The band was founded in September 2006 in Kaliningrad (ex Koenigsberg). The… Read Full Bio ↴The band was founded in September 2006 in Kaliningrad (ex Koenigsberg). The constant members of Sunset Wings are: Alexey Popov (guitars, voice), Tatiana Korotkova (voice, percussion, harmonica), Vladimir Petropavlovskij (flute, recorder, tin whistles), Anna Ivanova (cello). Sunset Wings has started with songs on traditional ballads and verses of Rossetti, Beddowes, Blake, Keats, Kipling and during 2006-2007 recorder their debut album "Covering for Solace" at Brudenia Studio. The album was supported by musicians of the friendly Koenigsberg band Romowe Rikoito and was released by Wrotycz Records in 2009.

Riddles Wisely Expounded
Sunset Wings Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There were three sisters fair and bright
And they three loved one valiant knight
The eldest sister let him in
And barred the door with a silver pin
The second sister made his bed
And placed soft pillows under his head

Jennifer gentle and rosemaree

As the dew flies over the mulberry tree

The youngest sister, fair and bright
Was resolved for to wed with this valiant knight
And if you can answer questions three
O then, fair maid, I will marry with thee

What is louder than an horn
And what is sharper than a thorn?
What is heavier than the lead
And what s better than the bread
What is broader than the way
And what is deeper than the sea?

Thunder is louder than an horn
And hunger is sharper than a thorn
Sin is heavier than the lead
The blessing’s better than the bread
Love is broader than the way
And hell is deeper than the sea

Love is broader than the way
And hell is deeper than the sea

And now, fair maid, I will marry with thee
Now, fair maid, I will marry with thee

Overall Meaning

The song "Riddles Wisely Expounded" by Sunset Wings tells the story of three sisters who all love the same valiant knight. The first two sisters make room for the knight and take care of him, but the third sister is the one who is determined to marry him. However, the knight will only marry her if she can answer his three riddles, which are meant to test her intelligence and wit.

The lyrics of the song are full of symbolism and metaphor. The silver pin that the eldest sister uses to bar the door could represent the idea of purity and guarding oneself from unworthy suitors. The soft pillows under the knight's head could represent a welcoming and comfortable environment. The riddles themselves also have deeper meanings; the answers are not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a commentary on human nature and values.

Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about choosing a partner wisely and being prepared to prove oneself worthy. It also touches on themes of love, intelligence, and the importance of having a strong moral compass.

Line by Line Meaning

There were three sisters fair and bright
Once upon a time, there were three beautiful sisters

And they three loved one valiant knight
The three sisters fell in love with a brave and courageous knight

The eldest sister let him in
The oldest sister allowed the knight to enter their home

And barred the door with a silver pin
She locked the door with a silver pin to keep unwanted guests out

The second sister made his bed
The second sister prepared a comfortable bed for him

And placed soft pillows under his head
She put soft pillows under his head to make him more comfortable

Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
The names of the sisters are Jennifer and Rosemaree (not directly related to the story)

As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
This is a poetic phrase that doesn't necessarily have a direct meaning in relation to the story

The youngest sister, fair and bright
The youngest sister was also beautiful and radiant

Was resolved for to wed with this valiant knight
She was determined to marry the knight she and her sisters loved

And if you can answer questions three
The knight had a challenge for the youngest sister, he would marry her if she could answer three riddles

O then, fair maid, I will marry with thee
If she could answer the riddles, he would marry her

What is louder than an horn
The first riddle: the knight asked what is louder than a horn

And what is sharper than a thorn?
The second riddle: the knight asked what is sharper than a thorn

What is heavier than the lead
The third riddle: the knight asked what is heavier than lead

And what s better than the bread
The answer to the third riddle: the knight asked what is better than bread, which is blessing

What is broader than the way
The answer to the first riddle: the knight revealed thunder is louder than a horn

And what is deeper than the sea?
The answer to the second riddle: the knight revealed hell is sharper than a thorn

Thunder is louder than an horn
The knight answered the first riddle,

And hunger is sharper than a thorn
The knight answered the second riddle

Sin is heavier than the lead
The knight answered the third riddle

The blessing’s better than the bread
The knight also answered the third riddle with the answer of blessing

Love is broader than the way
The knight revealed the answer to a bonus riddle about what is broader than the way is love

And hell is deeper than the sea
The knight revealed the answer to a bonus riddle about what is deeper than the sea is hell

And now, fair maid, I will marry with thee
Since the youngest sister was able to answer the riddles, the knight kept his promise and agreed to marry her

Now, fair maid, I will marry with thee
Finally, the knight confirms his intention to marry the youngest sister who was able to answer his riddles

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alex Popov

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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