I wrote this song in 1967 for Nick Drake when we were both living in the south of France. It was recorded a few months later in London by John Martyn on his first album, LONDON CONVERSATION. For more details, read NICK DRAKE - A Place To Be. The home demo on this page was recorded in late 1967 by my friend Jean-Louis Pujol.
For the 40th anniversary of this song, I recorded a new version and included it on my album, WATER FALLS DOWN (REMASTERED) which was released in October 2007.
When John Martyn passed away, I felt I wanted to create something to remember him by. In my mind and heart, he is closely associated with this song and the mood captures my feelings about his death. I decided to use it as the basis for a video collage. (Scroll down the page for the lyrics and chords.)
Sandy Grey
Words & Music by Robin Frederick
Vocals: Robin Frederick
Acoustic Guitars & Bass: Marty Rifkin
Drums & Electric Guitar: Dan Marfisi
Oh Sandy Grey
Are you going away
Leave me a message before parting
Time has changed you
And the things that pained you
Are the things you think of as you're starting
Oh Sandy Grey
It's only this I pray
That you might stay here one more day in laughter
Won't you hang around and hold me
Repeat all the lies you told me
Do your rambling after
Oh Sandy Grey
Don't leave me just today
Don't think on the road you'll be going
Think of all the time
And the days we've had to mind
Of the future there's no way of knowing
Oh Sandy Grey
I thought I heard you say
You ain't heard one word that I've been speaking
There's no use in tryin'
You're escaping from my mind
And I'll never see the road you're seeking.
Oh Sandy Grey
Are you going away
Leave me a message before parting
Time has changed you
And the things that pained you
Are the things you think of as you're starting.
CHORDS (original version): The intro is a G chord alternating with a Gsus4/C. The rest of the chords are...
