This will be the last song from David’s extensive catalogue. It is sad to think that there really are many songs and scraps of words that he wrote that will never be recorded, but I am glad that there are many that he did. I hope you have enjoyed listening to the few that I have picked out and also the ones on Cornwall In Colours and if you do want to hear more then please visit his collection on Bandcamp where you can find all of his albums. No need to purchase them.
“When you’ve written as many songs as I have, and lived as long, and been so obsessed with songwriting, you have to wonder sometimes what will become of them when you’re not around to sing them.”
(Note to anyone looking at this post in the Reader or on a phone you may need to visit the actual site to be able to view and listen to the music track)
Lyrics
Song Without Warning (Words and Music by David A. Harley)
This is my box of dreams, my nest of nightmares
Words and lines and verses in a cage
Fragments of conversation
Thoughts that barely made the page
Some days, I think someday I’ll write them
All the verses in vitro in this room
Someday these little birds will find the way to fly away
They won’t need me anymore and they’ll be gone
Some days I call myself a writer
Though I’m afraid I might have lost the paperwork
Till they tap me on the shoulder and remind me
My poetic licence hasn’t been revoked
When my last song has been written
When I’ve picked out my last chord
My box of dreams will still be here
Overflowing still with orphaned words
For every song without warning
That somehow made it to be heard
There’ll still be all these scraps of recollection
Thoughts and dreams that never found their words
Sometimes I call myself a writer
Though I’m afraid I might have lost the paperwork
Till they tap me on the shoulder and remind me
My poetic licence hasn’t been revoked
credits
Guitar and vocal by David A. Harley
David A. Harley 1949 – 2025
TRAVEL WORDS 
Thank you for sharing them, Jude. I very much enjoyed them.
Thanks for listening. I may feature one or two in future posts that haven’t been heard. He was working on a new album with his old friend when he died, which is due to be released shortly.
This is lovely. And it’s remarkable how many he did pen. He’s left you a wonderful box of treasures. Happy Sunday, Jude xx
It’s remarkable how he remembered the tunes as he couldn’t write music. All done by ear.
That is amazing! xx
Not many people can have such a tangible memory-box bequeathed by a loved one. It must be so bitter-sweet, so thanks for sharing these lovely memories x
I suppose not many people do have voice recordings. It is nice to be able to listen to him.
My daughter has certainly enjoyed having her husbands’s words preserved (and I still hear him occasionally on train jouneys!
I really like this line from the lyrics, ‘My poetic licence hasn’t been revoked’. Thanks for allowing us to get to know David better through his work, Jude.
Best wishes, Pete. x
When he was playing live on a local radio station the interviewer loved that line too. He did have a way with words. And so many snippets that will never become songs.
David has left you a very special legacy in these songs. I was especially taken with the verse starting ‘When my last song has been written’ – very poignant
‘When I’ve picked out my last chord’ makes me cry.
I can easily believe it would 🤗
A fitting song to end with. I have enjoyed listening to them. Thank you.
So many scraps of words. He was obsessed with writing things down, especially in the middle of the night! Thank you for listening to those that did make it into a song.
Les is a note taker, you should see the bits of paper that has accumulated in the office, though he is trying to restrain himself 😉
Jude, I feel very special to have had the privilege of listening to them and appreciating the lyrics. The thing with music and the musician is that they never disappear if shared.
It must be very touching to have these recordings, enabling him to live on in your heart.