Cello Song :: Nick Drake

This summer I was sitting at Magpie's doing some research when they started playing a Nick Drake cd, and I was hooked. Unfortunately, as I quickly discovered on the internet, in 1974 Nick Drake either committed suicide or accidentally overdosed on his sleeping medication. It's unfortunate because he only recorded 3 cds, and because even if he was alive he would be too old for me. And with a voice like his, I wouldn't care that he was a dude. Anyways. His music either tends to be very sparse, just him and the guitar, or features Nick backed by a band. If you're interested in listening to more Nick Drake, his three albums are Five Leaves Left, Bryter Layter and Pink Moon.

I particularly enjoy Cello Song, which is off of Five Leaves Left. His guitar part is beautiful, and the cello just fits with the guitar and his voice. The lyrics of the song always remind me of the moon. My favorite lines are at the end of the song, "And if one day you should see me in the crowd, Lend a hand and lift me, To your place in the cloud."

Strange face, with your eyes
So pale and sincere.
Underneath you know well
You have nothing to fear.
For the dreams that came to you when so young
Told of a life
Where spring is sprung.

You would seem so frail
In the cold of the night
When the armies of emotion
Go out to fight.
But while the earth sinks to its grave
You sail to the sky
On the crest of a wave.

So forget this cruel world
Where I belong
I'll just sit and wait
And sing my song.
And if one day you should see me in the crowd
Lend a hand and lift me
To your place in the cloud.