Ruth Notman is a folk musician and multi-instrumentalist from Nottingham, E… Read Full Bio ↴Ruth Notman is a folk musician and multi-instrumentalist from Nottingham, England. She currently holds three full-length album releases to her name; Her debut, 'Inkwell' (2004) and, most recently, 'Threads' (2007) and 'Life of Lilly' (2009). Her current instrumental repertoire consists of piano, guitar, harp and melodeon. Ruth's music combines a variety of influences including Eliza Carthy, John Renbourn, Marilyn Manson and Seth Lakeman - amalgamating to form a truly fresh and unique brand of folk, but still remaining rooted in the traditions, sights and sounds that surround the genre.

The Life Of Lilly
Ruth Notman Lyrics

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Lilly loved her rocking horse, until she learned to sing
And People'd say long as as she'd play
She's such a pretty thing
And she's all of the time in the world
Lilly loved her brother so, they stood to face it all
Standing high to touch the sky
But yet just three feet tall
And they had all the love in the world

She walked the road to fall through love and war
She gave up all she had and still gave more
Her stars and immense light still burning bright
But then tonight
I'm feeling older now

Lilly she'd look o'er the land she'd like to make her home
It's then she had a loving man, never to be alone
And she had all the love in the world
Lilly, so much older then, with nothing left to fear
Until the day she dared to say, listen all you neaf
For I have all the time in the world

She walked the road to fall through love and war
She gave up all she had and still gave more
Her stars and immense light still burning bright
But then tonight
I'm feeling older now

Lilly she her baby rocked so silently to sleep
Carefully she laid alone and dared to slumber deep

And she held all the love in the world
But Lilly wasn't long for the world

Overall Meaning

The Life of Lilly by Ruth Notman tells the story of Lilly, a woman who lived a full life, faced many challenges and hardships, but ultimately found love and happiness. At the start of the song, we learn that Lilly loved her rocking horse, but she discovered her talent for singing and music, which led people to comment on her beauty and talent. She shared a strong bond with her brother, and despite their height difference, they stood tall together. They had all the love in the world, which suggests that their relationship was unbreakable and strong.

As the song progresses, we learn that Lilly experienced the harsh realities of life as she walked the road to fall through love and war, giving up everything she had and still giving more. Her immense light shone bright, which hints her resilience and perseverance. The lyrics "I'm feeling older now" emphasize the toll that life had taken on her. However, despite all of this, Lilly found a loving man and a place to call home, and she declared that she had all the time in the world, which indicates her contentment and satisfaction in life.

In the final verse, Lilly is shown as an older woman, who had become a mother and was so careful with her baby. She continued to maintain her capacity for love, a quality that had remained constant throughout her life. The last line "But Lilly wasn't long for the world" suggests that despite her struggles and triumphs, her time on this earth was limited.

Line by Line Meaning

Lilly loved her rocking horse, until she learned to sing
Lilly enjoyed playing on her rocking horse until she discovered her singing talents.

And People'd say long as as she'd play She's such a pretty thing And she's all of the time in the world
People complimented Lilly on her beauty and thought she had all the time in the world to play.

Lilly loved her brother so, they stood to face it all Standing high to touch the sky But yet just three feet tall And they had all the love in the world
Lilly had a strong bond with her brother, even though they were small. They faced everything together and had all the love in the world.

She walked the road to fall through love and war She gave up all she had and still gave more Her stars and immense light still burning bright But then tonight I'm feeling older now
Lilly went through many challenges in life, including love and war. She gave up everything she had and kept shining bright. However, tonight she felt older and tired.

Lilly she'd look o'er the land she'd like to make her home It's then she had a loving man, never to be alone And she had all the love in the world
Lilly dreamed of finding a home and love, which she eventually found in a good man. She had all the love in the world.

Lilly, so much older then, with nothing left to fear Until the day she dared to say, listen all you neaf For I have all the time in the world
Lilly grew older and had nothing left to fear, but she wanted to share her message with others. She realized she had all the time in the world.

Lilly she her baby rocked so silently to sleep Carefully she laid alone and dared to slumber deep And she held all the love in the world But Lilly wasn't long for the world
Lilly lovingly rocked her baby to sleep and fell asleep herself. She held all the love in the world, but unfortunately, she did not have much time left in the world.

Contributed by Eliana C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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