The song tells the story of Oswald Laurence, the voice of 'mind the gap' on the London Underground.
lyrics
Mind the Gap
‘Mind the gap,
stand clear of the doors please’,
This a Northern line romance 50 years,
Mind the gap, train about to depart dears.
The parting words of Oswald oh so clear!
Embankment lonely bench,
waiting patiently fist is clenched,
Oswald’s ghostly tone,
then Margaret shuffles home,
Pilgrimage everyday,
to hear those words he says,
Communion, bread and wine,
to bridge the great divide.
‘Mind the gap,
stand clear of the doors please’,
This a Northern line romance 50 years,
Mind the gap, train about to depart dears.
The parting words of Oswald oh so clear!
Then came the day the voice was gone, replaced by a robot one,
Margaret pleaded, tears in eyes,
for the tape she did cry,
Been a change of policy,
gone forever can’t you see,
Here’s the tape, take it home,
destined to listen alone.
‘Mind the gap,
stand clear of the doors please’,
This a Northern line romance 50 years,
Mind the gap, train about to depart dears.
The parting words of Oswald oh so clear!
No company so unkind, so cruel,
After minutes, meetings and zoom calls,
Decided from the very top,
Oswald’s voice would never, never stop.
‘Mind the gap,
stand clear of the doors please’,
This a Northern line romance 50 years,
Mind the gap, train about to depart dears,
The parting words of Oswald oh so clear!
Steve Warner is a singer songwriter and folk musician based in the leafy Hertfordshire village of Kimpton. Writing, arranging and performing his own songs locally in folkclubs, open mics, pubs, winebars, coffee shops and street music.
Drift away with these dreamlike songs from reclusive folk singer CARLENE, who pairs evocative lyrics with hushed arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable May 8, 2023
The haunting new record from Canadian folk artist Avi C. Engel bridges old and new traditions with a minimalist approach. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 24, 2024
The Icelandic songwriter packs her stunning debut with sweeping melodies delivered via intimate, folky arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 12, 2023