Abney Park began around 1997, but their popularity exploded with the onset of internet music, with much success through MP3.com in the early 2000’s. The band was a regular chart topper, often holding the number 1 – 5 positions in Goth and Darkwave, and Industrial Dance music charts. In 2005 the band morphed from a more Darkwave/Industrial inspired act to a Steampunk inspired act.
Abney Park's music has been featured on a number of movie soundtracks, including "Insomnis Amour", "Goth", and "Lord of the Vampires". The band's music has also been featured in many compilation CD’s, including Cleopatra Records “The Unquiet Grave” vol. III, "Annihilation and Seduction", "Eighteen" and many more.
Abney Park has performed all over the North America, appearing in Portland, Chicago, Las Vegas, Reno, Hollywood, and countless shows in their home base of Seattle. Their fans form a near-cult following, and have been known to travel from as far as New Zealand and Mexico City just to see them perform.
I am Stretched On Your Grave
Abney Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And will lie there forever
If your hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd not sever
My apple tree, my brightness,
It's time we were together
For I smell of the Earth
And am worn by the weather.
When my family thinks
That I'm safely in my bed
From mornin' till night
I am stretched at your head
Calling out to the air
With tears both hot and wild
For the loss of the girl
I loved as a child.
Do you remember the night
The night we were lost
In the shade of the blackthorn
And the chill of the frost?
Oh, and thanks be to Jesus
We did what was right
And your maidenhead still
Is your pillar of light.
I am stretched on your grave
And will lie there forever
If your hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd not sever
The priests and the friars
Approach me in dread
For I love you still
My wife, and you're dead
I still will be your shelter
Through rain and through storm
And with you in your cold grave
I cannot sleep warm
So I'm stretched on your grave
And will lie there forever
If your hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd not sever
My apple tree, my brightness,
It's time we were together
For I smell of the earth
And am worn by the weather.
I am stretched on your grave
And will lie there forever
If your hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd not sever
I am stretched on your grave
And will lie there forever
If your hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd not sever
The song "I am Stretched On Your Grave" by Abney Park is a melancholic and mournful tribute to a lost love. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and yearning for a connection that has been broken by death. The singer is lying on the grave of their loved one, feeling the weight of their grief and inability to move on. The repetition of the phrase "If your hands were in mine, I'd be sure we'd not sever" underscores the desire to somehow maintain a connection with the deceased.
The imagery used in the lyrics is poetic and striking, with references to the apple tree (symbolizing life, sustenance, and beauty) contrasted with the singer's worn and weathered body. There are also allusions to religious imagery, with references to Jesus and priests and friars approaching in dread. These references add to the sense of finality and separation between the living and the dead.
The song culminates in a final plea for togetherness, with the singer declaring that it's time to be reunited with their loved one. The repetition of the final stanza drives home the sense of permanence and finality, despite the singer's undying love.
Line by Line Meaning
I am stretched on your grave
I am lying on your grave, and I will remain there indefinitely
And will lie there forever
I will never leave your grave
If your hands were in mine
If we were holding hands
I'd be sure we'd not sever
Our bond would never break
My apple tree, my brightness,
You were my everything, my source of happiness
It's time we were together
I long to be with you again
For I smell of the Earth
I am one with nature and the earth
And am worn by the weather.
The elements have taken their toll on me
When my family thinks
When everyone believes
That I'm safely in my bed
That I am sleeping soundly
From mornin' till night
Throughout the day
I am stretched at your head
I am lying at your grave
Calling out to the air
Crying out to the world
With tears both hot and wild
With uncontrollable, passionate tears
For the loss of the girl
For the death of my beloved
I loved as a child.
Whom I loved since childhood
Do you remember the night
Do you recall that evening
The night we were lost
The night we were wandering aimlessly
In the shade of the blackthorn
Under the shadow of the blackthorn tree
And the chill of the frost?
In the freezing cold?
Oh, and thanks be to Jesus
Thank God
We did what was right
We made the correct decision
And your maidenhead still
And your purity
Is your pillar of light.
Is the source of your innocence
The priests and the friars
The religious officials
Approach me in dread
Fearfully come to me
For I love you still
Because I still love you
My wife, and you're dead
Although you have passed away, you will always be my wife
I still will be your shelter
I will continue to protect and care for you
Through rain and through storm
Through all the hardships and difficulties
And with you in your cold grave
And even though you are buried in the cold earth
I cannot sleep warm
I cannot find comfort or rest
Contributed by Ryan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Fish Family Farm
I... I can't believe I only just now found this version of one of my favorite songs! Oh Abney Park I've officially fallen in love with you now!
Witch of the Dragon
I like this. I've always loved Irish folk tunes, but Abney Road really catches it. :)
Michael Rezmer
No... its the best version I have heard so far! If I knew that this version was to played at my funeral I would die very happy!
Vince
2:12 is the most epic part!!!! i love this band!!
HORSE CHOW
just to clarify, the female vocalist on this track is almost certainly Magdalene Veen, who wrote her own harmonies. she left the band after this album was finished, and was basically erased from the band credits and never received any royalties. Veen also wrote Herr Drosselmeyer's Doll and did vocals on The Emperor's Wives and may appear on other tracks uncredited. Finn von Claret was hired as the new backup singer/dancer that year and was fantastic. It's possible that Finn also appears on this album, possibly this song (there are multiple backing vocal tracks and one may be hers).
Swish Fish
+efkjwnekjfnwkj4nkj4n
She's also the one that introduced the band to steampunk. They wouldn't be airship pirates without her.
Celia Flicker
Thanks for posting this song; It's one of my favorites! I really love the harmony in the verse starting with "Oh, the priests and the friars approach me in dread" Also, thanks for the lyrics. Sometimes, in songs, I can't figure out what's being said until I've read it.
Scarlet Ibis
No. Not too chipper. It's mournful in a way that reminds us we are alive and they are not. It is not sung in the traditional near monotone way, but it is still heartbreaking. This is just a little bit faster than normally preformed, though. That does take away from it.
It's so beautiful.
Glitch the gothbot!
my ex boyfriend died & I went up to his grave sight once & just laid there in the mud & snow & cried my heart out! thanks for making this song it helped with the pain of letting him go😏
Leland Stottlemeyer
@Serious Snake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57zrFRZlySE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95I7t1znYFk
Take your pick, but these are some of my favourites.