chimney sweepers

oh when the rain started up

it was already wet

with the morning left crying

in tears black and blue

and salty wound 'cross the flag-spun country

in coffee lakes let the bad go jumping

and the hum of the traffic

had never seemed quieter

we had been walking

the concrete was new

mining towns get the worst of havoc

and summer's curse is to pass the bad luck

there's an ache in the doorway

a crack in the firmament

everything breaking

a concert of harm

slip the wind as we hit the road

smell the wildflowers break the cold

and the danger is flowing

from swindon to reading

there's love on the motorway

shame on the farm

let it be and this too shall pass

let it swing til it's swung half mast

naked wishing and death of trust

like chimney sweepers it comes to dust