The lyrics form a narrative, in which experiences with the lilac tree are recounted - lilac wine made from it, & a loved one. It evokes his feelings of love, loss, pleasure & confusion - in the lyrics - that are, arguably, subject to broad interpretation.
Lilac Wine
Jeff Buckley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree
I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in its recipe
Makes me see what I want to see
When I think more than I wanna think
I do things I never should do
I drink much more that I oughta drink
Because it brings me back you
Lilac wine is sweet and heady, like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, like my love
Listen to me, I cannot see clearly
Isn't that she coming to me? Nearly here
Lilac wine is sweet and heady, where's my love?
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, where's my love?
Listen to me, why is everything so hazy?
Isn't that she, or am I just going crazy, dear?
Lilac wine, I feel unready for my love
Feel unready for my love
Jeff Buckley's "Lilac Wine" is a song that reflects on the idea of losing oneself and surrendering to a particular unbridled passion. The song's opening lines describe a moment in which the singer feels lost on a chilly and damp night, succumbing to a hypnotic enchantment under a lilac tree’s misty light. The singer then describes himself making wine from the lilac tree and putting his heart into a recipe that allows him to see what he wants to see and be what he wants to be. The wine's intoxicating effect awakens feelings of nostalgia as he drinks to feel a connection with a past love.
As the song progresses, the singer suggests that he drinks more than he should to bring himself closer to his past lover. In this way, he attributes his intoxicated state to the influence of his love and the romantic memories connected to her. The song concludes with the singer feeling unsteady and unprepared for love as he seeks his past lover once again.
Overall, the song conveys the message that one can lose themselves in their passions and desires, all while seeking to reconcile past connections with reminders that hope and connection are never lost.
Line by Line Meaning
I lost myself on a cool, damp night
I became so engrossed in my thoughts and feelings one night when it was humid and chilly.
I gave myself in that misty light
I surrendered to the mood created by the blurry atmosphere.
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
I was spellbound by an unfamiliar kind of pleasure.
Under a lilac tree
I was sitting beneath a fragrant flowered plant.
I made wine from the lilac tree
I fermented the flowers of the plant to make a drink.
Put my heart in its recipe
I added my emotions and feelings to the drink as an ingredient.
Makes me see what I want to see
It creates an illusion of what I desire in my mind.
And be what I want to be
It allows me to pretend to be the person I wish to be instead of who I am.
When I think more than I wanna think
When my thoughts exceed the amount I want to handle.
I do things I never should do
I engage in actions I know I shouldn't.
I drink much more that I oughta drink
I consume more alcohol than I should.
Because it brings me back you
I indulge in the drink to reminisce about you.
Lilac wine is sweet and heady, like my love
The drink is sugary and potent, just like my affection.
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, like my love
The effect of the drink makes me feel unstable, just like my emotions for you.
Listen to me, I cannot see clearly
Pay attention to my words, as my judgement is clouded.
Isn't that she coming to me? Nearly here
Isn't the one I love on her way to me? Almost arrived.
Lilac wine is sweet and heady, where's my love?
The drink is luscious and potent, but where is the one I desire?
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, where's my love?
The effect of the drink makes me feel unstable, but where is the one I love?
Listen to me, why is everything so hazy?
Pay attention to my words, as every aspect seems unclear to me.
Isn't that she, or am I just going crazy, dear?
Is the one I love approaching, or is my mind playing tricks?
Lilac wine, I feel unready for my love
The drink has made me feel unprepared to handle my affections.
Feel unready for my love
I am not equipped to deal with the intensity of my emotions.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James H. Shelton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@emeligodoy3597
Jeff Buckley
I lost myself on a cool damp night
I gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree
I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in its recipe
It makes me see what I want to see
And be what I want to be
When I think more than I want to think
I do things I never should do
I drink much more that I ought to drink
Because it brings me back you
Lilac wine is sweet and heady, like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, like my love
Listen to me, I cannot see clearly
Isn't that she, coming to me nearly here?
Lilac wine is sweet and heady where's my love?
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, where's my love?
Listen to me, why is everything so hazy?
Isn't that she, or am I just going crazy, dear?
Lilac wine, I feel unready for my love
Feel unready for my love
@user-iw3yo6sf8c
I lost myself on a cool damp night
I gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree
I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in its recipe
It makes me see what I want to see
And be what I want to be
When I think more than I want to think
I do things I never should do
I drink much more that I ought to drink
Because it brings me back you
Lilac wine is sweet and heady, like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, like my love
Listen to me, I cannot see clearly
Isn't that she, coming to me nearly here?
Lilac wine is sweet and heady where's my love?
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, where's my love?
Listen to me, why is everything so hazy?
Isn't that she, or am I just going crazy, dear?
Lilac wine, I feel unready for my love
Feel unready for my love
@the.bloodless.one1312
“I lost myself on a cool damp night
I gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree
I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in its recipe
It makes me see what I want to see
And be what I want to be
When I think more than I want to think
I do things I never should do
I drink much more that I ought to drink
Because it brings me back you
Lilac wine is sweet and heady, like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, like my love
Listen to me, I cannot see clearly
Isn't that she, coming to me nearly here?
Lilac wine is sweet and heady where's my love?
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, where's my love?
Listen to me, why is everything so hazy?
Isn't that she, or am I just going crazy, dear?
Lilac wine, I feel unready for my love
Feel unready for my love”
@TCBfan62
Such a beautiful song. Here in 2024 after watching One Day and heard this song played at the end of the series. 😢
@bizzylizzy5075
Same !!
@raisanjeri3661
One day.
@irenejames8552
😢😢😢😢😢
@kevingoodall8923
SAME
@joyfullyfaith
Sammmme
@Elazova02
Thank you episode 14 of One day series for introducing me to this song
@lyndseystonelinzim6798
I'm 74 and I still love this.
@evakorenjak5580
Same
@booklover-hu9tw
I'm 17 and I love it!