I met a man whose brother said he knew a man who knew the Oxford girl… Is it true what you hear, did he do it out of fear? Was the day drawing near when a child would start to show? Was it rage or shame or the damage to his name? Was it something worse, does anybody know? Did she pay a price for making them look twice? Like a glimpse of paradise across a dull and bitter land? Did she pass them by, did she dare to meet their eye? Did she scorn them all and did they understand? A grief to her father - did she really leave him? a lover to her brother - yes we all believe him temptation to her betters - no better than she should be unfaithful to her lover - he always knew she would be She says: I never had a chance to prove them wrong My time was short, the story long No I never had a chance to prove them wrong it's always them that write the song Did he go to ground, was the suitcase ever found? Did the police come swarming round on a trail already cold? Did he lead them a dance, did he ran away to France? did he shop himself before the day was old? O she was bound to lose if she set her face to choose They never could excuse her for stirring up their fears She was much too young, now the earth has stopped her tongue You can hear the voices calling down the years She says: I never had a chance to prove them wrong My time was short, the story long No I never had a chance to prove them wrong It's always them that write the song I met a man whose brother said he knew a man who knew the Oxford girl…
