Lay Me Down
Ashley MacIsaac Lyrics

Explain:

The lyrics to Ashley MacIsaac's song Lay Me Down are evocative and poetic, imbuing a sense of loss and mourning that is palpable throughout the song. The opening lines reference fireworks exploding in a 21 gun salute, which is a traditional military honor and tribute that often takes place at funerals. This imagery is juxtaposed with the sound of a crystal Irish flute, which is said to be capable of producing exceptionally pure and clear notes, often used to evoke a sense of sadness or contemplation. It's as if the explosive shock of the fireworks is mirrored by the delicate and mournful beauty of the flute. The image of crying angels reinforces this sense of mourning and loss, as if the heavens themselves are grieving.

The next stanza introduces champagne, a symbol of celebration and luxury, which is being spilled or wasted as if it were nothing. The image of a million flowers being killed further highlights the sense of waste and loss, as if something delicate and beautiful has been destroyed. The refrain of "as if a million flowers" repeated three times emphasizes this feeling of excess and emptiness. The following stanza introduces a wedding or gathering of some kind, where the singer notes that they have gathered for "the love that got away." This suggests that the gathering is not a happy one, but rather a commemoration of love lost and the pain that comes with it.

Finally, the song closes with the repeating refrain of "as if a million flowers" followed by the words "roulette, roulette, place your bet" and "roulette, roulette, cigarette," which suggest a sense of ultimate futility or randomness in life. The last line, "and the last time," suggests finality and a sense of closure.

Overall, the lyrics to Lay Me Down are haunting, powerful, and imbued with a sense of sadness and loss that is difficult to forget. It is a song that is steeped in emotion and meaning, evoking the fragility and beauty of life, love, and the human experience.