SIT DOWN YOUNG STRANGER
Gordon Lightfoot
1970


I'm standing at the doorway, my head bowed in my hands
Not knowing where to sit, not knowing where to stand
My father looms above me for him there is no rest
My mother's arms enfold me and hold me to her breast.

They say you been out wandering, they say you travelled far
Sit down young stranger and tell us who you are
The room has all gone misty, my thoughts are all in spin
Sit down young stranger and tell us where you been.

Well I've been up to the mountain, I've walked down by the sea
I never questioned no one and no one questioned me
My love was given freely and oft-times was returned
I never came to borrow, I only came to learn.

Sometimes it did get lonely but it taught me how to cry
And laughter came too easy for life to pass me by
I never had a dollar that I didn't earn with pride
'Cause I had a million daydreams to keep me satisfied.

(bridge)

And will you gather daydreams or will you gather wealth
How can you find your fortune when you cannot find yourself
My mother's eyes grow misty, there's a trembling in her hand
Sit down young stranger, I do not understand.

Now will you try and tell us, you been too long at school
That knowledge is not needed, that power does not rule
That war is not the answer, that young men should not die
Sit down young stranger, I wait for your reply.

The answer is not easy for souls are not reborn
To wear the crown of peace, you must wear the crown of thorns
If Jesus had a reason, I'm sure he would not tell
They treated him so badly, how could he wish us well.

The parlor now is empty, there's nothing left to say
My father has departed, my mother's gone to pray
There's rockets in the meadows and ships out on the sea
The answer's in the forest, carved upon a tree.

John loves Mary, does anyone love me?



(Transcribed by David Story - February 2013)