Strawbs - The Antique Suite lyrics

I - The Reaper Cousins 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 Cousins 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 Cousins 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 ca**ock 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 Cousins 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 pa**ed 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 …