sort form Submissions:
submissions
J. Tillman – Lilac Hem Lyrics 12 years ago
I am surprised that more people don’t know J Tillman’s music or has commented on this.

My interpretation of the song… or at least what I think Josh Tillman means.


"Lilac Hem"

Follow the rings around my eyes
Down the back
And outside

“A poetic way to say, look how my face has aged”

Cross the trees our children climb
All alone
It dresses down
Wave goodbye
Wave goodbye
Wave goodbye

“He reminisces about his children when they were young and climbing a tree that is now old and barren. His children are now grown up and moved away”

Thirty years have come untied
Since I took you as my wife

“He speaks to his wife about how time has flown by”

Your clothes are laid out on the bed
The lilacs
Line the hem
Line the hem

“I am not sure how to interpret this, maybe his wife passed away, and the clothes & lilacs are laid out in remembrance of her”

I hear you breathing
I hear you breathing
Breathe
Breathe

“He loves her so much that still holding onto the memory of her, he can hear her breathing”

Over all, such a deep and poetic song.
J Tillman is a great musical artist.

* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.