A cautionary tale from another era... sounds like a Victorian ballad 40s-style... I've no idea really... what do you think?
Singer-songwriter, arranger and producer: acoustic contemporary folk but ranging into rock/blues/country/jazz/humour...all very eclectic, I'm afraid!
Martin Stirrup
Singer/songwriter
An old folkie who got back into it...
These days I sing and play guitar(s) and other stringed instruments, then score and orchestrate where appropriate. My taste becomes increasingly eclectic ranging from finger-picked folk through country to soft rock mixed in with a few more alternative and eccentric numbers, including the odd novelty foxtrot...
Story behind the song
This lyric was heading towards a 'man ends relationship' storyline, but the male character became annoying so I gave him his come-uppance at the end... hubris and all that. Mary Davies helped out with piano but then it turned out to be a big band number...
Lyrics
E G° G6 E
Here’s a cautionary tale The lesson for today
C2 Em6 C B
‘bout a man who had it all And let it slip away...
E G° C#m F# G#m A E ... B7
E G° C#m F# G#m C# C#m4 B+
He’s a top fella, real swell who likes good company
While the one to be sits and sighs
He’s got a fine life, she’d make a great wife but he Likes to play the field
But keeps it well concealed, flying high
G#m A G#m A G#m A B B+
Well you thinking he’d be contented He’s got his cake and he’s eating it too
But an idea’s just fomented And when he sees her this is what he says he’ll do
E C E C A Am E ... B7
E C E C A Am E E7
A Am E E7 A Am F# B+
E C E C A Am E
E G° C B+ B E
He’ll say I’m leaving, cutting loose, I’m leaving, what’s the use
I ain’t got the will to fight it anymore
I’m sliding off the rocks Fast riding, gonna change the locks
The end of the deal, the writing’s on your floor
Every good thing must disappear All things must pass
I need my freedom that much is clear So kiss me baby, it’s your last
I’m leaving, cutting loose, I’m leaving, no excuses
I don’t feel the need to hide it anymore
E G° C B+ B E
She’s a real cutie, knew her duty , waited patiently
Where everyone could see the fool she was
But now the worm has turned there’s a future earned, time to make a stand
Take the matter in hand, just because
Sometimes you need to think it over, waiting for the penny to drop
So when he comes back from playing the wild rover, this time it’s got to stop
She’ll say I’m leaving, cutting loose, I’m leaving, what’s the use
I ain’t got the will to fight it anymore
I’m leaving, it’s the final dance I’m leaving, they’ll be no last chance
This time I’m showing you the door
They say you never know the thing you had until it is gone
You’ll pay for all the good things turned bad, now move along
I’m leaving, get going get gone I’m leaving, my time has come
No use in trying to fight it anymore
I said I’m leaving,, take a hike I said I’m leaving,, get on your bike
A Am A B E Eb7 E7
You’ve had your fun But now your time has gone
I ain’t gonna try to fight it anymore.
