The Incredible String Band - Darling Belle lyrics

papa would take me to the park to see the swans by hansom cab trotting so high holding his hand to see the swans hissing louder than rustling dresses of gracious ladies bustling by see swan ships come sailing in white as the clouds on a windy day James I suppose would be in school James I suppose would be in school I was I was learning to spell laughing at loud smells avoiding the rod of the codfaced master was it your absence made me quiet at noon playing british bulldogs on the gravel was it your presence coloured my dream I burrowed in cupboards like a mole all saturday under old chairs and old ladies knees I framed your half remembered face with frail white embroideries calling for you down the mousey garden calling for you down the mousey garden o did you meet him at the ball eighteen years on tall soldier now and you full grown Belle did you meet him at the ball o do you remember me thin girl with cold hands you in your scarlet and you knew my name step to the veranda under the wisteria in the mysterious november dancing as if with d**h or fate to the moon black ballroom of the silk skinned lake kissing me you lifted my skirt under the willow trees keep the home fires burning though your heart is yearning though the boys are far away they dream of home there's a silver lining in the dark clouds shining turn that lining inside out till the boys come home o did I see you march to the train did I cry was my nose red my two day bride can you feel me in your memory I will be the redness in your iron fire how could i write my words would seem sad or gay we regret to inform you we regret to inform you meet me by gaslight in the dark dawn on waterloo bridge we will walk arm in arm hearing the leaves fall with whisper into the foggy dew when we are dead when we are dead now she sits in her brother's window's house skin like a lizard aura like a daffodil migrant guest from relative to inlaw she stares into the embers and remembers