The Shepherd's Song - Rick Wakeman, Dave Cousins, Strawbs

The heavy air was scented by

The disappointed flowers

The weatherman had promised them

Warm soft summer showers

They bowed their weary heads

Resigned to wait a few more hours

And we walked together in the half light

Down secret paths

Climbed wooden fences

Till a dancing meadow

Enveloped us within its grassy web

There was no need for discussion

It was surely no disgrace

Her soft skin had the texture

Of the finest silken lace

Waiting moist and trembling

It was just the time and place

And our woven bodies sang together

In harmony

With understanding

Till we fell back smiling

Rejoicing in the music we had made

The blood red summer sunset

Was a slowly spreading stain

That rose behind the bandstand

As the shepherd played again

We heard his silver trumpet

It had blown away the rain

And we lay together in the long grass

Holding hands

And making sweet talk

Till the smell of woodsmoke

Reminded us that it was to go