Marty Willson-Piper is a guitarist and member of australian independent roc… Read Full Bio ↴Marty Willson-Piper is a guitarist and member of australian independent rock band The Church.

After busking his way around the world, the englishman found himself in Australia. Having taken in an early concert by The Church, which were at that time performing as a three-piece, Willson-Piper soon joined Steve Kilbey, Peter Koppes and Nick Ward in 1980, expanding the band's lineup and broadening its sound.

Along with contributing to each of The Church's studio releases, he has maintained a steady solo effort since the mid-1980s and released several albums under his own name. Ever since, when all commitment allows it and the opportunity provides itself, Marty has been doing sporadic solo performances all over the world as well as a few tours in Australia and the USA. So far there have been released 3 solo live-albums, all documenting the spontanity, immediacy, intimacy, joy & brilliant guitarplay which make these events so special. 2004s Live From The Other Side being the latest.

Other side projects and collaborations include two stints as guitarist for UK rock group All About Eve, David Gedge's Cinerama and work with Jules Shear, Tom Verlaine, Martin Rössel, Brix Smith of The Fall and Aimee Mann.

In 2005, Willson-Piper joined veteran band The Saints to record the album Nothing Is Staight In My House and tour. The same year he also played guitar on the track Oceans on the album Fresh Wine For The Horses by Rob Dickinson.

In 2008 he played guitar and contributed vocally on the track Beatles And The Stones, originally written by The House Of Love, on the album Treason by norwegian artist Marte Heggelund.

He also works with long-time friend Andy 'Dare' Mason under the name Noctorum

Swan
Marty Willson-Piper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you sway
In the breeze of moving reeds
Swim away
Then fly out in the universe
With grace

Softly down
You lose a feather from your snow

There's no sound
Just whispers from the waters you have found

Wings of silk
Curves of beauty to behold
Face of milk
Oh my swan
The gift of you unfolds
Unfolds
Unfolds

White opaque
Fabled goddess
Drifts and dreams
In your wake
Astounded by the wonders that you make

You glide by
I stay loyal to my queen
Don't have to try
Swans they stay together
All their lives

Raise your head
Stroke your neck that's soft and long

Have I said
Oh my swan the gift of you I want

Overall Meaning

The song "Swan" by Marty Willson-Piper is a beautiful and poetic tribute to the majesty and grace of swans. The song opens with an invitation to join the swan in its natural habitat, swaying in the breeze of moving reeds and swimming away. The swan then spreads its wings and flies out into the universe with grace. The imagery of the swan's movements is meant to evoke a sense of freedom and beauty that the singer of the song is in awe of.

As the song progresses, the singer continues to describe the swan's physical attributes and the effect it has on those around it. The swan is described as having wings of silk and curves of beauty to behold, and its face is compared to milk in terms of its pure whiteness. The singer is astounded by the beauty of the swan and its ability to create wonders, as evidenced by the way it glides by and leaves its mark in its wake.

The final verse of the song is addressed directly to the swan, with the singer expressing his desire to be with the swan and enjoy its beauty. The singer strokes the swan's neck, which is described as being soft and long, and expresses his desire to have the gift of the swan in his life.

Line by Line Meaning

If you sway
If you move gently

In the breeze of moving reeds
In the wind blowing through the tall grasses

Swim away
Move through the water

Then fly out in the universe
Leave this world

With grace
With elegance and beauty

Softly down
Silently falling

You lose a feather from your snow
A white feather falls from you

There's no sound
It's completely quiet

Just whispers from the waters you have found
Only the sound of water moving around you can be heard

Wings of silk
Soft, smooth wings

Curves of beauty to behold
Beautiful shapes and lines to look at