This song was inspired by the story of Bill Sykes and Nancy in Oliver Twist
Story behind the song
I wanted to write an Irish ballad featuring a female ghost that haunts a man. Then I saw a new adaptation of Oliver Twist on PBS one evening. That gave me the idea to write something about Nancy. Tom did a great job with his musical interpretation of this.
Lyrics
The wind blows blue
At the death of the day
And she walks behind me
As I run away
As I run away
A shadow from my dreams
What truth will she tell?
Am I redeemed?
Or do I burn in hell?
Do I burn in hell?
Chorus
In silence she follows
Her steps on my heels
Like a great wave, she swallows
Like a worm she steals
My soul is burning
Like her hair in the ashes
My mind keeps turning
I remember in flashes...
In the murk and the gloom
Inside of my head
I cannot remember
the words that she said..
the words that she said..
Did she pray for mercy?
Did she raise her hand?
Did she even cry out
in the end..
in the end..
(Chorus)
In silence she follows
Her steps on my heels
Like a great wave she swallows
Like a worm she steals
My soul is burning
Like her hair in the ashes
My mind it keeps turning
I remember in flashes..
(Bridge)
The children can see her
They know I am cursed
They feel my evil
I'm one of the worst
Their eyes are just like hers
Staring glassy and cold
They won't turn away
They won't be consoled...
Come back for the gallows
Her cold lips cry
The time is at hand
For bad men to die
For bad men to die...
(Chorus)