Words & Music by David Harley, copyright 1975
This is one I probably haven’t sung in public since the 1970s, but I’m not sure why. I wrote it after a friend’s wedding in the Isle of Man in the early 70s, though it’s not about that specific event. But I remembered it again while I was arranging accommodation for a completely different and Very Important wedding. 🙂
[6th May 2020: new version recorded for no particular reason: I just wanted to try out a different software package. Still a demo.]
Older version with light overdubbing.
Now that the war is over
And the battles are all lost and won
The glasses are raised and the caterers praised
And the happy couple are gone
Bound for the sun on a honeymoon cruise
And nobody knows where they are
The last musketeer has traded his sword
For a mortgage and family car
All the words like ‘forever’ are spoken
Though the meaning’s not always quite clear
The wine and the song have together run dry
And the last of the guests disappeared
And mum and dad take a look at themselves
Now the last of the nestlings has flown
The last musketeer takes stock of his life
Amazed at the new thing he’s found
And a lifetime away from just yesterday
Well on the way to elsewhere
En route for tomorrow they pause to shake
Confetti out of their hair
The treaties are signed and the campaign is won
And another skirmish begins
The bride smiles and the last musketeer
Takes a look at ‘forever’
And grins…
Wheal Alice Music 