Ray Jackson of the British folk/rock group Lindisfarne played the mandolin on this track. Stewart forgot Jackson's name and referred to him as "the mandolin player in Lindisfarne" on the album sleeve credits.
Mandolin Wind
Rod Stewart Lyrics
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'Cause I knew how much you loved the sun
But you chose to stay, stay and keep me warm
Through the darkest nights I've ever known
If the mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
Then I know I love ya
Oh the snow fell without a breakBuffalo died in the frozen fields you know
Through the coldest winter in almost fourteen years
I couldn't believe you kept a smile
Now I can rest assured knowing that we've seen the worst
And I know I love ya
Oh I never was good with romantic words
So the next few lines come really hard
Don't have much but what I've got is yours
Except of course my steel guitar
Ha, 'cause I know you don't play
But I'll teach you one day
Because I love ya
I recall the night we knelt and prayed
Noticing your face was thin and pale
I found it hard to hide my tears
I felt ashamed I felt I'd let you down
No mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
Couldn't change a thing no, no
The coldest winter in almost fourteen years
Could never, never change your mind
And I love ya
Yes indeed and I love yaAnd I love ya
Lord I love ya
And I love ya
And I love ya
In "Mandolin Wind," Rod Stewart sings about enduring a difficult time with a loved one. The song's opening lines describe a period of rain, which usually brings gloom and doom. Rod believed that his lover would leave him because he assumed that sunshine was the one thing she needed. Despite his expectation, she chose to stick with him and provide warmth in the dark times, confirming his love for her. "If the mandolin wind couldn't change a thing, Then I know I love ya," he sings, indicating that nothing could ever break their bond.
The song goes on to depict the couple's resilience through the difficult winters that characterize Buffalo. Despite widespread slaughter, which snuffed out hope, the singer's love never wavered. "But I'll teach you one day because I love ya," Stewart sings, hinting that he will always be around to weather any storm with her. He recollects the time they spent putting their faith in prayer, in hopes of restoring her health, which seems to have been in jeopardy. The singer felt inadequate, but he was aware that nothing, not even the harshest elements of life, could undermine their shared love. By the end of the song, he reiterates his love for her, proclaiming his commitment to weathering any storm life throws their way.
Line by Line Meaning
When the rain came I thought you'd leave
I had feared you'd abandon me when the tough times came
'Cause I knew how much you loved the sun
I knew you liked good times and comfort
But you chose to stay, stay and keep me warm
You stuck by me, stayed and kept me well
Through the darkest nights I've ever known
You helped me through my toughest moments
If the mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
If even the powerful mandolin wind couldn't change our situation
Then I know I love ya
Then nothing can change how I feel about you
Oh the snow fell without a break
It was a terrible time, the snow fell persistently
Buffalo died in the frozen fields you know
Even the wildlife had it bad
Through the coldest winter in almost fourteen years
We endured an incredibly harsh winter
I couldn't believe you kept a smile
Despite it all, you remained happy
Now I can rest assured knowing that we've seen the worst
We've passed through tough times and come out strong
And I know I love ya
I'm convinced about my love for you
Oh I never was good with romantic words
I'm not exactly a smooth talker, especially on love matters
So the next few lines come really hard
I'll have a tough time expressing myself here
Don't have much but what I've got is yours
I don't possess much, but whatever I have, it's yours
Except of course my steel guitar. Ha, 'cause I know you don't play
Well, except my guitar which I know you don't fancy
But I'll teach you one day
I'll give you guitar lessons someday
Because I love ya
It's all because I love you
I recall the night we knelt and prayed
I can remember the night we prayed together on our knees
Noticing your face was thin and pale
I could tell you were weak and sickly
I found it hard to hide my tears
I couldn't fight back my tears
I felt ashamed I felt I'd let you down
I was embarrassed that I had failed you
No mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
Even the most powerful forces of nature couldn't change our situation
Couldn't change a thing no, no
Nothing could reverse our situation
The coldest winter in almost fourteen years
It was the most brutal winter in nearly 14 years
Could never, never change your mind
Even such harsh weather could never change your determination
And I love ya
I love you
Yes indeed and I love ya
Absolutely, I love you
Lord I love ya
Indeed, I love you
And I love ya
And I love you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROD STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind