Rod Coombes

It takes a little sunshine
It takes a little rain
It takes a little laughter
It takes a little pain
But I can take the heartaches
I only want my love to grow in you.

It takes a little kindness
It takes a little tears
It takes some understanding
To last so many years
But I can take the changes
I only want my love to grow in you.

I'll hang in on you
While you hang out on me
I know you have your reasons
For needing to be free
Why don't we talk it over
And find out where we stand
In my old-fashioned way
I'll always lend a helping hand.

It takes the joy of knowing
That even if we're poor
We somehow turn out richer
Than we ever were before
Now I don't need much money
I only want my love to grow in you.

You're my secret
You're my inspiration
You're my journey
You're my destination

You have always
Been so close and yet so far away
You're my best friend
You're my total stranger

You're my lifeline
You're my hint of danger
You have always
Been so close and yet so far away

In my hour of need
I call on you
To comfort me
But you could only set me free

You're my memories
You're my Rock of Ages
You're my future
You're my empty pages

You have always
Been so close and yet so far away...

Cousins

Her hair the weeping willow at the water's edge
And from my windy crag above the moorland sedge
I see the willow fronds caress the ripples
I feel her nipples at my fingertips.

Her breasts are gentle snowdrifts in an open field
The supple fingered winter wind the grass concealed
And though the winter wind may be deceiving
I feel her breathing at my fingertips.

Her legs the spreading branches of the tree of life
The willow wand will bend before the woodman's knife
The tangle thicket parts before the forest fire
Her warm desire is at my fingertips.

Cousins

Speak only with your voices and not the sword
Listen to your leaders and the words of the Lord
Shake hands with your brothers has been my theme
For I have had a dream.

While fury gathers around you provoking you to hate
Remember what I told you, don't heed the dangled bait
Shake hands with your brothers has been my theme
For I have had a dream.

The leaders of the country are speaking just the same
As those who've gone before them and those who are to blame
Shake hands with your brothers has been my theme
For I have had a dream.

Proclaim a day of mourning and let the flags fly low
The future is before us as I have told you so
Shake hands with your brothers has been my theme
For I have had a dream
Shake hands with your brothers has been my theme
For I have had a dream.

Cousins

She looks so frail beside you as she wears her sick disguise
You say she'll soon be better as you dry her tearful eyes
You tell her fairy stories, she tries to understand
She looks to you for comfort and holds out her little hand.

But early in the morning when the sun shines into her tiny room
She wakes up like a bird and she's fine again.

You gently kiss her forehead and from the room you creep
But you linger in the doorway as she whimpers in her sleep
Her cheeks are flushed like sunset and her head's an open fire
All night she turns and tosses as her temperature gets higher.

But early in the morning when the sun shines into her tiny room
She wakes up like a bird and she's fine again.

The night light in the corner casts a soft and peaceful glow
Her face becomes much cooler and her breathing much more slow
She dreams of clowns and princes sailing boats and trains
The fairies come by moonlight to take away her pain.

And early in the morning when the sun shines into her tiny room
She wakes up like a bird and she's fine again
She wakes up like a bird and she feels fine
She wakes up like a bird and she feels fine
She wakes up like a bird and she feels fine.

Cousins

Wake up one day, you're left alone
From now on you're on your own
The sands of time are running low
You'll have nothing left to show
The months slip by and change to years
Soon the twilight gloom appears
And then one day before you know
You'll have nothing left to show.

Where is this dream of your youth ?

The pictures on the walls are shaking
They can hear the storm a-breaking
Storms may come and storms may go
You'll have nothing left to show
Buildings all around are trembling
They can hear the earth a-rumbling
Buildings come and buildings go
You'll have nothing left to show.

Where is this dream of your youth ?

Tomorrow brings another dawn
It might be better from now on
Before too long that day will go
You'll have nothing left to show
You'll have nothing left to show
You'll have nothing left to show
You'll have nothing left to show
You'll have nothing left to show.

Where is this dream of your youth ?

Cousins

The silent prophet seeks his inspiration after midnight
With a candle lit for comfort in the shadow of the shade
Belladonna waves a parasol beneath the window
So enchanting and inviting in the scheme that she had laid.

The lonely prophet waves to Belladonna from the window
In the hope that she will notice and may wish to know his name
But cruel Belladonna turns to face the waiting sunrise
With its promise of excitement thinking little of the game.

Shine your lantern brightly
Do not heed the darkness lightly
We must always talk politely
In the presence of the night.

Deadly nightshade, hear me calling
Shadows of the evening falling down.

The quiet prophet gathers up his papers for the fire
He alone will read the message in the words that he has burned
Belladonna tries the door to find the room is empty
And she coldly rakes the ashes for the love that she has spurned.

Shine your lantern brightly
Do not heed the darkness lightly
We must always talk politely
In the presence of the night.

Deadly nightshade, hear me calling
Shadows of the evening falling down.

Deadly nightshade, hear me calling
Shadows of the evening falling down.

Cousins-Lambert-Cronk

Joey and me were out on the freeway leaving the city race
Out of the hustle, into the country, searching for open space
Shoulder to shoulder, mile for mile, but neither of us knew where
Sleeping at night out under the stars, inhaling the mountain air.

Under the open skies, living in paradise
Joey and me were free
Nobody else allowed, anyone more's a crowd
Joey and me makes three.

Often we talked of wasting our time and bridges that we had crossed
But mostly we looked in vain for ourselves forgetting that we were lost
Joey and me were two of a kind in love with our own ideals
Aiming to keep the gathering years in pace with our rolling wheels.

Under the open skies, living in paradise
Joey and me were free
Nobody else allowed, anyone more's a crowd
Joey and me makes three.

Let me tell you how it all went wrong
How me and Joey didn't belong
We were tripping the light fantastic
(Intergalactic) Joey and me.

The wilderness road had taken its toll, I knew I could never last
The lines had gone down in a flurry of snow, the winter was on us fast
I made my way back into the city, hitched to a guiding star
Joey is out on his own again, he's richer than me by far.

Under the open skies, living in paradise
Joey and me were free
Nobody else allowed, anyone more's a crowd
Joey and me makes three.

Under the open skies, living in paradise
Joey and me were free
Nobody else allowed, anyone more's a crowd
Joey and me makes three.

Under the open skies, living in paradise
Joey and me were free
Nobody else allowed, anyone more's a crowd
Joey and me makes three.

…

Cousins-Lambert

I see myself reborn in every generation
I took to children for my source and my salvation
And I will build my house of rock on their foundation stone.

I can see the new beginning
The universal loser winning
I can hear the children singing
Making a date with tomorrow.

Once I was blinded by the light of my reflection
The mirror's eyes were moist with tears of deep affection
I could not see my way to make the last connection home.

I can see the new beginning
The universal loser winning
I can hear the children singing
Making a date with tomorrow.

The leaves of my life have been falling
And time rolls along like a wheel
The innocent games that we once played as kids are for real.

I can see the new beginning
The universal loser winning
I can hear the children singing
Making a date with tomorrow.

I can see the new beginning
The universal loser winning
I can hear the children singing
Making a date with tomorrow.

I can see the new beginning
The universal loser winning
I can hear the children singing
Making a date with tomorrow.

Cousins-Cronk

Hold me tight, we've got a way to go tonight
We tore ourselves apart in spite of all the promises we made
Name your price but take a note of my advice
Don't ever make a sacrifice without a chance of being paid.

No return, you've reached the point of no return
You lit the fire and let it burn
You've reached the point of no return.

Right or wrong, I was with you all along
But now you're back where you belong among your family and friends
Make or break, we really made a big mistake
There's one decision left to take and that is how the story ends.

No return, you've reached the point of no return
You lit the fire and let it burn
You've reached the point of no return, no return.

Through my life is a mystery, my heart is an open page
If only you would choose to read between the lines of age.

No return, you've reached the point of no return
No return, you lit the fire and let it burn
No return, you've reached the point of no return
No return, you lit the fire and let it burn
No return, you've reached the point of no return
No return, you lit the fire ..

Cousins

I must have been the saddest man who ever wrote a love song
For when I spoke of ways and means, I knew it would not last long
After all the years, the growing pains and heartaches
I swore that I would die for you and sealed it with a traitor's kiss.

We must have been a crazy pair to think we'd stay together
I hope you find your own new world and make it last forever
You gave me your best, I gave you all my worst years
I swore that I would die for you and sealed it with a traitor's kiss.

Thank you for your sympathy
God bless you for your kindness
I'm sure that as the years roll by
You'll understand my sadness.

I can't have been the only man who ever wrote a song for you.

Take care of the kids, I didn't want to hurt them
I swore that I would die for you and sealed it with a traitor's kiss.

Cousins-Lambert-Cronk

This is the last resort you'll ever know
The old straight track, the long way back
One more familiar face has gone
Will you miss me ? I doubt it.

There are many more at the last resort
There are many more at the last resort.

This is the last resort you'll ever take
The summer old, the winter cold
And now the seasons will never change
Will you miss me ? I doubt it.

There are many more at the last resort
There are many more at the last resort.

This is the last resort, it's make or break
The ray of hope, the silken rope, your feet are on the endless slope
Just one more chance to touch the sun
Will you miss me ? I doubt it, the damage has been done.

This is the last resort you'll ever know
The lights are down on you favourite clown
The time has come, the final bow
Will you miss me ? I doubt it.

There are many more at the last resort
There are many more at the last resort
There are many more at the last resort
There are many more at the last resort.

Cousins-Cronk

Time is the power, the enemy hour
The soul survivor of the news, the headlines
Life is a friend, I value its end
For I can take it when I choose, the deadlines.

Time and life will meet at dawn
The swords have been drawn for the takers.

Time has no heart, it wins from the start
Was I so foolish as to try to ignore it ?
Life is complete and proud in defeat
At last I understand why I adore it.

Time and life fight to the end
But life has to bend to her makers.

Time and life will meet at dawn
The swords have been drawn for the takers
Time and life fight to the end
But life has to bend to her makers
Time and life will meet at dawn
The swords have been drawn for the takers
Time and life fight to the end
But life has to bend to her makers
Time and life will meet at dawn
The swords have been drawn for the takers
Time and life fight to the end
But life has to bend.

Cousins

The wise man came in deep disguise
All the way from Mexico
We sat in circles on the ground
And listened to his words of wisdom
He spoke of unclimbed mountain ranges
And plains that stretched beyond the point of no return (no return).

We talked in terms of solitude
And parted with respect
Realising that the world held a place for us both
Somewhere, somewhere, somewhere, somewhere.

The hillside was a patchwork quilt
Neatly stitched with tidy hedge
And crumbling grey stone wall
The trees were bare, but Spring was near
To conjure up its endless strings
Of green magic handkerchieves

Could you only see what I've seen
You would surely know what I mean
I think I must have caught a glimpse of heaven.

A string of diamonds formed a stream
That tumbled down the daunting cliff
To sparkle bright on the beach.

New born lambs that sweetly played
Speckled eggs all newly laid
But for you I would have stayed
I think I must have caught a glimpse of heaven

Dyfan's tale
Of the holy Canon Dale
Setting sail
Homeward for his lonely cell
In your holy ground I found.

Peace to dwell
The beginning of a world
Love entwined
Throughout all the world combined
In your holy ground I found.

Days and day
He would go his chosen way
Keeping trace
Of the things you do and say
In your holy ground I foun

I wish I were a bird
Then I could fly
I'd see the crowded people
As they go by
I'd soar into the air
And fly as high as I could see
Drifting through the clouds
With no-one to bother me
Just looking for a star
I wonder if you are here.

I feel the loss of time
As days go by
And see the lonely people
Who wonder why
Just searching for a reason
To reveal a secret sin
Trying to find an answer
To release the good within
Just looking for a star
I wonder if you are here.

I'll rise the early bird at dawn
To sing my ever-loving song
I'd come and sit beside you a friend
Then you'll see me flying again

The old house stands deserted
Crumbling and decaying
Its broken windows watching
As a young child wanders
In amongst the roses
Overgrown and falling
The garden once was cared for
Life is like the garden.

The roses reach to touch her
They whisper as she passes
Their petals form a carpet
Soft and warm and scented
In amongst the roses
Full in bloom and fading
The young child cannot hear them
Life is like the young child.

The young child has been gathering
Flowers for her mother
Flowers for her bedside
Flowers for her table
In amongst the roses
She is gathering wild flowers
The roses bend to kiss her
Life is like the roses.

The old house stands deserted
Crumbling and decaying
Its broken windows watching
As a young child wanders
In amongst the roses
Full in bloom and fading
The young child cannot hear them
Life is like the young child

As for the help you called for
Nobody seemed to answer
The difference in man is no more
Than being a priest or dancer

See men of power in recess
They really don't know what they're after
They drink to the things that they see best
And drown in the tears of their laughter

If you see fit to fight
Whether you're black or white
How many hope to keep the devil outside?
How many hope to keep the devil outside?

You've been given your name and your number
Right from when you were a baby
I look at the earth and I wonder
What have they done to her lately?

If you see fit to fight
Whether you're black or white
How many hope to keep the devil outside?
How many hope to keep the devil outside?

Love dies hard...
You will never hear me say
That the world will not see again today
See a better day

If you see fit to hide
Mistakes of the men that died
How many hope to keep the devil outside?
How many hope to keep the devil outside?

If you see fit to fight
Whether you're black or white
How many hope to keep the devil outside?
How many hope to keep the devil outside?

July the fourth in the market town
Farmers have come for miles around
Bringing their wives and children.

A farmer stands with his youngest son
Watching their sheep driven from the pen
The slaughterhouse is waiting.

Look they're turning back
They're frightened
Dogs are snapping at their heels
Jumping on each other's backs
Hear their squeals.

The young boy stands looking quite dismayed
How can they know they're just animals
Come pull yourself together.

The farmer tells him to look inside
Row after row of raw carcasses
Their blood runs in the gutters.

Listen to their silly bleating
Farmer beats them with his stick
Milling by the open door
Don't be sick.

The young boy
Takes a look around
See people watching blankly
And he pities them
For they too
Look like sheep
And he tells himself
When he grows up
When he becomes a farmer
He will just plant seeds of love
He will just plant seeds of love
He will just plant seeds of love
And he will harvest peace

I have people to free, they're depending on me
So I can't afford to die
Get them safely back, then I won't stay too long
I'll be leaving soon for London
So I'll look this war straight in the eye
Only thirty days so I can't afford to die.

When I think of the dead, that go round in my head
No I can't afford to die
So the thing to do is pretend that they weren't there
With my baby at home waiting
I can give myself a little sigh
Only thirty days so I can't afford to die.

God ain't taking my hand, not to no promised land
So I can't afford to die
So I'll cease my command before another bomb
If I see my home a free man
I'll remember why I never cried
Only thirty days so I can't afford to die

I dropped down in the witchwood
To see what I could find
The trees had taken time out
To blow away my mind
All that I could hear there
Was the sound of my own voice
But the music it was making
Was nothing of my choice.

The interwoven branches
Were laden deep with snow
A rainbow shone so softly
To show which way to go
I observed its many colours
Till my eyes were rimmed with frost
I tried hard to trace my footsteps
For I feared I might get lost.

The witchwood started singing
With a strange unearthly sound
My fingers grew like branches
I stood rooted to the ground
And the spell is still unbroken
I am still her bidden slave
Till a casket from the witchwood
Bears my body to the grave