Folk Song
Lying in the long long grass
Blossom on the trees
Springtime’s slipping away my love
Yeah springtime’s slipping away
When it comes around again
It will never be the same
Heaven’s slipping away my love
Yeah heaven’s slipping away
Yeah heaven’s slipping away
Walking through this changing season
Sorrow spread it wings
We can keep a hold on time
Just receive what it will bring
Lying in the long long grass
Clouds are drifting by
Springtime’s slipping away my love
Yeah springtime’s slipping away
Dreaming in the lost domain
Which you’ll never see again
Heaven’s slipping away my love
Yeah heaven’s slipping away
Yeah heaven’s slipping away
Walking through this changing season
Sorrow spread it wings
Light a candle in your heart
Light it to the spring
Walking through this changing season
Sorrow spread it wings
We can keep a hold on time
Just receive what it will bring
Mellow evenings in the spring
Full of warmth and hope
You are dreaming unaware
Unaware your letting go
Walking through this changing season
Sorrow spread it wings
We can keep a hold on time
Just receive what it will bring
Walking through this changing season
Sorrow spread it wings
We can keep a hold on time
Just receive what it will bring
Springtime’s slipping away my love
Yeah springtime’s slipping away
Heaven’s slipping away
Yeah heaven’s slipping away
Song Notes
Tim wrote “Folk Song” after reading the book Le Grand Meaulnes by Alain-Fournier. “Folk Song” was gonna be released as a single and radio promos were given out in Ireland, however the single was scrapped at the last minute. The song was re-mixed by infamous Nirvana Nevermind producer Butch Vig for release in America.
The song appeared in the bands set list on the Nu-Clear Sounds tour in 1998-99, but quickly fell out out. It returned to the set list in 2002 when it was played on the bands tour with Coldplay, it was also played during a series of in-store acoustic gigs in the US. It re-appeared in the bands set list on the Twilight of the Innocents UK tour in 2007. Tim said during a Twitter live stream of the album in April, 2020 “Folk Song is one of my all time fave Ash tunes.”
The song itself is about growing up. When playing the song live Tim introduced it by saying “It’s about growing up, my advice don’t do it”. Tim said of the track:
Tim: This sounds so fucking sappy, but it’s about growing up in the country and then leaving it - and innocence - behind. I grew up in a rural area. There was a river at the bottom of my garden and woods all around. When we were on tour we spent most of out time in urban areas and I guess I missed the country.
Charlotte and Rick during the Tim Burgess Twitter listening party for Nu-Clear Sounds in April 2020:
Charlotte: One of my favourites. I remember writing some really lovely guitar parts, just me and Owen in the studio, in a rare moment of calm and tranquillity! Love how the guitar parts weave together.
Rick: A little bit of tenderness. Feels a little bit like a eulogy for lost innocence to me this one. Beautifully done. Love the sounds on this too. Really atmospheric.