From The Known Words 1, long out of print and replaced by The Known Words, which doesn’t include this (among others) due to it being not of sufficiently high standard (because really, this one is dire):

I wrote this inspired by The Lady. It is far more sombre than the truth about that delightful woman, because I felt like writing a sad song and art always comes before truth with me! I didn’t think of a tune for it for ages, and when I did I wasn’t particularly impressed with it, until the first time I heard a certain Fighting Maid sing it, then I was hooked. This is one of her signature tunes now, and a more perfect destiny I could not imagine.

[1993]

Some have told me love is but a game to play,
Some have said it’s all a life is worth.
Many call it blessed, many call it cursed,
But none can say the reason love was put upon the earth.

Young I was when first I saw my lover’s eyes,
Young I was when first our love had birth.
Ancient was the blessing, ancient was the curse,
But none can say the reason love was put upon the earth.

Summers full of joy we spent in happiness,
Summers of discovery and mirth.
Winter chilled our blessing, Winter brought its curse,
And none could say the reason love was put upon the earth.

Blest am I for all my memory holds within,
Cursed am I for all the present’s dearth.
Then I had the blessing, but knew not what I held,
Curse me for my folly, blindness unparalleled,
And none could say the reason love was put upon the earth.
And none could tell me why my love was taken from the earth.