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No End

[Sandy Denny]

The story of two friends, one a person who loved to travel and the other one who loved to paint. They persuade each other back into their respective vocations. A strange song, perhaps, but we all lose our zest for life at times, don’t we? Let’s hope it’s never for long

Sandy recorded several versions of her song No End:

  1. A studio version from 1973 was released in 1974 on her album Like an Old Fashioned Waltz and in 2000 on her 2 CD anthology No More Sad Refrains.
  2. A live, solo version recorded at Wapping Town Hall in East London was released in 1988 on the fan club cassette The Attic Tracks Vol. 1 and in 1995 on The Attic Tracks CD. Sandy sings it beautifully as she plays a twelve foot Bechstein concert grand piano.
  3. The 5 CD Fledg’ling Sandy Denny anthology from 2004, A Boxful of Treasures and the bonus track on the 2006 CD reissue of Like an Old Fashioned Waltz have a live, solo version recorded at Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London, on 3 December 1972. According to Dirk Riezebos, this version “is the same as that on the Attic Tracks CD; only the intro has been edited slightly differently; the vocal line is identical. Also the mastering on Attic Tracks is much more sympathetic.”
  4. A third, alternative studio version also exists, with bass, drums and piano, but without strings, was included on the 2012 CD reissue of Like an Old Fashioned Waltz.

Cover Versions

  1. Vikki Clayton on her album It Suits Me Well (1994),
  2. Linde Nijland on her album Linde Nijland sings Sandy Denny (2003),
  3. The Sandy Denny Project on their album SDP Vol Two (2024)

Lyrics

Sandy Denny sings No End

They said that it was snowing in astounded tones upon the news.
I wonder why they’re always so surprised ’cos every year it snows.
Frozen images of snowploughs as they churn along the motorways.
I haven’t had no boots to wear or any loot to spare for days and days.

I’ve travelled more than forty miles today, I must have grown some wings.
It’s strange how time just seems to fly away, I can’t remember things.
In a world of my own they say and who can blame them, they’re just not the same.
I’ve known about it all along though I thought I was all wrong, and it’s such a shame.

Why don’t you have any brushes any more, I used to like your style.
I see no paintings anywhere and there’s no smell of turpentine.
Did I really have no meaning? Well I never thought I’d hear those words from you.
Who needs a meaning anyway, I’d settle anyday for a very fine view.

I couldn’t even tell you all the changes since you saw me last.
My dreams were like the autumn leaves, they faded and they fell so fast.
In fact as you say the snows are here and how the time it slips away.
But I’m glad you did pass by, I think I’ll have another try. It’s another day.

The day and then the night have gone, it was not long before the dawn,
And the travelling man who sat so stiffly in his chair began to yawn.
Having kept me here so long my friend, I hope you have a sleeping place to lend,
but the painter he just smiled and said: I’ll see you in a while, this one has no end.

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