Who Knows Where the Time Goes?

Denny recorded a first demo in 1966, the second song she ever finished, and made another in 1967. In 1968 she recorded it again with only her voice and guitar for a Strawbs album that was not released until 1973. Judy Collins heard the demo tape that year and recorded the song in New York on 26 August 1968. Her version was the first commercial recording.

On Unhalfbricking Fairport gave the song more of a rock influence while keeping its tranquil, contemplative spirit, with Thompson playing delicate guitar lines that sit in the right channel. The lyric is a reflection in three verses on observed events, such as birds leaving across the evening sky, and the short chorus ends by asking the question of the title. It became a signature song for Denny and the band, and it was the last song she sang at her final performance.

Listeners to BBC Radio 2 voted the Unhalfbricking version Favourite Folk Track of All Time in 2007. Rufus Wainwright called it one of the saddest songs ever written, while Linda Thompson has said she does not find it sad.