Down In The Willow Garden
Simon & Garfunkel Lyrics


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Down in the willow garden
Where me and my love did meet,
As we set there a courtin',
My love fell off to sleep.

I had a bottle of burgundy wine,
My love she did not know.
So I poisoned that dear little girl
On the banks below.

I drew a saber through her,
It was a bloody knife,
I threw her in the river,
Which was a dreadful sight.

My father oft had told me
That money would set me free

If I would murder that dear little girl
Whose name was Rose Connelly.

My father sits at his cabin door,
Wiping his tear dimmed eyes,
For his only son soon shall walk
To yonder scaffold high.

My race is run beneath the sun,
The scaffold now waits for me,




For I did murder that dear little girl
Whose name was Rose Connelly.

Overall Meaning

The song "Down in the Willow Garden" by Simon & Garfunkel is an interpretation of a classic American folk song, also known as "Rose Connelly." The lyrics speak of a tragic, violent love story that ends in murder and the eventual punishment of the perpetrator. The song paints a vivid image of a romantic encounter in a peaceful willow garden, but quickly turns dark as the singer reveals that he has poisoned and killed his lover, Rose Connelly. He did it with the encouragement of his father, who promised him money to commit the crime. As a result, he is sentenced to death by hanging.


The song employs a storytelling style, which is common in folk music, to convey the tragic tale of love gone wrong. The lyrics are simple yet haunting, with a melody that is melancholic and soulful. The song provides insight into the darker side of human nature, exploring the themes of love, greed, and betrayal. It tells a story of how one person can become so consumed by their own desire for something that they are willing to do terrible things to attain it.


Line by Line Meaning

Down in the willow garden
In a place where willow trees grow


Where me and my love did meet,
Where I first met my beloved


As we set there a courtin',
As we were courting each other


My love fell off to sleep.
My beloved fell asleep


I had a bottle of burgundy wine,
I was in possession of a bottle filled with burgundy wine


My love she did not know.
My beloved was not aware


So I poisoned that dear little girl
I poisoned my beloved


On the banks below.
By the banks of a river


I drew a saber through her,
I used a saber to pierce through her


It was a bloody knife,
The knife was covered in blood


I threw her in the river,
I flung her into the river


Which was a dreadful sight.
It was a ghastly scene


My father oft had told me
My father repeatedly reminded me


That money would set me free
Money would be the key to my freedom


If I would murder that dear little girl
If I killed my beloved


Whose name was Rose Connelly.
Her name was Rose Connelly


My father sits at his cabin door,
My father sits in front of his house


Wiping his tear dimmed eyes,
Wiping away the tears from his eyes


For his only son soon shall walk
Because his only son will soon march


To yonder scaffold high.
To the adjacent high scaffold


My race is run beneath the sun,
My time on Earth has come to an end


The scaffold now waits for me,
The scaffold is now waiting for me


For I did murder that dear little girl
Because I killed my beloved


Whose name was Rose Connelly.
Her name was Rose Connelly




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHARLIE MONROE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@cj890100

When I was eight my dad died an he use to sing this to me when I went to bed. He will always be a memory and in my heart.

@manchu-qu9mw

got this LP vinyl, now listening it so mesmerizing.

@dangcoppock7362

Never get tire of Art GARFUNKLE he is all time the best..!

@pattiehernandez769

one of my favorite albums .

@akanesaotome5924

This calm, sweet music makes lyrics in the song are even more creepy

@Dr.P-Viriya2054

ฟังแล้วคิดถึงเพื่อนคนหนึ่งที่ชอบเพลงนี้มาก ตอนนั้นอายุ 20 ปี ตอนนี้ผ่านมา 40 ปีก็นึกถึงเพื่อนคนนั้นเสมอทั้งๆที่ไม่แปลความหมาย แต่เพลงเพราะมากครับ

@AdamSiamnew

เพลงที่ฟังสบายทุกโอกาส ยอดเยี่ยมที่สุดในยุคนั้น ฉันฟังตั้งแต่สมัยเด็กและฟังจนทุกวันนี้

@wolfgangwundsch4662

Best record ever. Listen to his voice, the fantastic lyrics and EVERY instrument makes this to the best recorded record ever. Fantastic musicians.

@rooferkim

Agreed. Thanks for your comment!

@Neocasturn

To be fair this is a cover but yes amazing album

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