Garlands
Cocteau Twins Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Garlands evergreen
Forget-me-not wreaths
Chaplets see me drugged
I could die in a rosary
Die in a rosary (x4)
Well, with these brave garlands
They never find out for her
They never find I'm lying
Well, with these etchings
Cravings convince
My cravings commence
Garlands evergreen
Forget-me-not wreaths
Chaplets see me drugged
I could die in a rosary
Die in a rosary (x4)
Well, with these scarve's scars
Cravings convince
My cravings commence
Well, with these splint's scars
I'm all that to you
I'm all that's who
Garlands evergreen
Forget-me-not wreaths
Chaplets see me drugged
I could die in a rosary
Die in a rosary (x4)
Well, with these scarve's scars
Cravings convince
My cravings commence
Well, with these splint's scars




I'm all that to you
I'm all that's who

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cocteau Twins' "Garlands" are dense and poetic, creating an atmosphere of mystery and a sense of being lost in one’s own mind. The song features the theme of addiction, with repeated references to "cravings" that "commence" and leave the singer feeling "drugged." The title itself refers to evergreen wreaths and chaplets, often used as a decorative symbol of remembrance or honor.


The first verse begins with "Garlands evergreen" and "Forget-me-not wreaths," which can be interpreted as an allusion to death and memory. The second half of the verse continues with "Chaplets see me drugged / I could die in a rosary," which suggests that the singer is losing control to their addiction and could potentially die from it. This sentiment is repeated throughout the song with the line, "Die in a rosary."


The chorus is repeated several times throughout the song and is perhaps the most cryptic part of the lyrics. The line, "Well, with these brave garlands / They never find out for her / They never find I'm lying," is open to interpretation. It can be interpreted as the singer trying to hide their addiction from those around them or as a reference to not being able to face the consequences of their actions because of their addiction.


Overall, "Garlands" is a powerful song that uses poetic imagery and repetition to create a haunting portrayal of addiction and its effects on the human mind.


Line by Line Meaning

Garlands evergreen
These garlands are fresh and never die, just like my memories and emotions.


Forget-me-not wreaths
These wreaths are made with flowers that symbolize remembrance, and are a reminder of my unforgettable past.


Chaplets see me drugged
These religious garlands make me feel intoxicated, lost in a sense of devotion and submission.


I could die in a rosary
The experience of wearing a rosary could be so overwhelming that it could result in death, either literal or metaphorical.


Die in a rosary (x4)
Repeating the phrase serves to emphasize the transformative nature of the experience, and how it could take hold of someone completely.


Well, with these brave garlands
This phrase could be interpreted in different ways, but it could refer to the way these garlands offer protection and cover for the emotions being expressed.


They never find out for her
No one knows the depth of the feelings being expressed by the person wearing the garlands, and the secrets they are keeping hidden.


They never find I'm lying
Despite the garlands being a form of concealment, the person wearing them is not being dishonest or insincere.


Well, with these etchings
These marks or impressions left by the garlands represent the lasting impact they can have on the person wearing them.


Cravings convince
The person is compelled by a strong desire or urge, which seems to be partly fueled by the garlands themselves.


My cravings commence
The experience of wearing the garlands can trigger a sense of longing or yearning that the person cannot resist or control.


Well, with these scarve's scars
The scars left by the garlands, either physical or emotional, represent the toll they can take on the person wearing them.


I'm all that to you
This phrase is ambiguous, but it could suggest that the person wearing the garlands is everything to someone else, or that they are doing it all for themselves.


I'm all that's who
This phrase also has multiple possible interpretations, but it could suggest that the person wearing the garlands is complete and whole, even if they are masking or hiding certain aspects of themselves.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE, WILLIAM HEGGIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions