Marlow studied at the National Art School of Sydney. She grew up in the same house that the Bee Gees lived in before they moved to London. She lives with a range of illnesses including fibromyalgia, lupus and Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome.
Dust
Martha Marlow Lyrics
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Who knows where it may fall
I can only step over
To the sunny side of the road
Days come into winter
And he watches on not saying a word
He sees things
I know just what you are
I know I know who you are
The wisest words aren't spoken
When will you see
They're written in the skies
But you're still afraid
And still using your smoke and mirrors
When you sleep on you feather bed
And I lay my head on the cold hard floor
At least when I wake up
I know where the ground is
I know just what you are
I know I know who you are
I know just what you are
Underneath it all
The night it came down like thunder
And found me alone at the top of my hill
I go there in search of peace and solitude
And he's somewhere at the bottom
Head in the clouds
Waiting to climb up still
Searching for adventure
Fame and fortune
And there where the dust lies
In the grains of a song
And the layers we built
When there's nothing left to say
There's nothing left to hide
I know just what you are
I know I know who you are
I know just what you are
Underneath it all
It all
It all
So let the dust fall
The lyrics of Martha Marlow's song Dust seem to revolve around the theme of perspective and the different ways people view and experience life. The opening lines talk about a great wind that scatters dust, and while some may be uncertain of where it may fall, the singer focuses on stepping over it and moving towards the sunny side of the road. This can be interpreted as a metaphorical way of dealing with the unpredictability of life - instead of being bogged down by uncertainty, the singer chooses to focus on what they can control and the positive aspects of their situation.
The second verse introduces another perspective, that of a person who seems to observe life from the dark side of the road. They watch on silently as days turn into winter, suggesting a sense of detachment or melancholy. The next lines, "I know just what you are, I know I know who you are", hint at a deeper understanding or insight into this person's character or situation that isn't immediately apparent. The third verse further contrasts the singer with this person, describing the former as sleeping on a cold hard floor while the latter is comfortably lying in a feather bed. Despite this, the singer finds comfort in knowing where the ground is when they wake up, suggesting a different kind of security that comes from simplicity and being in touch with reality.
The final verse brings together these perspectives and ties them to the overarching theme of the song. The singer talks about going to the top of a hill to seek peace and solitude, while the person from the second verse is at the bottom waiting to climb up and find adventure and fortune. However, it's in the dust lying in the grains of a song that they both meet, along with the layers they've built up over time. When there's nothing left to say or hide, they're left with the truth of who they are - a realization that the singer has already come to. The final line, "so let the dust fall", can be interpreted as an invitation to accept the impermanence and unpredictability of life, and find meaning and clarity in the midst of it all.
Line by Line Meaning
The great wind blew before us Scattered dust
We were confronted with a strong wind that blew dust all around us
Who knows where it may fall
It's impossible to predict where the dust will go
I can only step over To the sunny side of the road
The only thing I can do is leave the dusty path and move towards a brighter path
Days come into winter And he watches on not saying a word He sees things From the dark side of the road
As the days get colder, someone is observing everything from a negative perspective and chooses to remain silent
I know just what you are I know I know who you are
I have a clear understanding of your true nature
The wisest words aren't spoken When will you see They're written in the skies But you're still afraid And still using your smoke and mirrors
The most profound truths aren't always spoken aloud, but the person I'm addressing is still living in a world of illusion and fear
When you sleep on you feather bed And I lay my head on the cold hard floor At least when I wake up I know where the ground is
I sleep on uncomfortable ground, but at least I know where I stand in life
The night it came down like thunder And found me alone at the top of my hill I go there in search of peace and solitude
During a dark period in my life, I retreat to a peaceful spot to escape my troubles
And he's somewhere at the bottom Head in the clouds Waiting to climb up still Searching for adventure Fame and fortune
Someone I know is always chasing after the next big thing, never content with their current situation
And there where the dust lies In the grains of a song And the layers we built When there's nothing left to say There's nothing left to hide
In the remnants of a dusty landscape, the truth is present in the lyrics of a song and the structures we've created. When everything is said and done, there is no more hiding
I know just what you are I know I know who you are I know just what you are Underneath it all
I have a deep understanding of your true nature and what truly lies beneath the surface
So let the dust fall
Accept what has happened and let go; allow the remnants of the past to fall and move on
Contributed by Anthony L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Passerby8822
I only just today discovered Martha Marlow as she sang I Believe in Season 2 Episode 2 of A Place Called Home
It took some doing, but I found her here.
Her voice is honey and cream.
@judywilliams5056
And 4 years later, I discovered Martha’s amazing voice while watching the same episode in the U.K.! What a unique, beautiful voice
@GreatVoltairesGhost
There are a very, very few things in this shabby world that make everything worthwhile. This is one of them.
@bronwynecollinson2759
Just listened & discovered you on to radio today being interviewed. Love your smooth soft voice. Would love to see you live.
@jorgepereira1902
Amazing I never heard about you...beautiful tune and your voice and way of singing is out of this world. Hope you get famous, if you aren't already!
@toucanofficial
I love this! :) Martha is beautiful!
@charlottegoode1272
This is beautiful!
@vicksterhawk
so lovely..... a star
@sumsummerlovin
Oh my gosh, I love this ! :)
@jeffsmith4800
Dust: Probably my favourite MM song - it is beautiful. Love the tuning - have no idea what it is. Songs like dust and into the woods I can only describe as ethereal.
I wanted to comment on the Qantas add - I listen to a lot of youtube music and this is the only add that I regularly listen to because the song is probably better than the one I am waiting to hear. Great voice unique sound. Love it.