At one point Larsen ha… Read Full Bio ↴Stu Larsen is an Australian singer-songwriter
At one point Larsen has no fixed address, no job, few possessions and little money - just a lot of generous friends who seem to let him sleep on their floor or couch, or in their spare room as he ventures onward. He appeared to be on a journey of sorts, perhaps searching for something greater than can be found in one’s own backyard. He spent time exploring & wandering all over the world. Through Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, road tripping with friends, playing unexpected shows in unexpected places, staying in the homes of old and new friends all along the way.
The Black Tree
Stu Larsen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the time that we used to talk?
How strange, things have changed, I don't know you anymore.
But you stayed the same, that's why I came,
I need your clarity.
'Cause I find peace as I sit beneath,
Your familiarity.
I'm the one who moved away.
Yeah I know, I've grown so much since yesterday.
And its been so long that it feels wrong
To ask anything of you.
But I'm more lost than I ever was,
And I need to know you're true.
Black tree, remember me?
I hoped you might.
I was sure, you saw me running through the night.
So I cried out, yeah I screamed so loud,
For you to rescue me.
But I was found without a sound in your company.
Company (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Black tree, remember me
For the rest of time.
When I go, I know that I'll be laid by your side.
'Cause you stand tall, will you ever fall?
I know you never will.
And I'll be free for eternity, on the other side,
Of that old hill
Of that old hill
Of that old hill
Of that old hill
Of that old hill
Of that old hill
Of that old hill
Of that old hill
Of that old hill
In the song "The Black Tree" by Stu Larsen, the singer addresses a tree that they have known for years. The black tree represents a constant in their ever-changing life. The singer has moved away, grown and lost touch with their roots, but the tree remains the same. They seek solace and clarity in the tree's familiarity, finding peace and comfort as they sit beneath it.
As the song progresses, the singer pleads with the tree to remember them, to rescue them, to be their eternal resting place. The black tree becomes a symbol of stability, strength and timelessness. Ultimately, the singer finds comfort in the idea that they will be laid to rest by the tree, able to rest in peace for eternity.
Overall, "The Black Tree" is a song about finding solace and comfort in a familiar and constant presence, and about the desire for eternal peace and rest.
Line by Line Meaning
Black tree, remember me,
The singer is calling out to the black tree, hoping it will remember him.
From the time that we used to talk?
The singer remembers when he used to talk to the tree and is wondering if the tree remembers too.
How strange, things have changed, I don't know you anymore.
The singer acknowledges that he has changed and cannot recognize the tree anymore.
But you stayed the same, that's why I came,
Despite everything else changing, the tree has remained constant and the artist seeks its stability.
I need your clarity.
The artist needs the tree's unchanging perspective to gain clarity in his own life.
'Cause I find peace as I sit beneath,
Being near the tree brings the singer a sense of peace and calmness.
Your familiarity.
The tree's familiarity is a comforting presence for the singer.
I'm the one who moved away.
The artist acknowledges that he moved away from the tree.
Yeah I know, I've grown so much since yesterday.
The artist has grown and changed since last being with the tree.
And its been so long that it feels wrong to ask anything of you.
It has been so long since the artist has seen the tree that he feels it would be inappropriate to ask anything of it.
But I'm more lost than I ever was,
Despite growing and changing, the singer feels more lost in life than ever before.
And I need to know you're true.
The artist seeks the tree's truthfulness and stability in a world of change.
I hoped you might.
The singer is hoping the tree will remember him.
I was sure, you saw me running through the night.
The singer believes the tree saw him at a time of distress.
So I cried out, yeah I screamed so loud,
Desperate for help, the singer cried out to the tree.
For you to rescue me.
The artist was hoping the tree would be able to rescue him.
But I was found without a sound in your company.
Despite not audibly receiving help from the tree, the artist found comfort just being near it.
Black tree, remember me
The singer is, again, asking the tree to remember him - this time, for eternity.
For the rest of time.
The singer seeks a lasting connection with the tree.
When I go, I know that I'll be laid by your side.
The artist wants to be buried near the tree after they pass away.
'Cause you stand tall, will you ever fall?
The artist admires the tree's steadfastness.
I know you never will.
The artist is confident the tree will never fall.
And I'll be free for eternity, on the other side, of that old hill
The singer believes they will finally be free from all their burdens on the other side of the hill, near the tree.
Contributed by Anna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.