love at first sight
Lano & Woodley Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When do I see thee most, beloved one?
When in the light the spirits of mine eyes
Before thy face, their altar, solemnize
The worship of that Love through thee made known?
Or when in the dusk hours, (we two alone)
Close-kissed and eloquent of still replies
Thy twilight-hidden glimmering visage lies
And my soul only sees thy soul its own?

O love, my love! if I no more should see
Thyself, nor on the earth the shadow of thee
Nor image of thine eyes in any spring
How then should sound upon Life's darkening slope




The ground-whirl of the perished leaves of Hope
The wind of Death's imperishable wing?

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics from Lano & Woodley's song "Love At First Sight," the poet contemplates the different moments when they feel most connected to their beloved. They start by questioning when they see their beloved the most, whether it is in the light, where their eyes are illuminated and their love is celebrated, or in the darkness, where they are alone and intimate, communicating silently through kisses and soulful gazes. Both these scenarios hold a significant place in the poet's heart, as they represent the different dimensions of their love.


The poet describes their beloved as the altar before whom their eyes, in the form of spirits, offer their devotion and worship to the love that has been revealed through this person. It implies that the presence of their beloved brings about a spiritual transformation, as they become part of something greater than themselves. The poet cherishes these moments, as they signify the affirmation and celebration of their love.


However, the poem takes a melancholic turn in the second stanza. The poet ponders what would happen if they were no longer able to see their beloved, whether in reality or even in the faint reflection of their image in nature. This hypothetical situation raises existential questions about the meaning and purpose of life without their beloved's presence. The poet compares this absence to the darkening slope of life, where hope is falling away like perished leaves and the wind of Death's constant presence becomes unavoidable.


Overall, these lyrics portray a deep and intense connection between two individuals. The poet highlights the moments of illumination and intimacy in their relationship, emphasizing the powerful impact their beloved has on their life. At the same time, the poem explores the profound fear and despair that would arise if they were to lose that connection, reflecting on the fragility of hope in the face of mortality.


Line by Line Meaning

When do I see thee most, beloved one?
In what moments, my beloved, do I witness your presence the most?


When in the light the spirits of mine eyes
Is it when the radiance illuminates the depths of my being


Before thy face, their altar, solemnize
Before your countenance, they gather in reverence and devotion


The worship of that Love through thee made known?
To celebrate the love that is revealed through you?


Or when in the dusk hours, (we two alone)
Perhaps it is during the twilight hours when we are secluded and undisturbed


Close-kissed and eloquent of still replies
When our lips meet intimately, and our unspoken words convey profound understanding


Thy twilight-hidden glimmering visage lies
Your face, faintly illuminated by twilight, rests peacefully


And my soul only sees thy soul its own?
And in that moment, my soul perceives only the reflection of its own essence in yours?


O love, my love! if I no more should see
Oh, my love! If the possibility of seeing you ceases to exist


Thyself, nor on the earth the shadow of thee
Neither your presence, nor even a mere semblance of it in this world


Nor image of thine eyes in any spring
Nor a glimpse of your eyes mirrored in any natural source


How then should sound upon Life's darkening slope
In such circumstances, how would the echoes of hope resonate


The ground-whirl of the perished leaves of Hope
Or the swirling sound of hope's decaying remnants


The wind of Death's imperishable wing?
Or the chilling breeze carried by the eternal specter of death?




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Ralph Vaughan Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions