Darling Belle Lyrics - Incredible String Band

Papa would take me to the park to see the swans 

By hansom cab trotting so high 

Holding his hand to see the swans 

Hissing louder than rustling dresses of gracious ladies bustling by 

See swan ships come sailing in 

White as the clouds on a windy day 

James I suppose would be in school 

James I suppose would be in school 

I was I was learning to spell laughing at loud smells 

Avoiding the rod of the cod faced master 

Was it your absence made me quiet at noon? 

Playing British Bulldogs on the gravel 

Was it your presence colored my dream? 

I burrowed in cupboards like a mole all Saturday 

Under old chairs and old ladies knees 

I framed your half remembered face 

With frail white embroideries 

Calling for you down the mousy garden 

Calling for you down the mousy garden 

O did you meet him at the ball? Eighteen years on 

Tall soldier now and you full grown 

Belle did you meet him at the ball? 

Belle did you meet him at the ball? 

O do you remember me? Thin girl with cold hands 

You in your scarlet and you knew my name 

Step to the veranda under the wisteria in the mysterious November 

Dancing as if with death or fate to the moon black ballroom 

Of the silk skinned lake 

Kissing me you lifted my skirt under the willow trees 

Keep the home fires burning though your heart is yearning 

Though the boys are far away they dream of home 

There's a silver lining in the dark clouds shining 

Turn that lining inside out till the boys come home 

Did I see you march to the train? Did I cry was my nose red? 

My two day bride can you feel me in your memory? 

I will be the redness in your iron fire 

How could I write? My words would seem sad or gay 

We regret to inform you 

We regret to inform you 

We regret to inform you 

Meet me by gaslight in the dark dawn 

On waterloo bridge we will walk arm in arm 

Hearing the leaves fall with whisper into the foggy dew 

When we are dead, when we are dead 

Now she sits in her brother's widow's house 

Her skin like a lizard her aura like a daffodil 

Sits like a sign in the children's chair 

Migrant guest from relative to in-law 

She stares into the embers