GOSSAMER 
(Music by Joan Baez / Lyrics by Nina Duscheck) - 1967


When I was young then all my boughs 
were thickly hung with glittering hopes. 
But one by one they've blown away 
and only one remains today. 
It flutters out upon the air, 
one hope all pinned on gossamer. 

What are all lives but gossamer 
in one lacy cobweb crossed? 
Yet strand by strand we tear at it 
until the pattern's lost. 
And one by one hopes blow away 
till only one remains today. 

I hope the forest will return 
to climb the mist-hung morning slopes. 
Where falling leaves deep-banked in fern 
may meet the water ouzel's hopes. 
But one by one they've blown away 
and only one remains today. 

And when the condor opens flight 
on crystal air not cracked or stained 
by any fallen angel's flight, 
these glittering hopes may be regained. 

When I was young then all my boughs 
were thickly hung with glittering hopes. 
But one by one they've blown away 
and only one remains today. 
It flutters out upon the air, 
one hope all pinned on gossamer. 



(Contributed by Andy & Mogg - January 2003)