Lesley Duncan was born in Stockton-on-Tees, a market town in north east England, leaving school at fourteen; she would later reminisce about her childhood troubles in her song, "Wooden Spoon". At age 19, she and her brother Jimmy were placed on weekly retainers by a music publisher. Within a year, Lesley Duncan had signed with major label EMI, and appeared in the film What a Crazy World. Starting in 1963, Duncan recorded a number of pop singles throughout the '60s, none of which were able to grab the attention of record buyers at large.
All throughout her career as an active solo performer and beyond, Duncan appeared as a vocalist on numerous recordings by other artists, including Donovan, Ringo Starr, and The Alan Parsons Project. She also appeared on the first original cast recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar. A complete list of Duncan's contributions has yet to be compiled; in her own words, "it would be easier to list the albums on which [she does] not appear."
Duncan was first introduced to Elton John when they were both relatively unknown session workers. In 1970, John covered Duncan's composition "Love Song" for his breakthrough album Tumbleweed Connection; Duncan played guitar and provided vocals on John's version. Duncan's new-found form of understated songwriting was noted by ecstatic critics, leading some to dub her "the British Carole King." Duncan's 1971 debut album, Sing Children Sing, featured amongst others Elton John and Peter Frampton as guest musicians. Despite favorable reviews and radio play, Duncan failed to attract the attention of record buyers.
Her lacf commercial success would haunt her until the release of her last album, Maybe It's Lost (1977), despite a gradual increase in commercial pop sensibility for every album released. Much of the blame for this lack of success could, by Duncan's own admission, be shouldered on her stage fright, which resulted in only a handful of live appearances throughout her career; however, one of these performances were at the 1973 Reading Festival, which was released on a live compilation LP. She continued to release sporadic singles for another decade; in 1979, a re-recorded version of "Sing Children Sing" (b/w "Rainbow Games"), whose proceeds were donated to the foundation for the International Year of the Child, became her biggest UK chart success at the #76 spot. Her recording career concluded in 1986 with a final single release, "Tomorrow" (b/w "Paper Highways").
Duncan retired to the Isle of Mull in Scotland, where she would spend the rest of her life with her family. In 2010, Duncan died of cerebrovascular disease, following an extended period of illness. At her funeral were flower arrangements from David Bowie and Elton John, members of the community in attendance only now realizing her true identity, which she had reportedly seldom brought up. Duncan's legacy remains, as "Love Song" continues to be covered by hundreds of artists, and albums on which she appeared continuing to be heard by unquantifiable numbers of listeners around the world.
Lullaby
Lesley Duncan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A rainbow at your feet each time you rise
So dry your eyes
The house of yesterday, is crumbling at my feet
But I don't mind, I've had my time
I am but yesterday, and you my child - tomorrow.
There's nothing I can give you - for you have more than me
I watch you dance and play,
The little prince of all that you survey
Each night each day.
I am the good old days and you my child - tomorrow.
If I have any future, it is within your eyes
Each time you smile - my child my child.
The hand of life will rock you
I brought you forth and then my task was through
I give to you,
This wondrous view
I am but yesterday and you my child - tomorrow.
The song "Lullaby" by Lesley Duncan is a beautiful tribute to the passage of time and the bond between a parent and child. The first verse speaks of the singer's desire to provide their child with all the beauty and wonder of the world, promising them stars, sunshine, rainbows, and a light heart. This is juxtaposed against the realization that the singer's own time is fading, as represented by the crumbling of the house of yesterday.
The second verse deepens this theme, as the singer acknowledges that their child has something that they themselves lack - the truth, embodied in the youth of the little prince. The singer observes their child dancing and playing, truly living in each moment, while they themselves represent the good old days. The final verse brings the song full circle, as the singer speaks of their own fleeting future, which lies within the eyes of their child. The hand of life will rock the child and the singer's task is complete, as they have passed on the wondrous view of the world, remaining only as yesterday while their child represents tomorrow.
Overall, the song's message is one of love, acceptance, and the beauty of the fleeting moments of life. It speaks to the bond between parent and child and the way that the passage of time can make that bond stronger and more powerful.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll give you stars and sunshine
I will provide you with all the joy and hope that the universe has to offer.
A rainbow at your feet each time you rise
Your life will be filled with colorful and beautiful moments, even when you start your day.
So dry your eyes
Don't cry, my child, everything will be alright. Focus on the beauty of life.
The house of yesterday, is crumbling at my feet
I am aware that my past is fading away, and I am ready to embrace change.
But I don't mind, I've had my time
Although my own life is coming to a close, I am content with the experiences and memories that I have accumulated.
I am but yesterday, and you my child - tomorrow.
I represent the past, and you represent the future. Together, we can grow and evolve.
There's nothing I can give you - for you have more than me
You already possess qualities and potential that I could never achieve, and I am proud of you.
You are the truth, within your youth
You have an innate sense of honesty and authenticity that comes naturally with your age.
I watch you dance and play,
I enjoy observing your carefree and happy moments, and wish for them to continue.
The little prince of all that you survey
You have the power to rule over your own life and future, just like a fairytale prince.
Each night each day.
You are constantly growing and learning, whether you are awake or asleep.
If I have any future, it is within your eyes
My legacy and my impact on the world will be reflected in the way that you perceive and shape your life.
Each time you smile - my child my child.
Your happiness and contentment bring me immense joy and pride, and make all of my struggles worth it.
The hand of life will rock you
The universe and its rhythms will guide and comfort you throughout your life.
I brought you forth and then my task was through
My purpose in life was to give birth to you, and help you begin your own unique journey.
I give to you, this wondrous view
I am passing on to you a world full of beauty, mystery and opportunity. It is now your turn to explore and enjoy it.
I am but yesterday and you my child - tomorrow.
Once again, I remind you that our relationship is a representation of the past and future, and its ongoing importance and strength.
Contributed by Kaitlyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
eurocharter
Brilliant song - haven't heard it for nearly 40 years. She certainly deserved far more success than she had. Lesley passed away in March 2010. R.I.P. Lesley
Mark Fretwell
This is just so beautiful thanks for posting :)
454something
Thanks for the post. I always loved, "Love Song". Her duo with Sir Elton live is especially haunting. The version done live by Neil Young, Elton, JT, and company for Neil's charity was also well done but in a unique "Neil" style.
Gisleine Leite
Simply beautiful 🌹💖
JVEDesigns
I also like the NY EJ performance - there are some pretty poor covers out there, but there have also been some great live performances by a host of people. I think it is one of the great classic 'love songs', if not 'the' classic. BTW am enjoying Sophie Barker . . .
04opocin
Released as a single in the UK in September 1968.
Sheri hello
Lovely lovely voice, pitty she s gone.! and she s pretty to.
Kenny boy
She was my first love
JVEDesigns
Olivia Newton-John covered both Lullaby (9th track) and Love Song (5th track) on her 1971 Album "If Not For You" released by Pye in the UK - track can be found on a youtube search
Mike Vine
Who ELSE sang this, way back ?!?, (song's stuck in my head now but can't remember other singers? ? ?) ;-(