Genesis Hall

Album: Unhalfbricking (1969)
Play Video

  • My father he rides with your sheriffs
    And I know he would never mean harm,
    But to see both sides of a quarrel
    Is to judge without haste or alarm

    Chorus:
    Oh, oh, helpless and slow,
    And you don't have anywhere to go

    You take away homes from the homeless
    And leave them to die in the cold
    The gypsy who begged for your presents
    He will laugh in your face when you're old

    (Chorus)

    Well, one man he drinks up his whiskey
    Another he drinks up his wine
    And they'll drink till their eyes are red with hate
    For those of a different kind

    (Chorus)

    When the rivers run quicker than trouble
    I'll be there at your side in the flood
    It was all I could do to keep myself
    From taking revenge on your blood

    (2x Chorus) Writer/s: RICHARD THOMPSON
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Warspite from Atlanta, Ga., UsaThe first song, first side of Unhalfbricking. Beautiful, haunting & timeless. Listen to the way RT & Simon's acoustic guitars surround and frame Sandy's voice. Despite Paul Kantner (who I like) butchering it on an album, the song is like some 17th century British ballad- as if it has "always" been there & sung by many people in many versions over a long period of time.
  • David from Nottingham, United KingdomYou can see RT singing a solo version of this if you look on Youtube. It is still featured from time to time at Fairport gigs, Simon Nicol sings it very well.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."