Serenade
Roxy Music Lyrics


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Darkness falls
Around your window pane
A light still burns
But just a smouldering flame
Is it the end of another affair
An open engagement with gloom
Or will you be smiling
When the sun conjures up
A broken spell au clair de lune?

Silhouette
As you draw the shade
Cloak of night
You know it's tailor-made
G-Plan gymnastics
By an everglow fire
Could never mean the same
As summer enchantment
By an old mill steam
From courtly love to costly game
Maybe I'm wrong for seeming
Ungrateful, unforgiving
Oh how it hurts now you're finally leaving
I couldn't take anymore

Now's the time!
Let's hide away
Sacred hours
Saved from yesterday
Boo-hoo willows weep around you still
Mirror reflections of dew
But waterfall pages of an open book
Could shower new horizons soon
Call the tune
Will you swoon




As I croon
Your serenade

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Serenade" by Roxy Music evoke a feeling of darkness and impending gloom. The opening lines "Darkness falls around your window pane, a light still burns but just a smouldering flame" set the mood for the rest of the song. The singer seems to be addressing someone who may have just ended a relationship or is going through a tough time. The lines "an open engagement with gloom, or will you be smiling when the sun conjures up a broken spell au clair de lune?" suggest that there might be hope for a brighter future.


The second verse of the song is more abstract, with lines like "G-Plan gymnastics by an everglow fire could never mean the same as summer enchantment by an old mill steam." The singer seems to be comparing different experiences and suggesting that some things can never be replicated or replaced. The lines "maybe I'm wrong for seeming ungrateful, unforgiving, oh how it hurts now you're finally leaving, I couldn't take anymore" imply that the singer has been hurt by the person they are addressing and is struggling to let them go.


The final chorus of the song encourages the person to "hide away" and enjoy the "sacred hours" away from the troubles of the past. The closing lines "call the tune, will you swoon as I croon your serenade" suggest that the singer still has feelings for the person and wants to offer them comfort.


Line by Line Meaning

Darkness falls
Nighttime has arrived


Around your window pane
The darkness is surrounding your window


A light still burns
There is still a light on


But just a smouldering flame
The light isn't very bright


Is it the end of another affair
Has another relationship ended?


An open engagement with gloom
Are you feeling sad and depressed?


Or will you be smiling
Will you be happy and joyful?


When the sun conjures up
When the sun rises


A broken spell au clair de lune?
Will a broken spell be cast during the moonlight?


Silhouette
The outline of a person or object


As you draw the shade
As you close the curtains


Cloak of night
The darkness of the night


You know it's tailor-made
This moment was meant for you


G-Plan gymnastics
Awkward movements, like those of a G-Plan recliner


By an everglow fire
Next to the warm, glowing fire


Could never mean the same
This moment isn't as special


As summer enchantment
As a magical summer moment


By an old mill steam
Next to an old steam mill


From courtly love to costly game
From a romantic love affair to an expensive game


Maybe I'm wrong for seeming
I might be mistaken for appearing this way


Ungrateful, unforgiving
Unappreciative and resentful


Oh how it hurts now you're finally leaving
It's painful to see you go


I couldn't take anymore
I couldn't handle it


Now's the time!
This is the moment!


Let's hide away
Let's escape and disappear


Sacred hours
Special moments


Saved from yesterday
Saved from the past


Boo-hoo willows weep around you still
The crying willow trees still surround you


Mirror reflections of dew
The reflection of the morning dew on a mirror


But waterfall pages of an open book
New opportunities in life


Could shower new horizons soon
Could bring about new beginnings


Call the tune
I'm in control


Will you swoon
Will you be charmed?


As I croon
As I sing softly


Your serenade
My song dedicated to you




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: BRYAN FERRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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