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House on the Beach

Keith Reid and Mikael Rickfors

"House On The Beach was written by Keith Reid and Mikael Rickfors, a Swedish singer who for a few years was singing lead in The Hollies and who after that had a quite successful career as singer and songwriter. This song was released on his album Happy Man Don't Kill (1997) and later on his compilation album Greatest Hits (1999).

"I have tried to hear what is sung and write down the words but it wasn’t that easy: this much is clear: it’s hardly lyrics for a Procol Harum song! According to the Rickfors’s comment to the song it was written on Sweden's largest island Gotland (where Rickfors has been living)." The words, below, were subsequently confirmed by Knut Skyberg.

House on the Beach

Music: Mikael Rickfors
Text: Keith Reid

Universal Music Publ. AB/Blue Beard Music

Sonet Grammofon 521 193-2 , 1997

I lived in a house by the sea
when life was for living
and laughter for free
I lived close to the shore
when life was forgiving
I lived there before

I was closed to the spirit
I was washed by the rain
Held my hands to the fire
but I couldn’t feel the pain
I was so full of hunger
I couldn’t get enough
Then you gave me your vision
And filled me, fillled me with love

Time passed and I went away
'Cause when the laughter was gone
I just couldn’t stay
Why move far from shore
When you lose what you're living
you can’t stay anymore

(Middle 8)
You gave me more beauty
than I ever dreamed of
A mountain of plenty
and a fountain of love
You gave me your blessing
that I can’t describe
You opened me up
to the heaven inside
I lived close to the land
I swam in the ocean
and I walked in the sand
But I left, I just closed the door
to the house on the beach
where I lived before

Thanks, Gunnar Erlandsson

Keith Reid's page at BtP

More non-Procol Reid writing

Keith Reid's book

Procol Harum

Beyond the Pale

House on the Beach

Keith Reid and Mikael Rickfors

Beyond
the Pale