All proceeds from sales of this track and the single's other track (a cover of Good King Wenceslas) given to Crisis, the UK charity for single homeless people. This song is dedicated to the memory of Richard Hanson, a good friend who gave so much to those in need in his local community in Sheffield and through his work as a photographer for Tearfund.
Written and arranged by Mark
Lead vocal and acoustic guitar by Gareth Forster
Backing vocals by Mark and ladies of Colliers Wood Chorus
Piano, treble recorder and percussion by Mark
Strings by Charlie Brown and Tony Woollard
Lyrics
Travelled far, travelled alone
The wind blows hard, the wind blows cold
No place quite like home
The building high, the doorway small
Familiar tale, ages old
Strangers shunned and ignored
Between the City and the Shard
The wind blows cold, the wind blows hard
Careful eyes on the hurrying crowd
The lights sparkle white and gold
Trust is a gift, it can't be found
Peace on earth, goodwill to all
Raised by a real Jekyll and Hyde
You can't be good if you can't be quiet
Comes a point you have to leave
Spare some change this Christmas Eve
io io io…
Heavy shoulders, heavy feet
The bitter wind, the whirling snow
Halfway down Gracechurch St
The train awaits, an empty home
Sinking boats on a sea of debt
Sickening tightness in his chest
He can't go on here selling his soul
He sees the youth sat by the wall
Oh can you spare some change
Mister can you spare any change
Oh can you spare something please
In the blue glow of a cash machine
Free to use, the humble heart
The kid looks barely seventeen
Folds the notes with a business card
Afraid to take it, can't refuse
Asks the man what he wants to do
'Nothing kid, go buy some gloves
And a better coat perhaps', he shrugs
'Merry Christmas, stay in touch'
io io io
Gloria… Hosanna in excelsis