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Withered and Died Lyrics
This cruel country has driven me down
Teased me and lied, teased me and lied
I've only sad stories to tell to this town
My dreams have withered and died
Once I was bending the tops of the trees
Kind words in my ear, kind faces to see
Then I struck up with a boy from the west
Played run and hide, played run and hide
Count one to ten and he's gone with the rest
My dreams have withered and died
Silver moon sail up and silver moon shine
On the waters so wide, waters so wide
Steal from the bed of some good friend of mine
My dreams are withered and died
If I was a butterfly, live for a day
I could be free, just blowing away
This cruel country has driven me down
Teased me and lied, teased me and lied
I've only sad stories to tell to this town
My dreams have withered and died
Teased me and lied, teased me and lied
I've only sad stories to tell to this town
My dreams have withered and died
Kind words in my ear, kind faces to see
Played run and hide, played run and hide
Count one to ten and he's gone with the rest
My dreams have withered and died
On the waters so wide, waters so wide
Steal from the bed of some good friend of mine
My dreams are withered and died
I could be free, just blowing away
Teased me and lied, teased me and lied
I've only sad stories to tell to this town
My dreams have withered and died
Song Info
Submitted by
azkm On Jun 13, 2007
More Richard & Linda Thompson
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This has to be one of the most miserable songs ever written from the depths of despair, although it is so beautiful in a maudlin way. I only sing it when I'm in a particularly bad way & it helps express the sorrow & anguish I'm feeling.
Great song. Does anyone care to explain their view of the lyrics? I belive it's about a girl whose dreams have withered and died of course, but what I find more open to sugestions are the lines about the silvermoon and the boy from the west. I think maybe the moonshine is a wordplay meaning she is sitting somewhere by the water and looking at this silvermoon shining on the water, but also drinking moonshine she stole from a bed of a good friend of hers. The boy from the west is someone who she is in love with and with playing run & hide means he run and hide from her and their relationship. Am I wrong?
I think "Steal from the bed of some good friend of mine" refers to the narator indulging in casual sex to escape her despair. The fall from chastity is a common theme in folk song.
I think "Steal from the bed of some good friend of mine" refers to the narator indulging in casual sex to escape her despair. The fall from chastity is a common theme in folk song.
As for the "waters so wide", perhaps the "boy from the west" has gone back west; or perhaps he took her west and then abandoned her and the waters are those between her and her childhood.
As for the "waters so wide", perhaps the "boy from the west" has gone back west; or perhaps he took her west and then abandoned her and the waters are those between her and her childhood.
The song is very simnilar to the traditional Northern Irish song 'Banks of the Bann' - pwerhaps RT intended it as a sequel (Or, more likely, the point of veiw of the woman in the song):
The song is very simnilar to the traditional Northern Irish song 'Banks of the Bann' - pwerhaps RT intended it as a sequel (Or, more likely, the point of veiw of the woman in the song):
Banks of the Bann
Banks of the Bann
When first to this country a stranger I came I laid my affections on a girl that was young, She being fair and tender, her waist small and slender Fond nature had formed her for my overthrow.
When first to this country a stranger I came I laid my affections on a girl that was young, She being fair and tender, her waist small and slender Fond nature had formed her for my overthrow.
On the banks of the Bann it was there I first met her, She appeared like an angel or Egypt's fair queen, Her eyes were...
On the banks of the Bann it was there I first met her, She appeared like an angel or Egypt's fair queen, Her eyes were like diamonds or stars brightly shining. She's one of the fairest in the world that I've seen.
It was her cruel parents that first caused a variance Because they are rich and above my degree. But I'll do my endeavor to gain my love's favour Although she is come of a high family.
My name is Delaney, it's a name that won't shame me And if I'd saved money I would never have roamed. But drinking and sporting, night rambling and courting Are the cause of all me ruin and absence from home.
Now had I the riches that are in the Indies, I'd put rings on her fingers and gold in her ears. It's there on the banks of the lovely Bann River In all kinds of splendor I'd live with my dear.