Joan Baez

Joan Baez - Kingdom of Childhood lyrics

rate me

(Words and Music by Joan Baez)

The ship that sails the seven seas

Has finally brought me to my knees

It's not much to my liking

The people standing on the rock

Are innocent and they know not

That the tide comes in

Death rides it like a Viking

The mountains rise above the mist

And the golden prince I've never kissed

He may die tonight

And why do I want to ride with

The prince whose alleged horse is white?

Because when we ride together

Our lives are cloaked forever

Happiness is temporary

Believe me, I know

It can arrive as a shining crystal

And leave as the melting snow

Come all you lads and lasses

The Kingdom of Childhood passes

Oh, but I am hardy in these years

Or I'd have sunk down with my tears

To the earth beneath my feet

I want to endure the slings and arrows

That Hamlet spoke about

But harrowed,

He was forced to a ragged defeat

There was a method to his madness

But overcome by pride and sadness

He did not endure

Surely his death was a grave mistake

How many deaths do we really calculate?

Isn't it true, Lord

Tragedies happen when you're bored?

Happiness is temporary

Believe me, I know

It can arrive as a shining crystal

And leave as the melting snow

Come all you lads and lasses

The Kingdom of Childhood passes

You archangels, you have some nerve

To watch all of this you are absurd

You even have a choice

Do you know all? I think you may

And what is there for you to say

But understand

Why God took back your voice

SIlence is golden, I believe

And you are worth your weight

In wreaths of purest gold

While we are here with debts and bets

And aircraft carriers and jets

I call out fruitlessly

Give me an archangel for company

Happiness is temporary

Believe me, I know

It can arrive as a shining crystal

And leave as the melting snow

Come all you lads and lasses

The Kingdom of Childhood passes

Me in the woods at the break of dawn

The candles of the night still on

The chimes ring from the hollow

I too am worth my weight in gold

But the fishmonger and I are old

When the mint runs out

Our real lives will follow

It was misfortune who woke you up

To pour you the dregs from her broken cup

Cast her aside

The sunrise will appear with the mockingbird

Who stays deep in the canyon and is heard

Glorious in his song

He cannot be wrong

Happiness is temporary

Believe me, I know

It can arrive as a shining crystal

And leave as the melting snow

Come all you lads and lasses

The Kingdom of Childhood passes

There's another one just beyond

Act quickly before it's gone

© 1976, 1977 Gabriel Earl Music (ASCAP)

Get this song at:  amazon.com  sheetmusicplus.com

Share your thoughts

0 Comments found