Stretched out on the grass,
a boy and a girl.
Savoring their oranges,
giving their kisses like waves exchanging foam.
Stretched out on the beach,
a boy and a girl.
Savoring their limes,
giving their kisses like clouds exchanging foam.
Stretched out underground,
a boy and a girl.
Saying nothing, never kissing,
giving silence for silence.
Lyrics submitted by mem1019
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Once their love was young, bright, warm, and sweet, like oranges. Later, their love and their kisses have become sour, like limes. Finally, there are no kisses, just the silence of two souls who have drifted apart "giving silence for silence." This, to me, would be a more accurate interpretation of the meaning behind the lyrics. The music is also very telling to this interpretation as well.
A Boy and a Girl is just what symphodude said. It goes from major to minor when the words talk about them dying... and the song ends in major, a happy ending; they died together and still love each other.
I love this piece. I was so excited to hear that we were doing this for our Vocal Ensemble at school--the chordal arrangements are so unorthodox and beautiful. Eric Whitacre is truly a genius.
That being said...my other reason for posting is to give my interpretation of the song up for consideration;
My experience being alive these short 32 yrs has shown to me that I am a duelistic creature....both feeling ("feminine") as well as thinking ("masculine"). Although I too love the "true love" interpretation of the song best, I am also a practical person. I am finding a true love relationship with myself...and it feels so strange, but right. Maybe then i'll be ready to meet my soulmate...lol - thanks everyone for posting their beautiful thoughts. I joined this site just so I could so thank you and post...and then I got distracted with my passion for this song! Hope everyone is having a fantastic day. Live. Love. BE. -jovh
I think there is something really missing without the music, though the poem is fantastic on its own. I agree that it's about their love, but the way the music is written is kind of strange. The first two verses have a sort of "matter of fact" feeling to them, for the most part, but also a lot of really beautiful parts (like the "waves... and clouds...."). I think this is indicative of the idea that love is both commonplace and beautiful.
The third verse is what really gives me chills. The lyrics sound sad on their own, but when you listen to the music it becomes apparent that it isn't a sad verse. If anything, its solemn and beautiful. Whitacre is a genius because the go-to emotion would be "oh look they died how sad," but that's not what he went for; he went for "look at how beautiful it was that they loved," and oh my gosh he pulls it off so well.
Also, my personal take on the final verse without words is that it's them in the afterlife, but that might be too superficial. It could also show that their love lives on even after their death.
My goodness I love this song.