Stars leave the morning
Sleep clouds my view
Don't let them come round here
And call to you
I didn't notice
It's a crime too few
I didn't notice
It's a crime to feel

And I tried to sleep alone
But I couldn't do it
You could be sitting next to me
And I wouldn't know it
If I told you you were wrong
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying

I'll be a shadow
In the cedar room
And leave just a memory
Alone with you
I didn't see that
It's a call too soon
I couldn't see that
It's a call to you

And I tried to sleep alone
But I couldn't do it
You could be sitting next to me
And I wouldn't know it
If I told you you were wrong
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying


Lyrics submitted by I Saw Star Wars, edited by objectselect

Cedar Room Lyrics as written by Jez Williams Andy Williams

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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The Cedar Room song meanings
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29 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    wow latercomer to the doves. but this song is amazing. wow

    shaneston January 09, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Sometimes it's the mystery of the song that makes it so appealing..

    DeViLiShAnGeLon March 05, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song prety much got me into the Doves. First time I listened to 'Lost Souls' it immediately stood out and by the time it had run its -what, 8 minute?-course, it had wound its way tightly around my brain.

    so this is...THE DOVES

    I was never the same.

    deadeyeduckon January 18, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think now that I listen closely, it actually is, "You could be sitting next to me, and I wouldn't know where." This actually improves that line.

    The meaning of this song seems multilayered, but essentially, I think "he" was selfish, disregarded someone's feelings, and took someone for granted, and ironically was the one who left, for some undisclosed reason. Now, he realizes what he had.

    I am at a loss on a couple of points in the song. It should be asked, what exactly is a "crime to feel," a "call too soon," and a "cedar room?"

    The first two still have me confused--I keep thinking, "Why would having feelings or a need for help be wrong," but I'm obviously missing something.

    I have some ideas on the latter, however. Cedar is used to preserve things in drawers and to make shingles. It was also, incidentally, a prime component of the Temple of Solomon. Likely, I think the person being sung to had a certain room full of cedar furniture, wall panels, or something like that, in which the two people of the song spent a lot of time together. I tried a search for symbolic meanings for "cedar" and "cedar room," and only found references to Lebanon, Lebanese Maronite Catholics, and this song, plus info on the tree and uses for its wood. I know my take is a stretch, but that's the only thing I've ever been able to glean.

    Meanwhile, this is a great song to sing loudly in the truck, dadgummit!

    maddpsyintyston March 18, 2009   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    Lonliness and the fact that someone sitting next to you could fully well be a soulmate. It's about finding the perfect person in the point of lonliness whilst struggling with a current relationship that has turned sour.

    rolandxxon May 28, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Most beautiful song ever. bar none. Its generally about realising one's own lonliness even amongst people, and the Cedar room is a metaphor for a place retreat to.. like a sanctuary for the mind.

    I Love the Doves!

    sg_midoon January 06, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    His former love is dead. He has trouble sleeping ever since. Her spirit/ghost could be there with him, but he's not sensitive to that. Soon he will be dead too, and they will both be spirits together unliving in their old house forever.

    Hexmanon April 13, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Does anyone know what this is about!

    Ellieon May 04, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i'd like it to be a bit of a love song, it's trying to say maybe i tried to live without you but i couldn't? i love it though...

    xxxx

    rahtwinkleon June 06, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I always thought this song was about a man waking up in the bed of a friend's. He's making excuses for the mistake he has made for ringing up his friend and sleeping with her and whilst doing that he cheats on his girlfriend while she was out of town.

    kimbui1on July 26, 2002   Link

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