This is rather different to most of my songs, but then it does go back to the early 70s. I’ve probably never sung it in public, but I came across the words today and thought it was worth posting.

I might bluegrassize it at some point.

Since we first met I’ve loved and lost at least a dozen times
Till one day I discovered I love you
I don’t know if you could love me, I haven’t dared to ask
But all the same, in case one day you do

I don’t walk under ladders, I throw salt across my shoulder
And as for lucky charms, I have a few
I look both ways crossing one-way streets with all my fingers crossed
I don’t take chances since I fell for you

I counted on your friendship in a world of time and changes
Till I realized I was no longer free
It seems that I was meant to love you, and I mean to stay intact
In case one day you find you’ve need of me

So I keep one eye on my horoscope and one ear to the phone
In hopes that you might call me some sweet day
I keep both eyes peeled for black cats and I touch wood when I can
Hoarding every bit of luck that comes my way

David Harley

This demo was recorded back in the 80s, and the voice was in better shape.

Backup:

More recent version, which is actually not bad (and less ambient noise):

or (backup):

Down to the River: copyright David Harley, 1981

Another example of the sort of song I never write. I’m not really sure where this one came from.

I won’t go down to the river / anyway not yet
There’s too much to do and the water’s cold / and I don’t want my feet wet
I don’t want my feet wet

I won’t go down to the river / I guess I really should
But the sand’s so warm between my toes / and you know it feels so good
I know it does me good

Come on down to the river / it can’t do you harm
You’ve got to learn sometime to sink or swim / and the sun will keep you warm
The sun will keep you warm

I won’t go down to the river / you know I can’t go down
The water’s so still, the sides so steep / I’m scared that I might drown
So scared that I might drown

Come on down to the river / the road’s so hard and rough
If you keep your head and your hands are clean / surely you can’t drown in love?
You can’t drown in love

I can’t go down to the river / I surely can’t go down
My soul is parched but my body aches / and I just know I’ll drown
I know I’ll surely drown

Come on down to the river / it tastes so sweet and cold
Come on down before it gets too late / and wash the mud out of your soul
The mud out of your soul

We’ve got to get on down to the river / we have to learn to trust
Got to wash away all the doubt and fear / before the whole damn’ world dries up
Before the world dries up