David Heavenor: Music

Another song with associations with one part of Edinburgh. The Netherbow Port is one of the old gates to the city on the Royal Mile, the road that stretches from the Castle at the top end to Holyrood Palace at the other. Now long since defunct but you can still see brass markers in the cobblestones if you want to locate it. Abbey Strand is the small lane that leads to Holyrood Palace, next to the new Scottish Parliament which was originally the site of a brewery when I wrote the lyric.
You may be familiar with the scenario. The girl opens her heart to tell you about her struggles in love, 'feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from china' and doesn't really twig where her real love lies.

HEADLONG

Oh gentle child you turn your head
To hold me close to the life you've led
You name me here, I fall headlong
Your eyes so clear, your scent so strong
But just like all the stars I see
You're just not here

Oh gentle child you turn your thoughts
To one who's gone, to one who's bought
A gift for you that's turned out sour
That's turned your moments into hours
And just as every star appears
You're just not here

And the boy will stand
At the cross at Abbey Strand
While the girl will go
Through the port at Netherbow


Oh gentle child you turn your gaze
To look up to the boy who's raised
Your hopes so high, your heart so light
You want to run to him tonight
But as I fear , you're just not here

Oh gentle child you turn your face
To hide your tears in my embrace
You call to me, I take your hand
Then make it clear for me to understand that in the coming years
You won't be here


Oh gentle child, who'll turn to you
To hold you fast, to see you true?
And in your search, who will you find
To give you peace within your mind?
As he comes clear
I won't be here.