She received much critical acclaim for her 2005 release, Paradise Hotel, which contains songs that strike a chord with listeners in light of recent events. "Requiem" honors Hurricane Katrina and tsunami victims with hopeful pleas to the Virgin Mary, while "Man of God" is a bitter, unapologetic denouncement of President George W. Bush and his administration.
"The actions of this regime do not follow the teachings of Christ, what I call real Christianity," Gilkyson said in August 2005. "I just don't appreciate the religious right acting like I don't love God and my country just because I'm not in their corner. I'm mad and I want other people to be mad about this too."
In 2008, her album Beautiful World came out, again on Red House Records. The songs vary from pop to folk and points in-between, with songs ranging from intimate ballads to rallying cries against the imperialist machine. She recently collaborated on a new album entitled Red Horse with two of her Red House Records label-mates John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky.
In 2011, she came out with Roses at the End of Time. Recorded at her home with the help of her son and co-producer Cisco Ryder, Gilkyson took a longer time in the studio and came out with a more eclectic and personal album. She continues to tour about 150 dates per year in the United States and overseas.
www.elizagilkyson.com
Rose of Sharon
Eliza Gilkyson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A lily of the valley
As a lily grown among the thorns
Love in this world has found me
As an apple tree among the trees
That grow deep in the forest
My lover's form in comely
With life and limb most joyous
Rise up my love and come away
The rain is over and gone
Your love is the fruit of my darkest day
And I am your Rose of Sharon
His gentle hand lies under my head
His shoulders turn to face me
I shall not stir him from my bed
While he does so embrace me
Oh bring me wine to pass the time
Though none but him can soothe me
I am my beloved's and he is mine
Desire for his pleasure moves me
Rise up my love and come away
The rain is over and gone
Your love is the fruit of my darkest day
And I'm your Rose of Sharon
The lyrics of Eliza Gilkyson's song Rose of Sharon are inspired by the biblical book Song of Solomon, where the term "Rose of Sharon" is believed to refer to a beautiful or valuable flower. The opening lines of the song, "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley," place the singer as a precious flower among thorns, but also as a part of nature's beauty. The following lines allude to the singer's lover as a fruit of her darkest day, the one who has found her and brought love into her world. The comparison to an apple tree deep in the forest highlights the significance and value of the lover's form to her.
The second stanza introduces the lover in a more expressive and intimate manner, with his gentle hand under her head and his shoulders turning to face her. She declares that she shall not stir him from her bed, emphasizing the comfort and security of his embrace. The lines "Oh bring me wine to pass the time/Though none but him can soothe me" reveal the significance of the lover to the singer's happiness and contentment. She declares herself to be her beloved's and him to be hers, stating that desire for his pleasure moves her.
The repeated line "Rise up my love, and come away/The rain is over and gone" serves as a call to action, an invitation to move forward with ardor and joy. The final declaration of being the "Rose of Sharon" further highlights the significance and beauty of the singer in relation to her lover.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a rose of Sharon
I am a beautiful and delicate flower, revered and valued.
A lily of the valley
I am cherished and sought after, like the rare and beloved lily of the valley.
As a lily grown among the thorns
Despite the difficulties and challenges around me, I have persevered and thrived.
Love in this world has found me
I have been blessed with the gift of love and companionship in this lifetime.
As an apple tree among the trees
I stand tall, proud, and strong amongst my peers and my surroundings.
That grow deep in the forest
Even though I may be surrounded by others, I am unique and special in my own way.
My lover's form in comely
My beloved is strong, attractive, and fills me with joy and happiness.
With life and limb most joyous
My lover is full of life, energy, and passion, which brings me immense happiness and fulfillment.
Rise up my love and come away
Come with me, my beloved, and let us explore the world together.
The rain is over and gone
The difficulties and struggles we faced are in the past, and it is time to move on.
Your love is the fruit of my darkest day
Your love has sustained me during the toughest moments of my life.
And I am your Rose of Sharon
I am your cherished partner, equal in love and devotion.
His gentle hand lies under my head
My beloved's touch is soothing and comforting to me.
His shoulders turn to face me
He is attentive and focused on me, showering me with his attention and affection.
I shall not stir him from my bed
I will cherish every moment with my beloved and not take his love for granted.
While he does so embrace me
As he embraces me, I feel safe, loved, and cherished.
Oh bring me wine to pass the time
Let us revel in the moment and enjoy each other's company.
Though none but him can soothe me
No one else can bring me the peace and contentment that my beloved gives me.
I am my beloved's and he is mine
We are each other's equal, devoted partners, fulfilling each other's needs and desires.
Desire for his pleasure moves me
My desire to please my beloved drives me and brings me immense satisfaction and joy.
Contributed by Sydney I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.