It's a Long Hitch Hike Home

IT’S A LONG HITCH HIKE HOME

by Trev Teasdel, Cleobury Mortimer 1967 & Coventry, May 1969

 

Well now, at last, the term has ended

And we’re ready to return.

I say goodbye to all my friends

For I have many things to learn,

And ambitions to fulfil

And I whisper to my friend

Whose mind is still on the window sill.

 

Chorus -
It’s long hitch hike home

So I give my hair a comb

Put my rucksack on my back

And proceed down the track.

 

I’m off to seek my fortune

But not in pence and pounds

I’m off to seek my fortune

But not in jewels and crowns

I’m off to seek the truth

I’ve been looking for, for years

I’m off to seek a sun,

In a crowded mass of tears.

 

I’ve travelled through the glens

And made many friends

But as I try to wend my way

Up the embankment’s slimy clay

I sometimes slip and fall

Like a silver waterfall

But eventually I’ll climb

And overcome the slime.

 

I’ve travelled many miles

Through many empty valleys

And I’ve had my fair share

Of the darkness of the alleys

I’ve come across folk

Searching for their yoke

They sound their motto wide

“Seek and thou shalt find”

 

Everybody’s searching

For what? – They do not know

Gazing from their windows

They bow their heads low.

People trying to reach

With hands that can not feel

People trying to speak

To images unreal….

 

...............................

I began this song summer 1967 as we left the City of Coventry Boarding School at Cleobury Mortimer in a coach for the last time aged 16. Back to Coventry - no more school - the first verse was written on the coach. It was tradition to throw yur school cap in the River Severn at Bewdley as the coach rolled over the bridge heading for Kidderminster, then Birmingham then home.

The song was finished in May 1969 when I picked up the verse and finsihed it off. I was listening to a lot of Simon and Garfunkle at the time so it would have that kind of feel I suppose. The imagery about glens came from walking down to village of Cleobury Mortimer through the glens but used metaphorically. It's kind of autobiographically as I've always valued riches inside rather than money. In the last verse nobody really knows what it's all about - even less the scientists - after all does anybody know waht Dark matter is!!!  Obvioulsy I didn't hitch back to Covnetry from school as the song suggests but I was hitching places later in 1969 to pop festivals etc. I have no audio for this.

Even though it was written so long ago - something still rings true about for me. I still like this one.

Comments

[Phillip Walker]

Trevor,

         I remember you from school--my last memories of you were in Coventry--circa 1973 and being heavily involved with The Loony Society News,which particularly singled out the gaffer of the Golden Cross--'out gaffer out is the loony shout.'

           Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                      Phillip Walker,

                             (1964-1969)

                                   Shrewsbury