Search the Crowd

SEARCH THE CROWD
©Trev Teasdel Coventry April 1971

Think I’ll go down town,

To see who’s around

You know I’m feeling down,

Drag my feet along the ground

Search the sidewalk for a pound

That which is lost must be found

Gypsies selling lucky heather

My eyes are full of sidewalk hustlers.

Bus stop conversation debates the weather.

The bowed-down heads of hung up bustlers.

Charity tins chanting rhythms,

To the hurdy gurdy’s plaintive plea.

Search the crowd for her face

I need her here to comfort me.

Think I’ll bruise ‘round Woolworth’s,

Whilst the sun is hiding.

Browse through the record sleeves,

New releases I am seeking.

Searchin’ for someone to share a coffee with,

Meet a girl I used to know more than just vaguely,

But still searching for my lover’s face,

In this peaceless place.

Old friends criss-cross my path,

If they catch my gaze, I’ll smile they’ll laugh.

The market mongers personify,

Their lifeless goods.

Megaphone voices storm my brain.

Wishing away my ‘if only she woulds’.

My blistered blemished feet are lame,

Searching this faceless throng,

I see her face, no I am wrong.

(additional lyrics from a draft)

Just why did she leave without telling me?

Left it to a friend to impart it to me

The city sound penetrates your frame

when you're feeling down.

Wonder what is her game

She just must be found

Search the crowd for her face, in this hell like place.

............
SEARCH THE CROWD

(Revised version for Mira and the Magnetic Ghosts)

Think I’ll go downtown,
To see who’s around
You know I’m feeling down,
Drag my feet along the ground
Search the sidewalk for a pound
Find me in the lost and found

 [Chorus]

Search the crowd for her face,
In this hell-like place
I need her here to comfort me
She must be found —
Search the crowd for her face

Gypsies selling lucky heather
My eyes are full of sidewalk hustlers.
Bus stop conversation debates the weather.
The bowed-down heads of hung up bustlers.
Charity tins chanting rhythms,
To the hurdy gurdy’s plaintive plea.

 [Chorus – variation]

Search the crowd for her face,
In this peaceless place
I need her here to comfort me
The city sound won’t let me be
Search the crowd for her face.

Think I’ll bruise ‘round Woolworth’s,
Whilst the sun is hiding.
Browse through the record sleeves,
New releases I am seeking.
Searching for someone to share a coffee with,
Meet a girl I used to know, more than just vaguely,
But still searching for my lover’s face,
In this peaceless place.

 [Bridge]

Just why did she leave, without telling me?
Left it to a friend to impart it to me
The city sound penetrates your frame
when you're feeling down.
Wonder what is her game —
She just, must be found.

Old friends criss-cross my path,
If they catch my gaze, I’ll smile they’ll laugh.
Market mongers personify,
All their lifeless goods.
Megaphone voices storm my brain.
Wishing away my ‘if only she woulds’.
My blistered blemished feet are lame,
Searching this faceless throng,
I see her face… no, I am wrong.

 [Final Chorus ]

Search the crowd for her face,
Through every shifting trace
I thought I saw her, but I was wrong
Search the crowd for her face
In this hell like place.

.........

Version by Mira and the Magnetic Ghosts 2025

 

The same version but on Reverbnation.

Written in a café after walking downtown Coventry Precinct and being sold some lucky heather. I had in mind the atmosphere of Summer in the City by the Lovin' Spoonful.