Richard Thompson

Chelsea morning

Richard Thompson


Woke up big this Chelsea morning and the first thing that I heard 
Was a song outside my window 
And the traffic wrote the words 
It came ringing up like Christmas bells 
And rapping up like pipes and drums 
Oh, won't you stay, we'll put on a day and we'll wear it till the night comes 

Woke up big this Chelsea morning and the first thing that I saw 
Was the sun through yellow curtains 
And a rainbow on my wall 
Blue, red, green and gold to welcome you 
Crimson, crystal peaks to beckon 
Oh, won't you stay, we'll put on a day, there's a side-show every second 

Now the curtain opens on a portrait of today 
And the streets are paved with passers-by 
And pictures fly and papers lie 
Just waiting to blow away 

Woke up big this Chelsea morning and the first thing that I knew 
There was milk and toast and honey 
And a bowl of oranges too 
And the light poured in like butterscotch 
And stuck to all my senses 
Oh, won't you stay, we'll put on a day and we'll talk in present tenses 

Now the curtain closes and the rainbow runs away 
I'll bring you incense owls by night 
By candle-light, by jewel-light 
If only you will stay 

Pretty baby, won't you 
Wake up, it's the Chelsea morning