Lowlands Away
Nils Brown Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I dreamed a dream the other night
Lowlands, lowlands away me John
My love she came, dressed all in white
Lowlands away

I dreamed my love came in my sleep
Lowlands, lowlands away me John
Her cheeks were wet, her eyes did weep
Lowlands away

She came to me at my bedside
Lowlands, lowlands away me John
All dressed in white, like some fair bride
Lowlands away

And bravely in her bossom fair
Lowlands, lowlands away me John
Her red, red rose, my love did wear
Lowlands away

She made no sound, no word she said
Lowlands, lowlands away me John
And then i knew my love was dead
Lowlands away

Then i awoke to hear the cry
Lowlands, Lowlands away me John
Oh watch on deck
Oh watch, ahoy
Lowlands away





YMFT

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Lowlands Away" by Nils Brown tell a story of a dream in which the singer encounters their deceased lover. The dream takes place in the "lowlands," a term used to describe a region of low-lying land, often associated with coastal areas. The singer describes their lover's appearance, dressed all in white like a bride, with tears in her eyes. She carries a red rose in her bosom and makes no sound or speech before the singer realizes that she is dead. The song ends with the singer awakening to the sound of a call to alert the watch on deck.


The lyrics of "Lowlands Away" can be interpreted in various ways, but one common interpretation is that the song is about loss, grief, and the longing for a departed loved one. The dream sequence echoes the melancholy tone of the song, with the singer grasping onto the fleeting moments of the encounter with their lover. The rose in the lover's bosom is a common symbol of love, passion, and beauty, which contrasts with the somber image of death.


One interesting fact about "Lowlands Away" is that it is a traditional sea shanty that has been covered, adapted, and interpreted by various artists throughout history. The origins of the song are uncertain, but it is believed to date back to the 18th century when it was sung by sailors on British and American ships. The lyrics and melody of the song have been modified over time, resulting in several variations of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

I dreamed a dream the other night
I had a dream the other night


Lowlands, lowlands away me John
I was transported away to the Lowlands


My love she came, dressed all in white
My lover appeared before me, adorned in white garments


Lowlands away
I was taken away again to the Lowlands


I dreamed my love came in my sleep
My dream continued, and my love appeared again


Her cheeks were wet, her eyes did weep
She was crying


She came to me at my bedside
She approached me while I slept


All dressed in white, like some fair bride
She was clothed like a beautiful bride


And bravely in her bossom fair
She had a red rose nestled in her chest


Her red, red rose, my love did wear
She wore a red rose with courage and pride


She made no sound, no word she said
She was silent and didn't speak


And then i knew my love was dead
At that moment, I realized she was deceased


Lowlands, Lowlands away me John
Once again, I was taken away to the Lowlands


Oh watch on deck
I heard a call for someone to be on lookout


Oh watch, ahoy
The lookout is being hailed


Lowlands away
I was taken away for a final time to the Lowlands




Writer(s): Traditional, Bob Maxwell

Contributed by Scarlett D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Gobbernaught

I dreamed a dream the other night
Lowlands, lowlands away me John!
My love she came dressed all in white
Lowlands away

I dreamed my love came in my sleep
Lowlands, lowlands away me John!
Her cheeks wer wet, her eyes did weep
Lowlands away

She came to me at my bedside
Lowlands, lowlands away me John!
All dressed in white, like some fair bride
Lowlands away

And bravely in her bosom fair
Lowlands, lowlands away me John!
A red red rose, my love did wear
Lowlands away

She made no sound, no word she said
Lowlands, lowlands away me John!
And then I knew my love was dead
Lowlands away

Then I awoke to hear the cry
Lowlands, lowlands away me John!
Oh watch on deck, oh watch ahoy
Lowlands away



All comments from YouTube:

@maikonplay1

I love the fact that Edward chose this song to be the password to the secret chamber in the Ac syndicate

@c00kie_monstr

Ik I think that it reminds Edward about his wife

@billybear2333

Im playing syndicate atm and noticed that when I did that mission it made me smile :)

@andymcgowan7384

It's those little details that link the whole series together that make me love AC so much.

@ethanschmid4104

I remember playing that part with my younger brother. When we saw the Jackdaw’s wheel, I said to my brother, “Steer that wheel one last time for her, man.” The best part of that game. Black Flag was the best game in the franchise!!!

@jasikblack4810

Absolutely my favorite game in the franchise and this is my favorite song I will stop before docking just to finish this song

22 More Replies...

@sitr2516

As a former sailor this song means a lot to me. For those of you that don't understand. "lowlands away" would have been an announcement made that land was sighted. When you are out on the open ocean land seems to appear all of a sudden and especially back in the day would have been announced to the entire crew, probably being yelled by someone whose job it was to stand watch for such things. "John" would have been a word used to indicate the Bowson, or perhaps the officer of the watch. This individual singing the song is asleep and dreaming while this announcement is being made over and over again. As with most dreams it takes your existing environment and mixes it with the dream. While the announcement is being made over and over again he dreams of his wife/girlfriend on land. It seems as though He made some sort of promise to return to her etc. And right before he arrived back home she died. I suspect the land they are coming back to and the "lowlands away" announcement is being made for, is probably their home port. He just missed her. Very powerful and emotional song. amazing.

@bananabreadguy7960

Thank you for sharing. Your words makes this song more a bit special. For me atleast.

@mr.rocket5835

So is that why many Black Flag shanties have “Johnny” or “John” in them?

@miguelsanchez-ir7do

Ex sailor too I was 18 when I played this game inbetween two carribean trips

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