Singer/songwriter/guitarists David Harley and Don MacLeod met at the Boundary Road folk club in Swiss Cottage in the early 1980s. Discovering they had somewhat similar guitar styles and tastes in music, they eventually joined forces and worked together for a while as a duo and with other musicians. Then came a short hiatus of 30 years or so due to parenthood, work and geographical issues, before they got together for a few appearances in Worcestershire and Cornwall. Then, of course, came the pandemic, so any plans for further appearances or recordings are on hold. However, some recordings of songs they wrote and/or played together in the 1980s do exist, and are presented here.
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Lyrics
She’s Gone (Don MacLeod – David Harley)
She’s gone: too bad…
And I wanted so much more
But now, too late,
I see what she was looking for
Wasn’t me at all
Just a lay-by
On the road to bigger things
Too bad: I guess
We all live and learn
Too late, sometimes, like now
But she’s not concerned
About who she burns
So I guess I’ll just get on with my life
She met someone else, and then went away
And it broke me up, but just today
I woke up with someone else on my mind
I guess I can take it, I guess I’ll survive
One day at a time
Until I make contact
And I’ll forget in time
How she turned her back
And said so matter-of-fact
“My love, I don’t love you any more…”
I lost my woman to another man
There’s nothing new under the sun
I woke up with someone else by my side
I guess I can take it, I guess I’ll survive
One day
At a time
One day
At a time…
credits
Written by Don MacLeod and David Harley.
Acoustic guitar: Don MacLeod
Vocals and electric guitar: David Harley
© all rights reserved
David A. Harley 1949 – 2025
Feature image
Photo by ROMBO on Pexels.com
TRAVEL WORDS 
It’s strange to think you’ve been listening to his music all these years, and we had no real idea, Jude. I knew you went to gigs with him but that’s all. Nice to be able to share it, now xx
Actually I didn’t go to gigs with him. I was the taxi driver. But I did hear him practising at home. Recordings on the other hand were done behind closed doors to keep any additional sound out and he used headphones.
Not in the early days? xx
He played mostly with a folk group when I met him and I went on a couple of meetings, but if you’re not a musician you’re a bit of a spare part. And traditional folk music is not my thing.
A very enjoyable piece, Jude.
I love these songs he did with Don.
I can really relate to the line. ‘Just a lay-by on the road to bigger things’. Great lyrics.
Best wishes, Pete. x
They worked well together I think. But it’s hard to make it as a professional musician.
As part of a Diane Keaton tribute, the cable television channel Turner Classic Movies showed “Annie Hall” last night. This song fits right in.
You’re funny with “a short hiatus of 30 years or so.”
All David’s words. He had a very dry sense of humour.
I thought that was a very chirpy tune for a song of heartbreak – then it turned out not to be a very fleeting heartbreak! Clever.
I love this tune. All the early songs seem to be about heartbreak.
A real pleasure to listen to and the lyrics are very clever.
I love the guitars on this one.