THE WATCHMAN'S GONE
(Gordon Lightfoot)

Gordon Lightfoot 1973


Just like birds of a feather
We too have followed the golden sun
It feels so good, knowing the watchman's gone.

If I give you a rose, buddy
Would you please bury it in the fields
I've seen a rose, watching it all fold out.

There's a train down at the station
It's come to carry my bones away
Two engines on, twenty-one coaches long
End to end, twenty-one coaches thin
The watchman's out, kicking the bums about.

If I wait for the right moment
You can bet I'll climb aboard unseen
I've done it before,
I know I can do it in my sleep.

The watchman's out, kicking the bums about
The watchman's out, kicking your dreams about.

(bridge)

As I leave you in the sunset
Got one more nothin' I'd like to say
You don't owe me, a son of the sea am I.

This I say to you my brother
If you live to follow the golden sun
You better beware, knowing the watchman's always there.

If you find me feeding daisies
Please turn my face up to the sky
And leave me be, watching the moon roll by.
Whatever I was, you know it was all because
I been on the town, washing the bullshit down.

The watchman's out, kicking your dreams about.
It feels so good, knowing the watchman's gone.
It's like a song, knowing the watchman's gone.




(Transcribed by David Story - February 2013)