October Song

© 1966  Robin Williamson, Warner-Tamarlane Publ. Co., BMI

 

I heard this many years ago on the Relics of the Incredible String Band and found it nudging me from time to time over the years.  When we stoked up the "fiolamba grosso," its "mellifluous" tones sparked this version of a song I've always loved.

 

C: viola                       G:cellamba

 

I'll sing you this October song

There is no song before it

The words and tune are none of my own

For my joys and sorrows bore it

 

            Beside the sea, the brambly briars

            In the still of evening

            Birds fly out behind the sun

            And with them I'll be leaving

 

The fallen leaves that jewel the ground

They know the art of dying

And leave with joy their glad gold hearts

In the scarlet shadows lying

 

            When hunger calls my footsteps home

            The morning follows after

            I swim the seas within my mind

            And the pine trees laugh green laughter

 

I used to search for happiness

And I used to follow pleasure

But I found a door behind my mind

And that's the greatest treasure

           

            For rulers like to lay down laws

            And rebels like to break them

            And the poor priests like to walk in chains

            And God likes to forsake them

 

I met a man whose name was Time

And he said I must be going

But just how long ago that was

I have no way of knowing

 

            Sometimes I want to murder time

            Sometimes when my heart's aching

            But mostly I just stroll along

            The path that He is taking

 

 

October Song is recorded on the album Neighbors