I once had a qilded clock 
Constructed in la Belle Epoque 
The hour hand broke, now it won't turn back 
So long, so long, so long 

I once had a sundial too 
But green and wild my garden grew 
The undergrowth obscured the view 
So long, so long, so long 

Not a word could make her stay 
The East wind blows the sun away 
Oh I lost her on St. Swithin's day 
Oh why? 

I grew up in a house of clocks 
And late at night I'd sometimes walk 
Listening to their rhythmic talk 
So long, so long, so long 

Clocks that sand in ringing chimes 
To take the measure of the times 
Clocks that spoke in wordless rhymes, 
So long, so long , so long 

Not a word could make her stay 
The wine is spilt and flows away 
I lost her on St. Swithin's day 
Oh why?