Al Stewart - Life and life only lyrics

Mr. Willoughby, whose only luxury is the sugar in his tea

Teaches history at High Worthington School

His clothing has remained unnoticeably plain

His common room technique suitably restrained, though maybe too cool

Work done in the summery sun, see the cricket ball fly

Intently, like a strange demented bird towards the sun

Considering its flight, he pauses for a while

Ah, but Mr. Willoughby, we've never seen you smile

Tell me how come?

Ah well, sometimes it must get lonely

Ah, but it's life and life only

"Maurice," said Renee, "Why didn't you say that you'd be so late

The supper that I made is ruined again.

Is there anything you'd like?".

"No, nothing", he replied

Standing by the stairs, not looking in her eyes, so stupidly male

All dark and lying in bed,

"You've been with her again" She blurts out, then turning on her side begins to cry

At first he doesn't stir but then mumbling his words

He reaches for her hand, she shivers, but doesn't take it away

Ah, for sometimes it does get lonely

Ah, but it's life and life only

Oh Smithy Smithers-Bell; clerk from Clerkenwell

On the beach at Bournemouth thinks he very well

May be next year in France

Inspired for a while, he decides to risk a smile at Mr. Willoughby

Who passes, polishing his glasses, studiously averting his glance

Renee, several deckchairs away, wonders if they would be better

While Maurice is with the kids out in the sea

And I was feeling small, sitting on the wall

Looking at them all and wondering who will I be?

Ah, but sometimes it does get lonely

Ah, but it's life and life only

Ah, but it's life and life only

Ah, but it's life and life only

Ah, but it's life and life ..