Ralph McTell is probably best known for the song Streets of London which has been covered by over a hundred artists around the world. From Clare to Here has proved almost as popular, during a long and continuing recording and performing career.
McTell's guitar style has been influenced by many of the USA's country blues 'Piedmont- style' guitar players of the early 20th century, including Blind Blake and Blind Willie McTell, from whom he took his name.
Michael In the Garden
Ralph McTell Lyrics
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Caught in a spider's web, its broken wings beating, a butterfly dying
Oh la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
And they in their wisdom say
"Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind."
Well, they must be blind if they can't see what Michael sees.
Michael is silent, talking to no one of things that he sees
Oh la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
And they in their wisdom say
"Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind."
They've seen the signs, but they can't see what Michael sees.
And inside the building someone is calling his name through the halls
But he doesn't answer, though he easily hears each leaf as it falls
Oh la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
And they in their wisdom say
"Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind."
Well they must be blind, for they can't see what Michael sees.
Michael where are you?
Michael where are we
We who see that there's something wrong with your mind?
And inside the garden Michael is smiling, at peace in his world
At one with the insects, the flowers, and the trees
And the wind and the birds
Oh la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
Oh Michael sees all
Behind the high walls
Surrounding his kingdom
Whilst we in our wisdom
Still trapped in the spider's web
Far from the flow and ebb
Of life in the garden
But Michael has pardoned
Us for he sees
That really he's free
And there's nothing to mend
For his wings are not broken.
And they in their wisdom say
"Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind."
They've seen the signs, but Michael feels fine inside the garden...
Ralph McTell's song, "Michael In the Garden," is a poignant portrayal of an individual named Michael, who is living in two different worlds: one in the garden and the other inside the building. To everyone else, Michael appears to be unwell and "something wrong" with him "mind." However, Michael is the only one who can see the beauty and harmony in nature. He smiles and whispers among the plants and insects but is somber and quiet, caught up in his own world as soon as he enters the building. The opening lines showcase Michael in distress as he sees a butterfly struggling in a spider's web, magnifying his distress.
The lyrics symbolize how society does not appreciate the beauty in the natural world, and how we are conditioned to embrace only what is visible and rational. Michael's blissful demeanor in the garden suggests that he is in a better state than those who are trapped inside the building. McTell suggests that the situation begs the question: which world is more real or mentally stable? Those in the building or Michael in the garden? McTell wants us to recognize that there is a possibility of a world beyond the walls of our mind where beauty and harmony exist.
Line by Line Meaning
Out in the garden, amongst the bushes, Michael is crying
Michael is crying in the garden among the bushes.
Caught in a spider's web, its broken wings beating, a butterfly dying
Michael is watching a dying butterfly struggling to free itself from a spider's web.
And they in their wisdom say "Michael's got something wrong, wrong, wrong with his mind."
People think Michael has something wrong with his mind.
Well, they must be blind if they can't see what Michael sees.
The people are unable to understand Michael's perception.
Michael is silent, talking to no one of things that he sees
Michael never shares his thoughts with anyone.
But out in the garden, he talks in soft whispers, like the wind in the leaves
Michael whispers to himself about what he sees in the garden.
And inside the building someone is calling his name through the halls
Someone is calling Michael from inside the building.
But he doesn't answer, though he easily hears each leaf as it falls
Michael hears everything around him in the garden and ignores the calls from inside the building.
Michael where are you?
Someone is looking for Michael.
Michael where are we
The artist is asking Michael where they are.
We who see that there's something wrong with your mind?
The singer believes there is something wrong with Michael's mind.
And inside the garden Michael is smiling, at peace in his world
Michael is happy and content inside the garden.
At one with the insects, the flowers, and the trees
Michael feels connected to nature and it brings him peace.
And the wind and the birds
Michael appreciates the sounds of the wind and birds in the garden.
Oh Michael sees all
Michael can see everything.
Behind the high walls
Michael is surrounded by high walls.
Surrounding his kingdom
The walls surround Michael's kingdom in the garden.
Whilst we in our wisdom
Others who are outside the garden believe they have wisdom.
Still trapped in the spider's web
Others are still trapped in the negative aspects of life outside the garden.
Far from the flow and ebb
Others are far from the natural balance of life.
Of life in the garden
Michael experiences the positive aspects of life in the garden.
But Michael has pardoned
Michael forgives others for not understanding him.
Us for he sees
Michael understands the perspective of others.
That really he's free
Michael feels free in the garden.
And there's nothing to mend
There is no need to fix anything in Michael's perception.
For his wings are not broken.
Michael's perception is still whole and unbroken.
They've seen the signs, but Michael feels fine inside the garden...
Others have noticed signs of Michael's unique perception, but Michael feels happy in the garden.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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