Garrett has performed across the whole world and has also sung opera and pop classics with Bryan Ferry, The Eurythmics and Mick Hucknall to celebrate the arrival of the new century on Millennium Eve, in the grounds at the Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum.
She played the lead role of Hanna Glawari, in the Welsh National Opera's production of The Merry Widow, which toured the United Kingdom in 2005. As of November 2006, Garrett was performing as Mother Abbess for six months, in Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of The Sound of Music.
As a recording artist, Garrett has released eleven solo albums. Many of her albums have received gold and silver status. Soprano in Red received the Gramophone Award for "Best-selling Classical Artist of the Year". Garrett was also a featured artist on the platinum selling Perfect Day single released by the BBC in aid of Children in Need.
Garrett is a member of the board of the English National Opera. In 2002, she was awarded the CBE for services to music.
She is also a presenter on the UK commercial radio station "Classic FM".
He Moved Through the Fair
Lesley Garrett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my father won't slight you for your lack of kine,
And he stepped away from me and this he did say,
It will not be long love 'til our wedding day.
He stepped away from me and he moved through the fair,
And fondly I watched him move here and move there,
Then he went his way homeward with one star awake,
The people were saying no two were e'er wed,
But one has a sorrow that never was said,
And I smiled as he passed with his goods and his gear,
And that was the last that I saw of my dear.
I dreamt it last night that my young love came in,
So softly he entered her feet made no din,
He came close beside me and this he did say,
It will not be long love 'til our wedding day.
The song He Moved Through the Fair by Lesley Garrett is a beautiful and haunting piece that tells the story of a young couple in love. The singer's young love assures her that his parents will not object to her lack of possessions or wealth, and promises that their wedding day is fast approaching. He then steps away from her and moves through the fair, and as she watches him leave, she sees only one star in the sky. The tale takes a sad turn as the people around them suggest that the young couple will never actually get married, and the singer is left smiling as she watches her love leave with his goods and gear, without realizing that it is the last time she will ever see him.
The second verse is somewhat of a dream sequence, as the singer recalls a vivid dream where her love returns to her, silently entering as she sleeps. He assures her once again that their wedding day is approaching, and then disappears once more. The lyrics of the song are deeply emotional and poignant, conveying a sense of longing and loss. The mention of the fair, the swan in the evening, and the single star all add to the dream-like quality of the story.
Line by Line Meaning
My young love said to me, my mother won't mind
My lover assured me that his mother would approve of our union
And my father won't slight you for your lack of kine
He also said that my family's financial standing would not be an issue with his father
And he stepped away from me and this he did say
He moved away from me and uttered these words
It will not be long love 'til our wedding day
We don't have to wait long before we get married
He stepped away from me and he moved through the fair
He left and walked through the crowd
And fondly I watched him move here and move there
I watched him affectionately as he moved around the fair
Then he went his way homeward with one star awake
He departed towards his home with only one shining star in sight
As the swan in the evening moves over the lake
His serene movement reminded me of a swan gliding over a lake in the evening
The people were saying no two were e'er wed
People were spreading rumors that we would not end up married
But one has a sorrow that never was said
However, only I know the deep sadness that I feel
And I smiled as he passed with his goods and his gear
I smiled as he passed by carrying his belongings
And that was the last that I saw of my dear
That was the last time I ever saw my beloved
I dreamt it last night that my young love came in
Recently, I had a dream that my lover returned to me
So softly he entered her feet made no din
He came in quietly, not making a sound with his feet
He came close beside me and this he did say
He came near me and spoke these words
It will not be long love 'til our wedding day
He reassured me that our wedding day would soon arrive
Writer(s): Maggie Reilly, Frank Peterson Copyright: Hanseatic Musikverlag Gmbh & Co. Kg, Discoton Musik Ed. Gmbh
Contributed by Adeline N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.