At the time, the band consisted of:
Peter Gabriel : lead vocals and flute
Tony Banks : keyboards and backing vocals
Michael Rutherford : bass and 12-string guitars
Steve Hackett : guitars
Phil Collins : drums and backing vocals
They were all very young by prog-rock standards. But unlike most young bands, they were more interested in making good music than having everybody playing all the time, so for this song they set up this way:
Phil Collins : vocals
Steve Hackett : guitars
It's so beautiful! Phil wrote the words and Steve wrote the music. Both were quite new to the band at the time; this was Steve's first composition recorded by the band and Phil's first appearance as a lead vocalist. A promising start for both, to be sure.
Steve Hackett, by the way, destroyed the egos of a lot of hot-shot guitar players by doing things none of them could do, and without any ego problems at all! It's amazing how that works. In this intance, Steve's use of harmony is awesome, even though (or especially because) it's so subtle.
As for Phil, he was an incredible technical drummer before his back started giving him trouble. But he's always had a great ear. That means he knows when make a lot of noise and when to make no noise at all.
It's amazing to hear this much restraint from a monster player. But then again, the other three members of the band showed equal restraint! It's funny how that works out sometimes. Unless it't not funny at all.
Sunday at six when they close both the gates
a widowed pair
still sitting there
Wonder if they're late for church
and it's cold, so they fasten their coats
and cross the grass, they're always last
Passing by the padlocked swings
the roundabout still turning
ahead they see a small girl
on her way home with a pram
Inside the archway
the priest greets them with a courteous nod
He's close to God
Looking back at days of four instead of two
Years seem so few (four instead of two)
Heads bent in prayer
for friends not there
Leaving tuppence on the plate
they hurry down the path and through the gate
and wait to board the bus
that ambles down the street
