Two-n-one fellas. Slow song for Mbo, sad song for Salty "ah, but can he navigate on rollerblades" Dave. Spoon accompaniment would be lovely, Liz. It's a pleasure to get my nose out of the books for a second and toss you out a song.

The west wind came to Coshieville/ And with the winds came we/ Where the river hugs the wood/ And blackthorns bloom in May/ There stood a single Rowan tree/ So young and tender-so were you/ I loved you both as there you grew/ The day I took the road that leads/ By Rannoch to the sea

We carved our names in Coshieville/ The Rowan leaves were still/ But the darkening west was in your eyes/ Despite your kisses and my lies/ My thoughts were o'er the hill/ I broke you heart as the minutes passed/ For I shrugged and said that nothing lasts/ But many's the backwards glance I've cast/ As I went north to the drill

The big wheels rumble up and down/ The lorries know the way/ I waved my hand and hitched a ride/ We crossed the bridge at Rannochside/ Where the diesel motors play/ Then I set myself to a cliff of stone/ My ears the boring hammers drone/ And the ache inside I rued alone/ For you were far away

Then the money moved from Ericht's Loch/ And the Great Glen beckoned on/ At Norriston the hills grew pale/ We fought and drank through old Kintail/ Til our money soon was gone/ Then I cursed Loch Aweside's awesome rain/ And the winter whiskey in Dunblane/ Till the west winds rose in the spring again/ And my heart leapt at its song

I came back at night to Coshieville/ With a dozen hills aflame/ You had another hand to hold/ Beneath the names we carved of old/ There was another name/ You looked me through you made no sign/ I drank the cup of bitter wine/ For well we knew the fault was mine/ And I went the road I came