The Garden Rules
Snow Patrol Lyrics

There's the river there's your house and there's the church
The singer describes the location where they spent their childhood, pointing out landmarks like the river, the church, and the friend's house.

And there's us years ago
The singer reminisces about their childhood and the friendship they shared with the person mentioned earlier.

Deep in your garden where the nettle met the rose
The two friends would hide themselves in the garden where the different plants grew and met each other.

Is where we'd hide ourselves
The garden became a safe space for the two friends to spend time and play together in secret.

Yes we were just kids, but you couldn't tell us that
The artist points out that even though they were young, they didn't feel that way because of the special bond they shared with their friend.

These are the garden rules, that's what you always said
The friend would make up rules for the garden and they would all obey, but it was really just a way for them to play and enjoy their time together.

Oh, you'll never know, how much I love you so
The singer expresses their love for their friend, which was likely unspoken or unrecognized during their childhood memories.

You would call the garden rules out like commands
The friend acted like the leader of the group and made up rules for them to follow during their playtime in the garden.

And we would all obey
The artist and the other friends would listen to the rules and follow them, enjoying the playful atmosphere created by the friend.

But you'd stifle giddy laughter as you spoke
Even though the friend was in charge, they couldn't help but feel excited and happy when instructing their friends.

And puncture the pretend
Despite the play-pretend atmosphere, the friend would sometimes bring a touch of reality to their games by puncturing their imaginary scenarios.

Then we would chase our tails, until the sun forgot to shine
The group of friends would play in the garden for hours on end, only stopping when it grew too dark to continue.

And our parents called our names, 'til just you and I were left
The singer and their friend would continue to play even as the other kids were called in for the night, enjoying a few more moments of fun before heading inside themselves.

From your house we walk the river
The singer and their friend would walk from the friend's house to the river, which held its own memories and significance in their friendship.

To the church by the silent fields
The pair of friends would make their way to the church, located near some silent open fields.

Amongst the lavender and headstones
The friends would move through the church's cemetery, enjoying the fragrant lavender flowers and ignoring the headstones.

And the larks in our Sunday clothes
The setting was peaceful and beautiful, with larks singing and the friends dressed in their Sunday best.

Your father calls to you as he's looking at his watch
The friend's father calls for them to head home, signaling the end of their time at the church and in the garden.

You leave me with a kiss on my quickly heating cheek
The singer's friend gives them a goodbye kiss on the cheek, leaving them with a warm feeling that will stay with them for years to come.