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Track 7. Salisbury

The river runs where the river ran, beyond the fields the green hills stand
The city clusters round its single spire
The years have come and the years have gone, some things pass some linger on
Some by default and others by desire

Salisbury.....
Evening light upon the Close the white walls standing like a ghost
And evensong an echo on the wind
Saints and martyrs row on row, look out through sightless eyes of stone
And somewhere in the dark a devil grins

Salisbury
The poor man worked and the poor man paid his taxes as the stones were laid
The walls rose high above the city street
Spirit breathed and flesh denied, or last disguise of man's own pride
A century, the vision was complete

Salisbury
But now six hundred years have gone, the time has slipped away
The tide of faith receded from the shore
The crowds pour through, but these have come to stop and stand and stare
And no-one kneels to pray here anymore
Now God sits with his begging bowl beside the western door
Craving salvation from the nouveau riche
In fear these walls will crumble and his house come tumbling down
He seeks the humble charity of each

And that is just the price of a slight unease of conscience
The clergy smile, there's none so bold to tell
The truth they've hidden away now and never dare to say
- that only Christ can save your soul from Hell

Salisbury
He is not here he has risen, he has broken from your prison
Of Gothic architecture, carven stone
The day will dawn as dawn it must when all cathedrals fall to dust
But those who trust are never left alone
In council house kitchens and in tin-roofed tabernacles
In bus stations, or outside on the street
God will meet with man, until his great eternal plan
Is turned full circle and time is complete

Salisbury
The river runs where the river ran, beyond the fields the green hills stand
The city clusters round its single spire
The years have come and the years have gone, some things pass some linger on
Some by default and others by desire...

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