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