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Date: Wed, 4 Dec 1996 14:39:43 -0400
From: John van Gurp 
Subject: Stan Rogers - Song of the Candle


SONG OF THE CANDLE (1972) - Stan Rogers

capo second fret

G                         C
I took up my pen tonight, I couldn't seem to write

G                   Em       C
It's like I got religion, and then I lost the light

G                 Em             C                 A
An old woman once told me, she'd always felt that way
          C              G     C                  D
She said "Taken from the mold, while it still can run

Em                                    Bm
a candle might not keep you from the cold.

C                                Bm
But buy another candle son, it's not too much to pay."

    C                                                    G  C G C
For one more try, and I had to smile before I walked away

CHORUS 1

   Em                     Bm
Tonight in a room full of candles

C                                 G
Another cup of ashes drains away

      Em                    D
And at times it gets so hard to handle

C                               Bm
Knowing one more simple song has swiftly taken wing

       C                                            G      C G C
And I'm left alone to hear the song a lonely candle sings


Coffee houses bother me, I cannot tell you why
But it never seems hello sounds as sweet as goodbye
And the waitresses in passing, remeber all your names...
They say "Look around and try to meet a single eye."
And "Empty cups will mock me if I stay, but
buy another coffee Stan, it's not too much to pay
and we will try to raise your smile
before you walk away."

TO CHORUS 1

The priest I found was nervous. He cleared his throat a lot
But framed in staned glass windows, his eyes were lost in thought
And I said "Father can you tell me, is some happiness my right?"
He said "Rather seek you joy, in the blessing of your God
and happiness from worship in His sight."
And "Buy another candle son, before you start to pray,
and don't forget to cross your breast before you walk away."

TO CHORUS 1

One too many cigarettes, slowly burning down
And the final cup of coffee was cold and full of grounds
And maybe one last pipeful might send the words around
Still underneath my hand, this night has slipped away
And leaves me as empty as this page
One more candle flickers out, the night is turning grey
And I just can't watch the dying flame
I have to walk away

CHORUS 2

Tonight I have burned all my candles
Leaving only ashes in their wake...
And at times I get so hard to handle
'Cause simple songs leave me behind, they all have taken wing
And I'm left alone to hear the song a lonely candle sings...



Enjoy!! Stan wrote some beauts - this is not the least of them.
It sounds great fingerpicking.

John van Gurp
Halifax, Nova Scotia
ab008@chebucto.ns.ca