love song to a stranger

Joan Baez

(Words and Music by Joan Baez)

How long since I ve spent a whole night in a twin bed with a stranger
His warm arms all around me?
How long since I ve gazed into dark eyes that melted my soul down
To a place where it longs to be?
All of your history has little to do with your face
You re mainly a mystery with violins filling in space

You stood in the nude by the mirror and picked out a rose
From the bouquet in our hotel
And lay down beside me again and I watched the rose
On the pillow where it fell
I sank and I slept in a twilight with only one care
To know that when day broke and I woke that you d still be there

The hours for once they passed slowly, unendingly by
Like a sweet breeze on a field
Your gentleness came down upon me and I guess I thanked you
When you caused me to yield
We spoke not a sentence and took not a footstep beyond
Our two days together which seemingly soon would be gone

Don t tell me of love everlasting and other sad dreams
I don t want to hear
Just tell me of passionate strangers who rescue each other
From a lifetime of cares
Because if love means forever, expecting nothing returned
Then I hope I ll be given another whole lifetime to learn

Because you gave to me oh so many things it makes me wonder
How they could belong to me
And I gave you only my dark eyes that melted your soul down
To a place where it longs to be

© 1972 Chandos Music (ASCAP)