Joan Baez Kingdom Of Childhood Lyrics

Kingdom Of Childhood Lyrics

(Words and Music by Joan Baez) 



The ship that sails the seven seas 

Has finally brought me to my knees 

It's not much to my liking 

The people standing on the rock 

Are innocent and they know not 

That the tide comes in 

Death rides it like a Viking 



The mountains rise above the mist 

And the golden prince I've never kissed 

He may die tonight 

And why do I want to ride with 

The prince whose alleged horse is white? 

Because when we ride together 

Our lives are cloaked forever 



Happiness is temporary 

Believe me, I know 

It can arrive as a shining crystal 

And leave as the melting snow 

Come all you lads and lasses 

The Kingdom of Childhood passes 



Oh, but I am hardy in these years 

Or I'd have sunk down with my tears 

To the earth beneath my feet 

I want to endure the slings and arrows 

That Hamlet spoke about 

But harrowed, 

He was forced to a ragged defeat 



There was a method to his madness 

But overcome by pride and sadness 

He did not endure 

Surely his death was a grave mistake 

How many deaths do we really calculate? 

Isn't it true, Lord 

Tragedies happen when you're bored? 



Happiness is temporary 

Believe me, I know 

It can arrive as a shining crystal 

And leave as the melting snow 

Come all you lads and lasses 

The Kingdom of Childhood passes 



You archangels, you have some nerve 

To watch all of this you are absurd 

You even have a choice 

Do you know all? I think you may 

And what is there for you to say 

But understand 

Why God took back your voice 



SIlence is golden, I believe 

And you are worth your weight 

In wreaths of purest gold 

While we are here with debts and bets 

And aircraft carriers and jets 

I call out fruitlessly 

Give me an archangel for company 



Happiness is temporary 

Believe me, I know 

It can arrive as a shining crystal 

And leave as the melting snow 

Come all you lads and lasses 

The Kingdom of Childhood passes 



Me in the woods at the break of dawn 

The candles of the night still on 

The chimes ring from the hollow 

I too am worth my weight in gold 

But the fishmonger and I are old 

When the mint runs out 

Our real lives will follow 



It was misfortune who woke you up 

To pour you the dregs from her broken cup 

Cast her aside 

The sunrise will appear with the mockingbird 

Who stays deep in the canyon and is heard 

Glorious in his song 

He cannot be wrong 



Happiness is temporary 

Believe me, I know 

It can arrive as a shining crystal 

And leave as the melting snow 

Come all you lads and lasses 

The Kingdom of Childhood passes 

There's another one just beyond 

Act quickly before it's gone 



© 1976, 1977 Gabriel Earl Music (ASCAP)