Tensions between the band grew during the production in 1970 of their first album, Hark! The Village Wait to the point where they never again worked together after its completion, but the music itself shows no signs of these difficulties. While having a rock sensibility there is a greater sense of the authentic folk tradition than even in the best of Fairport, and a particular beauty arising from the two pairs of voices. The Woods being replaced by admired folk stalwart Martin Carthy, with violinist Peter Knight to widen the musical textures, the group late in 1970 recorded their most admired record Please to see the King. Ten Man Mop followed in 1971, more accomplished but generally felt to be less exciting. The expensive gatefold sleeve swallowed the band's royalties, and was referred to as a tombstone, since Hutchings and Carthy then left, to pursue Hutchings' new vision of a specifically English strand of folk rock with The Albion Band, and Steeleye Mk 2 folded.
However the inclusion of the less celebrated and more rock orientated replacements Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson led to the most commercially successful phase in the band's existence, vocalist Maddy Prior becoming the primary focus of the band, and a run of well received albums, from Below the Salt and Now we Are Six, their first with drummer Nigel Pegrum, to their eighth, and most commercially successful, All Around my Hat, in 1975.
Still active, they have a claim to be one of the longest-lived and perhaps the most commercially successful of all the folk rock bands of the era, thanks to their hit singles Gaudete and All Around My Hat, 3 top 40 albums and even a certified "gold" record with All Around My Hat.
Tim Hart died of lung cancer on 24 December 2009, aged 61.
All Things Are Quite Silent
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When me and my true love lay snug in one nest,
When a bold set of ruffians broke into our cave,
And they forced my dear jewel to plough the salt wave.
I begged hard for my darling as I would for my life.
But they'd not listen to me although a fond wife,
Saying: The king must have sailors, to the seas he must go,
Through green fields and meadows we of times have walked,
And the fond recollections together have talked,
Where the lark and the blackbird so sweetly did sing,
And the lovely thrushes' voices made the valleys to ring.
Now although I'm forsaken, I won't be cast down.
Who knows but my true love some day may return
And will make me amends for my trouble and strife,
And me and my true love might live happy for life.
The song "All Things Are Quite Silent" by Steeleye Span is a haunting tale of a woman who has lost her love to the seas. The song begins with the singer and her beloved resting peacefully in their nest, when a group of sailors break into their home and force her lover to join their crew. The singer pleads with the sailors to spare her love, but they ignore her and sail away, leaving her alone and heartbroken.
The second verse describes memories of happier times, walking through green fields and meadows, listening to the sweet songs of the birds. Despite her despair, the singer declares that she will not be defeated and hopes that one day her true love will return to her, bringing an end to her "trouble and strife," and they can live happily ever after.
The song is a poignant reminder of the dangers that seafaring men faced in times gone by, and the impact that their absence had on loved ones at home. It is also a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and the power of hope to sustain us through difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
All things are quite silent, each mortal at rest,
Everything is quiet and peaceful, with no one else around,
When me and my true love lay snug in one nest,
I was cuddled up with my significant other in a cozy place,
When a bold set of ruffians broke into our cave,
Suddenly, a group of tough and violent men invaded our home,
And they forced my dear jewel to plough the salt wave.
They compelled my beloved partner to leave with them and sail the dangerous ocean.
I begged hard for my darling as I would for my life.
I pleaded desperately for my partner's safety, as if my own life depended on it.
But they'd not listen to me although a fond wife,
Despite my love and devotion as a spouse, they refused to hear my pleas.
Saying: The king must have sailors, to the seas he must go,
They dismissed my concerns by explaining that the king needed sailors for an important expedition at sea.
And they left me lamenting in sorrow and woe.
They abandoned me to grieve and suffer great sorrow.
Through green fields and meadows we of times have walked,
We have strolled together through verdant pastures and fields before,
And the fond recollections together have talked,
Reminiscing over past memories we've shared,
Where the lark and the blackbird so sweetly did sing,
We recalled the beautiful songs of birds, such as larks and blackbirds, that filled the air with sweet melodies,
And the lovely thrushes' voices made the valleys to ring.
And the enchanting songs of thrushes echoed throughout the valleys.
Now although I'm forsaken, I won't be cast down.
Despite feeling abandoned, I refuse to give up or be discouraged.
Who knows but my true love some day may return
There is always hope that my partner might come back to me someday,
And will make me amends for my trouble and strife,
And perhaps make up for the difficulties and hardships I've endured.
And me and my true love might live happy for life.
Then we will be reunited and live happily ever after.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ASHLEY HUTCHINGS, TERRY WOODS, TRADITIONAL, TIMOTHY HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Holly Soules
All things are quite silent, each mortal at rest,
When me and my true love lay snug in one nest,
When a bold set of ruffians broke into our cave,
And they forced my dear jewel to plough the salt wave.
I begged hard for my darling as I would for my life.
But they'd not listen to me although a fond wife,
Saying, “The king must have sailors, to the seas he must go.”
And they've left me lamenting in sorrow and woe.
Through green fields and meadows we oft times have walked,
And the fond recollections together have talked,
Where the lark and the blackbird so sweetly did sing,
And the lovely thrushes' voices made the valleys to ring.
Now although I'm forsaken, I won't be cast down.
Who knows but my true love some day may return
And will make me amends for my trouble and strife,
And me and my true love might live happy for life
Glenn Toplis
I can't put into words how I feel when I hear this song and steeleye span in general ,it's like I'm yearning for something long ago ,a place in time that I can't get to..Anyone else feel the same ??
averybadcat
Avalon.
Martin Holmes
You summed it up perfectly for me!
Wm. Stclaire
I feel exactly the very same.
Sugar Ocain
I think it's called "ageing". We cannot stop time but this gem is timeless. Love it as much now as when I first heard it. So thankful I am still here to enjoy it.
Wm. Stclaire
Yes, I feel exactly the same.
George Morley
I’m only 39 years old, so I don’t remember this when it was coming out the first time round, but I’ve just discovered them really and now I can’t stop! Going on a steeleye span binge now.
JENNY COOPER
@Froggie Morton uneven are you a true fan i think most of there work is great and i love how they embraced rock
Froggie Morton
I hope your Steeleye binge has been rewarding, George. Their work over the years was uneven, regrettably. But in their prime (as with this first album) they were stunning. It's cool to see younger people re-discover these albums -- many of which shaped my childhood and teen years back in the early 70s.
FoliesEspagne
I guess that for more than 35 years I carry this song in a small box somewhere in my head. Perfect voices, great bass, nice functional drums and especially the beginning is great as it comes out of the fog. Best Steeleye Span tune in my view.