Tears
Strawbs Lyrics


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Strawbs - Tears And Pavan

Where are the tears
That you should be crying right now
I see the world weariness
In your eyes
I hear your voice
Soft and sad
Yet your laughter rings
Like carillons of bells
In my ears
I feel your heart
Beat like the wings of the wild goose
I smell your love
On me
I can still taste the tears
That you should be crying right now.

Pavan
(Hudson/Ford/Cousins)

And when she lies in need of care and comforting
So as a child's toy she is caressed
And yet when cast adrift upon the changing tide
So as a ship becalmed she lies at rest

Oh darling go to sleep
For the night is young
There are many songs
Yet to be sung




Oh but I will sing them all to you
Before the night is through.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Strawbs' song "Tears and Pavan" are interesting in their juxtaposition of contrasting emotions. The first verse talks about the absence of tears even though the singer can see weariness in the person's eyes. They describe how the person's voice is soft and sad even though their laughter rings in their ears. They can feel the person's heart beating and smell their love, yet they still can taste the tears that should be crying.


The second part of the song, "Pavan," has a different tone. It speaks of caring and comforting a loved one, seeing them as a child's toy that is caressed, and yet, when they are cast adrift, offering comfort as a becalmed ship. The lyrics then shift to a lullaby tone, with the singer telling their beloved to sleep, promising to sing them all the songs before the night is over.


The two parts of the song offer a sharp contrast between sadness and comfort, weariness, and care.


Line by Line Meaning

Where are the tears
I wonder why you are not crying right now.


That you should be crying right now
I believe you have every reason to cry right now.


I see the world weariness
I notice that you feel exhausted by the world and its problems.


In your eyes
I can see it clearly by looking into your eyes.


I hear your voice
I can hear you speaking to me.


Soft and sad
Your voice sounds gentle and mournful.


Yet your laughter rings
But your laughter is loud and joyful.


Like carillons of bells
It sounds like the chiming of many bells.


In my ears
To my ears, it is a pleasant sound.


I feel your heart
I sense your emotions and your heart's rhythm.


Beat like the wings of the wild goose
It is beating quickly and powerfully, like a wild goose taking flight.


I smell your love
I am aware of your love for me.


On me
I feel its warmth and affection directed at me.


I can still taste the tears
I can almost imagine the taste of your tears.


Pavan
Now the song changes to 'Pavan'.


(Hudson/Ford/Cousins)
This song's writers are Hudson, Ford, and Cousins.


And when she lies in need of care and comforting
When she requires help and support.


So as a child's toy she is caressed
She is given as much care and attention as a beloved toy.


And yet when cast adrift upon the changing tide
But when she is left alone on an uncertain journey.


So as a ship becalmed she lies at rest
She feels undisturbed and calm, as if stuck in one place.


Oh darling go to sleep
My beloved, please go to sleep.


For the night is young
It is still early in the night.


There are many songs
There are many more songs to be sung.


Yet to be sung
That have not yet been heard.


Oh but I will sing them all to you
But I promise to sing them all for you.


Before the night is through.
Before the night comes to an end.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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