Tilston is the daughter of acclaimed songwriter Steve Tilston and step-daughter of singer Maggie Boyle. She began writing songs at an early age. After attending drama school, she formed Mouse with guitarist Nick Marshall. They released two albums: Helicopter Trees (2000) and Tales (2001), and played many gigs and festivals throughout the UK and Ireland. Martha's solo debut, Rolling, was self-released in 2003, followed by Bimbling in 2004. In 2005 she assembled The Woods, including members of Semble, to record Ropeswing, which was given away as a free download. 2006 saw a full UK tour and the release of Of Milkmaids And Architects, which earned her a nomination for best new act in the BBC Folk Awards.
Her album Lucy And The Wolves was released in April 2010, and she spent the remainder of that year spent playing live, including supporting Beth Nielsen Chapman on her UK dates.
Her album Machines of Love and Grace was released in 2012.
http://www.marthatilston.co.uk
Rockpools
Martha Tilston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm an old oak next
I'm a girl dancing in her thinnest dress
I'm the floodplains of England in this climate new,
I'm the silk worm in the fingers of a sweatshop youth,
Both of us getting squeezed for the riches of the few.
Give me seaweed and pirates and all that smells good,
But give me rockpools and Cornwall and everything that's pure,
I should have seen what was going on with you,
I think I chose to ignore
But nature is a priest
and she only speaks the truth,
she runs an evening class in the language of our deep composing youth
And it doesn't cost a penny and you don't get any grades, but you can swap your seeds until the daylight fades because there is no copyright on the world that she made.
Give me seaweed and pirates and all that smells good,
I should have loved you better, yes I should, oh I should
But give me rockpools and Cornwall and everything that's pure,
I should have seen what was going on with you,
Oh for sure, for sure
We all went to the market, sold everything we've got,
I should have stood up for you, I think about this a lot.
Yes I should have stood up for you, I think about that a lot.
Oooh rockpools and Cornwall are always deeper than they seem.
I'm gonna love you better, and dare to dream
So I'm gonna love you better, and we can dare to dream.
The song opens with the statement- "I'm an acorn first, I'm an oak next, and I'm a girl dancing in her thinnest dress." This line metaphorically speaks of the journey of growth, i.e., starting from the beginning, growing into an adult, and then reaching the prime of life. Tilston refers to herself as the "floodplains of England," painting herself as a part of her country's heritage, in its changing forms, symbols of constant renewal. She also talks about the silk worm, which is a metaphor for herself, as she feels squeezed for the riches of the few. She highlights the struggle for the working class to survive in society, creating a connection between the exploited silk worm and the exploited working-class.
Tilston then contrasts the concept of poverty with the beauty of nature. She sings about "rockpools and Cornwall," or the serene natural surroundings" that help her escape the harsh reality of life. She talks about choosing to ignore the problems around her because she was so enamored by the natural beauty that surrounded her. Though she should have "loved you better," she chose to ignore the issues and focused only on the beauty around her. But she points out that "nature speaks the truth," and through it, we can learn the "language of our deep composing youth" for free.
The final verse speaks of regret - the missed opportunities to stand up for what was right. But the singer’s love of the natural surroundings gives her the hope and resilience to dare to dream and love better in the future. Overall, the song is about the struggle of growing up and becoming aware of the harsh realities of the world around us, but also finding solace in the natural beauty around us and using that beauty to create hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm an acorn first
I'm a small and nascent thing, with the potential to grow into something strong and sturdy.
I'm an old oak next
As I grow and mature, I become more wise and experienced, rooted in my beliefs and values.
I'm a girl dancing in her thinnest dress
I am carefree and unencumbered, embracing my youth, beauty and femininity in my purest form.
I'm the floodplains of England in this climate new,
I am the changing landscape of England and its climate, adapting to new and uncertain times.
I'm the silk worm in the fingers of a sweatshop youth,
I am the exploited and oppressed, used for my utilitarian value and subject to the pressures of a harsh and unforgiving world.
Both of us getting squeezed for the riches of the few.
We are both at the mercy of a system that privileges the wealthy and powerful, leaving little room for the weak and marginalized.
Give me seaweed and pirates and all that smells good,
Let me revel in the simple pleasures of life, the beauty of the natural world, and the freedom of imagination.
I should have loved you better, yes I should, oh I should
I realize now that I could have been a better friend or partner, and I regret not having been more attentive or supportive.
But give me rockpools and Cornwall and everything that's pure,
But what I really cherish now are the sanctuaries of my childhood, the purity of my memories and the unspoiled beauty of nature.
I should have seen what was going on with you,
I realize now that I should have been more perceptive and compassionate towards your struggles or emotions.
But nature is a priest
But now I realize that nature has a healing power that can help me reconcile with the world and myself.
and she only speaks the truth,
And her truth is universal, honest and clear, accessible to anyone who is willing to listen or learn.
she runs an evening class in the language of our deep composing youth
She provides us with a forum for exploration, discovery and creativity, where we can reclaim our sense of wonder and joy.
And it doesn't cost a penny and you don't get any grades, but you can swap your seeds until the daylight fades because there is no copyright on the world that she made.
And this experience is free, egalitarian and inclusive, encouraging us to exchange ideas, values and stories, and to collaborate towards a more sustainable and harmonious world.
We all went to the market, sold everything we've got,
We all succumbed to the rush of consumerism, sacrificing our authenticity and integrity for material gain.
I should have stood up for you, I think about this a lot.
I realize now that I should have been more courageous and supportive in the face of your vulnerabilities or pain.
Oooh rockpools and Cornwall are always deeper than they seem.
But now I understand that my beloved childhood memories and natural sanctuaries also contain layers of complexity, history and meaning that eludes my simplistic perceptions.
I'm gonna love you better, and dare to dream
But I am committed to a more mindful, compassionate and hopeful way of life, where I can nurture my relationships, my dreams and my values.
So I'm gonna love you better, and we can dare to dream.
So let's embrace our shared humanity, our interdependence and our imagination, and face the future with grace and courage.
Contributed by Nicholas O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.