She's Over There

Lyric by Clive James, music by Pete Atkin

There go the tongues of flame
High up to spell her name
Now that my nights are all the same.
The white nights.
The flying lights.

Here come the burning men
Hosannah and amen
One falling flare and they attack again.
The bright shields.
The weeping fields.

     So did they count the cost
     And so the welkin tossed
     The very day that Paradise was lost.
     The chilling fire.
     The killing frost.

     Now let them curse their fill
     I don't care who they kill
     Just let me off the hook and through the mill.
     I'm dying now.
     And breathing still.

I never wanted this
Never the phantom kiss
Not on the turnpike to the Gates of Dis.
The crashed cars.
The shooting stars.

There go the flashing eyes
Now watch the ruined skies
Light up the miles from where she lies.
The shining air.
She's over there.

     So did they find their joy
     Watching a golden boy
     Dragged in the dust before the walls of Troy.
     A living doll.
     A busted toy.

     Now when they come for me
     Armed with her memory
     How can I stay the night or stop the sea?
     A crystal knife?
     A silver key?

There go the tongues of flame
High up to spell her name
Now that my nights are all the same.
The white nights.
The flying lights.
The bright shields.
The weeping fields.
The shining air.
She's over there.

Pete Atkin Discography