In a stylistic continuity with yesterday's Judy Collins / Leonard Cohen tracks, a short, beautiful and fragile parting piece by the German singer who recorded this in the early 1970s but wasn't released for 35 years. Her story is not dissimilar to that of Vashti Bunyan, highlighted a couple of weeks ago on SOTD, but Baier's work was even more obscure, originally recorded in her home on a reel-to-reel tape recorder, and not released until 2006 on the album Colour Green. It's a melancholy farewell song, and goes in parallel with our weekly theme of striking song and album endings, and would make a perfect nomination, except it doesn't come a the end of that album, nor on the recent Late Night Tales compilation by Agnes Obel, on which it also of features. Baier, arguably could have been another Nico, but although she had an occasional acting career and appeared in three Wim Wenders films, declined to pursue music and brought that to an end, instead preferring to bring up a family.
It's the end
Friend of mine
It's the end
Friend of mine
Time is over...
Where we could simply say "I love you"
Now you open the door
Leave me crying
Trying to embrace you again
Trying to face this damn situation
Man I can't...
It's the end
Friend of mine
It's the end
Sweet friend of mine
Dear friend, I cannot tell the reasons why...
We started well, good time
Give me some wine when you open the door
You seem hurt, do try to speak a word to me
What on earth could really go wrong with you and me?
Yet, it's the end
Friend of mine
It's the end
Sweet friend of mine
Time seems to be over...
Where we could simply say "I love you"
Now you open the door
I feel cold
Why can't I hold you in my arms?
Told you that life is short but love is old
It's the end
Friend of mine
It's the end
Sweet friend.
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