Tim Arnold

The Lights of the Thames

Signing on in Holborn to cash a cheque by the Golden Mile
Nothing to do but watch the tourists take a picture, fake a smile
A fortnight’s cash can get you smashed to end a day that long
End up by the river singing karaoke songs

And I don’t know if I’m coming or going
And I don’t know if I’m coming or going

But in the night, the lights of the Thames, like sparkling gems
Are leading me home again
In the night , the lights are my friends, the lights of the Thames
They’re leading me home again

BBC world service kept me warm when we had to move
To Sunny Spain, my mother craved for a new life in the nude
Smoking kills and so do pills, HRT was a mystery
All I really wanted was a proper cup of tea

And I don’t know if I’m coming or going
And I don’t know if I’m coming or going

But in the night, the lights of the Thames, like sparkling gems
Are leading me home again
In the night , the lights are my friends, the lights of the Thames
They’re leading me home again

And I know you do actually understand,
You wanted Don Quixote, I wanted Peter Pan
But I was really ready to fly
And though I flew the nest just by the skin of my will
I still dream of us up on Muswell Hill
Laughing and ‘still’ holding hands

And I don’t know if We’re coming or going
And I don’t know if We’re coming or going

But in the night, the lights of the Thames, like sparkling gems
Are leading me home again
In the night , the lights are my friends, the lights of the Thames
They’re leading me home again

I’m seeing stars in the rain
It might not be great
But that's allright
At least I’m going home with a smile.