Track 8 of the album Weather Diaries · 2015
The Little Bicycle in the Shed
“Rust, dust and a bicycle that outlived its rider's childhood. I played this one very slowly.”
art song · art song · nostalgic ballad · 4:11
Lyrics
Behind the paint tins, under dust A little bicycle gone to rust The bell still holds a silver note The saddle small as a child's coat I wheel it out into the light The tyres are soft, the chain is tight A ribbon frayed on the handlebar Remembers how I rode so far Oh, little bicycle, where did the summers go Down the lane where the hawthorns grow I was brave on two wheels then I'd ride away and come home again Oh, little bicycle, hold the evening light Hold the small girl, hold her tight Time has bigger roads to roam But you still know the way back home My father ran behind me, near He let go, and I didn't hear I only felt the wind go by And thought that I could touch the sky Oh, little bicycle, where did the summers go Down the lane where the hawthorns grow I was brave on two wheels then I'd ride away and come home again Oh, little bicycle, hold the evening light Hold the small girl, hold her tight Time has bigger roads to roam But you still know the way back home I won't ride you now, I'm much too tall But I'll ring your bell in the empty hall One clear note for the girl I was Ringing for all the roads she does Little bicycle, rest a while I'll leave the door open, mile by mile