Fairport Convention

[fox69]

"The Man In The Water"

"The Man In The Water"


There's a man in the river
Policemen standing
In a circle, smoking
Round the man
Man in the water
Who sees nothing but circles

Could have been a fisherman
Could have dived for pearls
Could have found the answer
In the watery world
Could have been a builder
Could have found the key
Could have run with the river
And then into the sea

Did he run with the river?
Did he run with the river?

No more questions
Just the river's answer
For the man in the water
His wife at the window
Cursing the cameras
And the man in the water

Could have been a fisherman
Could have dived for pearls
Could have found the answer
In the watery world
Could have been a builder
Could have found the key
Could have run with the river
And then into the sea

Did he run with the river?
Did he run with the river?
Did he run with the river?
Did he run with the river?

Is there a light at the window
A candle burning
A young girl turning
In a heart gone cold

Could have been a fisherman

Some dark Sunday
The women walking
Down by the water
They speak of a diary
The missing pages
And the man

Could have been a fisherman
Could have dived for pearls
Could have found the answer
In the watery world
Could have been a builder
Could have found the key
And the way I feel tonight
Suppose it could have been me

Go to run with the river
Go to run with the river
Go to run with the river
Go to run with the river
Go to run with the river
Go to run with the river

 

[fox69]

"The Naked Highwayman"

"The Naked Highwayman"


As I rode out one summer's day for profit and for pleasure
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure
A brace of pistols duly primed, a saber fit to shave on
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon

I didn't hear her dainty step as she appeared before me
A face to charm a singing bird with words that did implore me
"Can you help me sir?" she said, "I fear the time is near run
For me to cross before the tide swells the banks of Avon"

All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

So gallantly I did dismount and walked into the water
As she told me that she was a wealthy merchant's daughter
So I thought I'd try my luck and do my best to charm her
Said I was the only son of a country farmer

"Your hands they are a smooth as silk, they never touched a plough sir
And I suppose these pistols help you milking of your cows"
She looked at me with mocking eyes as coal-black as a raven
And then she fell into my arms beside the banks of Avon

All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

Her honeyed lips, I was beguiled, a lamb led to the slaughter
Eventually I fell asleep in the arms of the merchant's daughter
When I awoke I was alone, my clothes and pistols taken
With just the leaves to hide my shame beside the banks of Avon

In vain I tried to catch a glimpse of the city spires
Running like a rabbit through the bushes and the briars
Then I heard the London coach and I was all a-shiver
A lady's voice was calling out: "Stand-to and deliver!"

All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

"Your money or your life I'll have, it's all the same to me
It's hanged for a sheep or murder in the first degree"
She stood there in my overcoat, brandishing my pistols
And reliever the London coach of the gold of Bristol

And it's up she's mounted on my horse and rode into the distance
And I went naked to the coach begging for assistance
No more I'll play the highwaymen, nor more I'll put the mask on
I'll leave it to the bright-eyed girl who roams the banks of Avon

All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

As I rode out one summer's day for profit and for pleasure
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure
A brace of pistols duly primed, a saber fit to shave on
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon

 

[fox69]

"The Naked Highwayman (Live)"

"The Naked Highwayman (Live)"


As I rode out one summer's day for profit and for pleasure
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure
A brace of pistols duly primed, a saber fit to shave on
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon

I didn't hear her dainty step as she appeared before me
A face to charm a singing bird with words that did implore me
"Can you help me sir?" she said, "I fear the time is near run
For me to cross before the tide swells the banks of Avon"

All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

So gallantly I did dismount and walked into the water
As she told me that she was a wealthy merchant's daughter
So I thought I'd try my luck and do my best to charm her
Said I was the only son of a country farmer

"Your hands they are a smooth as silk, they never touched a plough sir
And I suppose these pistols help you milking of your cows"
She looked at me with mocking eyes as coal-black as a raven
And then she fell into my arms beside the banks of Avon

All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

Her honeyed lips, I was beguiled, a lamb led to the slaughter
Eventually I fell asleep in the arms of the merchant's daughter
When I awoke I was alone, my clothes and pistols taken
With just the leaves to hide my shame beside the banks of Avon

In vain I tried to catch a glimpse of the city spires
Running like a rabbit through the bushes and the briars
Then I heard the London coach and I was all a-shiver
A lady's voice was calling out: "Stand-to and deliver!"

All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

"Your money or your life I'll have, it's all the same to me
It's hanged for a sheep or murder in the first degree"
She stood there in my overcoat, brandishing my pistols
And reliever the London coach of the gold of Bristol

And it's up she's mounted on my horse and rode into the distance
And I went naked to the coach begging for assistance
No more I'll play the highwaymen, nor more I'll put the mask on
I'll leave it to the bright-eyed girl who roams the banks of Avon

All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
All you roving fellows listen, while you can
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

As I rode out one summer's day for profit and for pleasure
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure
A brace of pistols duly primed, a saber fit to shave on
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon

 

[fox69]

"The Plainsman"

"The Plainsman"


I come from the moor and the mountain, from the waterfall and stream
I've turned my back on the mountain track; I'm walking in a dream
And every new horizon to me it seems the same
And everywhere looks old and bare while trav'ling on the plains

There's no one rides this road with me, a plainsman rides alone
The welcome waits by a city gate, no voice to call me home
Alone I came into this place, and that is how I will go
And all I learn is the season's turn, that's all I need to know

Oh the world is hung with silver tongues with good advice to give
If you can't show me how to die, don't tell me how to live
The plainsman's song, though it's seldom long, it's more than meets the ear
And all I believe is the falling leaves at the turning of the year

 

[fox69]

"The Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood"

"The Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood"


I can't believe that it's so cold
As gentle tides go rolling by
Along the salt sea strand
The colours blend and roll as one
Together in the sand
And often do the winds entwine
Do send their distant call
The quiet joys of brotherhood
And love is lord of all
The oak and weed together rise
Along the common ground
The mare and stallion light and dark
Have thunder in their sound
The rainbow sign, the blended flower
Still have my heart in thrall
The quiet joys of brotherhood
And love is lord of all
But man has come to plough the tide
The oak lies on the ground
I hear their fires in the fields
They drive the stallion down
The roses bleed both light and dark
The winds do seldom call
The running sands recall the time
When love was lord of all

 

[fox69]

"The Summer Before The War"

"The Summer Before The War"


All on a Saturday
Bright as a Bell
Early, and just for the ride
We took a trip
Cycling down to the sea
You and your lady, and I
Oh what a summer
Oh what a sun
Bright in the blue sky it clung
One day at whitsun
The sea and the shore
The summer before the war
All summer places where
You could taste the country air
Racing our shadows we'd fly
Down through the narrow lanes
Chasing the slow trains
The last of an age going by
We had a good time
We had some fun
There was time then and we all were young
One day at whitsun
The sea and the shore
The summer before the war
Young hearts and young souls
Young minds to unfold
Knowing the untold somehow
One day at whitsun
The sea and the shore
The summer before the war
Young hearts and young souls
Young minds to unfold
Knowing the untold somehow
One day at whitsun
The sea and the shore
The summer before the war
We found a small cove
By the sand and the water
Salt air brushing our skin
Your hand in her mind
Her hand in mine
Watching the sea rushing in
Oh what a moment
Oh what a day
We held it, and it never slipped away
One day at whitsun
The sea and the shore
The summer before the war

 

[fox69]

"The Time Is Near"

"The Time Is Near"


The time is near for things to pass
The time for me to leave
But as I lie hear all alone
I really can't believe
That twenty years I've spent on earth would end in so much grief
That the many friendly faces should now stare hatefully
A letter home to mother, and a letter home to dad
Another to my sweetheart, for whom I feel so sad
A lock of hair to cling to is all that will remain
And the grave inside this prison yard
A stone that bears no name
My trials and tribulations are nearly now all gone
A murderer I never was and my spirit will live on
Jesus, help me in this troubled time
This hour of trouble deep
Help me find my peace of mind
Help me Lord, to sleep

 

[fox69]

"The Vision"

"The Vision"


I heard a voice calling out to me
It might have been a vision, might have been a dream
But some things will come and some will go
We're only here a moment, don't you know?

And I don't think that I've all the answers
But I've got my share of questions
If I don't follow blindly
It doesn't mean I've lost my way
Because I'm still on a journey
Heading down a road less travelled
I think we're all going to get there
In our own time and way
Time and way

There's a bridge that leads us to the other side
You will know you've crossed it when you arrive
And everyone will have such a tale to tell
I'm going to quench my thirst when I drink from that well

And I don't think that I've all the answers
But I've got my share of questions
If I don't follow blindly
It doesn't mean I've lost my way
Because I'm still on a journey
Heading down a road less travelled
I think we're all going to get there
In our own time and way...

I heard a voice calling out to me
It might have been a vision, might have been a dream
But some things will come and some will go
We're only here a moment, don't you know?

And I don't think that I've all the answers
But I've got my share of questions
If I don't follow blindly
It doesn't mean I've lost my way
Because I'm still on a journey
Heading down a road less travelled
I think we're all going to get there
In our own time and way
I think we're all going to get there
In our own time and way
Our time and way...

I heard a voice calling out to me

 

[fox69]

"The Wassail Song"

"The Wassail Song"


Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen
Love and joy come to you
And to you your wassail, too
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year

We are not daily beggers
That beg from door to door,
But we are neighbors' children
Whom you have seen before
Love and joy come to you
And to you your wassail, too
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year

Good master and good mistress
As you sit beside the fire
Pray think of us poor children
Who wander in the mire
Love and joy come to you
And to you your wassail, too
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year

We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin
We want some of your small change
To line it well within
Love and joy come to you
And to you your wassail, too
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year

Bring us out a table
And spread it with a cloth
Bring us out a cheese
And of your Christmas loaf
Love and joy come to you
And to you your wassail, too
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year

God bless the master of this house
Likewise the mistress too
And all the little children
That round the table go
Love and joy come to you
And to you your wassail, too
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year

 

[fox69]

"The Widow Of Westmorland"

"The Widow Of Westmorland"


There was an old widow in Westmorland who had no daughter but one
And she has prayed both night and day she should keep her maidenhead long
"Ah, don't be daft, mother," she said, "and say no more to me
For a fine young man in the Grenadier Guards my maidenhead's taken from me"
"You saucy cat, you impudent cat, a-cursed may you be
If some idle rogue in the Grenadier Guards your maidenhead's taken from thee"
But the girlie's off to the Grenadier Guards as fast as go can she
Saying "Give me back my maidenhead, my mother she nags at me"
So he kissed her and undressed her and he laid her on the bed
And he put her head where her feet were before and gave back her maidenhead
Then he kissed her and he dressed her with a rose in either hand
Invited her round to St. Mary's church to see his fine wedding
Oh, the girlie's off to her mammy's house as fast as go can she
"I'm as full a maiden, mammy dear, as the day you first bore me
He kissed me and undressed me and he laid me on the bed
Put my head where my feet were before and he gave back my maidenhead
Then he kissed me and he dressed me, put a rose in either hand and
Invited me round to St. Mary's church to see his fine wedding
"Ah, never on foot," her mammy she said, "in a carriage and pair you'll ride
With four and twenty fine young girls to go with you beside"
"Ah, who is this?" the bride she said, "She comes so high to me"
"I see it is the widow's daughter who ran home and told her mammy"
"How could she do it, how would she do it, how could she do it for shame?
Eleven long nights I lay with a man and I never told anyone"
"If eleven long nights you lay with a man, you never shall lie with me
I'd rather marry the widow's daughter who ran home and told her mammy"