Strawbs - The Antique Suite lyrics

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The reaper stood before him in the room<br />

His melancholy smile matched the gloom<br />

He tried to rise but fell back where he lay<br />

Tried to speak but stumbled as the sentence slipped away.<br />

<br />

The room grew far away and strangely still<br />

He caught the reaper's eye and felt a chill<br />

He thought he saw his mother's smiling face<br />

As sunlight filtered softly through the yellowed curtain lace.<br />

<br />

He thought back to the days when he was young<br />

He heard the children's choir in which he'd sung<br />

His letter floated softly to the floor<br />

The reaper took his hand and led him gently through the door.<br />

<br />

We Must Cross The River<br />

<br />

Take my hand and I will lead you safely<br />

There's no need to be dismayed<br />

Though it's dark there will be no danger<br />

There's no need to be afraid.<br />

If you wear the cross your wife once gave you<br />

You will find that it is blessed<br />

Should you find that you are growing weary<br />

You may lean on me and rest.<br />

<br />

We must cross the river<br />

We must cross the river<br />

We must cross the river<br />

Together.<br />

<br />

Old familiar friends have long been waiting<br />

To welcome you when you arrive<br />

Time is on your side now, do not hurry<br />

You are one who will survive<br />

God is kind to those who seek salvation<br />

Those who know no sense of hate<br />

You will find him on the day of judgment<br />

The God of love, the God of hate.<br />

<br />

We must cross the river<br />

We must cross the river<br />

We must cross the river<br />

Together.<br />

<br />

Antiques And Curios<br />

<br />

On the mantlepiece a china dog waits patiently<br />

The faded velvet curtains are still drawn<br />

The well worn tray of medal ribbons slowly gathers dust<br />

The armchair's chintzy covers have been torn.<br />

<br />

The photograph of Nancy on the honeymoon in France<br />

The nearly finished letter underneath<br />

The wheelchair that he never used, he always was too proud<br />

Is folded in the corner by the wreath.<br />

<br />

The choirboy's cassock hanging on the hook behind the door<br />

The wooden box in which he kept his cross<br />

The Coronation teapot that his mother always used<br />

Helps to bring about a sense of loss.<br />

<br />

Just a collection of antiques and curios.<br />

<br />

Hey It's Been A Long Time<br />

<br />

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again<br />

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again.<br />

<br />

We met quite by chance<br />

I thought she'd moved away<br />

We never made love but were very good friends.<br />

<br />

We were married secretly<br />

Her parents disapproved<br />

For some reason or other they never made clear.<br />

<br />

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again<br />

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again.<br />

<br />

We were in France when war broke out<br />

We caught the first boat home<br />

She gave me her cross when I went to the front.<br />

<br />

I was hurt in Normandy<br />

She didn't wait at all<br />

I lived with my mother till she passed away.<br />

<br />

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again