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Winter's Heir Lyrics
Stepped out through the __ nights, took care in the common light
Cathedral bells ringing down, branches blooming all through town
And in my ears a steady ring kept me moving towards the spring
It was a long, long cold year, but I think it's all becoming clear
I thought it through, I think I want it too
When I saw you there upon your chair, in the light of winter's air
Came sudden like a southern wind, like Santa Ana's blowin' in
A pheasant's feather for your thoughts, I sent 'em shooting with your buck-shot
We listened for sounds out there, raised our knives out of fear
It was a long, long and cold year, but I think it's all becoming
I thought it through, I think I want it too
'Cos I saw you there upon your chair, in the light of winter's air
Stepped out through the __ nights, took care in the common light
Cathedral bells ringing down, branches blooming all through town
And in our ears a steady ring kept us moving towards the spring
It was a long, long cold year, but the thaw is finally hear
I thought it through, I'm sure I want it too
And I saw you there upon your chair, in the light of winter's air
I see you there upon your chair, in the light of winter's air X2
Your emerald eyes and raven hair, in the light of winter's air
Cathedral bells ringing down, branches blooming all through town
And in my ears a steady ring kept me moving towards the spring
It was a long, long cold year, but I think it's all becoming clear
When I saw you there upon your chair, in the light of winter's air
A pheasant's feather for your thoughts, I sent 'em shooting with your buck-shot
We listened for sounds out there, raised our knives out of fear
It was a long, long and cold year, but I think it's all becoming
'Cos I saw you there upon your chair, in the light of winter's air
Cathedral bells ringing down, branches blooming all through town
And in our ears a steady ring kept us moving towards the spring
It was a long, long cold year, but the thaw is finally hear
And I saw you there upon your chair, in the light of winter's air
I see you there upon your chair, in the light of winter's air X2
Your emerald eyes and raven hair, in the light of winter's air
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
Stepped out through the melting ice Took care in the coming light Cathedral bells ringing down Branches blooming all through town
And in my ears a steady ring Kept me moving toward the spring It was a long, long cold year But I think it's all becoming clear
And I thought it through I think I want it too When I saw you there upon your chair In the light of winter's heir
Came sudden like a southern wind Like the Santa Ana's blowing in A pheasant's feather for your thoughts I said "Don't shoot me with your buck shots"
We listen for the sounds out there Raised our knives out of fear It was a long, long cold year But I think it's all becoming clear
And I've thought it through I think I want it too Cause I saw you there upon your chair In the light of winter's heir
Stepped out through melting ice Took care in the coming light Cathedral bells ringing down Branches blooming all through town
In our ears a steady ring Kept us moving towards the spring It was a long, long cold year But the thaw is finally here
I've thought it through I'm sure I want too And I saw you there upon your chair In the light of winter's heir
When I see you there upon your chair In the light of winter's heir I see you there upon your chair In the light of winter's heir
I see you there upon your chair In the light of winter's air And your emerald eyes and raven hair In the light of winter's heir
Probably the most beautiful song I've heard all year. And the album is the best so far, as well.
Hmmm..I think this song corresponds with The Traitor. In 'The Traitor' part of the lyrics are: "Oh Captain, you ask yourself I miss her of the raven hair What future did you behold When you stole me away from there"
And then part of the lyrics of this here song are: "I see you there upon your chair In the light of winter's air And your emerald eyes and raven hair In the light of winter's heir"
So...perhaps the narrator got his lady with the raven hair back =)
I always thought it was interesting that it was "Winter's Heir," because listening to it, "Winter's Air" seemed to make more sense. In fact, I didn't think otherwise until I saw it written. However, the distinction is important to the meaning of the song, and it brings the album full circle. The whole album has been focused on winter. (I'm arguing that "The Orchard" is, chronologically, the first song in the timeline, occurring in late fall) He has experienced a break up, and possibly his ex had an affair for which he has also blamed himself ("Wicked Blood" , "O Maria!", "The Traitor").
In short, it has been a "long cold year" for him in more ways than one. But the "thaw" of spring is "winter's heir." That is, he couldn't have gotten to where he is now without having experienced rock bottom. He had to go through this trial to reach the point of understanding he has now reached. And now he has his raven-haired beauty back, so everything's peachy.
I also like how he mentions the cathedral bells, whereas in the first song on the album he talks about the church light. Probably some significance to that, but I'm not going to attempt...