www.circulus.org and www.myspace.com/circulus for more info.

Cir… Read Full Bio ↴www.circulus.org and www.myspace.com/circulus for more info.

Circulus are a psychedelic folk/progressive rock band from South London, England, put together by vocalist and songwriter Michael Tyack. Circulus believe that high-life is actually medieval life. This is reflected in their varied work, which they describe as "hurtful to people's ears."

The band uses a mix of modern and medieval instruments, such as the lute, bongos and the modern bass and electric guitars. They claim to believe in fairies and pixies.

Willow Tree
Circulus Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was once as pretty as the doll I held
As fair as the morning
Now I see time is always chasing me
Taking all my youth from me
And pulling at my hair

And my eyes of blue
One day they will see no more

And my skin so soft
Will hang down like the willow tree

I was once afraid of the skull I saw
Afraid of the darkness
Now I know maybe we've not long to go
Drowning I will one day go
Into the waters of eternity

And my eyes of blue
One day they will see no more
And my skin so soft
Will hang down like the willow tree

And my eyes of blue
One day they will see no more

And my skin so soft
Will hang down like the willow tree

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Circulus's song Willow Tree are about the passage of time and the inevitability of aging and mortality. The first stanza describes the singer's realization that time is catching up to them and taking away their youth. The metaphor of the doll that the singer once held, representing their own beauty and youth, is poignant and effective. The image of time pulling at their hair conveys a sense of desperation and loss.

The second stanza moves into a reflection on death and the afterlife, with the singer discussing their fear of darkness and their eventual acceptance of their own mortality. The line "maybe we've not long to go" is both ominous and soothing at the same time, acknowledging the finite nature of life while also offering a sense of acceptance and peace.

Throughout the song, the refrain "And my eyes of blue / One day they will see no more / And my skin so soft / Will hang down like the willow tree" serves as a reminder of the singer's mortality and the inevitability of the physical decay that accompanies it. The image of the willow tree, with its drooping branches and mournful appearance, is a powerful symbol of both beauty and sadness.

Overall, the lyrics to Willow Tree are a contemplative and poetic meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Circulus has created a haunting and beautiful song that speaks to the human experience of aging and mortality.

Line by Line Meaning

I was once as pretty as the doll I held
I used to be as beautiful as the doll I held in my hands

As fair as the morning
My beauty was as radiant as the morning sun

Now I see time is always chasing me
I now realize that time is constantly pursuing me

Taking all my youth from me
It's taking away my youth, leaving me aged and worn

And pulling at my hair
It's tugging at my hair, like an old man's beard

And my eyes of blue
My bright blue eyes

One day they will see no more
Will eventually lose their clarity

And my skin so soft
My soft, supple skin

Will hang down like the willow tree
Will eventually become saggy and loose like a willow tree's branches

I was once afraid of the skull I saw
Previously, I feared the sight of a skull

Afraid of the darkness
I was also afraid of the darkness