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The Unquiet Grave
Steven Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And gently drops the rain
I've never had but one true love
And in green-wood 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
And when twelve months and a day was passed
The ghost did rise and speak
"Why sittest thou all on my grave
And will not let me sleep?"
Go fetch me water, my true love
And blood from out the stone
Go fetch me milk from a fair maid's breast
That young man has never known
How oft on yonder grave, my true love
Where we were want to walk
The fairest flower that I ever saw
Has withered to my stalk
When will we meet again, sweetheart
When shall we meet again?
When the autumn leaves that fall from the trees
Are green and spring again
The Unquiet Grave by Steven Wilson is a rendition of a traditional English folk ballad that dates back to the 15th century. The song is a poignant lamentation of a young woman who has lost her true love and is mourning at his grave. The opening lines, "Cold blows the wind to my true love and gently drops the rain," set a somber tone and indicate that the woman is grieving in inclement weather. She then expresses that she has only ever had one true love, and he lies slain in the green-wood. The woman pledges to honor her love and mourn him for twelve months and one day.
The ghost of her lover, who rises from the grave after the allotted mourning period, questions the woman on why she has been sitting on his grave and not letting him rest. He then requests that she brings him water, blood, and milk from a fair maid's breast that he has never known. The song concludes with the woman questioning when she and her love will meet again, and she learns it will be in a far-off time when the autumn leaves are green and spring again. The song is notable for its beautiful yet haunting melody and the emotional depth of the lyrics, which explores the theme of loss and grief.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold blows the wind to my true love
The weather is very cold and chilly where my true love is.
And gently drops the rain
There is also slight rainfall happening at the same time.
I've never had but one true love
I have only ever loved one person.
And in green-wood he lies slain
He is buried in the green-wood and has passed away.
I'll do as much for my true love
I will do everything in my power for my love.
As any young girl may
Just like any young girl would.
I'll sit and mourn all on his grave
I will sit and cry on his grave.
For twelve months and a day
This mourning period will last for one year and one day.
And when twelve months and a day was passed
Once the year and a day has passed.
The ghost did rise and speak
The ghost of my true love appeared and spoke to me.
"Why sittest thou all on my grave
"Why are you sitting on my grave
And will not let me sleep?"
And not letting me rest?"
Go fetch me water, my true love
Bring me water, my love.
And blood from out the stone
And blood from the stone nearby.
Go fetch me milk from a fair maid's breast
Bring me milk from a young woman's breast.
That young man has never known
Something that my true love has never experienced.
How oft on yonder grave, my true love
How often have we spent time at that grave, my love?
Where we were want to walk
Where we would often walk.
The fairest flower that I ever saw
The most beautiful flower I had ever seen.
Has withered to my stalk
Has now died and is no longer beautiful.
When will we meet again, sweetheart
When will we see each other again, my love?
When shall we meet again?
When will we be reunited?
When the autumn leaves that fall from the trees
When the falling autumn leaves have regrown into green leaves in spring.
Are green and spring again
When the environment is rejuvenated and new once again.
Contributed by Landon O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Shur
This is an excellent version. The first version I ever heard was on the first Gryphon album 1973.
shardikat
After listening to other versions of this song, I really appreciate what Steven Wilson has done with it.
Chris Schmidt
Certainly spooky. My kind of music. Better than any of the other remakes I've heard of this song.
BC S
Best version... the music is best of all!!!
Joey170690
yeah!totally agree!from all the versions i've heard,this brings me more into the atmosphere..it sounds to me so ''medieval''
Damian Kaminski
love it.
DIPAYAN BISWAS
masterpiece
Lillino Ianiro
Masterpiece
Geoff Lee
He is a genius.........
Hernan Maroni
Steven Wilson is a genius, I don't have a single doubt about it. A dark guy yes, but one who can transform darkness is brilliance. In fact, although behind each light there is always a shadow, one must know how to look at the darkness as well.