Richard Thompson

I am a travelling man, I have no country
And travelling people are my kin by birth
No chains will keep me from my destination
And far-flung are my footsteps on this earth
There's something in my mind that makes me
Something in the wind that takes me
Like the dust, I'm blown out on the street again
Restless highway
I need to leave this town behind
Restless highway
Come see the country of my mind
You hear my footsteps
Wherever this rocky road will wind
This empty restless highway is my heart
By way of trade I am anything you fancy
I'll sew your purse, I'll milk your garden cow
I'll shine your shoes or sew your silver button
I'll punch your nose, I'll sharpen up your plough
There's something in my mind that makes me
Something in the wind that takes me
Like the dust, I'm blown out on the street again
Restless highway
I need to leave this town behind
Restless highway
Come see the country of my mind
You hear my footsteps wherever this rocky road will wind
This empty restless highway is my heart
Restless highway
I need to leave this town behind
Restless highway
Come see the country of my mind
You hear my footsteps wherever this rocky road will wind
This empty restless highway is my heart
This empty restless highway is my heart
SWEET SURRENDER
I gave my heart to you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I gave my heart to you
Oh, oh, oh, sweet surrender
Sweet surrender, ah, sweet surrender
How long, how long, how long?
I'd give the world for you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I'd give the world for you
Oh, oh, oh, sweet surrender
Sweet surrender, ah, sweet surrender
How long, how long, how long?
You make me weep when you touch my hand
Oh, I should run from here but I can't seem to stand
Oh, I can't leave you
Oh, I believe you
And I believe you'll understand
I feel you next to me
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I feel you next to me
Oh, oh, oh, sweet surrender
Sweet surrender, ah, sweet surrender
How long, how long, how long?
Oh, I can't leave you
Oh, I believe you
And I believe you'll understand
You make my heart beat
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You make my heart beat
Oh, oh, oh, sweet surrender
Sweet surrender, ah, sweet surrender
How long, how long, how long?
Sweet, sweet surrender
Sweet, sweet surrender
Sweet, sweet surrender
Sweet, sweet surrender
DON'T LET A THIEF STEAL INTO YOUR HEART
(Chorus)
Don't let a thief steal into your heart
Or you may end up broken-hearted
Don't let a whisper tear you apart
Or you'll be right back where you started
How many days does a man think he has
That he can spend his whole time dreaming?
How many schemes isn't one man thinking up
And does he think he's the only one scheming?
(Chorus)
Stop your lies and stop your cheating
It never did you no good, no good
How can you say you will when you won't
When you know you never would if you could?
(Chorus)
Everyone is in love with money
Strange news 'cause they say that love is blind
How many times did you meet somebody
Who said they had some real peace of mind?
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
THE CHOICE WIFE
(Instrumental)
DIED FOR LOVE
John Gumblain, Annie Painter
They were true lovers to the end
They grew up together
In the streets where no one is your friend
They mixed their hearts' blood together
They swore they'd always be true
When Annie left for the summer
She said "For now, but never adieu"
"I'd give my life to be with you"
Some will die for fortune,
Some will die for pleasure
But only lovers died for love
The summer turned into winter
But Annie Painter never came
Cold wind blew through the dark town
And it chilled the heart of John Gumblain
He took the road to every city
He sailed to every port of call
He hung his head as tears were falling
He scratched his message on the wall
"I'd give my life to be with you"
Some will die for fortune, some will die for pleasure
But only lovers died for love
He was broken, he was . . .
His face was old and cracked with tears
He was dying of disease
That shook his frame for thirteen years
As he lay sickening by the roadside
A voice came drifting through the air
It was the voice of Annie Painter
She sang a song ?three times clear?
"I'd give my life to be with you"
Some will die for fortune, some will die for pleasure
But only lovers died for love
He went running through the city
He searched for day after day
When he found her, she was dying
And all for love of John Gumblain
She said "Forgive my cruel father
He tried to keep me away
And don't despair for my dying
For this is our wedding day"
"I'd give my life to be with you"
Some will die for fortune, some will die for pleasure
But only lovers died for love
But only lovers died for love
(repeat)
STRANGE AFFAIR
This is a strange affair
The time has come to travel but the road is filled with fear
This is a strange affair
My youth has all been wasted and I'm bent and grey with years
And all my companions are taken away
And who will provide for me against my dying day?
I took my own provision but it threw me and wasted away
This is a strange, this is a strange affair
Oh, where are my companions?
My mother, father, lover, friend and enemy
Where are my companions?
They're prisoners of death now and taken far from me
And where are the dreams I dreamed in the days of my youth?
They took me to illusion and they promised me the truth
And what do sleepers need to make them listen, why do they need ?more
room??
This is a strange, this is a strange affair
LAYLA
I drew near to the house of Layla
It was then I heard her call
Her sweet voice made me wish that it would never end at all
Oh, you say you see some good in me
It's only from her light
Take this . . . from me, don't look to her delight
She was pleased with me
She drew me nearer
She turned me into a retreat
Oh, she didn't like company
She spoke to me
She let me, a sinner, free
(Chorus)
Oh, Layla, Layla, Layla, Layla
Oh, Layla, Layla, Layla, Layla
Oh, Layla, Layla, Layla, Layla
Oh, Layla, Layla, Layla, Layla
Then she came close to me
The veils fell from her sight
She dazzled me, she bewildered me
Confused me with her light
Oh, you say you see some good in me
It's only from her light
Take this . . . from me, don't look to her delight
And there she took me
And there she possessed me
She showed her meaning to me
I thought my soul
Would be her ransom
I thought that she was leaving
(Chorus)
And there she slew me
She tore me to pieces
My blood stained like a dye
And when I was dead
She brought me to life
My star shone in her sky
(Chorus)
PAVANNE
Pavanne, cold steel woman, Pavanne
How do you love a woman
With eyes cold as the barrel of her gun?
Who's never missed her mark on anyone
Pavanne, Pavanne, Pavanne
Casino doors swing open, the rich men raise their eyes
They say "Who is this beauty, as elegant as ice?"
And later there's an accident, another charge d'affaires
Is lying in a pool of blood, no witness anywhere
And they say she was a hundred miles away
The hotel porter saw her climb the stairs
And the maid, with trembling hands, knows what to say
When the judge says "Are you sure?", "I'm sure," she swears
Pavanne, cold steel woman, Pavanne
How do you love a woman
With eyes cold as the barrel of her gun?
Who's never missed her mark on anyone
Pavanne, Pavanne, Pavanne
At the presidential palace, a thousand people saw
His Excellency leave his car and never make the door
The blood flows from his fingers as he clutches at the stain
He staggers like a drunken man lies twisted in the rain
And they say she grew up well-provided for
Her mother used to keep her boys for sure
And father's close attention led to talk
She learned to stab her food with a silver fork
Pavanne, cold steel woman, Pavanne
And they say she didn't do it for the money
And they say she didn't do it for the man
They say that she did it for the pleasure
The pleasure of the moment
Pavanne, cold steel woman, Pavanne
How do you stop this woman
When everyone is moving in a trance?
Like prisoners of some slow portly dance
Pavanne, Pavanne, Pavanne
Pavanne, Pavanne, Pavanne
HOUSE OF CARDS
Oh, the rain is falling Blow, blow, down
And the whirlwind rolls Blow, blow, down
I'll shake your windows Blow, blow, down
And rattle your door Blow, blow, down
Blow down this house of cards
Blow down this house of cards
They're washing the streets Blow, blow, down
With the blood of your kind Blow, blow, down
Ah, look over your shoulder Blow, blow, down
They're right behind Blow, blow, down
Blow down this house of cards
Blow down this house of cards
The birds are wheeling Blow, blow, down
Up above your head Blow, blow, down
All your days are numbered Blow, blow, down
You're as good as dead Blow, blow, down
Blow down this house of cards
Blow down this house of cards
This very fine house Blow, blow, down
Of great renown Blow, blow, down
It's cracked and shaky Blow, blow, down
And a-tumbling down Blow, blow, down
Blow down this house of cards
Blow down this house of cards
Blow down this house of cards
Blow down this house of cards
FIRST LIGHT
Richard Thompson,
Transcribed by Phil Saunders
Intro Chords (4 times): D C Bm

Give me what I ask for
Give me what I long for
First light, first light
I came to you for refuge
Don't leave me to the thieves
Don't leave me to my own
You're my disease
First light, first light
First light, first light
(Guitar solo)
Take me through the mountains
Lead me from confusion
Take me by the hand
Through real and through illusion
First light, first light
First light, first light
Give me what I ask for
Give me what I long for
Give me what I ask for
Give me what I long for
First light, first light
First light, first light
Give me what I ask for
Give me what I long for
Give me what I ask for
Give me what I long for