Pretty Golden Hair Lyrics - Al Stewart

Born in England's pleasant green 

Like a picture postcard scene 

To childhood spread with fond maternal care 

From the day that he was born 

Proud relations came to fawn 

And compliment his pretty golden hair 

In boyhood sent away 

To a boarding school to stay 

Its crumbling proud traditions forced to bear 

And his friends in this new world 

Said he looks more like a girl 

With those blue eyes and pretty golden hair 

Fades secluded youth 

Into manhood's search for truth 

His mother's eyes now wet had turned to stare 

For he said I must be bound 

This day for London town 

For I believe my fortune's waiting there 

So like an eager cutting knife 

He plunged in a new life 

Oh never known beforehand anywhere 

And the thought that he might trip 

In his ignorance and slip 

Never struck beneath his pretty golden hair 

Ah the days soon grew thin 

And boredom fast set in 

His job was thrown away without a care 

For a man who softly said 

You'll earn twice as much instead 

With those blue eyes and pretty golden hair 

Well London town possessed 

Of many a tempter's nest 

And thus he fell with scarce another care 

As so easily he slipped 

Into prostitution's grip 

Foundationed by his pretty golden hair 

Ah but the years quickly flew 

And his mind slowly grew 

From early freedom into deep despair 

As the money ceased to roll 

A tired and lonely soul 

Poured curses on his pretty golden hair 

Ah the years stole their time 

Now the living's hard to find 

And early friends have vanished in the air 

And the gay parties's ease 

Changed to public lavatories 

Have turned to grey his pretty golden hair 

Oh his life was only used 

And his body just abused 

By those who never think and never care 

But though his file said suicide 

No, that wasn't why he died 

It was murder by his pretty golden hair