Lyr Req: Song for Martin (Ralph McTell)

Subject: Song For Martin by Ralph McTell
From: Graham
Date: 17 Oct 99 - 10:43 AM

Can anybody please help with the lyrics of Ralph McTell's "Song For Martin". I think that's the title. It starts "Don't leave Martin alone tonight...."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song For Martin by Ralph McTell
From: Stewie
Date: 17 Oct 99 - 11:53 PM

You will find it reissued on CD: Ralph McTell 'Silver Celebration' Castle Communications CCSCD 329.

Cheers, Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song For Martin by Ralph McTell
From: Graham
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 06:36 PM

Thanks Stewie. A friend has got that CD. The problem is we can't make out all the words. I was hoping somebody might know the lyrics right through.

Subject: Lyr Add: SONG FOR MARTIN (Ralph McTell)
From: John Wood
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 12:31 PM

SONG FOR MARTIN------RALPH McTELL.

Don't leave Martin alone tonight
Just because he looks all right
I've seen him look like this before
And if he says he wants to be alone
At least try to walk with him home
See if you can put your foot in the door.

CH:Don't leave Martin alone tonight
Keep him talking until daylight
This time I think he's coming through.

Don't leave Martin alone tonight
Just because he looks all right
He's only gotta pick up the phone
Now one of them guys in the car go by(?)
And give him just enough on account
They know that he'll be back for more.

CH:Don't leave Martin alone.......

Now he's trying to show he's cool(?)
But I know him,I aint fooling
Because you love his bad line(?)
This time when he's got so close
Now's the time and he's scared the most
He's looking everywhere but he fine(?)

CH:Don't leave Martin alone........

Zerma's(?)coffee and cigarettes
Now don't take it hard when he says
``Don't need you´´,cause that's when it needs you most
You cry to laugh,and laugh 'till he holds
Suddenly he'll fall asleep
Then you let your own eyes close

CH:Don't leave Martin alone.......

Repeat:This time I think he's coming through.

From the cover notes:
``Herion is a destroyer of people,friendships and love.
This song is a gentle warning to another well meaning
friend and is a true story of one of Ralph's busking
mates from Croydon and Paris days.´´

An interesting point......the drummer on this track is
a certain Phil Collins!!(anyone heard of him.Mmmmm....
probably one of these new comers).

Hope this helps Graham.(I've put question marks where
I'm a bit uncertain.Maybe someone else has better ears than mine!

Greetings John.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song For Martin by Ralph McTell
From: Graham
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 05:00 PM

Thank you John. You picked out a little more than I did. I had another listen but there are still parts I am not sure of.

I think it must be "Thermos coffee".

Perhaps I'll try Ralph's own website.

Graham

Subject: Lyr Add: SONG FOR MARTIN (Ralph McTell)
From: Stewie
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 08:12 PM

The lad's articulation is appalling at times. The following is my attempt at transcription. I have put brackets around the problematic areas. I don't believe it's 'And try and put your foot in the door' because he definitely says '… you and put your foot in the door'. It sounds like 'seal you' , but that makes no sense. 'Steel' is also drawing a long bow, but what can he be saying? 'The telly winks' is probably a bit of creative thinking, but it sounds something like that. I reckon 'one of them guys in the car will arrive' and 'endless coffee' are right. 'But in your eyes' is just a guess. I hope this moves things forward a bit, Stewie:

SONG FOR MARTIN

Don't leave Martin alone tonight
Just because he looks all right
I've seen him look like this before
And if he says he wants to be alone
At least try to walk with him home
(Steel you) and put your foot in the door

Don't leave Martin alone tonight
Keep him talking until daylight
This time well I think he's coming through

Don't leave Martin alone tonight
Just because he looks all right
He's only gotta pick up the phone
Now one of them guys (in the car 'll arrive)
And give him just enough on account
They know that he'll be back for more

Don't leave Martin alone tonight
Keep him talking until daylight
This time well I think he's coming through

Now he's trying to show he's cool, but I know him
I ain't fooling
Because you love him, he's bound to lie
This time well he's got so close
Now's the time when he's scared the most
He's looking everywhere (but in your eyes)

So don't leave Martin alone tonight
Keep him talking until daylight
This time well I think he's coming through

(There's endless coffee) and cigarettes
Now don't take it hard when he says
He doesn't need you 'cos that's when he needs you most
(You cry, love, laugh, the telly winks)
And suddenly he'll fall asleep
Then you let your own eyes close

Don't leave Martin alone tonight
Keep him talking until daylight
This time well I think he's coming through
This time I think he's coming through

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song For Martin by Ralph McTell
From: Graham
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 06:13 PM

Thanks Stewie.

With your and John's help I think I've got enough for one of our group to learn it.

I think John was right with "See if you can put your foot in the door". I'm sure it's "Thermos coffee", i.e. coffee from a flask, and the line that seems to have baffled all of us suddenly struck me (I think!). "You cry till you laugh and laugh until it hurts".

Graham

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song For Martin by Ralph McTell
From: Stewie
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 08:11 PM

Graham,

I have listened to it a few more times. I agree that John was right with 'See if you can put your foot in the door'. However, I will stick with 'endless' coffee. I cannot hear 'Thermos' and logic would suggest that they would be unlikely to be drinking Thermos coffee in a house or flat that would have a stove. I cannot hear what you suggest for the really baffling line, but it's as good as anything else.

Regards, Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song For Martin by Ralph McTell
From: John Wood
Date: 25 Oct 99 - 02:00 PM

Hi guys.
I had another listen to this song.
Think I agree with Stewie on most of his transcription.
The doubtfull bits should be(I think):
``See if you can put your foot in the door´´

``Because you love,he's bound to lie
This time when he's got so close
Now's the time when he's scared the most
He's looking everywhere but in your eyes´´.

``'S endless coffee and cigarettes

Does this help?

Greetings John.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song For Martin by Ralph McTell
From: John Wood
Date: 25 Oct 99 - 02:06 PM

PS:I forgot......
``You cry til he laughs and laugh until he weeps(?)
JOHN.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song for Martin (Ralph McTell)
From: GUEST,mark
Date: 29 Sep 12 - 01:16 PM

hi guys,,not heard it for several yr's but it's one of those songs thats stayed with me,
deffo think its ''endless coffee+ciggerets'', not thermos
Interestingly, I was told a few years ago by a massive mctell fan,a journalist who interviewed him asked ''what happened to martin ''
his reply was that ralph had played at martins funeral,,how true this is i have no idea,,,but its a nice/sad story
A very powerfull song on the subject of how heroin destroys lives but having faith+hope that a dear frined can be one of the lucky ones who make it