Covington's break came in 1967 when, whilst still a student at Homerton College, Cambridge, she was invited to sing on David Frost's television show, after which she secured a record deal. She followed with her 1971 Godspell casting at The Roundhouse, followed by her 1972 original cast recording of Godspell (Day by Day).
After moving from the theatre, her performance in the 1976 television show Rock Follies led to her landing the title role in the original studio recording of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical Evita. She scored an international number one with the song "Don't Cry For Me Argentina".
After a second solo album, and guesting on other artists' albums, she returned to the theatre.
She also plays the parson's wife on Jeff Wayne's 1978 recording 'The War of the Worlds' in which she sang the song 'The Spirit of Man'.
My Silks and Fine Arrays
Julie Covington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My smiles and languish′d air
By love are driv'n away
And mournful lean despair
Brings me yew to deck my grave
Such end true lovers have
His face is fair as heaven
O why to him was′t given
Whose heart is wintry cold wintry cold
Bring me an axe and spade
Bring me a winding sheet
When I my grave have made
Let winds and tempests beat
Then down down I lay cold cold as clay
True love doth pass away
The lyrics to the song "My Silks and Fine Array" by Julie Covington describe the aftermath of a love gone wrong. The singer, who once wore luxurious clothes and smiled with a flirtatious air, now experiences deep sadness and despair. Instead of celebrating love and passion, the singer now contemplates death and burial. This is reflected in the line "brings me yew to deck my grave" which speaks to the traditional use of yew trees in graveyards.
In the second stanza, the singer contrasts their lover's fair face to his "wintry cold" heart. This juxtaposition highlights the pain and confusion that often results from unrequited love. The final stanza emphasizes the singer's desire for a peaceful death, even in the face of storms and tempests. The line "true love doth pass away" is a somber acknowledgement of the transitory nature of relationships, even ones that were once filled with love and passion.
Line by Line Meaning
My silks and fine array
My expensive clothing and accessories
My smiles and languish'd air
My coquettish demeanor
By love are driv'n away
Vanished due to lack of love
And mournful lean despair
Emptiness and sadness
Brings me yew to deck my grave
Resigned to a tragic end
Such end true lovers have
This is the fate of devoted people
His face is fair as heaven
His countenance is heavenly
When springing buds unfold
During the glory of springtime
O why to him was't given
Why did he get this face if he has a cold heart?
Whose heart is wintry cold wintry cold
Who has a frigid and unloving heart
Bring me an axe and spade
Give me tools to build my own grave
Bring me a winding sheet
Provide me with a burial shroud
When I my grave have made
When I've finished creating my grave
Let winds and tempests beat
Let harsh and violent elements assail me
Then down, down I lay cold, cold as clay
Then I lie down, very cold and lifeless
True love doth pass away
Genuine love fades and disappears
Writer(s): donald fraser
Contributed by Evan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.