The Unquiet Grave
Siobhan Miller Lyrics
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Soft fall the drops of rain
I never had but one true love
In Greenwood he lies slain
I'll do as much for my true love
As any young girl may
I'll sit and mourn all on his grave
Will twelve months and a day be enough?
The dead began to speak
"You said so weeping on my grave
And will not let me sleep"
'Tis I my love sits on your grave
And will not let you sleep
I crave one kiss of your clay cold lips
And that is all I seek
You crave one kiss of my clay cold lips
My breath smells earthy strong
And if you have one kiss for me
Your time will not belong
It was down yonder garden green
While where we used to walk
A fairest flower that e'er I spied
Has withered to a stalk
The stalk has withered dry my dear
So shall our love to keep
So make yourself content my love
Till death calls you awake
Siobhan Miller's song "The Unquiet Grave" is a mournful ballad about a woman who visits her lover's grave and expresses her grief. She sings about how the cold wind is blowing and the rain is softly falling as she laments her lost love. She had only one true love, and he was killed in Greenwood. The singer declares that she will mourn for her beloved for twelve months and a day sitting by his grave. However, the dead lover rises from the grave and speaks to her. He communicates that her mourning has disrupted his slumber and begs her to stop.
The singer's lover asks her for a kiss on his "clay cold lips," but warns her that her time will not belong if she obliges. He tells her that their love is like a withered flower and that she should be content until death calls her awake. The ballad is a representation of an intense longing for a love that is no more, emphasizing the idea that true love never dies. It is a portrayal of the complexities and depths of grief, the never-ending desire to hold onto someone who is no longer by one's side.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold blows the wind over my true love
The wind is cold and harsh over my loved one's resting place
Soft fall the drops of rain
The rain is gentle and quiet
I never had but one true love
In Greenwood he lies slain
I only had one true love, who was killed and lies buried in the Greenwood
I'll do as much for my true love
As any young girl may
I'll sit and mourn all on his grave
For twelve months and a day
I will mourn and grieve for my love for a year and a day, like any other grieving girl
Will twelve months and a day be enough?
The dead began to speak
"You said so weeping on my grave
And will not let me sleep"
The dead speaks, questioning if my mourning is enough and complains that I disturb their rest with my weeping
'Tis I my love sits on your grave
And will not let you sleep
I crave one kiss of your clay cold lips
And that is all I seek
I am the one sitting on your grave, dearest. I want one last kiss from your dead and cold lips
You crave one kiss of my clay cold lips
My breath smells earthy strong
And if you have one kiss for me
Your time will not belong
You want to kiss my corpse and my decaying body smells. If you give me one kiss, you will be with me forever in death
It was down yonder garden green
While where we used to walk
A fairest flower that e'er I spied
Has withered to a stalk
The lovely flower in the garden where we used to walk has withered, symbolizing the death of our love
The stalk has withered dry my dear
So shall our love to keep
So make yourself content my love
Till death calls you awake
The flower represents our love, which has withered away. Accept this fact and find comfort until death calls you too
Writer(s): siobhan miller
Contributed by Zoe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@willygilly770
This is just the most beautiful version that`s out there. We are truly lucky to have such beautiful singers as Siobhan , Karine Polwart and Emily Smith.
@margaretcooper1131
You don't get better than Siobhan Miller......perfection !
@Ed30675
Agreed....
@gingermeggs57
Love your voice, love your work. More, please!
@wingandaprayer
Beautiful tasteful guitar accompaniment...to Siobhan's superb singing..
@francesmacfarlane4360
Yes and unexpected electric guitar sound really works.
@Ed30675
It is an astonishing accompanying guitar by Kris.....In my opinion this is better than the studio recording by miles..... Wonderful live performance by both....
@tullochgorum6323
I admire the work you put into the settings. You seem to be collating the best from the various versions out there and ending up with something that's more coherent and emotionally strong. Of course it rather does help that you are such a fabulous singer 😍
@akshaychowdhry1
Awesome performance- stellar work by both!
@oldglstuf
That look she gives him at 4:19 just as the song ends is just so beautiful. Gratitude, respect, and love all rolled into one. That's how to treat people you work with.