Big Tree

its been a while since i rode out like this

past the last houses

and into the birch trees

i found the old bikes where they always did sit

my father's nice grey one

we'd argue who gets it oh

reuben

can't you remember

reuben

will you remember

i read that the gods hang around these old trees

the branches touch heavens

perhaps its a doorway

i think it recalls when we lay at its feet

i'm going to ask it

i hope you'll forgive me

reuben

can't you remember

oh reuben

will you remember

can't you remember

i hope that my years stretch as long and as deep

as that night that we cycled

i carried satsumas

we sat side by side underneath the big tree

horizon horizon

the sky did flash green and i

reuben

can't you remember

oh reuben

do you remember

can't you remember

and maybe i'll see

maybe i'll see

when i am old

when i am green

and maybe i'll sleep

and all of these things

will shudder and go

to never be seen

and maybe its gone

it's only a stump

and the story i told

will drift into everything

i think will turn

and cycle back home

before i am old

before i am green

oh reuben

oh reuben