“But I will still be here, I have no thought of leaving
I do not count the time”
This week’s theme for Song Lyric Sunday is ‘Time’. I was quite surprised, when I thought about it, just how many songs are, if not actually about time (which is an interesting philosophical and scientific conundrum in itself) but at least reference it.
However, one of the ‘purest’ songs about time that I know of is this, here performed by its writer, the late Sandy Denny. The song has been covered many times – perhaps most notably by Eva Cassidy and Judy Collins – but this, the Fairport Convention version, if not necessarily the original (which would have been Sandy Denny solo) is one of the best known and most highly regarded. Indeed, according to Wikipedia, in 2007 it was voted ‘favourite folk track of all time’ in a BBC listeners’ poll.
Across the evening sky, all the birds are leaving
But how can they know it’s time for them to go?
Before the winter fire, I will still be dreaming
I have no thought of time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?
Sad, deserted shore, your fickle friends are leaving
Ah, but then you know it’s time for them to go
But I will still be here, I have no thought of leaving
I do not count the time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?
And I am not alone while my love is near me
I know it will be so until it’s time to go
So come the storms of winter and then the birds in spring again
I have no fear of time
For who knows how my love grows?
And who knows where the time goes?
Songwriters
DENNY, SANDY
Published by
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Song Lyric Sunday 11 March 2017
the only deadhead in the hameau 
Thanks for sharing and introducing me to this song writer and great band.
I love Sandy Denny’s voice. I saw her with Fairport back in (I think) 1974. This song, along with “Solo” and “At The End Of The Day” never fail to move me whenever I listen to them.
Nor should we forget Jacqui McShee.