15 Days

They wound on through the hills for 15 days
Suffering every fool that crossed their path on their way
But I don’t think they were looking for diamonds, silver or gold
They were riding for the Pistols and the Byrds that flew above them in the heavy metal sky
They come down from the north in their waterproof clothes
Nothing in their pockets but faith that in the not too distant future they’d be walking tall

You say it’s alright now
But the weatherman says 'snow, hail and rain'
That crown of thorns suits ya son
Reckon we'll get another one
It’s the least the gods can do
Help us all see the this winter through
Just like a rose should
Just like a rose should

Now come sundown start of week three they'd reached the outskirts of town
They didn't need anybody to tell them what was going down
No clowns
And bringing up the rear fat fingers in the till
The country boy with 33.3
Recurring nightmares
He's no partner in crime

You say it’s alright now
But the sergeant thinks this situation stinks
That crown of thorns suits ya son
Reckon we'll get another one
It’s the least the gods can do
Help us all see the this winter through
Just like a rose should
Just like a rose should

Looking down into the valley - the city below
Slept between the stars and the waxing moon that hung above them
'neath the wide arm of the sky
They didn’t have what it took to be shallow
Repetitive careerist fools
Couldn’t repackage the brand and profiteer
Just grit their teeth
And remain sincere

You say it's alright now
but the chaplain says ready the grave
That crown of thorns suits you son
Reckon we'll get another one
It's the least the gods can do
Help us all see the this winter through
Just like a rose should
Yeah just like a rose

Keep us faithful until death, calm in danger
Patient in suffering, merciful and brave
True to our king, our colours and country
And if it be thy will enable us to win
Enable us to win

Lyrics by:
Squire

Available on:
Time Changes Everything (6.22)

Details:
15 Days (which contains a reference to Fool’s Gold…"They wound on through the hills for 15 days") is a take on Bob Dylan's 'Isis', from his album, 'Desire'. In addition to the plodding acoustic guitar on each, Dylan sings of a long journey through the desert and barren landscape, suffering, and life growth.

"But I don’t think they were looking for diamonds, silver or gold" takes the following lines from Isis and turns them on their head:

I was thinkin' about turquoise, I was thinkin' about gold,
I was thinkin' about diamonds and the world's biggest necklace.
As we rode through the canyons, through the devilish cold,
I was thinkin' about Isis, how she thought I was so reckless.

Bob Dylan, Isis (1976)

The fourth line of the first verse (“They were riding for the Pistols and the Byrds that flew above them in the heavy metal sky") is undoubtedly referring to The Stone Roses aiming to better the Sex Pistols and The Byrds:

"We were looking at the Pistols and The Beatles and The Byrds and thinking we could have a go at them." John Squire, Mojo magazine (May 2002, p. 84.).

The country boy with "fat fingers in the till", having "33.3 recurring nightmares" is a reference to Stone Roses manager Gareth Evans, who took a 33.3% cut* of the band’s earnings. In this 1994 NME article, we are told that:

IAN BROWN and Mani appear in court, sitting with fans while the case meanders on. It is revealed that Gareth Evans' real name is Ian Bromley, and Silvertone allege that he has a ten-year management deal with the band and receives 33.3 per cent of all their earnings. Silvertone also claim Evans has never provided The Stone Roses with any detailed information about the finances of his company, Starscreen Management.

From Ian Tilton's interview with TITD, one can ascertain why Gareth would be referred to as a "country boy":

Q7) Probably my favourite Roses poster in my room (and there are quite a few !) is an Elephant Stone promo poster containing a shot from the 'Pollocked Glass' (not that exact shot) session. Can you tell us about that session from August 1988. Where was it shot for example ?

It was at Gareth Evans's house / farm - he always called it 'the farm'. It's near to where Johnny Marr lives now - not far from Dunham Massey or Tatton Park, Cheshire. We went over with the main idea of photographing through a sheet of glass that John was gonna paint. It was probably John's idea.

* Evans was taking a cut of 33.3%, a third of the band's earnings, for management; he claimed that there were six of them in total, two of which were management (the four Roses, himself and Matthew Cummings, his partner).

Back To John Squire Songs