Al Stewart - Life and life only

Mr. Willoughby, whose only luxury is the sugar in his tea


Teaches history at High Worthington School


His clothing has remained unnoticeably plain


His common room technique suitably restrained, though maybe too cool


Work done in the summery sun, see the cricket ball fly


Intently, like a strange demented bird towards the sun


Considering its flight, he pauses for a while


Ah, but Mr. Willoughby, we've never seen you smile


Tell me how come?


Ah well, sometimes it must get lonely


Ah, but it's life and life only





"Maurice," said Renee, "Why didn't you say that you'd be so late


The supper that I made is ruined again.


Is there anything you'd like?". "No, nothing", he replied


Standing by the stairs, not looking in her eyes, so stupidly male


All dark and lying in bed, "You've been with her again"


She blurts out, then turning on her side begins to cry.


At first he doesn't stir but then mumbling his words


He reaches for her hand, she shivers, but doesn't take it away


Ah, for sometimes it does get lonely


Ah, but it's life and life only.





Oh Smithy Smithers-Bell; clerk from Clerkenwell on the beach at


Bournemouth thinks he very well may be next year in France


Inspired for a while, he decides to risk a smile at Mr. Willoughby


Who passes, polishing his glasses, studiously averting his glance


Renee, several deckchairs away, wonders if they would be better


While Maurice is with the kids out in the sea


And I was feeling small, sitting on the wall


Looking at them all and wondering who will I be?


Ah, but sometimes it does get lonely


Ah, but it's life and life only





Ah, but it's life and life only


Ah, but it's life and life only


Ah, but it's life and life ...