Album: Silent Steeples (2004)

License This Song 

• The river of doubt gave birth to a beautiful stone
  And in my hands I held it and I knew I was on my own
  So I picked it up and held it to the sky
  And in my reflection. I knew I was all alone
  Then I saw this girl with the most beautiful hair
  She had it wrapped around her for clothes she did not wear
  I asked her for a lock and she complied, after leaving
  Gorgeous footsteps in the sand as if she didn't care
  She was the prettiest girl I ever saw
  The stone lay still without a flaw
  The feelings I had defied the law
  As I came to, I went to
  And I took a look, a look down the road
  To see a badger and a one eyed toad
  They didn't say a word, they just looked at me
  With that wise old look of the old
  Then I went to down to town
  To my favorite merry-go-round
  To the place where magic horses fly
  And you seldom see a frown
  
  [Chorus]
  But then I stole a ring from the flying horses
  And I can't begin to explain how
  I stole a ring from the flying horses
  And it's all rusty now
  I stole a ring from the flying horses
  And I can't begin to explain how
  I stole a ring from the flying horses
  And it's all rusty now
  
  You see 'cause that stone fell through my pocket
  And that lock of hair flew away with the wind
  If you chance to meet upon either
  Well you know where they've been
  But don't pick them up or try to find me
  They're much happier to be on their own
  Beauty like that knows no home
  And then if you take a look, a look down the road
  You'll see a badger and a one eyed toad
  They won't say a word they'll just look at you
  With that wise look of the old
  
  [Chorus] Writer/s: BRADLEY CORRIGAN,, CHARLES STOKES URMSTON, PETER FRANCIS HEIMBOLD
  Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

• Tony from 80126Wow! I thought it was just me that this song reminded me of Martha's Vinyard. Besides the rings in the carousel in town, the 'girl with the most beautiful hair that wraps around her for clothes she did not wear.' makes me think of the nude beach at Gay Head beach.
• Derek from ConnecticutI've always felt it was a metaphor for appreciating the beauty around us without having to seize it for yourself, the ring became rusty , stone lost, and the hair flew away, etc.
• Annie from Sagamore Beach, MaI stole a couple of rings from the flying horses in Martha's Vineyard as well. I, too, wondered if it was the same flying horses as in this song.
• Sean from Sandwich, Mai went to the flying horses today. great place. America's oldest carousel. great great song.
• Noblelaureat from Anysignificanttown, InHmm, I'm seeing a wind in the willows influence to be quite honest..badger, one-eyed toad, "wise old look of the old," honestly? Definitely one influence...
• Dean Beaver from Glens Falls, NyDude, obviously the song involves more that brass rings from a carousel. Its a song about love lost as well.
• Ryan from Philly, Pathere is actually a couple of these carousels around the US. i have been to one in San Diego
• Kevin from Mansfield, CtI think this song has to do with catcher in the rye.Because in the catcher in the rye the child grabs the ring off of the carousel and this sybolizes their growing up because they cant be controlled by their parents. Catcher in the rye is all about how a boy doesnt want to grow up and he wants to catch the kids going off the hill to adult hill.
• Nick from Pepperell, MaHey, i love this song. I've actually been to the flying horses carosel on Martha's Vineyard quite a few times. I always wondered if thats what the song was about.

More Songfacts:

We Are The WorldUSA for Africa

The actor Dan Aykroyd sang on "We Are The World." LaToya Jackson did too, so we know they weren't all that picky.

I Feel For YouChaka Khan

Chaka Khan's hit "I Feel For You" was written and originally recorded by Prince four years before she covered it.

CompassionLucinda Williams

Lucinda Williams' track "Compassion" is based on a poem by her father, lauded Arkansas poet Miller Williams.

I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder

"I Just Called To Say I Love You" is Stevie Wonder's best-selling single worldwide. It topped the Hot 100, AC, R&B and UK charts all in the same week.

VenusShocking Blue

The original "Venus" was a #1 hit for the Dutch band Shocking Blue. Listen to the first line and you'll hear a muffed word: "goddess" was sung as "goddness."

Uptown GirlBilly Joel

Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl" is about Christie Brinkley, who he married, but it started as a song about Elle McPherson, who he also went out with.

Editor's Picks

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?