**Background:**
"The Gardner" is a heartfelt folk song written and performed by Swedish singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson, who is better known by his stage name, The Tallest Man on Earth. Released in 2010 as part of his album "The Wild Hunt," the song is a poignant exploration of love, growth, and the passage of time.
The Tallest Man on Earth has gained a devoted following for his introspective and soulful folk music. His distinct fingerpicking guitar style and emotive vocals have made him a standout figure in the contemporary folk music scene.
**Musical Style:**
"The Gardner" is a prime example of The Tallest Man on Earth's folk music prowess. The song is characterized by its intricate fingerpicking guitar work, which weaves a delicate and captivating melody. Matsson's raw and emotive vocals add a layer of authenticity and vulnerability to the song.
The lyrics of "The Gardner" are deeply poetic and introspective, reflecting on themes of love and self-discovery. The combination of Matsson's evocative storytelling and his masterful guitar playing creates a spellbinding musical experience.
**Narrative and Themes:**
"The Gardner" tells the story of a love that has grown, evolved, and, ultimately, faded away. The song's lyrics are filled with vivid natural imagery, with references to gardens, seasons, and the changing landscape. These elements serve as metaphors for the evolution of a relationship and the passage of time.
The narrator reflects on the beauty of the love that once blossomed but acknowledges that it has transformed, much like the changing seasons in a garden. The song is a bittersweet meditation on the impermanence of love and the inevitability of change.
**Review:**
"The Gardner" is a folk gem that showcases The Tallest Man on Earth's remarkable songwriting talent. From the first delicate pluck of the guitar strings to the raw emotion in Matsson's voice, the song captivates listeners and draws them into its introspective world.
The fingerpicking guitar style employed in "The Gardner" is both intricate and enchanting. It serves as the perfect backdrop for Matsson's poetic lyrics and evocative storytelling. The song's ability to convey complex emotions through its music and lyrics is a testament to Matsson's skill as a songwriter.
The theme of love and its evolution over time is a universal and relatable concept, and "The Gardner" explores it with depth and sensitivity. It's a song that invites introspection and encourages listeners to reflect on their own experiences of love and growth.
In conclusion, "The Gardner" by The Tallest Man on Earth is a folk masterpiece that resonates on both a musical and emotional level. It's a song that lingers in the heart and mind, reminding us of the beauty and fragility of love as it blooms and changes like a garden through the seasons.
The Gardener
Tallest Man On Earth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Although my judgements known to fail
Once built a steamboat in a meadow
Cos I'd forgotten how to sail
I know the runner's going to tell you
There ain't no cowboy in my hair
So now he's buried by the daisies
I sense a spy up in the chimney
From all the evidence I've burned
I guess he'll read it in the smoke now
And soon to ashes I'll return
I know the spy is going to tell you
It's not my flag up in the pole
So now he's buried by the lilies
So I could stay forever more in your eyes, babe
I sense a leak inside my phone now
From all the lies I have told
I know he has your private number
And soon he'll make that vicious call
I know the leak is going to tell you
There ain't no puppy in your leash
So now he'll fertilize the roses
So I could stay the king you see
In your eyes, babe
In your eyes, babe
So now we're dancing through the garden
And what a garden I have made
And now that death will grow my jasmine
I find it soothing I'm afraid
Now there is no need for suspicion
There ain't no frog kissing your hand
I won't be lying when I tell you
That I'm a garner I'm a man
In your eyes babe
In your eyes, babe
In your eyes, babe
"The Gardener" by Tallest Man on Earth is a song filled with intriguing and cryptic lyrics. The first stanza starts with a sense of someone running through the garden, and the singer acknowledging that he's known to make bad judgements. However, he also mentions that he once built a steamboat in a meadow because he had forgotten how to sail. The second stanza introduces the idea of a spy up in the chimney, and the singer states that he knows the spy will soon report that the flag on the pole doesn't belong to him. He then says that the spy has been buried by the lilies so that he could stay forever more in the eyes of his loved one. The final stanza implies that the singer has been caught telling lies that have leaked into his phone, and that someone now has his loved one's private number. He acknowledges that he's been caught, and says that he's a gardener and a man, not a frog.
The interpretation of "The Gardener" varies widely, and it's often difficult to understand what the lyrics mean. Some suggest that the "runner" represents the human ego, which can run wild with imagination and delusion, leading to flawed judgements. Meanwhile, the steamboat in the meadow could represent the singer's desire for an adventure in life. The spy up in the chimney may represent a guilty conscience or paranoia caused by the singer's secrets. The leak inside the phone may represent the fear of being caught in a lie by a loved one. The garden could represent the singer's life and the choices he's made. Death growing the jasmine in the final stanza could represent the singer's acceptance of the cycle of life and death.
Line by Line Meaning
I sense a runner in the garden
I have a feeling that there is someone running in our garden
Although my judgements known to fail
Even though I might be wrong, I still think someone is running in our garden
Once built a steamboat in a meadow
I attempted to build a steamboat in a meadow and failed
Cos I'd forgotten how to sail
I didn't know how to sail the steamboat that I built
I know the runner's going to tell you
I am aware that the person running in the garden will tell you something
There ain't no cowboy in my hair
There is no hidden meaning or motive in my actions
So now he's buried by the daisies
I got rid of the runner so that I could continue to be the most important person in your eyes
So I could stay the tallest man in your eyes, babe
I want to be the most important person in your life
I sense a spy up in the chimney
I have a feeling that there is someone spying on us through the chimney
From all the evidence I've burned
I burned all the evidence that might have incriminated me
I guess he'll read it in the smoke now
The spy will realize that I am onto them and have burned the evidence
And soon to ashes I'll return
I know that I will suffer consequences for my deception
It's not my flag up in the pole
It was not me who put up the flag in the pole
So now he's buried by the lilies
I got rid of the spy so that I could continue to be important to you
So I could stay forever more in your eyes, babe
I want to be with you forever
I sense a leak inside my phone now
I think that someone is listening in on our phone conversations
From all the lies I have told
I have told many lies and am now worried about the consequences
I know he has your private number
I am aware that the person listening in has access to your private number
And soon he'll make that vicious call
I am afraid that the person will make an unpleasant or harmful call to you
There ain't no puppy in your leash
You don't have a puppy on your leash, this is just a metaphor for something else
So now he'll fertilize the roses
I got rid of the person listening in so that I could continue to be important to you
So I could stay the king you see
I want to be supreme in your eyes, like a king
In your eyes, babe
I want to be important and loved by you
Now there is no need for suspicion
You don't have to doubt my actions anymore
There ain't no frog kissing your hand
No one else is trying to impress or win you over
I won't be lying when I tell you
I will be honest with you from now on
That I'm a garner I'm a man
I am a gardener and a man, and I want to take care of you
In your eyes babe
I want to be important and loved by you
In your eyes, babe
I want to be important and loved by you
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kristian Matsson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Service Above Self
10 years later, still listening. One of his best.
Buckets Oyeah
11 now
HairoftheDog
12
Zushakon
13
Obscura Camaria
14!
CharlieBuzzard
This song is an underrated masterpiece.
Andrew
This was my favorite song to play when I was a high school freshman. Now I'm a sleep deprived, overworked law student. I miss those years when all I cared about was how I looked "in your eyes babe."
Joseph
Used to love playing his music, did 'where do my bluebird fly' at a coffeehouse night in high school. Can't believe this is almost 12 years old
Morgane Krebs
Sending you lots of love, pal ❤️ Hope you'll find sleep and time for you, soon.
Marco Diversi
I feel you man, going through the same process you are going through! Sleep deprived and no more eyes to stare at.