Two more from Big Pink

Let's go in order for a minute and look at the next two songs from Music from Big Pink, "To Kingdom Come" and "In a Station", written by Robbie Robertson and Richard Manuel, respectively. The first one exemplifies the oblique style of writing that Robertson would ultimately become associated with while being the creative brain of the group, while the latter song proves that Manuel knew how to write numbers that fit perfectly with his aching falsetto.



Forefather pointed to kingdom come
Sadly told his only son
Just be careful what you do
It all comes back on you.

False witness spread the news
Somebody's gonna lose
Either she or me or you,
Nothing we can do.

(Chorus)

Don't you say a word
Or reveal a thing you've learned
Time will tell you well
If you truly, truly fell

Tarred and feathered, yea!
Thistles and thorns,
One or the other
He kindly warns.

Now you look out the window tell me
What do you see?
I see a golden calf pointing
Back at me.

I been sitting in here for so darn long
Waitin' for the end to come along.
Holy roaster on the brink
Take a chance, swim or sink.

False witness, cast an evil eye
said I cannot tell a lie,
Haints and saints don't bother me
I'm not alone you see.

(Chorus)




Once I walked through the halls of a station
Someone called your name
In the street I heard children laughing
They all sound the same
Wonder, could you ever know me
Know the reason why I live
Is there nothing you can show me
Life seems so little to give

Once I climbed up the face of a mountain
And ate the wild fruit there
Fell asleep until the moonlight woke me
And I could taste your hair
Isn't everybody dreaming!
Then the voice I hear is real
Out of all the idle scheming
Can't we have something to feel

Once upon a time leaves me empty
Tomorrow never comes
I could sing the sound of your laughter
Still I don't know your name
Must be some way to repay you
Out of all the good you gave
If a rumour should delay you
Love seems so little to save