PRETTY EILIDH

Eilidh pretty Eilidh what  troubles you  so,
	Is it a  ghost from  the hills  long ago?
		Is it an ache that yer mum cannot soothe?
			Or is it just that she does not  approve?

Eilidh pretty Eilidh what ails you so?
	Is  it the hurt in your head tell me now?
	     Or  is  it  remorse, rejected  by  she?
		A  heart with no home but still not free.

Eilidh pretty Eilidh what  upsets  you dear?
	Is  it those voices inside that you hear?
		Is  it  for  pity  you  no  longer  wish
			To  continue  life  in bitter  anguish? 

Eilidh pretty Eilidh youve got so much to give.
	A thousand ears will hear your tears, but only if you live
		Sing  for  them  instead  cause  Im  far across  the sea,
			All I can do is write this song & hope thus to advise thee. 

Eilidh pretty Eilidh why look on life as  waste!
	Death dawns for some folk all too soon, dont die in such great haste
		Don't  discard  your  duty  to  treat  your  talents  true
			Use them well to please your friends then they sure will please you.

Eilidh pretty Eilidh  pretty  please  pay  heed.
	Respect your-self to find your-self & you will find indeed:
		A  woman  full  of  worthwhile fun  and youth  I envy much.
			Give  your-self  a break  Gal!  Stay alive & stay in touch.

Eilidh pretty Eilidh,   pretty please..

Eilidh was a girlfriend for a time, it wasn't working out and I could not understand what the 
problem was.  However when a lass who is young enough to be your daughter takes a shine to you 
it can be very flattering.  After I moved to New Zealand news came to me of an yet another 
attempt at suicide.  What could I do?  Well - write a letter, did that.  Suggest a project like 
writing a song inspired by the wierd sound of NZ magpies, of course.  However I played a tape 
of her strumming chords on the guitar, a track requested by me for the purposes of writing a 
song to ride on the top of it.  That idea was not well concieved but it inspired this.  When 
the song was performed at the Wellington Folk Club that week, two young ladies, about Eilidh's 
age, came up to me and said thankyou, independantly.  They both felt the song was 'right'.  No 
mention was made of artistic merrit, musicality or any poetical prowess, it was 'right' and 
that is an accolade I will cherish as long as I have a heart that beats.  Thank you Muz Luz and 
Debbie.
The song, of course, was already on it's way to the front line.  Eilidh thanked me for the song 
and along with the professional help she got it did it's bit.  Having said all that I would 
happily have swapped this song for just one chance to prevent the suicide looming ready to 
throw a shadow over my life.  That one shook a lot of people.  And still does.
Sadly we did lose touch, though the 'we' does not include myself.  I suppose Eilidh's life has 
now moved on and I and the song represent an episode in her past life that has no currency in 
the present or future.      Glad to be of service my dear.

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copyright Cresby Feb 1990