Gypsy
Very 'Eavy ... Very 'Umble ... (June 1970)
Mick Box /David Byron

Mick Box - Guitar
David Byron - Lead Vocals
Ken Hensley - Keyboards
Paul Newton - Bass
Alex Napier - Drums

I was only seventeen
I fell in love with a gypsy queen
She told me: "Hold on"
Her father was the leading man
He said: "You're not welcome on our land"
And then as a foe
He told me to go

He took me to a little shack
And put a whip across my back
Then told her leave me
I was out for quite a time
Came back with her on my mind
Sweet little girl
She means all the world

Oh, I want my gypsy queen
Will she still be torn between
Her father and lover
One day I will go to him
Strong enough to fight and win
The kind of a man
That he'll understand ...


Bird Of Prey
Salisbury (February 1971)
Mick Box /David Byron /Ken Hensley /Paul Newton

David Byron - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Guitar
Ken Hensley - Keyboards
Keith Baker - Bass
Alex Napier - Drums

I can see that look that says beware
try to move in closer if you dare
So I must sit and play
My waiting game
And for a while I know
She'll do the same
Fly away

Watches like an eagle from its eerie
And like a bird of prey
She captures me
But I am older and
More wise than you
Bird of prey
Straight into me you flew
Fly away

Now every time I tried to set her free
I'm glad to say she comes
Right back to me
But if I knew she didn't want to stay
I wouldn't try to keep that
Lovely bird of prey


Look At Yourself
Look At Yourself (October 1971)
Ken Hensley

Mick Box - Lead Guitar
Ken Hensley - Lead Vocals/Keyboards
Paul Newton - Bass
Ian Clarke - Drums
Teddy Osei/Mack Tontoh/Loughty Amao - Percussion

I see you running
Don't know what
You're running from
Nobody's coming
What'd you do that was so wrong

Look back and turn back
Look at yourself
Don't be afraid, just
Look at yourself

If you need assistance
Or if all you need is love
There's no point in hiding
Tell me what you're frightened of

You've got a friend, just
Look at yourself
Don't be afraid, just
Look at yourself


Easy Livin'
Demons And Wizards (May 1972)
Ken Hensley

David Byron - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Lead Guitar
Ken Hensley - Keyboards
Gary Thain - Bass
Lee Kerslake - Drums

This is a thing I have
Never known before
It's called easy livin'
This is a place I've
Never seen before
And I've been forgiven

Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken
Your place in my heart

Somewhere along the lonely road
I had tried to find you
Day after day on that windy road
I had walked behind you

Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken
Your place in my heart

Waiting, watching
Wishing my whole life away
Dreaming, thinking
Ready for my happy day
And some easy livin'


The Wizard
Demons And Wizards (May 1972)
Mark Clarke /Ken Hensley

David Byron - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Lead Guitar
Ken Hensley - Keyboards
Mark Clarke - Bass
Lee Kerslake - Drums

He was the wizard
Of a thousand kings
And I chanced to meet him
One night wandering
He told me tales
And he drank my wine
Me and my magic man
Kinda feeling fine 

He had a cloak of gold
And eyes of fire
And as he spoke
I felt a deep desire
To free the world
Of its fear and pain
And help the people
To feel free again

Why don't we listen to
The voices in our hearts
'Cause then I know we'd find
We're not so far apart
Everybody's got to be happy
Everyone should sing
For we know the joy of life
The peace that love can bring 

So spoke the wizard
In his mountain home
The vision of his wisdom
Means we'll never be alone
And I will dream of my magic night
And a million silver stars
That guide me with their light


Sweet Lorraine
The Magician's Birthday (November 1972)
Mick Box /David Byron /GaryThain

David Byron - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Lead Guitar
Ken Hensley - Keyboards/Lead Vocals
Gary Thain - Bass
Lee Kerslake - Drums

Would you like to take
This magic potion with me
On a trip to a cosmic
Playground far beyond
She understands
She's been before
It's in her hands
To find the door

Sweet Lorraine
Let the party carry on
You and I will swim the sea
Sweet Lorraine
Let the party carry on
You and I can feel the breeze

There is no time, no wealth
Only I surround you
The fortune of this guide
Is simply sincerity
She understands
'Cos she's been before
It's in her hands
To find the door, so


Stealin'
Sweet Freedom (September 1973)
Ken Hensley

David Byron - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Lead Guitar
Ken Hensley - Keyboard
Gary Thain - Bass
Lee Kerslake - Drums

Take me across the water
'Cause I need some place to hide
I done the rancher's daughter
And I sure did hurt his pride

Well, there's a
Hundred miles of desert
Lies between his hide and mine
I don't need no food
And no water, Lord
'Cos I'm running out of time

Fightin', killin', wine and women
Gonna put me to my grave
Runnin', hidin', losin', cryin'
Nothing left to save but my life

Stood on a ridge
And shunned religion
Thinking the world was mine
I made my break and a big mistake
Stealin', when I
Should've been buyin'

All that fightin', killin'
Wine and those women
Gonna put me to an early grave
Runnin', hidin', losin', cryin'
Nothing left to save but my life, life ...

So I stood on a ridge
And shunned religion
Thinking the world was mine
I made my break and a big mistake
Stealin', when I should've been buyin'
I was stealin'
When I should've been buyin'
I was stealin'
When I should've been buyin'
Stealin', when I should've been buyin'
I was stealin' ...


Lady In Black
Salisbury (February 1971)
Ken Hensley

Mick Box - Guitar
Ken Hensley - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Paul Newton - Bass
Keith Baker - Drums

She came to me one morning
One lonely Sunday morning
Her long hair flowing
In the midwinter wind
I know not how she found me
For in darkness I was walking
And destruction lay around me
From a fight I could not win
Ah ah ah ...

She asked me name my foe then
I said the need within some men
To fight and kill their brothers
Without thought of love or God
And I begged her give me horses
To trample down my enemies
So eager was my passion
To devour this waste of life
Ah ah ah ...

But she wouldn't think of battle that
Reduces men to animals
So easy to begin
And yet impossible to end
For she's the mother of our men
Who counselled me so wisely then
I feared to walk alone again
And asked if she would stay 
Ah ah ah ...

Oh lady lend your hand outright
And let me rest here at your side
Have faith and trust
In peace she said
And filled my heart with life
There is no strength in numbers
Have no such misconception
But when you need me
Be assured I won't be far away
Ah ah ah ...

Thus having spoke she turned away
And though I found no words to say
I stood and watched until I saw 
Her black coat disappear
My labour is no easier
But now I know I'm not alone
I find new heart each time
I think upon that windy day
And if one day she comes to you
Drink deeply from her words so wise
Take courage from her
As your prize
And say hello from me
Ah ah ah ...
 


Return To Fantasy
Return To Fantasy (May 1975)
Ken Hensley /David Byron

David Byron - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Lead Guitar
Ken Hensley - Keyboard
John Wetton - Bass
Lee Kerslake - Drums

Searching every day
Looking every way
trying to make a connection
To find a piece of the action
Like a hungry poet
Who doesn't know
He is close to perfection
Choice is the question

Moonlight night
After moonlight night
Side by side
They will see us ride
But if they cared to look
Then they would see
It's our return to fantasy
Fantasy, fantasy …

Can you understand
That in every man
There's a need to unwind
That's never been defined
Somewhere deep within
There's another being
You are somehow abusing
By the person you're using

Moonlight night
After moonlight night
Side by side
They will see us ride
But if they cared to look
Then they would see
It's just our return to fantasy
Fantasy ... Fantasy …

Travelling faster than lightening
Closer than ever before
We can go on for you
And take you nearer to
The legend of mystery
From the beginning of time
Dreaming ... time ... dreaming
We can return to
The land of the good and the kind
Time ... dreaming ... time ... dreaming
Why don't you come to our party
And open your minds

In another place
There's a newer face
Like an unfinished painting
Your creator is waiting
The brush and pen describe
What it is inside
That will set your mind thinking
While the others are sinking


Love Machine
Look At Yourself (October 1971)
Mick Box /David Byron /Ken Hensley

David Byron - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Lead Guitar
Ken Hensley - Keyboards
Paul Newton - Bass
Ian Clarke - Drums

Lovely little lady
You got me on the run
You're a love machine
And you say that I'm your gun

But I don't care
'Cause I've got to know 

She said she were a loser
The kind that came off worse
So I had to try hard
To satisfy your thirst

But I don't care
'Cause I've got to know 

The only time she's happy
Is when the bullets fly
And she'll make you
Feel you're better
Than any other guy
And I don't care
'Cause I've got to know 

Lovely little lady
You got me on the run
You're a love machine

And I'm trying to be your gun
And I don't care
'Cause I've got to know


Spider Woman
The Magician's Birthday (November 1972)
Mick Box/David Byron/Lee Kerslake/Gary Thain

David Byron - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Lead Guitar
Ken Hensley - Keyboards
Gary Thain - Bass
Lee Kerslake - Drums

I had a spider woman
And she was so good
She chained me
In her web so tight
I lost the freedom
Of release that night
So I stayed right by her

I dreamt I saw a blind man
Who was singing a song
About a guy who
Couldn't take no more
And the meaning of
The words he swore
Told me go find her

She was a spider woman
But she was good to me
Spider Woman
But she was good to me

I told her 'bout my vision
But she laughed in my face
So I told her go
And walk in the street
But by the time
She got past my feet
I lost control



Free Me
Innocent Victim (November 1977)
Ken Hensley

John Lawton - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Lead Guitar
Ken Hensley - Keyboard
Trevor Bolder - Bass
Lee Kerslake - Drums

Free me, free me
Why won't you free me
Free me from your spell
Come on and free me
Why won't you free me
Come on and free me
Free me from your spell

Why should I worry
That you might not love me
You're not the only love 
That I've ever had
Your sweet memory
Will always comfort me
So why should I be feeling sad

As far as I can tell
You knew so well
I was always
At the end of the line
I've loved you as much
As any man can
But not enough
To make you mine

So long, easy rider
I know I'll miss you for awhile
But sooner or later
I know that I'll forget you
And I tell you babe

Free me
Come on and free me
Why won't you free me
Free me from your spell
Oh babe, free me
Why won't you free me
Come on and free me
Free me from your spell

We let a good love die
We let it pass us by
Though you tried to
Keep me hangin' on
But with all this doubt
It'll never work out
So tomorrow I'll be travellin' on
And saying:

So long, easy rider
I know I'll miss you for awhile
But sooner or later
I know that I'll forget you
And I beg it babe

Free me
Come on and free me
Why won't you free me
Free me from your spell
Come on and free me
I'm on my knees, babe
Free me
Why won't you free me
Free me from your spell

Oh babe, come on
Come on and free me
Why won't you free me
Free me from this spell


Circle of Hands
Demons And Wizards (May 1972)
Ken Hensley

David Byron - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Lead Guitar
Ken Hensley - Keyboards
Gary Thain - Bass
Lee Kerslake - Drums

Circle of hands
Cold spirits plan
Searching my land
For an enemy
Came across
Love's sweet cost
And in the face of beauty
Evil was lost

Sky full of eyes
Minds full of lies
Black from their cold hearts
Down to their graves
Murdered the dawn
Spreading their scorn
Cursing the sun
Of which love was born

We must keep them away
Or pretty soon we'll pay
And count the cost in sorrow
Sacrifice - the future has it's price
And today is only
Yesterday's tomorrow

Tomorrow ...


High Priestess
Salisbury (February 1971)
Ken Hensley

Mick Box - Guitar
Ken Hensley - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Paul Newton - Bass
Keith Baker - Drums

You, who brought
The sunshine to my eyes
You, who wondered
Through my sad disguise
And I have a love
That cannot die ... for you

High priestess of my heart
Tell me that we won't part

Then let's get together in the sky
To leave the lonely world
To wonder why
For we have a love
We can't denie ... so true


Come Away Melinda
Very 'Eavy ... Very 'Umble ... (June 1970)
Fred Hellerman /Fran Minkoff

covers of Come Away Melinda:
Hary Belafonte (1963), Judy Collins (1963), The Weavers (1963), Barry St. John (1965),
Kenny Rankin (1967), Tim Rose (1967), Bobbie Gentry (1968), Velvet Fogg (1969), UFO (1970)

David Byron - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Guitar
Colin Wood - Keyboards
Paul Newton - Bass
Alex Napier - Drums

Daddy, daddy, come and look
See what I have found
A little ways away from here
While digging in the ground

Come away Melinda
Come in and close the door
It's nothing, just a picture-book
They had before the war

Daddy, daddy, come and see
Daddy, come and look
Why, there's four or five
Little Melinda girls
Inside my picture book

Come away Melinda
Come in and close the door
There were lots of little girls like you
Before they had the war

Oh Daddy, daddy, come and see
Daddy, hurry do
Why, there's someone
In a pretty dress
She's all grown up like you
Won't you tell me why 

Come away Melinda
Come in and close the door
That someone is your Mummy
You had before the war

Daddy, daddy, tell me if you can
Why can't things be
The way they were
Before the war began

Come away Melinda
Come in and close the door
The answer lies in yesterday
Before they had the war


Sympathy
Firefly (February 1977)
Ken Hensley

John Lawton - Lead Vocals
Mick Box - Lead Guitar
Ken Hensley - Keyboard
Trevor Bolder - Bass
Lee Kerslake - Drums

Sympathy just doesn't mean
That much to me
Compassion's not
The fashion in my mind
And if you're looking for
A shoulder to cry on
Don't turn your head my way
'Cause I'd rather have
My music any day

You and I are
Masters of our destiny
We look for consolation all the time
Until we find out things are not
What they were meant to be, oh no
And if it doesn't suit our mood
We'll call it crime

Dedication's not an obligation
Or a figment of
Someone's imagination
It's the only way they say
To live from day to day
To make each passing way
A small sensation

Dreams are the possession of
The simple man
Reality the fantasy of youth
But living is a problem that
Is common to us all
With love the only
Common road to truth