That was back in the time when the clothes line cried with the weight of our young ways
and mother's busy washing days
that left us bright and clean
can't believe I was there and have been
many seasons since then.

Reasons I had for turning bad washed away
in mums washing day and on the line
drying out fine in the sun.

Son that I am and a man for all that
I go back to the garden where drip dry's are dripping
and Sarah's still skipping
where I strip off pretending yet
glad that the ending has come
Mum stands there gleaming bright
an advert for 'PERSIL' white
hands chapped but that's alright
she doesn't seem to mind.

And mindful of all this
I give mum a kiss and tell her I love her
and glad that she cared for me
when I had not dared to see
any tomorrow.
I borrow from time to time a bit out of history
where melancholy plays a much tighter tune
and soon
I'll be there where I should have been
in the washing so bright and clean
and this time I know that I mean
it.