Tilston is the daughter of acclaimed songwriter Steve Tilston and step-daughter of singer Maggie Boyle. She began writing songs at an early age. After attending drama school, she formed Mouse with guitarist Nick Marshall. They released two albums: Helicopter Trees (2000) and Tales (2001), and played many gigs and festivals throughout the UK and Ireland. Martha's solo debut, Rolling, was self-released in 2003, followed by Bimbling in 2004. In 2005 she assembled The Woods, including members of Semble, to record Ropeswing, which was given away as a free download. 2006 saw a full UK tour and the release of Of Milkmaids And Architects, which earned her a nomination for best new act in the BBC Folk Awards.
Her album Lucy And The Wolves was released in April 2010, and she spent the remainder of that year spent playing live, including supporting Beth Nielsen Chapman on her UK dates.
Her album Machines of Love and Grace was released in 2012.
http://www.marthatilston.co.uk
Winter Flowers
Martha Tilston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know what to do about my love, It seems his heart is a-turning
Where once the white water flowed was stagnant now is my yearning
& I don't know what to do about my love, the cards he deals keep a-changing
Where once he placed me as a queen well he shuffles now rearranging,
Oh I see it, Mmm... and I know it, Mmm
What's he hangs his roses upside down he says he keeps the last love and then yeah
The great thing about winter flowers is they look alive when they're long gone
So hang your roses upside down yeah & keep the last love and then
The great thing about winter flowers is they look alive when they're long gone
So I don't know what to do bout tomorrow with the promises I made now seem hollow
I dream of moving to Galway and I'm not sure I want him to follow
Oh but then he rolls me over in his arms
and when he rolls me over in his arms I adore him, ohhh...need more of him, ohhh
So I don't know what to do, and I don't know what to do now
Hang your roses upside down and keep the last love in yeah
The great thing about winter flowers is they look alive when they're long gone
So hang your roses upside down yeah, & keep the last love in then
The great thing about winter flowers is they look alive when they're long gone
The thing about you and I my love is we keep it going though it's long gone
The thing about you and I my love is we keep it going though it's long gone
So I don't know what to do, really don't know what to do now
And I don't know what to do, really don't know what to do now
I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do
The lyrics to Martha Tilston's song "Winter Flowers" speak of a love that has changed and become uncertain. The singer is confused and doesn't know what to do about her relationship. She is grappling with feelings of uncertainty and longing, wondering why her partner's heart has changed towards her. The line "Where once he placed me as a queen well he shuffles now rearranging" speaks of the singer's perception that she is no longer the center of her lover's heart. She feels lost and doesn't know what to do about her love.
The chorus of the song offers a solution to the singer's confusion. "Hang your roses upside down, yeah & keep the last love in then. The great thing about winter flowers is they look alive when they're long gone." This is a metaphor for the singer's relationship. She is being encouraged to keep her love for her partner and to cherish the memories they have shared. Winter flowers are used as a symbol of endurance and resilience, despite harsh conditions. The singer is being told to appreciate her relationship even if it has changed, to hold onto the memories and love they once shared.
In the final moments of the song, the singer acknowledges that she is still uncertain about her future with her partner. She says, "The thing about you and I my love is we keep it going though it's long gone." This suggests that despite the uncertainty of their love, they are willing to try to make it work. Overall, Winter Flowers is a melancholic and introspective song that explores love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do now
Feeling lost and uncertain about the direction of her love life
I don't know what to do about my love, It seems his heart is a-turning
Confused about her lover's changing feelings towards her
Where once the white water flowed was stagnant now is my yearning
Her previous passion and excitement has been replaced by an empty longing
& I don't know what to do about my love, the cards he deals keep a-changing
Her lover is unpredictable and inconsistent in his romantic intentions
Where once he placed me as a queen well he shuffles now rearranging
Her status in his life has shifted and she feels uncertain about where she stands with him
Oh I see it, Mmm... and I know it, Mmm
She is aware of the changes in her love life and the uncertainty it brings
What's he hangs his roses upside down he says he keeps the last love and then yeah
He has a unique way of preserving his previous love
The great thing about winter flowers is they look alive when they're long gone
The beauty of winter flowers is that they have an enduring quality despite their fading existence
So hang your roses upside down yeah & keep the last love and then
She takes his advice and finds value in preserving her love, even if it has changed
So I don't know what to do bout tomorrow with the promises I made now seem hollow
She is uncertain about the future and the promises she has made
I dream of moving to Galway and I'm not sure I want him to follow
She has a desire to make a life change, but is unsure if her lover should be a part of it
Oh but then he rolls me over in his arms
Her lover has a way of making her feel safe and loved
and when he rolls me over in his arms I adore him, ohhh...need more of him, ohhh
Her affection for him is rekindled when they share intimate moments
Hang your roses upside down and keep the last love in yeah
Repeating the idea that preserving love, even when it has faded, can still hold value
The thing about you and I my love is we keep it going though it's long gone
Their relationship endures despite changes and obstacles
So I don't know what to do, really don't know what to do now
Reiterating her uncertainty and confusion about her love life
And I don't know what to do, really don't know what to do now
Continuing her expression of confusion and uncertainty
I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do
Ending the song with a repetition of her initial feeling of being lost and uncertain
Contributed by Adrian R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.