Gareth Jones Songs

THE CORNERS OF THE NATIONS

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As  the train pulled into Bordeaux station,

You shrugged and kissed me in a mute affection

Then you smiled and turned away from me.

Did you say that you were only seventeen?

And did you - did you tell me your name?

I don’t think that you knew mine

But do you think it really mattered

For the duration of the night  – of that night?

 

From the place on high we could look down.

Through the snowline Austria hid below.

In the clearness of the air around

I held America in my English arms.

And twenty-five minutes ago, I did not know you.

Does that really matter to you?

 

And many years later, in a café by the Seine

We will sit here with a coffee, and we’ll tell each other tales

Listen to me, love, in patience as my stories now unfold

From the corners of the Nations I’ll be bringing you my love.

 

Dark at night and nowhere to go.

Eternal city two people alone.

Let us find an old hotel you said

And to save the cost we could even share a bed.

And in the morning as the sun shone on the streets,

Rome was never so beautiful for me.

I woke you with a carefully placed kiss.

 

He came running down the Spanish Steps

And as you turned to me your eyes glistened wet.

You smiled goodbye behind your sunglasses.

They kept your tears at bay.

You knew you had been waiting for him.

I could now be on my own again.

I hope you both have a good time.

 

And many years later, in a café by the Seine

 

And the trees in Central London a

Are bending down to touch me

And the girls that I left in Europe

Will no doubt soon forget me

And I turn my steps to homewards w

Where a lover shall be waiting

I am not sorry to be leaving the Corners of the Nations.