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The Cedar Room Lyrics
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 know it's
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
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 know it's
It's a crime to feel
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
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
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
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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.
wow latercomer to the doves. but this song is amazing. wow
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.
Seen the cover images for the single? It's a ghost.
Seen the cover images for the single? It's a ghost.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$%28KGrHqV,!hcE1iPF9FrrBNlNltnIf!~~_35.JPG
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$%28KGrHqV,!hcE1iPF9FrrBNlNltnIf!~~_35.JPG
couldn't find the other one. :( I'll have to scan mine. It's autographed! :)
couldn't find the other one. :( I'll have to scan mine. It's autographed! :)
@Hexman definitely a ghost and her man speaking to each other and still not able to communicate
@Hexman definitely a ghost and her man speaking to each other and still not able to communicate
Sometimes it's the mystery of the song that makes it so appealing..
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!
I mentioned that cedar was used in the Temple of Solomon. I actually just read right now that the Holy of Holies, the room in which the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the ToS, was basically a room constructed entirely of cedar. I'll leave it to the curious to find out more about this room and its contents, and decide whether this has anything to do with the core meaning of the song.
I mentioned that cedar was used in the Temple of Solomon. I actually just read right now that the Holy of Holies, the room in which the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the ToS, was basically a room constructed entirely of cedar. I'll leave it to the curious to find out more about this room and its contents, and decide whether this has anything to do with the core meaning of the song.
@maddpsyintyst Hey mate, responding to your first two queries; a crime to feel I think is "him" acknowledging yeah he feels what's going on, all he does is feel because maybe he's been too fucked up to think recently, and thence a call too soon, ie he broke it off too soon. There's obviously emotions involved, but the song ends with him repeating I don't remember saying I don't remember saying
@maddpsyintyst Hey mate, responding to your first two queries; a crime to feel I think is "him" acknowledging yeah he feels what's going on, all he does is feel because maybe he's been too fucked up to think recently, and thence a call too soon, ie he broke it off too soon. There's obviously emotions involved, but the song ends with him repeating I don't remember saying I don't remember saying
ie going back to thoughts and not emotion. Brilliant song
ie going back to thoughts and not emotion. Brilliant song
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.
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!
Halloween 2025 and I'm still listening. I first heard it over 25 years ago. 12 years ago today I lost my soulmate. I've been spiralling since but this song centers me. It has such a special place in my heart. Just wait a little longer for me, Niamh.
[Edit: Additional information]
Does anyone know what this is about!
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