She began playing the guitar at the age of five, first being taught the blues by her father in front of the family fire, and has been enthralled by the songs and lyrics of the likes of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, James Taylor and John Mayall ever since. It’s not just the “golden-oldies” that Laura admires; she also harbours a rather deep love for alt.country’s favourite son, Ryan Adams. “He’s brilliant, there’s nothing that even comes close, he can paint the most amazing pictures in your mind.” Ryan Adams in turn had her album 'I Speak Because I Can' given to him by a producer friend. Ryan had written a lot of the material for his forthcoming album 'Ashes and Fire' but upon listening to her album he said; "I actually threw out the record I was writing and re-wrote my record based on that album because I thought to myself somebody's actually taking this very seriously ... It was amazing, a great motivation ... And it felt good to ask: 'What am I really capable of? I felt competitive again to write great songs."
Jamie T personally invited her on tour with him after being impressed by her modern folk-pop when he caught her playing just her second ever gig. Marling is part of the extended Way Out West family, having played five eminent shows at the label’s Brentford FC night before the club was finally moved on, and was also a member of Noah and the Whale until May 2008, contributing vocals and instruments throughout, and seen in the "Five Years Time" video playing recorder.
Following her London Town EP, Marling's debut album Alas I Cannot Swim was released by Virgin on 4th February 2008. Originally released in a large Song Box containing mementos and trinkets personal to the songs, as well as a concert ticket., the album was nominated for the 2008 Mercury Music Prize.
Marling released her second album, I Speak Because I Can, on March 22nd 2010.
The first track from her third album, A Creature I Don't Know, to receive radio airplay was "Sophia." The song is an ode to a mythical deity. (Sophia Songfacts).
Song for Our Daughter
Laura Marling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To tread in their trail
Only to see if the path they set fails
Though they may want you to take off your clothes
Whatever they think that the action exposed
With your clothes on the floor
Taking advice from some old balding bore
Did I want this at all
Do you remember what I said
The book I left by your bed
The words that some survivor read
Lately I've been thinking
About our daughter growing old
All of the bullshit that she might be told
There's blood on the floor
Maybe not, I believe her for sure
She remembers what I said
The book I left by her bed
The words that some survivor read
Though they may take you
For all you had left
You won't be forgotten
For what you had not done yet
So you asked for a kiss from God
And you moan childless loss
Innocence gone, but it's not forgot
You'll cut your way through it somehow
You remember what I said
The book you left by your bed
The words that we all have lived
The debt
Laura Marling's "Song for Our Daughter" is a poignant ode to the strength and resilience of women in the face of societal pressures and expectations. The first verse is a warning to the daughter that the world will try to influence her choices and make her follow in their footsteps, but it's important to not succumb to that. Marling highlights the patriarchal views of society that often judge women for their actions and choices, especially when it comes to revealing their bodies. She encourages the daughter to listen to her own voice and not let anyone else tell her what to do.
However, the second verse is a reflection of Marling's own fears for her daughter growing up and being impacted by the same societal pressures. She worries about the misinformation and myths that society perpetuates, which might cloud her daughter's judgement and decision-making. She assures her daughter that even though there may be times when she might be misled, she will always remember what her mother taught her through the book left by her bed.
The last verse acknowledges that even if the daughter goes through tough times, she is strong enough to get through them. It's a reminder that she is not defined by society's expectations of her and that she has the power to make her own choices. Marling ends the song on a note of hope, celebrating the debt of survival and resilience that has been passed down through generations of women.
Line by Line Meaning
Though they may want you
They may try to influence you
To tread in their trail
To follow in their footsteps
Only to see if the path they set fails
Just to prove that their way is not the only way
Though they may want you to take off your clothes
They may try to make you vulnerable
Whatever they think that the action exposed
Whatever they think they can gain from seeing you vulnerable
With your clothes on the floor
With your guard lowered
Taking advice from some old balding bore
Following the advice of someone who doesn't understand your situation
You'll ask yourself
You'll question your own decisions
Did I want this at all
Did I really choose this path
Do you remember what I said
Remember my words of caution
The book I left by your bed
The lessons that I shared with you
The words that some survivor read
The experiences that others have learned from
Lately I've been thinking
I'm contemplating
About our daughter growing old
Concerned about our daughter's future
All of the bullshit that she might be told
All the lies and manipulations she may encounter
There's blood on the floor
Someone has been hurt
Maybe not, I believe her for sure
I trust her perspective
She remembers what I said
She's heeding my advice
The book I left by her bed
The wisdom that I gave her
The words that some survivor read
The experiences that others have shared
Though they may take you
Even if they take everything from you
For all you had left
For what you have left to give
You won't be forgotten
You'll still be remembered
For what you had not done yet
For the things you have yet to accomplish
So you asked for a kiss from God
You prayed for guidance
And you moan childless loss
Regretting not having started sooner
Innocence gone, but it's not forgot
You've lost your naivety but not your determination
You'll cut your way through it somehow
You'll find a way forward
The debt
The price that we all pay to survive
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: George Jephson, Laura Marling
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
pazer
This song alone deserves 10 Grammys. It's the human soul in the form of music.
Matthew Woodley
I've been a fan of Laura's music for so many years and it just grows more and more beautiful.
Emiliano Rios Villarreal
Esto realmente me tocó el corazón de una forma que no puedo explicar
Parkhi Nagar
Congrats on the Grammy Nomination!!!!❤❤❤
Fiona Fey Music
Clicked through to see what was new, strange synchronicity, I also put out a song called 'For You' this week. (At the time a song for an unborn child who is now 16 m/o ❤)
Another gorgeous lot of songs from Laura Marling, that's my night sorted :)
anthony green
Beautiful and emotive. As always.
Stuart Coles
She sings to my heart
Garret Henderson
This is one of the best songs I've ever heard.
HeartSinking
Gorgeous song ❤️
Bes
So beautiful ❤