Alice (Letting Go) - Peter Hammill

When you told me that you loved me

I had no reason to doubt it

So I went about my life in such a selfish way

And never really thought about it

Oh do I have to let go?

Oh I had my chance and I’ve blown it

'cause I loved you so much all these years

And somewhere in myself, between my pride and fear

Just couldn’t find a way to show it

I know it doesn’t give you any joy

To give me such pain

But you’re in love with him now, my old friend —

I know all about that, there’s no need to explain

But why do I have to say goodbye

When I love you still, and can only feel that I’m dying?

Still, every word I say just seems to come out wrong

And none of them deny the fact that you are gone

And that I’m left here, crying

What’s the good of songs anyway?

They’re just exercises in solitude

I should have been ready for today —

I always prayed you wouldn’t go

But I suppose I always knew you would

I suppose you say to him now

«I know that some day you’ll leave me»

Just like you did to me, and I’d deny it

But you wouldn’t believe me

Ooh do I have to let go of you

Ooh I don’t think that I can do it —

You’re always going to be the guardian of my soul

And I’ll always have a part of you to call my own

How stupid that I never proved it

Oh I know I’ll never let go

Oh because I don’t want to be just your friend

We spent seven years together in our own way

I can’t believe the story ends like this today…

Wherever you are do you really think so, Alice?