Partial handwritten lyrics by Richard Thompson, who has penned the last verse of the 1981 Steeleye Span song ‘Let Her Go Down,’ which appeared on the group’s album Sails of Silver. The lyrics, unsigned, written in black ballpoint on a yellow 8.5 x 10.75 sheet, read: “He wondered if his ship mates / Were ready just to pray and give in / So he called their names out one by one / But there was no one else around but him / He saw the ship go down / in the failin light / And he knew they couldn't save her / He said the captain lied / when the captain cried / there's no of us here can save her / let her go down, got.” In fine condition, with some light wrinkling. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks.
The consignor notes that these lyrics come directly from the private collection of Mac Holbert, who started in the Spring of 1971 as an assistant truck driver and gopher for the Crosby & Nash Tour. In 1973 he became Graham Nash's assistant and eventually his tour manager. He also managed tours for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Poco, America, Dwight Twilley, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Carole King, doing so through 1991. After he retired from the road, Holbert continued his business relationship with Graham Nash, as well as his friendship with this legendary trio of musicians.
Richard Thompson is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist who first gained prominence in the late 1960s as the lead guitarist and songwriter of the folk-rock group Fairport Convention, which he co-founded in 1967. After departing the group in 1971, Thompson released his debut solo album Henry the Human Fly in 1972. He has released 18 solo studio albums. Three of his albums Rumour and Sigh (1991), You? Me? Us? (1996), and Dream Attic (2010) have been nominated for Grammy Awards.
