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
Stags Bellow
Martha Tilston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The lyrics of Martha Tilston's song Stags Bellow are introspective and evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia. In the first stanza, the singer is searching for someone who is no longer with them, asking "Where are you?" and wondering who "shares the frying pan with you." The use of the frying pan as a metaphor for a shared life implies a deep connection between the two people. The singer then reflects on moving forward without this person, wondering if they have also found security and stability in their absence.
The second stanza shifts to a scene of stags bellowing in the Royal Park, an autumnal image that the singer loves. The beauty of this moment brings back memories of the person who is now gone, and the singer wonders who they are now and if they still have the same free-spiritedness as when they first met. The final stanza is filled with longing for that person to return, to dance together again and experience the same love they once had. The singer is willing to give up everything they have for the chance to feel that love again.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are you?
Asking about the whereabouts of the person being addressed.
Where are you?
Repeating the question, implying a sense of urgency.
Who shares the frying pan with you
Asking who is sharing a domestic space with the person being addressed.
I move forward, these days forward
Implying personal growth and progress.
Did you stay, did security kick in?
Asking if the person being addressed stayed in their comfort zone, or if they ventured out despite fear and uncertainty.
Stags bellow in the Royal Park
Describing the sound of stags bellowing in a park.
I watch them throw their heads back
Describing the visual of stags throwing their heads back while bellowing.
All hiding in the autumn mist
Describing how the stags are obscured by the autumn mist.
Oh lord I love this time of year
Expressing love and appreciation for autumn.
I love this time of year
Repeating the sentiment about loving autumn.
So where are you
Reiterating the question about the person being addressed.
And who are you
Asking for further clarification about the identity of the person being addressed.
Are you big waves, big sea, Atlantic blue
Asking if the person being addressed is powerful and awe-inspiring like the ocean.
I kept moving, little nomad
Describing the singer as a wanderer.
Do you remember how that gypsy soul was you?
Questioning if the person being addressed recalls their own once free-spirited nature.
It takes me back to a time when you would come around
Reflecting on a time when the person being addressed was present.
And throw your arms over my shoulders and dance me 'round
Recalling a physical moment of affection between the singer and the person being addressed.
We'd sparkle and spiral right into and through each other
Describing a sense of intense connection between the two individuals.
And then back to the ground
Acknowledging a return to reality after a moment of romantic escapism.
And all of my riches I would give
Expressing the depth of the singer's love for the person being addressed.
All of my poetry, all my songs I'm yet to sing
Describing the value the singer places on their art, and conveying a willingness to give it all up for the person being addressed.
And all my words, all my secrets, all my riches
Repeating the sentiment about giving all the singer has to the person being addressed.
Everything I have just to feel that love like that
Expressing a desire to experience love like they once did with the person being addressed.
Could come around again
Hoping for the opportunity to feel that love again.
Gonna come around again
Asserting the belief that the love will return.
It'll come around again
Repeating the belief that the love will return.
It could come around again
Acknowledging that the return of that love is a possibility.
Can you come around again
Asking if the person being addressed is capable of returning the love.
Will you come around again
Asking if the person being addressed will return the love.
Will you come around again
Repeating the question, emphasizing its importance.
Contributed by Benjamin 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