Ode to a Nightingale
Keiko Lyrics


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A lonely whisper from the forest peak
Soft she speaks
When the bough does break
She will fall once and for all

Nightingale
Valiantly sing into the night
Synthesize the dark with the light

Safe behind her shield of tune
Chase the path of the moon
Burn the buildings down
Maiden fair
Set free the air

Nightingale
Valiantly sing into the night
Synthesize the dark with the light

Oh the meadows and streams
They're buried so deep now
Nightingale take to the air
You're all that's left who cares

Nightingale




Valiantly sing into the night
Synthesize the dark with the light

Overall Meaning

In Keiko’s song “Ode to a Nightingale,” the lyrics seem to reflect two main themes: the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life. The first line speaks of a “lonely whisper” coming from the top of a forest peak, setting a quiet and serene tone for the rest of the song. The “soft” voice of the nightingale is contrasted with the notion of mortality, as she will “fall once and for all” when the bough breaks. The nightingale, however, is praised for her valiant singing that “synthesizes the dark with the light,” creating a sense of hope and beauty.


The second stanza of the song seems to focus on the nightingale’s ability to create a “shield of tune” to protect herself and to “set free the air” as she flies about. The image of the nightingale burning down buildings could be interpreted as a metaphor for the power of music to destroy the rigidity of structures and create freedom. The final stanza suggests that in the midst of the destruction and chaos of life, the nightingale is one of the few things that remain, who still “cares” about the natural world.


Line by Line Meaning

A lonely whisper from the forest peak
A gentle and melancholy sound comes from the top of the forest


Soft she speaks
Her voice is gentle and quiet


When the bough does break
When the branch finally gives way


She will fall once and for all
She will fall to her death


Nightingale
The bird known as the nightingale


Valiantly sing into the night
Sing bravely into the darkness


Synthesize the dark with the light
Blend the darkness and light together


Safe behind her shield of tune
Protected by the power of her melody


Chase the path of the moon
Follow the course of the moon in the sky


Burn the buildings down
Destroy the man-made structures that interfere with nature


Maiden fair
A beautiful young girl, possibly personification of nature


Set free the air
Liberate the atmosphere from the pollution that humans create


Oh the meadows and streams
The natural fields and rivers


They're buried so deep now
They are being covered and destroyed by human development


Nightingale take to the air
Bird, take flight


You're all that's left who cares
You are the only one who still cares about preserving nature




Contributed by Caroline M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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