"The Antique Suite" lyrics - STRAWBS

[I - The Reaper]

The reaper stood before him in the room
His melancholy smile matched the gloom
He tried to rise but fell back where he lay
Tried to speak but stumbled as the sentence slipped away.

The room grew far away and strangely still
He caught the reaper's eye and felt a chill
He thought he saw his mother's smiling face
As sunlight filtered warmly through the yellowed curtain lace.

He thought back to the days when he was young
He heard the children's choir in which he'd sung
His letter floated softly to the floor
The reaper took his hand and led him gently through the door.

Aaaah...

[II - We Must Cross The River]

Take my hand and I will lead you safely
There's no need to be dismayed
Though it's dark, there will be no danger
There's no need to be afraid.

If you wear the cross your wife once gave you
You will find that it is blessed
Should you find that you are growing weary
You may lean on me and rest.

We must cross the river
We must cross the river
We must cross the river together.

Old familiar friends have long been waiting
To welcome you when you arrive
Time is on your side now, do not hurry
You are one who will survive.

God is kind to those who seek salvation
Those who know no sense of hate
You will find him on the day of judgment
The God of love, the God of hate.

We must cross the river
We must cross the river
We must cross the river together.

We must cross the river
We must cross the river
We must cross the river together.

[III - Antiques And Curios]

On the mantlepiece a china dog waits patiently
The faded velvet curtains are still drawn
The well worn tray of medal ribbons slowly gathers dust
The armchair's chintzy covers have been torn.

The photograph of Nancy on the honeymoon in France
The nearly finished letter underneath
The wheelchair that he never used, he always was too proud
Is folded in the corner by the wreath.

The choirboy's cassock hanging on the hook behind the door
The wooden box in which he kept his cross
The Coronation teapot that his mother always used
Helps to bring about a sense of loss.

Just a collection of antiques and curios.

[IV - Hey, It's Been A Long Time]

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again
Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again.

We met quite by chance, I thought she'd moved away
We never made love but were very good friends.

We were married secretly, her parents disapproved
For some reason or other they never made clear.

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again
Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again.

We were in France when war broke out, we caught the first boat home
She gave me her cross when I went to the front.

I was hurt in Normandy, she didn't wait at all
I lived with my mother till she passed away.

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again
Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again.

Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again
Hey it's been a long time, it's good to see you again