Ringing Down The Years Lyrics - Sandy Denny

We met when you were still a girl 

In nineteen sixty eight 

You wore a white dress and a hat 

I touched the hand of fate 

Your sweet voice took my breath away 

Your smile lit up your face 

You still had both feet on the ground 

I was out in space 

That certain sadness in your eyes 

The secret of your smile 

I've carried all these memories 

Down many's the weary mile 

And every time I hear your name 

My eyes moist up with tears 

As every word you ever sang 

Comes ringing down the years. 

We sat and talked the whole night long 

Of all our rights and wrongs 

Of mutual acquaintances 

We sang each other's song 

You were with me when the morning broke 

The birds refused to sing 

They knew when they were beaten 

They hid beneath their wings. 

I was in a cleveland hotel room 

When they telephoned the news 

I drowned my sorrow all night long 

The southern comfort blues 

The show went on to great applause 

Choking back the tears 

As every word you ever sang 

Came ringing down the years.