Ralph McTell is probably best known for the song Streets of London which has been covered by over a hundred artists around the world. From Clare to Here has proved almost as popular, during a long and continuing recording and performing career.
McTell's guitar style has been influenced by many of the USA's country blues 'Piedmont- style' guitar players of the early 20th century, including Blind Blake and Blind Willie McTell, from whom he took his name.
Bridge of Sighs
Ralph McTell Lyrics
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Has gone under the bridge by now.
I say that bridges
Are all that's left for us now.
Each side of the river, the city is burning
There is no turning back.
Oh, what else can I say? There's no loss of face
And nothing's betrayed, there's no disgrace
You'll have to trust me, don't bring any,
Any of them so-called friends
And everyone's talking, they soon start shouting
And we all know how that one ends.
You say the daylight, I say the night-time
Let's meet in the twilight zone.
Don't be afraid you'll come to no harm
Nothing's betrayed, we'll both be unarmed
And both of us must come alone.
A Bridge of sighs for the compromise
Does anyone get what they really wish?
A handshake, a heartbreak, maybe a parting with a kiss.
Ah, don't be afraid, there is no disgrace
No one's betrayed, there's no loss of face
In meeting on the bridge.
Repeat chorus
The river runs red, the air is smoking
And the flames burn higher and higher.
The numbers of dead are like beads of sweat
And they can never put out this fire.
The ones who are left must not be swept away
On this river of death, so I'll meet you halfway
There is no disgrace, what more can I say?
There's no loss of face
We must meet on the bridge.
In Ralph McTell's song "Bridge of Sighs," he speaks about the insurmountable obstacles between two people who have experienced great conflict. The first verse depicts a deeply divided city where the bridge is the only safe transfer, and they must meet halfway to reach the other side. McTell suggests that it is time to put aside any pride or shame, and they must meet in the middle to find common ground because there is too much water under the bridge.
In the second verse, he talks about trust and the importance of leaving others outside of their understanding. He also suggests that they should meet during the twilight hour, a time when the daylight and night-time meet. McTell asserts that there is nothing to fear, and both parties must come alone, unarmed, and with no intention of harm.
The last verse is the most poignant as the stakes are much higher. An insurrection has left the city divided and engulfed in flames. McTell suggests that the only way to make it to the other side is by meeting in the middle of the bridge. He emphasizes that there is no loss of face on either side and that the meeting represents a compromise that allows both sides to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
You say, too much water
You're claiming that we have gone through a great deal over a long-term.
Has gone under the bridge by now.
Time has passed, and things have gone beyond repair.
I say that bridges
I believe that bridges are the only solution for us now.
Are all that's left for us now.
We don't have any other option left but to start over.
Each side of the river, the city is burning
The environment around us is chaotic and in turmoil.
There is no turning back.
We can't go back to the way things were before.
Oh, what else can I say? There's no loss of face
Neither one of us will be embarrassed for meeting halfway to make amends.
And nothing's betrayed, there's no disgrace
We can convene without it being considered as disloyalty or dishonor.
In meeting on the bridge.
The only way forward is for us to meet and talk it out rather than continue in chaos.
You'll have to trust me, don't bring any,
You need to confide in me alone, leave all of your so-called friends out of it.
Any of them so-called friends
People who you consider as your friends but are not true friends.
And everyone's talking, they soon start shouting
When more people get involved, communication breaks down and conflicts escalate.
And we all know how that one ends.
We have to avoid any situation that will end in violence and bloodshed.
You say the daylight, I say the night-time
We have different perspectives and opinions on the timing of our meeting.
Let's meet in the twilight zone.
We can compromise halfway and meet in the middle.
Don't be afraid you'll come to no harm
There is no need to be fearful, trust that everything will turn out fine.
Nothing's betrayed, we'll both be unarmed
We are meeting on equal ground with no weapons, so there will be no treachery.
And both of us must come alone.
We must put aside our pride and differences and meet one-on-one.
A Bridge of sighs for the compromise
Meeting halfway will require us to compromise, which can be challenging.
Does anyone get what they really wish?
It's difficult to get what we really want in life.
A handshake, a heartbreak, maybe a parting with a kiss.
We risk any one of these scenarios, but we won't know until we meet.
Ah, don't be afraid, there is no disgrace
We shouldn't be scared or ashamed for taking a chance and trying to reconcile.
The river runs red, the air is smoking
There is a lot of destruction happening around us.
And the flames burn higher and higher.
Things are only getting worse.
The numbers of dead are like beads of sweat
The death toll is mounting, and it seems never ending.
And they can never put out this fire.
The damage has been done, and it cannot be undone.
The ones who are left must not be swept away
We need to come together to avoid being caught up in the chaos around us.
On this river of death, so I'll meet you halfway
Let's come together despite the adversities and challenges we are facing.
There is no disgrace, what more can I say?
It's not shameful to attempt to reconcile and rebuild our relationship.
We must meet on the bridge.
The only way to move forward and rebuild the relationship is to come together and talk.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: RALPH MCTELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Psyfolk
Fantastic track! Ralph rules! If only he could do a whole album with Fairport (or at least with Richard)...we live in hope ...