Lyrics:
Richard Thompson The Best Of The Island Records Years

Gentle ladies, gentleman Waiting ?till the dance begins Carefully we come to speak A word for all to hear If you listen, if you should We won?t be misunderstood

See the boys out walking The boys, they look so fine Dressed up in green velvet Their silver buckles shine Soon they?ll be bleary eyed Under a keg of

I feel for you, you little horror Safe at your mother?s breast No lucky break for you around the corner ?Cos your father is a bully And he thinks that

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

This old house is falling down around my ears I?m drowning in the river of my tears When all my will is gone you hold me sway I need you at the dimming

ringing on the ice-cream bell He?s got the stuff that?ll cool you right down It?s the best that they ever did sell It?s the best that they ever did sell

High up above the crowd The great Valerio is walking The rope seems hung from cloud to cloud And time stands still while he is walking His eye is steady

Night comes in Like some cool river How can there be Be another day Take my hand O real companion And we?ll dance We?ll dance ?till we fade away O the