After the demise of Gregson & Collister, Gregson relocated to Nashville, but has shuttled across the Atlantic for tie-ups with Boo Hewerdine, Eddi Reader, and Plainsong. He was Nanci Griffith's longtime guitar player, and she recorded Gregson's 'I Love This Town' with Jimmy Buffett, scoring much UK & US airplay. Other Gregson songs have been covered by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kim Carnes, Fairport Convention, Norma Waterson and Smokie, amongst others.
Any Trouble reformed in 2007 for a reunion album on Stiff, again written by Clive.
2009 sees a 'Best Of Clive Gregson' album released in April. All the catalogue of Clive Gregson & Christine Collister is available via BGO.
Gregson plays Alvarez acoustics and Fender Telecasters.
Gabriel
Clive Gregson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One look from you makes a
woman's heart race,
Gabriel... silver tongued devil,
Does forbidden fruit have
a sweeter taste,
Gbriel, go back to your children,
Your wife and your home,
You know that I am yours
for asking,
But you still have somethings
that I cannot share...
Gabriel... practised and clever,
We met in falsehood and
stayed there all night,
Gabriel... with your
best endeavours,
You captured my heart by the
cold morning light,
Gbriel, go back to your children,
Your wife and your home,
Leave me in tears,
I know that moments of love
can be fleeting,
But when, you're away, each night
seems like years...
No you don't have a will
made of iron,
If temptation puts you to the test,
You see no sense in denying,
You always hope for the best...
Gabriel, go back your children,
Your wife and your home,
Your secret is safe,
You know that love is
the cure for all evil,
And my love is yours
till I rest in my grave,
My love is yours
till I rest in my grave...
The song "Gabriel" by Clive Gregson is a poignant portrayal of a woman secretly in love with a man named Gabriel. The song is a confession of her forbidden love for him, and it describes Gabriel's alluring qualities such as his angelic face and silver-tongued ways. The woman recognizes that Gabriel is forbidden fruit, but she cannot resist his charm and she is willing to be with him if he were available. However, Gabriel is a married man with children, and the woman understands that her dream of being with Gabriel can only be an illusion. The song speaks to the complexities of human emotions and the choices that people make in the face of temptation and societal norms.
The first verse is the woman's acknowledgement of Gabriel's physical attractiveness, "Gabriel... face of an angel, One look from you makes a woman's heart race." The second verse then highlights Gabriel's enticing charisma, "Gabriel... silver-tongued devil, Does forbidden fruit have a sweeter taste." Despite her attraction to Gabriel, she realizes that he has a family and responsibilities, so she advises him to go back to his wife and children in the chorus, "Gabriel, go back to your children, Your wife and your home…"
The song's lyrics suggest Gabriel and the woman shared a night of passion, but she acknowledges that she knows their love cannot last. The lyrics imply their love to be based on falsehood, captured by Gabriel's best endeavors, "We met in falsehood and stayed there all night. Gabriel... with your best endeavors, You captured my heart by the cold morning light…" The woman understands that her relationship with Gabriel can only be temporary, yet her love for him will remain constant, "My love is yours till I rest in my grave."
Line by Line Meaning
Gabriel... face of an angel,
Gabriel is physically attractive, with a charming smile and good looks.
One look from you makes a woman's heart race,
Gabriel's alluring presence enchants women and gives them an adrenaline rush.
Gabriel... silver tongued devil,
Gabriel is cunning and persuasive with his words, able to seduce anyone.
Does forbidden fruit have a sweeter taste,
Gabriel thinks that the thrill of doing something taboo is more exciting and alluring than following societal norms.
Gbriel, go back to your children,
Gabriel should return to his family and prioritize his responsibility as a father and husband.
Your wife and your home,
Gabriel needs to remember the commitments he made to his spouse and his household.
They need you there,
Gabriel's family requires his love, care, and presence to live a fulfilled life.
You know that I am yours for asking,
Gabriel has complete control over the artist's emotions and will do anything for him, despite him being married.
But you still have somethings that I cannot share...
Despite the artist's willingness, there are some things Gabriel can't have, such as a real relationship, intimacy, or commitment.
Gabriel... practised and clever,
Gabriel's persuasive tactics are well-practised and advanced, making him an expert in charming and wooing others.
We met in falsehood and stayed there all night,
Gabriel and the singer met under false pretenses and spent the whole night together.
Gabriel... with your best endeavours,
Gabriel's impressive efforts in seducing and charming the artist left a lasting impact.
You captured my heart by the cold morning light,
Gabriel's methods worked, and the singer fell in love with him, even in the sober, cold light of morning.
Leave me in tears,
The singer is left with nothing but sadness and tears as Gabriel returns to his family and leaves her behind.
I know that moments of love can be fleeting,
The singer realizes that love can be brief and temporary, especially in situations like these that have no real future.
But when you're away, each night seems like years...
The artist feels as though time slows down and every night lasts an eternity when Gabriel is not around.
No you don't have a will made of iron,
Gabriel is susceptible to temptation and can be swayed by forbidden fruit.
If temptation puts you to the test,
If faced with a difficult choice, Gabriel may give in to temptation and betray his values and commitments.
You see no sense in denying,
Gabriel would not see the point in resisting temptation if it feels so good.
You always hope for the best...
Gabriel is optimistic and trusts that things will always work out in his favor.
Your secret is safe,
The artist promises to keep Gabriel's affairs secret, even though they are both aware of his infidelity.
You know that love is the cure for all evil,
Gabriel understands that love is the answer to all problems and that it can conquer everything, even immoral actions like cheating.
And my love is yours till I rest in my grave,
The singer is devoted to Gabriel and will love him until the day she dies and is put into her grave.
My love is yours till I rest in my grave...
The artist reiterates her commitment to Gabriel, promising him her love even in death.
Contributed by Nathaniel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.