As Tears Go By
Marianne Faithfull · Stranger On Earth: Introduction To Marianne Faith [2008]
I sit and watch the children play
Smiling faces I can see
But not for me
I sit and watch
As tears go by
My riches can't buy everything
I want to hear the children sing
All I hear is the sound
Of rain falling on the ground
I sit and watch
As tears go by
It is the evening of the day
I sit and watch the children play
Doing things I used to do
They think are new
I sit and watch
As tears go bysews
As Tears Go By
Released on Marianne Faithfull's 2008 compilation album, 'As Tears Go By' stands as a defining track from her early career, originally recorded in 1964. The song features a haunting, minimalist arrangement that highlights Faithfull's distinctive vocal delivery and the era's emerging folk-rock aesthetic. As one of her most recognizable compositions, it captures a mood of introspective melancholy that became central to her public image during the mid-1960s. The recording exemplifies the raw emotional honesty characteristic of her work, influencing subsequent generations of artists who sought to blend personal narrative with atmospheric soundscapes. Its enduring popularity ensures its place as a staple in discussions of classic British music and the evolution of the singer-songwriter genre.