Rachel Unthank, and sister Becky, were raised in an environment permeated with music and folk song. Both of their parents are singers, and the sisters have been attending and performing at folk festivals for as long as they can remember. Later joined by two additional musicians, 'Rachel Unthank & The Winterset' came into being, and released an award-winning début album. Pianist / singer Belinda O'Hooley played an important part in pushing the harmonies, textures and sounds of the group beyond the usual folk boundaries, which rapidly made them stand out among their peers. Fiddle and vocals on their first album, 'Cruel Sister', were provided by Jackie Oates.
'Cruel Sister' was an excellent folk album; however, it is dwarfed as an achievement by its successor, 'The Bairns'. The lineup only changed by Niopha Keegan replacing Oates (who launched a highly successful solo career); but this is a much more confident, in some ways difficult, but compelling record. Originals appeared for the first time alongside traditional material and unexpected covers from elsewhere. 'The Bairns' picked up a Mercury nomination and the band surged to greater renown on the back of it and a relentless live schedule.
However, a little while later, O'Hooley decided to leave (she has since released solo material and formed the duo O'Hooley & Tidow), and after trying another couple of pianists, the quartet was eventually disbanded, the Unthank sisters and Keegan forming three-fifths of the nucleus of the bigger group The Unthanks, who have continued to equal artistic daring and greater success.
From the types of song they sing, to the unmissable passion in their performance, it is clear they believe in 'keeping folk alive'. Nominated for the Mercury Prize 2008 for the album The Bairns.
Since 2009, they have been known as The Unthanks.
I Wish
Rachel Unthank & The Winterset Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish I was a maid again
But a maid again I never can be
Till apples grow on an orange tree
I wish my baby it was born
And smiling on its daddy's knee
Then I would go to yon churchyard
When my apron-strings hung low
He followed me through frost and snow
But now my apron's to my chin
He goes on by and says nothing
Oh grief, oh grief, please tell me why
That girl has more gold than I
More gold than I, more beauty, more fame
Yet for her it will be the same
So I wish, I wish, but it's all in vain
I wish I was a maid again
But a maid again I never can be
Till apples grow on an orange tree
The lyrics of this traditional English folk song convey a deep sense of yearning for the past, as well as a longing for things that are impossible or unlikely to happen. The singer expresses a desire to return to a time when she was a maid, before she had taken on the burdens of adulthood and motherhood. However, she recognizes that this is impossible, stating that she will never be a maid again "till apples grow on an orange tree." This line is a metaphorical expression of the impossibility of her wish, as apples and oranges are two very different types of fruit that do not normally grow on the same tree.
The singer's longing for a baby that is not yet born is another example of her impossible wishes. She imagines her child smiling on its daddy's knee, but then states that she would go to the churchyard and let the grass grow over her. This suggests that she may be considering taking her own life, perhaps out of despair over her current circumstances or a fear of the future.
The final stanza of the song shifts from the singer's personal longings to a more general expression of grief over inequality and injustice. She laments that another girl has "more gold" and "more beauty" than she does, yet her fate will be the same. This suggests a sense of resignation to the idea that life is unfair and that some people will always have advantages while others struggle. Overall, the song conveys a sense of sadness and longing for what cannot be, yet also recognizes the harsh realities of life and the need to accept one's limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish, I wish, but it's all in vain
Despite my fervent desires and hopes, they will never come to pass, and I must accept reality
I wish I was a maid again
I long to return to a simpler time in my life, before my current hardships and struggles
But a maid again I never can be
I understand that returning to the past is impossible, and I must make the best of my current situation
Till apples grow on an orange tree
This is a metaphorical impossibility, emphasizing the notion that my desired outcome is truly unattainable
I wish my baby it was born
I yearn for the birth of my child, which would bring immense joy to both me and my partner
And smiling on its daddy's knee
I envision a happy family gathering, with my partner holding our child and beaming with pride and love
Then I would go to yon churchyard
Should my wish come true, I could peacefully rest in a nearby churchyard, content and fulfilled
And let the long green grass grow over me
This is a symbol of acceptance and finality, suggesting that I could pass away peacefully, with no regrets
When my apron-strings hung low
This refers to a time when I was young, innocent, and carefree, an idyllic period that I fondly remember
He followed me through frost and snow
My partner was a devoted and loyal companion, always there to support me during difficult times
But now my apron's to my chin
As I've grown older and experienced new challenges, I've lost some of my youthful naivete and innocence
He goes on by and says nothing
My partner seems distant and uncommunicative, perhaps reflective of our changing relationship over time
Oh grief, oh grief, please tell me why
I'm filled with sorrow and sadness, and I'd like to understand the root cause of my emotional turmoil
That girl has more gold than I
I'm envious of another woman who seems to have more success and happiness in life than I do
More gold than I, more beauty, more fame
This is a further reflection of my sense of inadequacy, as I compare myself unfavorably to others
Yet for her it will be the same
Even if this woman has achieved more than I have, she too will face struggles and hardships in life
Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lover65
I wish, I wish, but it's all in vain
I wish I was a maid again
But a maid again I never can be
Till apples grow on an orange tree
I wish my baby it was born
And smiling on its daddy's knee
Then I would go to yon churchyard
And let the long green grass grow over me
When my apron-strings hung low
He followed me through frost and snow
But now my apron's to my chin
He goes on by and says nothing
Oh grief, oh grief, please tell me why
That girl has more gold than I
More gold than I, more beauty, more fame
Yet for her it will be the same
So I wish, I wish, but it's all in vain
I wish I was a maid again
But a maid again I never can be
Till apples grow on an orange tree
@abdelhamidaribi5986
by order of the Peaky Blinders
@MaheshKatre47
Peaky fooking blinders.
@sargonyalda3502
By order of the Peaky Fooking Blinders
@Buzzard061
Spooky
@kye5001
And worzel gummidge:)
@user-wz6il9nn2c
Peaky fookin blinders
@jfreijser
Peaky Blinders brought me here too ;) I have found the PB-soundtrack amazing throughout, and when I heard this behind Arthur's mental turmoil, I knew it had to be one of the Unthank sisters... It's excruciatingly beautiful, like "Guard yer man weel". I wonder who is responsible for the soundtrack of Peaky Blinders. He or she should be mentioned in the credits, as well as all the actual musicians performing the music.
@amc167
Jan Freijser its true! You would think considering how distinctive the soundtrack is that the music team would be more recognised. I know Amelia Hartley was supervisor in the first couple of seasons.
@blade5308
Couldn't agree more. All the music perfectly captures each character's emotions, it's fucking beautiful.
@Nathankaye
Antony Genn, formerly of Pulp and The Hours, curated the soundtrack as well as composing original tracks for Peaky Blinders season four with his musical partner Martin Slattery.
Read more at https://www.nme.com/news/music/man-behind-peaky-blinders-soundtrack-tells-us-artist-best-represents-tommy-shelby-2202721#YObAfy6YO4dwR36P.99