London Plane

Where the road runs down

To the river bank

And the mudlarks search on the shore

Where the watermen set sail

For the towns upstream

Upon a golden course to Runnymede

Where the water's edge

Meets the squares and the streets

The river 'knows the mood

Of kings and crowds and priests'

Take tea in the gardens

Drunk for a penny or two

Stars will lead you home

Sailing on the English way

Racing on the high tides

Here by the riverside

Reaching for the day's last light

When the Houses fall

And the flames meet the sky

Turner takes his boat out

To catch the light

And far downstream the Alice is clean gone

In the dark she slipped away

Racing on the English way

Sails against the skyline

Down by the water's edge

Reaching for the last light

Time and tide wait for no man

A river passing by

As the crowds fade away

The fires grow cold in the east

Skylon rises in a brave new world

The clocks are stopped

And boats are held

Time and tide wait for no man

And now the ship has sailed

And the crowds fade away

But by the water's edge

At the end of the road

I still reach for the day's last light