About dawn (Hamilton/Hutchings)

 

I learned about dawn when I started to gig,

Playing late and travelling home through the night;

Sharing a van with a p.a. rig

And tumbling out in emerging light.

 

I’d nod to a tramp or chat to a cat

As the milkman was gliding along on his float,

Over my ears I would pull my hat

And close to my body I hug my coat.

 

(Chorus) Then in the gloom came a chorus of birds

It started as light as a passing breeze

And swelled to a symphony challenging words

From an orchestra hidden in the trees.

 

Now I live in the country and when I can’t sleep

I stand by the window and taste the air;

Out in the fields there are shapes of sheep,

And a fox trots on to who knows where.

 

(Chorus) Then in the gloom comes a chorus of birds

It starts as light as a passing breeze

And swells to a symphony challenging words

From an orchestra hidden in the trees.

 

It’s the time of day when the mind plays tricks,

Half asleep, half awake, caught in between;

Over and over I try to fix

On an image at. dawn that I’ve lately seen.

 

A spluttering van comes over the rise

And unloads its cargo of crumpled youth;

I can just about see through misty eyes

The very first hand where I learned the truth,..

 

That dawn is the holiest time of all,

In town and country it’s just the same,

And everything special you may recall

Is remembered best in this daybreak frame.

 

(Chorus) And in the gloom comes a chorus of birds,

It starts as light as a passing breeze

And swells to a symphony challenging words

From an orchestra hidden in the trees.

 

 

Click here to hear an extract from this song

 

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