Seven Stones
Genesis · Nursery Cryme [1971]
Tinker, alone within a storm
And losing hope he clears the leaves beneath a tree
Seven stones
Lay on the ground
Within the seventh house a friend was found
And the changes of no consequence
Will pick up the reins from nowhere
Sailors, in peril on the sea
Amongst the waves a rock looms nearer not yet seen
They see a gull
Flying by
The captain turns the boat and he asks not why
And the changes of no consequence
Will pick up the reins from nowhere
Nowhere...
Despair that tires the world
Brings the old man laughter
The laughter of the world only grieves him, believes him
The old man's guide is chance
I heard the old man tell his tale:
Farmer, who knows not when to sow
Consults the old man clutching money in his hand
With a shrug
The old man smiled
Took the money, left the farmer wild
And the changes of no consequence
Will pick up the reins from nowhere
Nowhere...
Despair that tires the world
Brings the old man laughter
The laughter of the world only grieves him, believes him
The old man's guide is chance...
Seven Stones
Seven Stones stands as a defining track from Genesis's 1971 album Nursery Cryme, capturing the band's early progressive rock experimentation. Written by guitarist Anthony Phillips, the composition features a distinctive, melancholic melody that contrasts with the heavier, more complex arrangements found elsewhere on the record. The song showcases the group's ability to blend folk influences with intricate time signatures and atmospheric textures, hallmarks of their developing sound during this era. As part of a pivotal album that helped establish the band's reputation, the recording highlights the collaborative songwriting dynamic that would characterize their subsequent discography. It remains a cherished piece for fans of classic British rock, illustrating the band's transition from their initial folk-rock roots toward the grander theatricality that would define their later work.