This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
There was a time we'd sit in the backyard
'Cause the house would get so-o hot
From the summer sun there was no way of sleepin'
And you'd play your old guitar
We'd fight mosquitos and enjoy
Your backyard concert for we had no television
We'd just begun our life as man and wife
And hardships then
Could scaresely scare us into quittin'
Things were far from bein' fine
We often dined upon a dime
But there never was a time we didn't love
And that Christmas brought our saddest day
When your pride gave way as you told the kids
There'd be no gifts 'cause we were broke
And though their little tears of grief
Were so hard to see, it didn't hurt me
Like the lump I knew was in your throat
It was then with arms entwined
We both broke down and cried
For it seemed like nothin' good would ever come
The doctor bills we couldn't pay
They came and took our car away
But there never was a time we didn't love
Now there's an easy chair for my back
A satin pillo' for my head
And the kids are wild about their brand new cars
Dad and I can order steak
With all the trimmin's and not worry
If we've spent a dollar more than we can spare
No wonder in our prayers
We thank the man upstairs who led us through
The years of rearin' kids and payin' bills
And I think he guided us
Not because we were smart
But just because there never was a time we didn't love
No there never was a time, never was a time
There never was a time we didn't love
Oh there never was a time, never was a time
There never was a time we didn't love (fade)
'Cause the house would get so-o hot
From the summer sun there was no way of sleepin'
And you'd play your old guitar
We'd fight mosquitos and enjoy
Your backyard concert for we had no television
We'd just begun our life as man and wife
And hardships then
Could scaresely scare us into quittin'
Things were far from bein' fine
We often dined upon a dime
But there never was a time we didn't love
And that Christmas brought our saddest day
When your pride gave way as you told the kids
There'd be no gifts 'cause we were broke
And though their little tears of grief
Were so hard to see, it didn't hurt me
Like the lump I knew was in your throat
It was then with arms entwined
We both broke down and cried
For it seemed like nothin' good would ever come
The doctor bills we couldn't pay
They came and took our car away
But there never was a time we didn't love
Now there's an easy chair for my back
A satin pillo' for my head
And the kids are wild about their brand new cars
Dad and I can order steak
With all the trimmin's and not worry
If we've spent a dollar more than we can spare
No wonder in our prayers
We thank the man upstairs who led us through
The years of rearin' kids and payin' bills
And I think he guided us
Not because we were smart
But just because there never was a time we didn't love
No there never was a time, never was a time
There never was a time we didn't love
Oh there never was a time, never was a time
There never was a time we didn't love (fade)
Lyrics submitted by ButNeverOutgunned
There Never Was a Time Lyrics as written by Myra Smith Margaret Lewis
Lyrics © Warwick Productions Inc
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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