Shrine ('68)



1968 Written by Peter Hammill in London, England.

Unreleased.

The lyrics appear in Peter's first book of lyrics and stories: "Killers, Angels and Refugees" from 1974.
This doesn't appear to have ever been played live, or even recorded.

I recall Peter being asked about this after a concert in San Francisco, and he didn't remember it.

Maybe like "Rain 3am" it will one day appear.

Shrine

Lights are beaming in the city
as the train I'm on arrives;
my eyes are gleaming, my mouth is gritty,
I'm begging to feel alive
and, as I step out of the station into the pouring rain,
I know that I'm a pilgrim once again.

Get a taxi to my destination -
she doesn't know yet that it's coming here.
I'm relaxing in contemplation
of the great times that we had last year;
and, as I step out onto the pavement, and ring the bell of 29,
I know that I'm a pilgrim, arriving at his shrine.

A year ago we were together all the time;
you were a goddess, and God! yes, you were mine...

Landlord lets me in, I climb on up the stairs,
and I'm knocking upon your door...
what am I seeing, as you stand there,
half your clothes off, lying on the floor ?
And, as I look past your shocked expression,
I see, in your bed, a new man
and I'm a pilgrim in a strange land -
and the shrine that was here has crumbled into sand.