The Quicksand Hornpipe

29/10/1992 annA rydeR© Copyright Control
Accordion (Gm)

Trav’lling up to London on the seven twenty two
One pound thirty four return from Clandon to Waterloo
Then underground to Kennington and change to the Northern Line
Ratterling on to Moorgate and arriving just on time

It was Clandon, Horsley, Effingham Junction, Cobham, Oxshott then on
To Claygate, passing Hinchley Wood and stopping at Surbiton
Raynespark, Wimbledon and Earlsfield, Clapham Junction too
Battersea and Vauxhall, finishing up at Waterloo

I WAS NEARLY ALWAYS DOING THE QUICKSAND HORNPIPE
TRYING TO STOP MESELF FROM SINKING BENEATH THE SAND
THE SAND OF LIFE WAS THERE DRAGGIN ME, PULLIN ME DOWN
I’S DOING THE QUICKSAND HORNPIPE WITH A FROWN

Smells of smoke and stale drink and sounds of slamming doors
Staring through the grimy windows or looking at filthy floors
Strangers stepping on and sitting rather tense and drawn
All clutching their briefcases as I was clutching my French Horn

For that was why I went to London ev’ry Saturday
For upon thee piarno and thee horn to sweetly play
And to learn about thee classical composers and sing
And eat my tuna sandwiches which ev’ry week I’d bring

I WAS NEARLY ALWAYS DOING THE QUICKSAND HORNPIPE …

I’d be up at six to do my paper-round, cykerling on my Gemini 44
In- variably in the rain, making me late for me train
It was always such a rush to get back ‘ome to me old front doo
And then I’d ave to c’lect me French Horn and me music bag
Me sandwiches and sometimes a pork pie slice
Then off I would jolly well go, to London, don’t ya know
To do some wonderful things and some orrible things
That I wouldn’t’ve liked to try twice

T’was not a pleasant thing to have to do on a Saturday
Nor t’was it really all that bad in any particular way
‘Cos I learnt some rather agreeable things that I might not’ve otherwise done
But missed some things that my family did which sounded tremendous fun

OH I WAS NEARLY ALWAYS DOING THE QUICKSAND HORNPIPE…..

My best friend was called Janine and we would sit
Next to each other in the Junior Choir
But in the orchestra we couldn’t sit together
‘Cos I couldn’t disguise my Horn as a flute as much as I tried to play higher
And I know thirteenth Horn was not a part to be sniffed at
I gave my best on ev’ry note I got
Then home was after that, put on me coat n’ hat
An’ if I moved fast I’d be home in time for tea at four o’ clock

It was underground from Moorgate all a-pon the Northern Line
At Kennington the escalators were always an awful grind
Then rattling on to Waterloo and hoping to catch me train
Soon it’d all be over and I’d get back home again

It was from Waterloo to Vauxhall, Battersea, Clapham Junction too
Earlsfield, Wimbledon and Raynes Park, Surbiton passing through
Hinchley Wood then on to Claygate, shortly at Oxshott
Cobham, Effingham Junction, Horsley, Clandon was my stop

NOW I HARDLY EVER DO THE QUICKSAND HORNPIPE
I’VE GIVEN UP TRY’NA PREVENT MESELF FROM SINKIN BENEATH THE SAND
THE SAND OF LIFE IS THERE DRAGGIN ME, PULLIN ME LEG
BUT I’VE DONE WITH THE QUICKSAND HORNPIPE S’WHAT I’VE SAID
YES, I’VE DONE WITH THE QUICKSAND HORNPIPE S’WHAT I’VE SAID

Recording: Track 13 on Songs From The Smoke
(15 New Songs About London) by Cycle Records CD010 (A compilation)