Peter Hammill
Upon a Sixpence
In overview the light expired
And with it went the narrative he’d always craved
She’d told him once she’d give him
Everything he ever needed or his heart desired...
Now the darkness descends, that’s the gift she gave
(One of them is for the chop
One of them assured to flame
One of them is bound to drop
And they’ll not meet again)
And as for him he’s not quite sure
He’s worked his passage here entirely blamelessly
She told him once his fate
Could turn around upon a sixpence
But the light’s gone down, time and tide is up
And the money shot’s no longer there to see
Now the darkness comes
And that’s the only thing he’ll ever get for free