Johnny Flynn Sweet William
[Verse 1]
I was born with this story, it's older than I
And yet, you, when you hear, it you'll know in the sky
In the wind of your knowledge, in the cut of your jib
That the fibre of wind is as new from my lip
[Refrain 1]
As was ever and more and ever will be
Till the union we face casts us finally free
[Chorus]
For we, in the love of an earth-bidden dance
Stand enthralled of that, which from heaven, perchance
Lets us move with the gifts we were given in grace
And smile in the arms of sweet William's
Embrace...
[Verse 2]
William's wanderings took him abroad
Showed him the lay of the searcher's long road
To the place he stood now 'neath the black laden sky
And the crook of his father had brought fortune nigh
[Refrain 2]
Read the sign where he looked; not the bull, nor the bear
Nor a burly red lion, or the tortoise and hare
[Chorus 1]
For we, in the love of an earth-bidden dance
Stand enthralled of that, which from heaven, perchance
Lets us move with the gifts we were given in grace
And smile in the arms of sweet William's
Embrace...
[Refrain 3]
The end of the world was the name of the inn
Said fair William, "Farewell, to the world and its sin"
Its sin...
[Verse 3]
Full balmy was the winter air, all wet with what might die
A wishing well, the ocean bare, a millpond in his eyes
A glance to see from whence he came, for William, with a landlocked turn
Vermin what he stood to lose, the skin-shot snakes and earthy worms
[Verse 4]
His boots trod soft inside the inn, he's greeted all was here
Abrasive lowly nods came back, then bent toward their beer
"They must know I," thought Willy now, "They've seen me come from miles"
The thought was struck as whisky poured and barmen gave all smiles
[Bridge]
Then followed this, a curious thing
The eldest of the host
Sang softly where he sat and drank
To love, a worthy toast
His song was of a stranger
Summoned for his rope
In all would be to set us free
His song was strong and bold, it went
[Chorus 2]
We, in the love of an earth-bidden dance
Stand enthralled of that, which from heaven, perchance
Lets us move with the gifts we were given in grace
And smile in the arms of sweet William's
Embrace...
[Verse 1]
I was born with this story, it's older than I
And yet you when you hear it you'll know in the sky
In the wind of your knowledge, in the cut of your jib
That the fibre of wind is as new from my lip
[Refrain 1]
As was ever and more and ever will be
Till the union we face casts us finally free
