For Absent Friends

by Steve Hackett

18 Views Feb 26, 2026

Lyrics

Sunday at six when they close both the gates

a widowed pair,

still sitting there,

Wonder if they're late for church

and it's cold, so they fasten their coats

and cross the grass, they're always last.

Passing by the padlocked swings,

the roundabout still turning,

ahead they see a small girl

on her way home with a pram.

Inside the archway,

the priest greets them with a courteous nod.

He's close to God.

Looking back at days of four instead of two.

Years seem so few (four instead of two).

Heads bent in prayer

for friends not there.

Leaving twopence on the plate,

they hurry down the path and through the gate

and wait to board the bus

that ambles down the street.