> Norma Waterson > Songs > Fallen Leaves

Fallen Leaves

[Eliza Carthy]

Norma Waterson sang her daughter’s song on her second solo album The Very Thought of You. She was accompanied by Danny Thompson, double bass, Richard Thompson, electric guitar, and Eliza Carthy, violin.

Lyrics

You are only pretty if you disappear
And you must be beautiful for them my dear
Whatever before you wanted to achieve
Is lost to this love to turn to fallen leaves
The fallen leaves that cover everything
Must lie together all in your eyes
Then you can live among the privileged
Oh but don’t appear to be more than mine

I am only pretty if I disappear
I see myself and wish me gone
When others strive to keep themselves alive
I rise and fall in this crowd alone
My love for you is like the morning
That at the window wants to come in
But still the curtains twitch and shudder
The house where I’m supposed to live closes again

With every step this light gets stronger
And more of my face and skin is seen
I see the light fall on my children
And I fight for them and myself again
And here I am my island, my home
And pretty flowers all rot and fade
The scent of death does naught to cover me
Nor does the water all around my bed
Oh when will I embrace my darling
Your head and hair in the lonesome night
No matter what I do or say my love
Or where I walk on these blistering feet

You are only pretty if you disappear
And you must be beautiful for them my dear
Whatever before you wanted to achieve
Is lost to this to turn to fallen leaves