Eugene Kelly formed The Vaselines in 1986 with Frances McKee and was a member until 1990 when the band split up. Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was a fan of the band and two covers of songs by The Vaselines were included on their Incesticide album.
In 1990 Kelly formed another band called Captain America but was forced to change the name after an objection from the company Marvel Comics, the band then became known as Eugenius. He has had a number of collaborations with Evan Dando of The Lemonheads and in 2003 Eugene released a solo album, Man Alive.
In 2006, he toured with Isobel Campbell, replacing Mark Lanegan when performing songs from Ballad of the Broken Seas, and supporting Mogwai, as well, as in Madrid on October 1, 2006.
She Wears My Ring
Eugene Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In morning light we survived
'Cause we lived a lot and loved a lot
And drank a lot and fought
She wears my ring, in the grave, in the grave
She wears my ring, in the grave, in the grave
I'll kiss her on the day I die
So I touch myself cause I'm touched by you
And the memories remain
She wears my ring, in the grave, in the grave
She wears my ring, in the grave, in the grave
Time has run the river dry
I fill it with the tears I cry
'Cause we lived a lot and loved a lot
And drank a lot and fought
She wears my ring, in the grave, in the grave
She wears my ring, in the grave, in the grave
Eugene Kelly's song "She Wears My Ring" is a poetic lament for a lost love that continues beyond the grave. The song's opening lines "The night before we always died, In morning light we survived" paint a picture of a tumultuous relationship that experienced both highs and lows. Despite the difficulties, the couple's love was passionate and all-encompassing, evidenced in the lines "And drank a lot and fought." This intense love between the two is further emphasized by the repetition of the refrain "She wears my ring, in the grave, in the grave." The ring symbolizes a connection that transcends death, and the image of the woman wearing it even in death suggests a love that endures beyond this life.
The imagery used to describe the woman in the grave is both haunting and tender. "Her mouth is cold, her bones are dry, I'll kiss her on the day I die" depicts the physical reality of death, yet the singer's desire to kiss her on the day he dies imbues the scene with a sense of longing and longing for reunion. This sense of longing is reinforced by the verse "So I touch myself cause I'm touched by you, And the memories remain." The memories of their love continue to influence his life, and his desire to feel close to her even in death is a testament to their enduring connection. The final verse "Time has run the river dry, I fill it with the tears I cry" suggests that the singer is still emotional over their relationship, even after much time has passed.
Line by Line Meaning
The night before we always died
In times of trouble and hardship, we always felt like we were close to death.
In morning light we survived
Despite the challenges and difficulties we faced, we always managed to make it through to the next day.
'Cause we lived a lot and loved a lot
We approached life with an open heart and a willingness to experience everything it had to offer.
And drank a lot and fought
We were passionate and sometimes reckless, indulging in vices and arguments with equal fervor.
She wears my ring, in the grave, in the grave
Even in death, she remains with me, tied to me by a symbol of our commitment and love.
Her mouth is cold her bones are dry
She is no longer the vibrant, living person she once was, but is now frozen and lifeless in the embrace of death.
I'll kiss her on the day I die
Even though I know she is gone, I will continue to hold her memory close to my heart and long for her with every passing day.
So I touch myself cause I'm touched by you
The memory of our love and connection is so powerful that even though she is gone, I still feel her presence in my life.
And the memories remain
Though time may pass and our bodies may move on, the memories of our love and connection will always endure.
Time has run the river dry
The passing of time has depleted the once abundant and flowing river of life and vitality.
I fill it with the tears I cry
My grief fills the emptiness left by the passing of time, as I mourn the loss of the one I loved so deeply.
'Cause we lived a lot and loved a lot
Despite the inevitable end of our lives, we made the most of the time we had together, embracing every moment with passion and love.
And drank a lot and fought
Our love was not perfect, but it was real and passionate, and we lived it out with all the intensity and turbulence of life itself.
She wears my ring, in the grave, in the grave
Even in death, she still holds the symbol of our love and commitment, and I will always feel tied to her by that connection.
Contributed by Cole E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.