The Garden
On Wings Lyrics
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Whom trees that knew your sires shall cease to know
And still stand silent — is it all a show
A wisp that laughs upon the wall?—decree
Of some inexorable supremacy
Which ever, as man strains his blind surmise
From depth to ominous depth, looks past his eyes
Sphinx-faced with unabashèd augury?
Nay, rather question the Earth's self. Invoke
The storm-felled forest-trees moss-grown to-day
Whose roots are hillocks where the children play
Or ask the silver sapling 'neath what yoke
Those stars, that through his spray-crown watch the oak
When even his gnarled boughs shrink, shall hold their way
The lyrics in the song "The Garden" by On Wings speak to the ephemeral nature of human life and the enduring power of nature. The opening lines suggest that death is a common experience for all humans, crossing the metaphorical hills of mortality. The reference to trees that no longer recognize the descendants of those who planted them reflects the passage of time and the inevitable forgetfulness that comes with it. The line "And still stand silent – is it all a show" questions the purpose and meaning of life, wondering if it is merely a fleeting illusion.
The next stanza delves deeper into existential contemplation, pondering whether there is a supreme force that governs the mysteries of life and death. The mention of strained surmise and ominous depths suggests humanity's futile attempt to understand the enigmatic nature of existence. The image of a Sphinx with unabashed augury speaks to the ancient mythological figure's ability to perceive hidden truths and foretell the future.
However, the lyrics then shift to a different perspective, urging the listener to question the Earth itself. The singer encourages invoking the wisdom of the natural world, exemplified by storm-felled trees covered in moss. These trees, once mighty, now serve as playgrounds for children, demonstrating the cycle of life and renewal. The silver sapling symbolizes the potential for growth and resilience, even in the face of adversity. The mention of stars watching over the oak suggests a cosmic perspective, reminding us of the vastness of the universe and our place within it.
Overall, "The Garden" explores existential questions about the transitory nature of human existence, the mysteries of life and death, and the enduring power of nature to offer solace and answers.
Line by Line Meaning
Ye who have passed Death's haggard hills; and ye
Those who have experienced the journey through death and those who will eventually pass through it
Whom trees that knew your sires shall cease to know
The trees that witnessed the ancestors will no longer recognize the future generations
And still stand silent — is it all a show
Are the trees merely a spectacle, standing silently as if putting on a performance
A wisp that laughs upon the wall?—decree
Is it a fleeting and mocking presence, laughing from a distance?
Of some inexorable supremacy
Of an unstoppable and dominating power
Which ever, as man strains his blind surmise
That, no matter how hard humans try to understand and guess
From depth to ominous depth, looks past his eyes
As they delve deeper into mysterious depths, it remains beyond their comprehension
Sphinx-faced with unabashèd augury?
Similar to the enigmatic face of the Sphinx, with unwavering and open predictions
Nay, rather question the Earth's self. Invoke
Instead, one should question the Earth itself. Summon
The storm-felled forest-trees moss-grown to-day
The trees that have fallen due to storms but are now covered in moss, present in the current time
Whose roots are hillocks where the children play
Whose roots have become small hills that serve as playgrounds for the children
Or ask the silver sapling 'neath what yoke
Alternatively, inquire with the young silver tree about the burden
Those stars, that through his spray-crown watch the oak
Those stars that peer through the tree's crown of leaves, observing the oak
When even his gnarled boughs shrink, shall hold their way
Even when the oak's twisted branches wither, the stars will continue their journey
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Aleks Popov
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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love this one