You counted 74 swans on the canal
You counted 74 swans on the canal
You were glad it was an even number
Everybody had another
No-one was facing this cold alone
They were gathered between bridges
in the steely sunshine
Bookend by ice on either side
Here comes a pair on final approach
Wings like great white bellows
Gathering inward to land
and it looks like grace
You counted 74 swans on the canal
You counted 74 swans on the canal
You were glad it was an even number
Everybody had another
No-one was facing this cold alone
I thought you were right there with me,
on my left side
Too eager to get where I’m going,
I left you behind
But you were on the last watch,
The passing of the torch
You counted 74 swans, now there’s 75
You counted 74 swans on the canal
You were glad it was an even number
Everybody had another
No-one was facing this cold alone
in the steely sunshine
Bookend by ice on either side
Here comes a pair on final approach
Wings like great white bellows
Gathering inward to land
and it looks like grace
You counted 74 swans on the canal
You were glad it was an even number
Everybody had another
No-one was facing this cold alone
on my left side
Too eager to get where I’m going,
I left you behind
But you were on the last watch,
The passing of the torch
You counted 74 swans, now there’s 75
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It's really difficult to decipher this song but the most striking thing he says has always been the last line for me. "You counted 74 swans and I was 75." Given the fact that swans mate for life its like he's talking to a woman that he's in love with but we find out at the end that she's with somebody else and that he's on his own. Really beautiful, kinda like the "Wild swans at Coole" by Yeats