"Heather Dale's songs express something that honors tradition, but in keeping with the best of traditions they break new ground." WDVR FM (USA)
Miles To Go
Heather Dale Lyrics
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The gate is much too spare a place to speak
And the gardens put to shame the meadow's bloom
An Eden set apart
I fancy Eve herself knew scent as sweet
I see that patch of lilies from my room
I'm glad you finally came
I watched you ride along the path below
But even yet I have so many miles to go
I've reconciled my mind
To living out my life within these walls
It's not what you had hoped to hear, I know
But what I hope to find
Is better sought within the cloister's halls
And peace is all that matters to me now
I know you offer love
But in me now that path is overgrown
I'm turning from that road
But even yet I have so many miles to go
I hear he died alone
Surrounded by the bodies of his knights
And heaven wept until no tears would come
I swore I would atone
For failing him and shadowing his light
With all the things I did and should have done
Fare thee well, my love
I'll watch you ride along the path below
I'm turning from that road
But even yet I have so many miles to go
"Miles To Go" is a heartwarming and emotional song that talks about a female protagonist turning away from society's conventions and embracing a life of seclusion in the gardens of the convent, leaving a lover who is keen to be with her. The song is an excellent piece of storytelling that sheds light on the struggles one goes through when making tough life decisions.
At the beginning of the song, the singer shares with her lover that the gate is too meager a place to express her feelings. She believes that the gardens are much better than the meadow's bloom and that even Eve herself must have known the fragrances to be sweet. She is happy that her lover has finally come to visit her but tells him that she still has many miles to go before she can be ready for him. She discusses how she has settled down within the walls of the convent, and while it might not be what her lover wanted to hear, it is where she has found her peace.
In the third verse, the singer talks about the death of her previous love who died alone, and she wants to atone for failing him when he needed her the most. She watches as her lover rides off, admitting once again that she has many miles to go before she can start a new life with someone else. The singer's story is one of regret and reconciliation, a timeless tale that has struck a chord with listeners across the globe.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk with me, my heart
Come with me, my love
The gate is much too spare a place to speak
I don't want to talk at the gate because it's not private enough
And the gardens put to shame the meadow's bloom
The gardens are more beautiful than the meadow
An Eden set apart
This place is like a paradise
I fancy Eve herself knew scent as sweet
Even Eve would appreciate the sweet scent here
I see that patch of lilies from my room
I can see a beautiful patch of lilies from my window
I'm glad you finally came
I'm happy you're finally here with me
I watched you ride along the path below
I saw you coming up the road
I'm turning from that road
I'm leaving that path behind
But even yet I have so many miles to go
I still have a long way to go
I've reconciled my mind
I've accepted my fate
To living out my life within these walls
I'll spend the rest of my life here
It's not what you had hoped to hear, I know
I know this isn't what you wanted to hear
But what I hope to find
What I'm looking for
Is better sought within the cloister's halls
Is better found in the monastery
And peace is all that matters to me now
All I care about now is finding peace
I know you offer love
I know you love me
But in me now that path is overgrown
I can't return to that path anymore
I hear he died alone
I heard he died by himself
Surrounded by the bodies of his knights
His knights were around him when he died
And heaven wept until no tears would come
Heaven cried a lot when he died
I swore I would atone
I promised to make up for my mistakes
For failing him and shadowing his light
For not supporting him and hindering his progress
With all the things I did and should have done
With everything I did and didn't do
Fare thee well, my love
Goodbye, my love
I'll watch you ride along the path below
I'll see you leave
But even yet I have so many miles to go
But I still have a long way to go
Contributed by Isabella P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.