Flowers
杭蓋樂隊 Lyrics
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Flowers blossoming on the cliff
Are the earliest to fade;
The girl married in a far-off place
Languishes in her lover's arms.
Flowers blossoming in the desert
Are the earliest to fade;
And by her promise will abide.
Once there were oaths to love,
Once there were sweet dates,
Once there was a warm embrace,
But now you are married in a far-off place.
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The lyrics of 杭蓋樂隊's song Flowers describe the fleeting nature of love and the hardships of being separated from one's beloved. The lyrics use vivid imagery to paint a picture of flowers blooming in different settings - on a cliff and in the desert - only to quickly wither away. The metaphor alludes to the transience of romantic relationships as well as the bittersweet memories associated with them.
The song also speaks to the pain of being separated from one's lover, particularly when they are far away. The line "the girl married in a far-off place languishes in her lover's arms" suggests that even though the girl is now married, she still yearns for her former love. The repetition of the phrase "once there were" further emphasizes the idea that these moments, once so sweet, have faded away into memories.
Overall, the song Flowers is a poignant reflection on the ephemeral nature of love and the heartache that can come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Flowers blossoming on the cliff
Beauty and happiness are fleeting and can quickly fade away, like the fragile flowers perched precariously on the edge of a cliff.
Are the earliest to fade;
Just as those cliff flowers are the first to wilt and wither, so too can love and happiness disappear quickly, with little warning or explanation.
The girl married in a far-off place
This line suggests that distance can strain even the most committed of relationships, and that it can be difficult to maintain a strong connection over long distances.
Languishes in her lover's arms.
Even if the couple is able to be together physically, being far away from home and loved ones can be a lonely and exhausting experience that can take a toll on a person's emotional well-being.
Flowers blossoming in the desert
The desert is a harsh and unforgiving environment, which makes the ephemeral beauty of flowering plants all the more remarkable and miraculous.
The girl is married now
This line suggests that the girl in question has moved on from the past, and has presumably found love and stability in her current relationship.
And by her promise will abide.
Despite all the changes and difficulties she has faced, the girl remains true to her word and committed to her new partner.
Once there were oaths to love,
This line reflects the nostalgia and longing that the artist feels for a past love that has been lost or forgotten.
Once there were sweet dates,
Here the artist recalls a time of sweetness and joy, when the relationship was new and filled with fresh possibilities.
Once there was a warm embrace,
This line suggests that the artist's memories are of a time when they felt safe and loved in their partner's arms, and that those memories are a source of comfort and pain.
But now you are married in a far-off place.
The singer is left with the bitter reality that their former partner has moved on and found love elsewhere, even if it is far from home and the memories they once shared.
Contributed by Jake Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.