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
Rolling
Martha Tilston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're rolling.
And we're rolling, we're rolling, we're rolling downhill
And we're rolling....downhill
to feel again.
Just for a harvest moon or so
no pig in a pen.
And we're rolling, we're rolling, we're rolling...downhill
And I like it, I like it, I like you...more still
Gather round to watch the hand fasting,
drinking our mead.
Saw you dancing to the violin,
my spirit was free
I was rolling, rolling rolling...downhill.
And I liked it, I liked it, I like you...more still
Why don't we just keep on driving?
Never return, never return.
Why don't we just keep on driving?
Never return, never return.
So weaving through the southern roads,
and we feel again.
Just for a harvest moon or so,
no pig in a pen
And we're rolling, we're rolling, we're rolling...downhill again.
And I like it, I like it, I like you...more still
more still
The lyrics of Martha Tilston's song "Rolling" capture the nostalgia and freedom that can be found through travel and adventure. The repetition of "we're rolling, we're rolling" creates a sense of movement and momentum, emphasizing the thrilling experience of exploring new places and leaving behind old routines.
The first verse sets the scene for the journey, with the singer and a companion traveling through the southern roads, seeking to "feel again" and escape the constraints of daily life. The line "no pig in a pen" suggests a desire for freedom and spontaneity, rather than being stuck in a mundane routine.
The second verse describes a scene of celebration and connection, with the group gathering for a hand fasting ceremony and enjoying mead and dancing. The line "my spirit was free" emphasizes the liberating and transformative power of these experiences.
The chorus offers a tantalizing suggestion of leaving everything behind and continuing on this journey forever, never returning to the constraints of normal life. The repetition of "never return" adds a sense of finality and commitment to this idea.
Overall, the lyrics of "Rolling" celebrate the thrill and freedom of adventure, and the transformative power of breaking free from the monotony of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm rolling
We're moving forward
And we're rolling, we're rolling, we're rolling downhill
We're enjoying the experience of moving along with gravity, without any effort
Weaving through the southern roads, to feel again.
We're exploring the countryside with the desire of feeling reinvigorated and alive again
Just for a harvest moon or so, no pig in a pen.
For a brief moment, we want to escape from our mundane, domestic lives and do something spontaneous
And I like it, I like it, I like you...more still
I'm enjoying this experience and being with you makes it even better
Gather round to watch the hand fasting, drinking our mead.
We're participating in a traditional pagan ceremony of symbolic union, with our friends and mead as witnesses
Saw you dancing to the violin, my spirit was free
Watching you dance freely and passionately to the violin music made me forget my worries and feel liberated
Why don't we just keep on driving? Never return, never return.
Why don't we forget our responsibilities, leave everything behind and embark on a perpetual adventure?
And we're rolling, we're rolling, we're rolling...downhill again.
We're experiencing the same carefree joy once again, but it's even better the second time around
And I like it, I like it, I like you...more still
I appreciate this moment with you more and more
Contributed by Alexandra O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PadmeP
Stags Bellow - Martha Tilston
Where are you?
Where are you?
Who shares the frying pan with you
I move forward, these days forward
Did you stay, did security kick in?
Stags bellow in the Royal Park
I watch them throw their heads back
All hiding in the autumn mist
Oh lord I love this time of year
I love this time of year
So where are you
And who are you
Are you big waves, big sea, Atlantic blue
I kept moving, little nomad
Do you remember how that gypsy soul was you?
Stags bellow in the Royal Park
I watch them throw their heads back
All hiding in the autumn mist
Oh lord I love this time of year
I love this time of year
It takes me back to a time when you would come around
And throw your arms over my shoulders and dance me 'round
We'd sparkle and spiral right into and through each other
And then back to the ground
And all of my riches I would give
All of my poetry, all my songs I'm yet to sing
And all my words, all my secrets, all my riches
Everything I have just to feel that love like that
Could come around again
Gonna come around again
It'll come around again
It could come around again
Can you come around again
Will you come around again
Will you come around again
@sovayagrar
What an exquisite song and the animations touched my heart! Just discovered you, what a gift 🥰.
@Witchyfluff
Excellent , the lyrics stir the colours of the imagination ❤️
@dharmsky1
what a beautiful song!!!XXX not want it to end!!! goose bumps on my skin, tears in my eyes!!! What a contribution to the world you are!!!
@LOVESTARLIGHT1
.Your music is divine.Love it.. so many thanks and blessings for sharing such beautiful songs with us Shine onx
@shelleyruddock9967
Just beautiful! looking forward to hearing your new work, Happy Autumn ! x
@magmalavagirl
This song is so peaceful, I never want it to end
@cathrynbutterworth6574
I've only just discovered Martha Tilston... it's so fantastic love this so much .... Thank you 😍
@amarith1972
Still sounding great. Loved listening to rehearsing in the bedroom above mine in Kingston. Keep up the good work. Pete
@juliarichardson9224
Thank you for the warmth you give to us through your voice! Brings me to a soft place. I love this time of year, too, in its colors and splendor! A little bit closer to nature, I can say I am now from the city of San Francisco!.....
@edkuklinski4237
A seriously pretty song, sends shivers up my spine