The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
It's the Widow now that owns that angry plow
The spartan Mule and The Crippled Cow
The fallow field that will yield no more
As the fox lay sleeping beneath her kitchen floor
The stream can't contain such the withering rain
And from the pasture the fence it is leaning away
The clouds crack and growl
Like some great cat on the prowl
Crying out, "I am, I am" over and over again
The days grow short
As the nights grow long
The kettle sings its tortured song
As many petaled kiss I place upon her brow
Oh, my lady, Lady I am loving you now
The winter birds have come back again
Here the sprightly Chickadee
Gone now is the Willow Wren
In passing greet each other as if old, old friends
And to the voiceless trees
It is their own they will lend
The days grow short
As the nights grow long
The kettle sings its tortured song
As many petaled kiss I place upon her brow
Oh, my lady, lady I am loving you now
And though all these things will change
The memories will remain
As green to gold, and gold to brown
The leaves will fall to feed the ground
And in their falling, make no sound
Oh my lady
Lady I am loving you now
I've gathered all my money and I'm goin' to town
To buy my lady a long and flowing gown
'Cause come tomorrow morning
We're off to the county fair
I'll find a yellow flower
And I will lace it in her hair
The spartan Mule and The Crippled Cow
The fallow field that will yield no more
As the fox lay sleeping beneath her kitchen floor
The stream can't contain such the withering rain
And from the pasture the fence it is leaning away
The clouds crack and growl
Like some great cat on the prowl
Crying out, "I am, I am" over and over again
The days grow short
As the nights grow long
The kettle sings its tortured song
As many petaled kiss I place upon her brow
Oh, my lady, Lady I am loving you now
The winter birds have come back again
Here the sprightly Chickadee
Gone now is the Willow Wren
In passing greet each other as if old, old friends
And to the voiceless trees
It is their own they will lend
The days grow short
As the nights grow long
The kettle sings its tortured song
As many petaled kiss I place upon her brow
Oh, my lady, lady I am loving you now
And though all these things will change
The memories will remain
As green to gold, and gold to brown
The leaves will fall to feed the ground
And in their falling, make no sound
Oh my lady
Lady I am loving you now
I've gathered all my money and I'm goin' to town
To buy my lady a long and flowing gown
'Cause come tomorrow morning
We're off to the county fair
I'll find a yellow flower
And I will lace it in her hair
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Actually, the song seems to be less about a relationship and more about coping with the changes that time brings with it. I mean, almost every stanza has something that transforms with the seasons and the whole point of the chorus I think, is to say that you should love every moment of the changes.
<br /> To me, it describes his awareness of the changes that time brings, and how that heightens his appreciation for the love he has now. Treasure the moment, before it passes you by.
Favorite Lyric: The clouds crackle and growl Like some great cat on the prowl Crying out "I Am, I Am" over and over again.
Such a beautiful song. It's clearly about a widow coping with the death of her husband by seeing a new man, and Ray is singing from the perspective of that new man.
I love the imagery in this song. love r lamontagne
I think it's about enjoying nature. Yes maybe there is a deeper meaning - but read the words. This is the simple life at its best! Ray actually lives in a farm house in Maine with his wife and kids, maybe he was writing this down as they sat in their warm house during winter. Maybe he heard the birds as snow started to melt and the stream tried to contain the melting snow.
I want that kind of life; an old cow and mule, a house that provides a nice hiding place for a fox and the amazing sound of birds greeting each other.
Anyway - amazing song, totally goes well with a fireplace and snow outside.
I swear... sometimes I think I was born in the wrong generation. It's as if my soul relates more to the late 60's & 70's flower child- hippie instead of the bumble gum-pop child of these days. In actuality I grew up in the late 80's. But somehow... I'll grab for a Dylan Album, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Cat Stevens, Beatles, Stones, etc. Why... because these artist produce music of substance. And considering I am a deep, passionate, creative young woman- I can appreciate all of their contributions.
When Ray first came on to the scene... I knew instantly- I found home.
Winter Birds- is breathtaking.
This beautiful song is visceral as well as melodic. It happens to be an unsung hero for LaMontagne. It also happens to be one of my favorite songs. As we all know music speaks to everyone in different ways. And we should not fault someone for their interpretation. As long as they got something out of it..because music- scratch that- good music...forget that,- Brilliant Music should be about an experience that effects us to the very core of our beings.If you felt something...chances are- your soul connected to your heart and mind.
When I listen to this song you i experience an evolution of sorts- an experience if you will. I truly believe that the song represents seasons, changes, evolving... As he mentions his love in this song- I also think that, just as the seasons change- so can love. This can be very sad- However, as we grow older, just when we think love is lost- it too can be found again in the same person...just in a different form- in a deeper form. One that can only be with time and the different experiences we go through in life. Over time- love becomes much more meaningful because of the memories and the storms that have been weathered-so to speak.
Most beautiful song... I have found in a very long time. My soul wants to cry.
"And though all these things will change, The memories will remain As green to gold, and gold to brown The leaves will fall to feed the ground And in their falling, make no sound
Oh my lady, Lady I am loving you now"
I love this song so much. I live in a long cabin on the edge of a rural town, with woods behind my house, and this song just describes winter here so perfectly, in the context of a love that thrives through the change of seasons.
btw, I think line #13 should actually read: "A many-petaled kiss I place upon her brow."
The widow is a bird in the winter of her life. She is remembering her beautiful past where she was blessed with true love. She awaits her last breath, reuniting with her husband, her eternal partner and the only bird whose songs can bring her bliss...
I don't understand this song at all, but I find it to be so beautiful and soothing to listen to.
I swear... sometimes I think I was born in the wrong generation. It's as if my soul relates more to the late 60's & 70's flower child- hippie instead of the bumble gum-pop child of these days. In actuality I grew up in the late 80's. But somehow... I'll grab for a Dylan Album, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Cat Stevens, Beatles, Stones, etc. Why... because these artist produce music of substance. And considering I am a deep, passionate, creative young woman- I can appreciate all of their contributions.<br /> <br /> When Ray first came on to the scene... I knew instantly- I found home.<br /> <br /> Winter Birds- is breathtaking.<br /> <br /> This beautiful song is visceral as well as melodic. It happens to be an unsung hero for LaMontagne. It also happens to be one of my favorite songs. <br /> As we all know music speaks to everyone in different ways. And we should not fault someone for their interpretation. As long as they got something out of it..because music- scratch that- good music...forget that,- Brilliant Music should be about an experience that effects us to the very core of our beings.If you felt something...chances are- your soul connected to your heart and mind. <br /> <br /> When I listen to this song you i experience an evolution of sorts- an experience if you will. I truly believe that the song represents seasons, changes, evolving... <br /> As he mentions his love in this song- I also think that, just as the seasons change- so can love. This can be very sad-<br /> However, as we grow older, just when we think love is lost- it too can be found again in the same person...just in a different form- in a deeper form. One that can only be with time and the different experiences we go through in life. Over time- love becomes much more meaningful because of the memories and the storms that have been weathered-so to speak. <br /> <br /> Most beautiful song... I have found in a very long time. My soul wants to cry.<br /> <br /> "And though all these things will change,<br /> The memories will remain<br /> As green to gold, and gold to brown<br /> The leaves will fall to feed the ground<br /> And in their falling, make no sound<br /> <br /> Oh my lady,<br /> Lady I am loving you now" <br />