenge of the gauntlet
In the soldiers' tale.

The soldiers' song is never sung
The soldiers' battle never won
The soldiers' lives are bought an sold
The soldiers' bayonets are cold
The soldiers' guns are never fired
The soldiers' eyes are never tired
The soldiers' hearts are filled with hate
A soldier's cause must ever wait.

Deep Cuts, 1976, Side 1, Track 5

The Vision Of The Lady Of The Lake

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The boatman rose to the sound of his heartbeat
Loud in the silent approach of the dawn
He glanced through the window at mist on the lake
Which hung like a shroud in the still of the morn
The silver cobwebs spun with the dew
Hung from the bushes in filigree splendour
And water lilies asleep on the lake
Were reflected so delicate, tranquil and tender.

The boat man sighed as he strode through the woods
To the place where his boat lay moored to a stake
The hollow sound as his footsteps echoed
Until the sound was lost on the lake
He cast off, poling the boat from the shore
Peering a head through damp clinging haze
He thought that he saw strange swirling shapes
A trick on the eyes that the mist often plays.

So intent was the boatman on crossing the lake
That he failed to notice the current that flowed
Leading his boat from familiar parts
He was firmly, yet somehow unknowingly, towed
All at once the mist seemed to lift
Sufficient to show the boatman a pool
That he'd never seen in the whole of his life
Unnaturally deep, black and silent, and cool.

The boatman's shirt clung to his back
He was sweating both from exertion and fear
He had the sensation that someone was watching
He felt the presence of somebody near
An invisible force prevented him moving
The strength of his arms was utterly sapped
The twisted bushes converged round the lake
Like a fish in a net he was trapped.

Suddenly out of the water before him
The wraith-like form of a maiden appeared
Clad in shimmering radiant robes
The maiden materialised as she neared
The hair which finely crowned her head
Was a halo of golden reflecting the sun
All of the beautiful women of time
Were formed all at once into one.

She handed the boatman the sword she was holding
Which flashed irridescent before his eyes
Excalibur surely was hardly a match
For a sword that simple description defies
The boatman stood transfixed by her gaze
Which reached to the depths of his very soul
To he who could conquer the evils of life
She offered herself as a whole.

The maiden vanished before his gaze
Leaving him clutching the sword in his fist
The hairs on the nape of his neck seemed to stiffen
A creature approached him from out of the mist
It was powerful, huge and yet stupid indeed
For it held right back and failed to attack
The boatman struck at its small stupid eyes
And it crashed to the ground and lay on its back.

Without a warning the sky seemed to blacken
As though the sun were in total eclipse
The boatman crouched low as a vast eagle swooped
And a horrified cry escaped from his lips
It strutted before him with pride in its bearing
Admiring its talons both vicious and cruel
Taking advantage the boatman struck fast
And the eagle slid to the depths of the pool.

The terrified boatman tried moving his boat
But his pole had grown roots in the watery deep
The bank grew alive with the coils of a snake
And all you could hear was its slither and creep
It cast an envious stare at the boatman
Slid into the water and swam to the boat
He stood hypnotised by its green jealous eyes
As it came from the water and coiled round his throat.

As its coils tightened slowly his breath came in gasps
As he choked so he lifted the sword in despair
As the snake was still gloating he severed its head
And in death the snake's coils thrashed wild in the air
The boatman wiped the sweat from his brow
His heart was pounding as never before
His eyes like a lizard's tongue darted around
Not daring to rest for a minute or more.

An involuntary shiver went up his spine
As he heard the sound of eerie howls
A wolf appeared on the banks of the pool
Saliva dripped from its loathsome jowls
Hatred smouldered deep in his eyes
Which glowed like coals from Hades fire
It seemed to grow as it crouched and snarled
And watched as the boatman began to tire.

It was almost as though the wolf had learned
For it did not attack as the others had done
But bided its time until the moment was right
And sprang as the boatman stared into the sun
But the boatman too had learned to hold back
And holding his sword as though a knife
He plunged it deep into the wolf's heart
Then fell to his knees and prayed for his life.

As he felt a hand on his shoulder he whirled
To find the maiden by his side
She smiled and the world seemed to open before him
He tried to speak but his tongue was tied
You must plunge the sword deep into my heart
Lest I should crumble into dust
She offered the boatman the meaning of life
And love, if he could but conquer lust.

She bared her breasts before his eyes
The boatman still was stricken dumb
He flung the sword back into the water
Back to the depths from which it had come
The water around him began to boil
The maiden began to wither away
His boat was swamped as the creatures arose
And evil lived for another day.

Dragonfly, 1970, Side 2, Track 3

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 3, Track 3

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 4, Track 1

The Weary Song

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The soldier smiling softly sings a song of sad farewell
As the train pulls out to take him far from home
His children waving gaily without knowing he has gone
Now you know what I feel.

And the thoughts that always greet you
Every morning when you rise
They never ever change they're just the same
When you're weary to extreme
And you never laugh or cry
You're just a sheet of glass behind a frame.

The best days of your life are when you don't know right from wrong
When the fantasies around you seem so real
And reality is really as fantastic as your dreams
Now you know how I feel.

So the train pulls out forever, just a whistle and it's gone
And the station disappears before your eyes
In time the rails will rust and you'll forget that you've been there
Now I know how you feel.

Dragonfly, 1970, Side 1, Track 1

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 1, Track 1

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 4

The Winter And The Summer

(Lambert)

Not available

Looks around with angel face
She does everything with amazing grace
She wears smart clothes but no-one knows
She's got nobody waiting at home.

She is not the only song I sing
Though I sing them all for her
There is something in her melody
That I've never heard before.

The winter and the summer
Need never come again
The winter and the summer
Need never come again
In my life there is no season
No reason.

She is not the only book I read
See her pages are not torn
And her story is of loneliness
Though her memory still war.

The winter and the summer
Need never come again
The winter and the summer
Need never come again
In my life there is no season
No reason.

Every now and then I'm sad
Thinking what we could have had
If we'd met some years before
Would we now be wanting more.

She is not the only sound I hear
Though to hear her lights my day
There's no picture in the gallery
That has half as much to say.

The winter and the summer
Need never come again
The winter and the summer
Need never come again
In my life there is no season
No reason.

Bursting At The Seams, 1973, Side 2, Track 3

BBC In Concert, 1995, Track 9

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 7

The Young Pretender

(Cousins/Wakeman)

Old School Songs/SGO: RW Music Ltd

Bring out your dead
The captain said
With no sense of remorse
The battle is not over
We must make a show of force
The silver band began to play
The moon began to rise
I could not hear their music
But I could read it in their eyes

My friend, the young pretender
Simply did not understand
Bring out your dead
The captain said
Or you will join the band

Bring out your dead
The captain said
We fight again at noon
For those who are courageous
It can never come too soon
The ship of fools came sailing by
On the early morning tide
Her sails were hanging lifeless
But her flag flew high with pride

My friend, the young pretender
Had forgotten to take note
Bring out your dead
The captain said
Or you will miss the boat

Bring out your dead
The captain said
The victory is near
The battle is all over
And the way ahead marked clear
The carnival procession
Took its third trip round the town
The bandsmen raised their trumpets
And the walls came a-tumbling down

My friend, the young pretender
Took a candle to the night
Bring out your dead
The captain said
It's time to see the light

Bring out your dead
The captain said
The band is leaving town
The ship will sail without you
And the only way is down
The windy streets were empty
And the damage cleared away
The townsfolk were preparing
To rebuild the wall next day
My friend, the young pretender
Took the lion to the Iamb
Bring out your dead
The captain said
He did not give a damn

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 1

There Will Come The Day

(Cousins/Airey)

Old School Songs

Sadness clouds the face of Mother Nature
Children dry the tears that she has shed
We will light a candle in her darkness
Beauty in the eyes of the beloved

There will come the day
When we'll be glad
There will come the day
For celebration
The day of hope
The day of innocence
The day of destiny
The right of man

The women that were raped are bearing children
Blood seeps in the furrows that we plough
We will sow the seeds of our salvation
While grave stones line the old road to the high brow

Spirits that were crushed still sing together
The ancient village raised will be reborn
We will join our hands and sing together
We will raise our voices to a new dawn

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 6

Acoustic Strawbs version

Blue Angel, 2003, Track 4

Thirty Days

(Ford)

Fazz Music

I have people to free, they're depending on me
So I can't afford to die
Get them safely back, then I won't stay too long
I'll be leaving soon for London
So I'll look this war straight in the eye
Only thirty days so I can't afford to die.

When I think of the dead, that go round in my head
No I can't afford to die
So the thing to do is pretend that they weren't there
With my baby at home waiting
I can give myself a little sigh
Only thirty days so I can't afford to die.

God ain't taking my hand, not to no promised land
So I can't afford to die
So I'll cease my command before another bomb
If I see my home a free man
I'll remember why I never cried
Only thirty days so I can't afford to die.

From The Witchwood, 1971, Side 1, Track 3

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 2, Track 2

This Barren Land

(Cousins)/(Lambert)

Old School Songs/SGO Music

I took the children by the hand
Promised to show them all that God had planned
So sad but true, this moral maze
Betrays the innocence of bygone days
You can't hold back the march of time
I said
You can't hold back the march of time
This blood stained desert road on which we stand
Is testament to man
This barren land

Our song of joy, the countryside
Radiant fields forever glowed with pride
That once were blessed as golden shires
Now bear the sad remains of funeral pyres
You can't hold back the march of time
I said
You can't hold back the march of time
This wicked wilderness in which we stand
Is testament to man
This barren land

You can't hold back the march of time
I said
You can't hold back the march of time
This way of no return
Is testament to man
This barren land

On sullen shores we make our peace
We pray that the howling wind will someday cease
The waves of power can never bend
They ever take their course until the end
You can't hold back the march of time
I said
You can't hold back the march of time
This crumbling cliff top path on which we stand
Is testament to man
This barren land

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 8

Live at Nearfest 2004, 2005, Track 7

Till The Sun Comes Shining Through

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

My love is as the rose
As wild and free as I should wish to be
Close guarded by the thorns
That shield her from the hands that seek to touch.

The hourglass sand that runs so free
Is rock that failed to halt the waves of time
My haven is the harbour bar
Sheltering from the storm
'Til the sun comes shining through, again.

My love a primrose fair
A gentle hedgerow flower in the spring
If gathered in the dawn
Come evening she will surely fade and die.

My love is as a pearl
A heart of stone that I can never own
More precious that my life
Thus meaning more than I can ever give.

Dragonfly, 1970, Side 2, Track 1

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 3, Track 1

Time And Life

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

Time is the power
The enemy hour
The soul survivor of the news
The headlines.

Life is a friend
I value its end
For I can take it when I choose
The deadlines.

Time and life
Will meet at dawn
The swords have been drawn
For the takers.

Time has no heart
It wins from the start
Was I so foolish
As to try to ignore it.

Life is complete
And proud in defeat
At last I understand
Why I adore it.

Time and life
Fight to the end
But life has to bend
To her makers.

Deadlines, 1978, Side 2, Track 1

Tina Dei Fada

(Hudson)

Fazz Music

[instrumental]

Don't Say Goodbye, 1987, Side 1, Track 4

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 7

To Be Free

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The gilt-edged invitation came
And I said "What can this mean?
To attend the coronation
As the first guest of the Queen
And sit upon her right hand
Where the Prince is normally seen?"
The maids of honour stared at me
And registered surprise
To see a man of such good taste
Appear before their eyes
Now bring rather humble
I adopted a disguise
As the Minister of State
For Mass Environment Controls
Who condemn the working classes
For inhabiting the holes
That belong to Queen and Country
But do not permit their souls
To be free like me.

The perspex chandelier
Began to melt and slip away
One million candle-powered
It kept the night at bay
While the power station workers
Were busy making hay
The workers in the fields
Were engaged in self-defence
Which involved the use of barbed wire
As a self-containing fence
But as a means of self-protection
It was needlessly immense
I stopped to ask them for a light
They pointed at the sun
Which raised their hopes of harvesting
A better crop than guns
Can ever mass produce
At the expense of anyone
Who is free like me.

The solitary peasant
In his home above the lake
Raised high on wooden stilts
Has made the singular mistake
Of revolutionary conduct
At the celebration wake
His urban counterpart
Engaged in mundane occupation
Enjoys the chance of laughing
At the Queen's humiliation
At the hands of Ministers of State
For Rehabilitation
Now the power station worker
Though his aim is too disjointed
Finds himself around the corner
While his gun is never pointed
He is ever at the ready
He desires to be annointed
And be free like me.

Nomadness, 1975, Side 1, Track 1

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 1, Track 8

A Choice Selection of Strawbs, 1992, Track 14

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 2, Track 15

Tokyo Rosie

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The willows stand on guard in the dark
Where lovers are rowing alone in the park.
In awe of each other they make a mistake,
And find they must spend one more night on the lake.

And I don't care if anyone knows,
There's no-one so fair as my Tokyo rose.
I don't care if anyone knows,
There's no-one so fair as my Tokyo Rosie.

The blossom has fallen before the west wind;
The butterfly lies with its silken wings pinned;
Alone in the temple the lovers rejoice
And sing to each other with one single voice.

I wear my silk kimono black,
Get you monkey off my back.
No matter where the west wind blows,
You'll never find a fallen rose.

The flowers of heaven are roses in bloom;
The east wind turns west in the walls of my room.
I build my defence in the palace of sin,
The lovers make home and the loser must win.

Nomadness, 1975, Side 2, Track 2

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 12

The Collection, 2002, Track 15

Tomorrow

(Cousins/Hooper/Ford/Hudson/Weaver)

Old School Songs

You talked of me with acid tongue
And pointed trembling spiteful hands
Your presence almost overwhelmed
When Mother Nature tends her young
She comforts each and every one
The flower sheds its seeds and flourishes.

But now I walk a mile high
My shoulders in the clouds
I have seen the sun break through
I'll speak my thoughts aloud
Sometime
For now I see tomorrow
Just as clearly as I see today
While yesterday
Which meant so much
Has grown so far away.

Grave New World, 1972, Side 2, Track 2

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 2, Track 4

Turn Me Round

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

My life is never peaceful
As I fly me high above
For I hover like an eagle
With an olive branch of love
With the vision of a hunter
And the conscience of a dove.

Turn me round.

Now the eagle holds the aces
When it comes to strength and pace
For the dove is a beginner
In the universal race
But lonely is the hunter
As he closes in the chase.

Turn me round
Clear my vision
Let me see the light
Turn me round
Change position
Give the blind man sight
Turn me round.

Let me see the tracery
Of the lines upon your face
As I kneel in contemplation
Of your majesty and grace
For the eagle in his sorrow
Is a man in sure disgrace.

My dove, my mediator
May you flourish in your solitude
A haven in the storm clouds
Let me paint you in your studio
May the brushmarks on the canvas
Show the eagle in his eerie mood.

Deep Cuts, 1976, Side 1, Track 2

Two Separate People

(Cousins/Cronk/Richards/Fernandez)

Old School Songs

When two separate people
Go two separate ways
There's too many hours
In the long and lonely days
When two separate people
Make two separate plans
There's two points of view
The woman's, the man's.

We're two separate people
Who drifted apart
Two separate people
Who made a false start
Two separate people
Beginning again
Two separate people
In need of a friend.

When two separate people
Lead two separate lives
There's too many kids
And not enough wives.

Heartbreak Hill, 1995, Track 6

Two Weeks Last Summer

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

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

Summer days all 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
[Promises that mean so much
Broken with a single touch/
Candy floss and ice cream cones
Discotheques and Rolling Stones]
Passing fancies fly away
Empty shadows on a sunlit bay.

Summer days all [I] float downstream,
Wondering where the day has been
Boats that sail away at night
Come the day have sailed far out of sight.

[Deserted evenings 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.]

Summer days all float downstream,
Wondering where the day has been
Boats that sail away at night
Come the day have sailed far out of sight.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 1, Track 4

The words in square brackets are from a different version of the song. Sandy Denny originally sang the song on the early recordings the Strawbs did with her in Denmark which weren't released other than on the private pressing Strawberry Music Sampler. After Sandy left Fairport she formed Fotheringay which released an album and a single but which had recorded a number of tracks for a second album including "Two Weeks Last Summer". The story goes that Sandy rang Dave up and asked him to write an extra verse which he obligingly did. It would seem that he cut out topical references (back in 1968) to "discothequesand rolling stones" which may have seemed a bit naff by 1971 though he left them in for his own version of the song rerecorded for his solo album Two Weeks Last Summer in 1972. The original Strawbs version with Sandy's vocal didn't make the Pickwick label release of the Sandy Denny tapes All Our Own Work (which came out in the wake of the success of Part of the Union") but had to wait for full release until the Sandy Denny rather than Strawbs oriented Hannibal release "Sandy and the Strawbs" overseen by Joe Boyd. The amended Sandy version emerged on the monumental boxed set retrospective "Who Knows Where The Time Goes".

Dave Cousins: Two Weeks Last Summer, 1972, Side 1, Track 1

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 11

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 17

Under A Cloudless Sky

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The painter from St Petersburg is making headline news
He paints his masterpieces to the sound of lonesome blues
There's no-one in the whole wide world can ever steal his shoes
Under a cloudless sky

The highwayman is hungry, hanging high in chains
His body may be weakened, but his will to live remains
He sleeps with one eye open watching out for planes
Under a cloudless sky

For forty days and nights I've been lost
How long have you been flying?
But I haven't had the time to count the cost
How long have you been flying?
The runway's cracked and broken
And the weeds are showing through
I've been so high so long
That I have lost sight of the view
There's no-one on the radio
To bring me back to you
Won't somebody try and understand
All I want to do is land

Vittorio Emanuel shows signs of deep mistrust
He carefully avoids Signora Montenegro's bust
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
Under a cloudless sky

All along the promenade the day has just begun
Gilded Russian cuppolas glistening in the sun
The painter and the highwayman are surely having fun
Under a cloudless sky

The highwayman broke out into a shiver
How long have you been flying?
The painter flung his brushes in the river
How long have you been flying?
High above San Remo
Out of all control
The painter sold his icons
The highwayman his soul
They played in the Casino
On a never ending roll
Won't somebody try and understand
All I want to do is land

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 2

Via Bencini

(Wakeman)

RW Music

Instrumental

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Hummingbird, 2002, Track 12

U

U

W

Wasting My Time (Thinking Of You)

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

Every day and every night
I'm thinking of you, thinking of you
When I get into bed and turn out the light
I'm thinking of you, thinking of you.

Messing around with a song that I wrote
Thinking of you, thinking of you
Plucking up the courage to send you a note
Thinking of you, thinking of you.

I just get the feeling that I'm wasting my time
I can see you strung out on a different line
I'm wasting my time, wasting my time.

May be I am, maybe I'm not
Wasting my time, thinking of you
But I'm making the most of what little I've got
I'm wasting my time, thinking of you.

Getting my kicks from Algerian wine
Thinking of you, thinking of you
Getting hung up on the telephone line.
Wasting my time, thinking of you.

Deep Cuts, 1976, Side 2, Track 3

Ways And Means

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I'm as the world forever spinning
Rekindled by the early rising sun
I'm as the road that's ever winding
A never ending journey just begun.

And the wheel turns in my heart and in my soul
The fire burns ever in my head
While others come with lanterns
That will last throughout the night
To follow in the ways where we have led.

She's as the river ever flowing
As constant as the Greenwich clock at noon
She's as the sea that's ever rolling
A high spring tide that rises with the moon.

And today is much the same
As any other day has been
And I think about tomorrow
And while there's not much that I need
To take me further on
There are still things that I borrow.

They are as the wheel forever turning
The heart that gives an athlete strength to win
They are as the fire that's ever burning
The flame that lights the lamp of life within.

Dave Cousins: Two Weeks Last Summer, 1972, Side 2, Track 3

Old School Songs, 1979, Side 1, Track 3

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Live 1988, 2005, Track 8

We Can Make It Together

(Cousins/Cronk)

Old School Songs

Like a high tree in the wind you are lost when you're alone
Like a wild bird in a cage you are trapped inside your home
If you don't accept the plan, you'd better get out while you can.

We can make it together
If we try
Oh if we try.

As the mountain top is trash so the bottom is decayed
The machinery is aging, like a worn out coat it's frayed
The frown on every face is the national disgrace.

We can make it together
We can make it together
If we try
Oh if we try.

As people feel the burden of the crosses that they bear
The social fabric stretches until at last it starts to tear
So hold your backs up proud, you'd better shout your name out loud.

We can make it together
We can make it together
We can make it together
If we try
Oh if we try.

Don't Say Goodbye, 1987, Side 1, Track 3

Heartbreak Hill, 1995, Track 3

We'll Meet Again Sometime

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I only have my memories to last me the remainder of my days
For time has now decided that we must go our individual ways
The warmth I feel inside can more than overcome my loss
But this is me today and tomorrow I must count the cost.

We'll meet again sometime
Though the road is steep and very hard to climb.

The pleasures of a lifetime condensed into a fleeting glimpse of truth
A moment of delight as when a child receives a sixpence for a tooth
The simple things in life mean more to me than money ever buys
The greatest thing for me to see my love reflected in your eyes.

We'll meet again sometime
Though the road is steep and very hard to climb.

We'll meet again sometime
Though the way is never clear
My sacrifice is made
Everything that I hold dear
We'll meet again sometime
Though the road is steep and very hard to climb.

Oh lover of a lifetime let me look upon your loveliness alone
Oh but I cannot gaze too long for I fear that it will turn me into stone
A monument to life to stand forever by your grave
Inscribed for all to see, a message of respect, "Be brave".

For we'll meet again sometime
Though the road is steep and very hard to climb.

Dave Cousins: Two Weeks Last Summer, 1972, Side 2, Track 4

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 1, Track 9

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 6

Recollection, 2006, Track 1

When The Lights Came On

(Lambert)

SGO Music

The party wasn't over when my friends started leaving
Still a lot of things I had to say
If I walked back in the room would it be the way I left it?
Lost my nerve and turned away
And the rains came, and the skies turned grey

When the lights came on
I could see the picture
It burned my eyes and it bruised my mind
Gave me hope to face the future
I was not alone when the lights came on

They crucified the ox and threw his carcass to the fire
Stood around proclaiming they were free
Stripped away his flesh while giving thanks for all his labours
No-one saw the joke but him and me
Then the rains came, and the skies turned grey

The wise man built his house upon the rock beside the river
Cared not for the storms that lashed around
The foolish man was tempted, dipped his soul into the water
His body, though at peace, has not been found
Because the rains came, and the skies turned grey

Deja Fou, 2004, Track 9

When You Were A Child

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

When you were a child you were a friend of mine
And I loved you in my way
But though we grew apart, and I lost touch with you
It still seems like yesterday
I haven't seen you in a long time
Oh, but I bet you look the same way you always did
When you were a child you were a friend of mine
And I loved you in my way.

When you were a child you used to paint for me
And I loved you in my way
In time the paintings faded and were set aside
They have now been thrown away
I haven't seen you in a long time
Oh but I bet you look the same way you always did
When you were a child you used to paint for me
And I loved you in my way.

When you were a child you used to laugh for me
And I loved you in my way
But as the laughs turned silver they cost too much
You were far too grown to play
Though I hadn't seen you in a long time
Oh I just knew you'd look the same way you always did
When you were a child you used to laugh for me
And I loved you in my way.

Dave Cousins: Two Weeks Last Summer, 1972, Side 2, Track 2

Where Am I/I'll Show You Where To Sleep

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Where Am I ?

I sit here in peaceful meditation by a river
Watch my thoughts go floating down the stream of consciousness
Never ever changing the direction of my dreaming
To realise myself
Nothing more or nothing less
And as the hours slip away
On this pleasant April day
I sit and watch the flowers grow
Where am I
Where am I ?

I'll Show You Where To Sleep

Just paint a picture of the world
In gentle pastel shades
Indistinct and somehow blurred
Like childhood escapades
The painting box is rather dear
But the paints themselves are cheap
Leave your pack at the side of the road
I'll show you where to sleep.

Dead brown weeds in a ditch at the side
Of a field of burning corn
The road opens out before you
Like the womb where you were born
There's no need to pretend again
To try and earn your keep
Leave your pack at the side of the road
I'll show you where to sleep.

And crowds will gather in the sun
As stone madonnas weep
And the shepherd is a good man
As he tends his flock of sheep.

In case you find your tortoise shell
Is getting rather tight
You can wrap yourself in your magic cloak
And disappear from sight
And I will stand guard over you
As through the door you creep
Leave your pack at the side of the road
I'll show you where to sleep.

Strawbs, 1969, Side 2, Track 4

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 4, Track 4

Where Do You Go (When You Need A Hole To Crawl In)

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

When you were young you were protected
When you were growing you were sheltered
But when you reached your adult years
You were left alone
And you had no-one to rely on
No-on to care for you
A lost soul in search of some kind of shelter and protection.

Now where do you run
Where do you hide
Where do you go
When you need a hole to crawl in
Where do you go?

I found that in our darkest hour
The young ones that I knew and loved well
Beckoned with the memory
Of their alluring spell
And so I gathered up my senses
Bade one and all Godspeed
If my ways were what you desired then love is what you must need.

I tried to find a consolation
But realised that deep down inside
Consolation is but yet
My all despairing pride
And now I'm dark eyed and bewildered
My guts can feel the strain
My mouth is dry, my chest is tight
And my forehead's lined with the pain.

Ghosts, 1975, Side 1, Track 4

Best Of The Strawbs (2LP), 1978, Side 1, Track 9

Where Is This Dream Of Your Youth

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Wake up one day, you're left alone
From now on you're on your own
The sands of time are running low
You'll have nothing left to show
The months slip by and change to years
Soon the twilight gloom appears
And then one day before you know
You'll have nothing left to show.

Where is this dream of your youth.

The pictures on the walls are shaking
They can hear the storm a-breaking
Storms may come and storms go
You'll have nothing left to show
They can hear the earth a-quaking
Buildings come and buildings go
You'll have nothing left to show.

Tomorrow brings another dawn
It might be better from now on
Before too long that day will go
You'll have nothing left to show
You'll have nothing left to show
You'll have nothing left to show
You'll have nothing left to show.

Where is this dream of your youth ?

Strawbs, 1969, Side 2, Track 2

Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios, 1970, Side 2, Track 3

Strawbs & Dave Cousins (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 1, Track 3

Strawbs (Japanese sampler), 1973, Side 1, Track 7

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 4, Track 2

Classic Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1977, Side 2, Track 4

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 15

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 2

30 Years In Rock, 2001, Track 2

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 5

Recollection, 2006, Track 11

Whichever Way The Wind Blows

(Cousins)

Not available

I didn't realise how much it would grieve you
How I hurt you when I said I was going to leave you
Understand I didn't know, but it only goes to show
How blind I must have been not to believe you

My mind is in a whirl and its spinning madly
In my dreams you looked at me so very sadly
I tried to show surprise when a tear fell from your eyes
You know I didn't mean to hurt you so badly

I can't believe that I've been chasing rainbows
But I'll think of you and follow you whichever way the wind blows

In the silent hours of night I'll be thinking about you
And I wonder how it was I came to doubt you
Let fortune cast its spell remind me that I fell
Remind me that I just can't live without you

I can't believe that I've been chasing rainbows
But I'll think of you and follow you whichever way the wind blows

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 2, Track 7

Who Knows Where The Time Goes

(Denny)

Not available

Across the purple sky all the birds are leaving
How can they know it's time for them to go
Before the winter fire we'll still be dreaming
I have no thought of time.

But 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.

But who knows where the time goes
Who knows where the time goes.

And I'm 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 do not fear the time.

But who knows how my love grows
Who knows where the time goes.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 1, Track 6

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 1, Track 2

Sandy And The Strawbs, 1991, Side 1, Track 2

Why

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Mirror, mirror, speak the truth
I see my age but not my youth
Pride comes before a fall
The winner's eye is ever small.

Why
Why
Why
Why.

I realise it's not too late
... (?) a penny on the plate
... (?) I feel so free
So blind eyes can never see.

Why
Why
Why
Why.

I keep on sliding down the wall
Till I can't slide no more at all
I can't climb back, I never could
And I just won't try but I know I should.

Why
Why
Why
Why.

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 16

Why And Wherefore

(Cousins/Strawbs)

Not available

Why

Mirror, mirror, speak the truth
I see my age but not my youth
Pride comes before a fall
The winner's eye is ever small.

Why
Why
Why
Why.

I realise it's not too late
... (?) a penny on the plate
... (?) I feel so free
So blind eyes can never see.

Why
Why
Why
Why.

I keep on sliding down the wall
Till I can't slide no more at all
I can't climb back, I never could
And I just won't try but I know I should.

Why
Why
Why
Why.

And

####

Wherefore

The King of hearts, he gave me frankincense
The King of clubs, his flask was myrrh
The diamond Queen brought back a purse of gold
That I had wanted from her.

The pack lay crushed and broken in her hand
Silence slipping slowly by
The King of spades was all that I deserved
And I sat back and and wondered why
And I sat back and and wondered why.

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 10

Wild Strawberries

(Cousins/Hooper)

Not available

Instrumental

All Our Own Work, 1973, Side 1, Track 6

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 18

Will You Go

(McPeake arr. Cousins/Hudson/Ford/Lambert/Weaver)

Not available

Late summer time is coming
With the trees still sweetly blooming
And the wild mountain thyme
Growing round the purple heather
Will you go, lassie go.

And we'll all go together
To pull mountain thyme
All around the purple heather
Will you go, lassie go.

I will build my love a bower
Behind the clear crystal fountain
And around it I will sow
All the flowers of the mountain
Will you go, lassie go.

And we'll all go together
To pull mountain thyme
All around the purple heather
Will you go, lassie go.

If my love should tell me no
Surely I will find another
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the purple heather
Will you go, lassie go.

And we'll all go together
To pull mountain thyme
All around the purple heather
Will you go, lassie go.

And we'll all go together
To pull mountain thyme
All around the purple heather
Will you go, lassie go.

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 2, Track 14

The Collection, 2002, Track 16

Witchwood

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I dropped down in the witchwood
To see what I could find
The trees had taken time out
To blow away my mind
All that I could hear there
Was the sound of my own voice
But the music it was making
Was nothing of my choice.

The interwoven branches
Were laden deep with snow
A rainbow shone so softly
To show which way to go
I observed its many colours
Till my eyes were rimmed with frost
I tried hard to trace my footsteps
For I feared I might get lost.

The witchwood started singing
With a strange unearthly sound
My fingers grew like branches
I stood rooted to the ground
And the spell is still unbroken
I am still her bidden slave
Till a casket from the witchwood
Bears my body to the grave.

From The Witchwood, 1971, Side 1, Track 2

Halcyon Days (2CD, UK), 1997, CD 1, Track 7

Halcyon Days (2CD, US), 1998, CD 1, Track 9

The Complete Strawbs, 2000, Track 8

Tears And Pavan: An Introduction to The Strawbs, 2002, Track 4

The Collection, 2002, Track 7

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 5

Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins: Live 1988, 2005, Track 6

Words Of Wisdom

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

The wise man came in deep disguise
All the way from Mexico
We sat in circles on the ground
And listened to his words of wisdom
He spoke of unclimbed mountain ranges
And plains
That stretched beyond the point of no return.

We talked in terms of solitude
And parted with respect
Realising
That the world held a place for us
Somewhere.

Deadlines, 1978, Side 2, Track 4

X

Y

You And I (When We Were Young)

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

Remembering

[instrumental]

You and I (When We Were Young)

I sometimes sit and think about
Our evenings in the firelight
You and I
When we were young
Laughing at the crazy-patterned shadows
That were dancing on the wall
Without a care
With time to spend
Hardly speaking
For hours on end
That was you and I
When we were young.

Walking hand in hand beside the river
At the weekends
You and I
When we were young
Children with their fishing nets were laughing
As they took their catches home
Caterpillars in paper bags
Knees tied up with dirty rags
That was you and I
When we were young.

Brushing through the fallen leaves
Together in the autumn
You and I
When we were young
Planning for the future
Without knowing what it held for us at all
The road to nowhere never climbs
We changed direction a dozen times
That was you and I
When we were young.

Ghosts, 1975, Side 2, Track 4

Baroque & Roll, 2001, Track 3

Acoustic Strawbs version

Full Bloom, 2004, Track 6

Replaced by Witchwood on the 2005 re-issue

You Keep Going Your Way

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

I see you in the mist across the river of the night
You're a shadow of the past that hurts me so
The icy stream of nothing runs before my sightless eyes
But I'm blinded by a driving sheet of snow
In the gutter I can see my lifeblood flowing
Where you cut me down with but a single blow.

So you keep going your way
And I'll keep going mine
And everything will turn out just fine
Yes, everything will turn out just fine.

A spider's web of intrigue, spun in strands of gleaming black
Oh the thousand lies to light the way to you
A bent and twisted scarecrow tells the future of the past
In a field high on a hill without a view
In a moment you had vanished from my dreaming
And I was left here with the chosen few.

So you keep going your way
And I'll keep going mine
And everything will turn out just fine
Yes, everything will turn out just fine.

The sand runs through my fingers as the hours fade away
And the stars they beckon from on high
A team of six black horses rising from the ocean deep
Will carry up my body when I die
The rustle of the pebbles on the shoreline
Reminds me that my time's in short supply.

So you keep going your way
And I'll keep going mine
And everything will turn out just fine
Yes, everything will turn out just fine.

Old School Songs, 1979, Side 1, Track 4

Preserves Uncanned (2-cassette/2CD), 1991, CD 2, Track 14

You Never Needed Water

(Cousins)

Old School Songs

You said you were a virgin when I took you in the park
You didn't need a light to help you make it in the dark
You took the highest bidder who could satisfy your needs
You wrapped yourself around him and you squeezed him till he bleeds
You never needed wings until I taught you how to fly
You never needed water till your well ran dry.

You always set your target on the highest social scene
You never gave your number till you knew where he had been
You used to shop at Harrods, bought the smartest clothes
You wore them inside out so that the maker's label showed
You never needed money till I taught you what to buy
You never needed water till your well ran dry.

You're just about as subtle as a razor with your teeth
You got your greatest pleasure with your lover underneath
You sparkled like a diamond with a smile that you could trust
You would find yourself a sucker and you'd grind him into dust
You never started smoking till I taught you to get high
You never needed water till your well ran dry.

Water water everywhere, but not a drop to drink
Take a look into the mirror baby, it's later than you think
You're the ultimate expression of Picasso's favourite brush
The wall in his apartment he painted in a rush
You never shed a tear until I taught you how to cry
You never needed water till your well ran dry.

Dave Cousins and Brian Willoughby: The Bridge, 1994, Track 1

Young Again

(Hooper)

Old School Songs

Wandering the streets
Searching for a thought
I chanced across an unexpected park
Streams of boys and girls
Laughing as they ran
Were there to see the puppet man
Perform his mighty tricks
And you and I are young again.

Running through the grass
Hold your hand in mine
And lose yourself in simple skyman dreams
Sing out with rest
When he says the word
The magic word to make his tricks
Succeed before your eyes
And you and I are young again.

Silver smiles and peals
Bursting from within
I know what innocence can really mean
Never let it grow
Stay a child within
And you will find a peace of mind
That's rare these softless days
And you and I are young again
And you and I are young again
And you and I are young again.

Strawberry Sampler No. 1, 1969, Side 2, Track 6

Two very different versions of this song exist the first on the Strawberry Music Sampler with mainly Cousins vocals and a boisterous beat and banjo instrumental the second the quieter more reflective version which was released on Dragonfly with Tony Hooper taking on the lead vocal.

Dragonfly, 1970, Side 2, Track 2

Early Strawbs (2LP, Canada), 1974, Side 3, Track 2

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