The Beginning Of Doves
Marc Bolan Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Egyptian song singer how it's always been
Only crystal legends know I've lost the Kissing Ring
The ring was golden small, unseen to those who crawl
For lovers all walk tall, they've seen most everything
The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da
The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da

The battle sins of some are acquainted
With a son who only walks at night with shoes in pulling time
The legend on him snag, and making it all a drag
When the Kissing Ring is found, they'll destroy the only sound





The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da
The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da

Overall Meaning

In Marc Bolan's song The Beginning Of Doves, the singer references Egyptian mythology and the concept of a Kissing Ring, which only a select few know about. The Kissing Ring appears to hold significance for lovers, as those who possess it walk tall and have seen "most everything". The implication is that the loss of the Kissing Ring has led to the singer's downfall, as they now harbour a sense of loss and longing. The second verse offers more detail on this state, implying that the singer is burdened by the "battle sins" of someone else, who seems to be a nocturnal presence that disturbs the peace. The reference to shoes "pulling time" could suggest a feeling of being held back or trapped.


The overall tone of the song is melancholic and introspective, with the repeated refrain of "the ring was the thing that made it all begin" giving the impression that the singer is looking back on a past time with a sense of regret. There is a sense of longing for something that has been lost, and the song suggests that this loss has somehow left the singer feeling incomplete or uncertain. The references to mythology and legend add a degree of mystique to the song, creating a sense of a timeless narrative that is being retold.


Line by Line Meaning

Egyptian song singer how it's always been
Aspiring to be like Egypt's legendary singers, always staying true to his roots


Only crystal legends know I've lost the Kissing Ring
Only the most renowned musicians understand the pain of losing an important aspect of their musical identity


The ring was golden small, unseen to those who crawl
The Kissing Ring was a valuable, but subtle token that went unnoticed by the uninitiated


For lovers all walk tall, they've seen most everything
Experienced lovers are self-assured and have a better understanding of the complexities of love


The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da
The Kissing Ring was the catalyst that started everything off


The battle sins of some are acquainted
The regretful actions of some people are all too familiar


With a son who only walks at night with shoes in pulling time
The son referred to only feels alive when he's walking at night, in time with the rhythm of his shoes


The legend on him snag, and making it all a drag
The weight of expectation and reputation is a burden that's hard to shake off


When the Kissing Ring is found, they'll destroy the only sound
Some people will go to any lengths to obliterate the signs of those who came before them


The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da
The Kissing Ring was the starting point of everything, and there's no escaping its significance




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

Oliver Sutton

"There's 12 versions of this album, I think this is the 1st version from 1974." I agree, this is the version I remember. Thanks for posting.

ian west

Bolan@his BEST!

Ronald Chu

Fucking awsome

tracy reynolds

nothing else like it

Thomas Huth

The early works. Not for anybody but I like it.

Hans Müller

doch, stimmt, yes Sir :)

Hans Müller

early ????????

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