Upon release, "The Lakes" received universal acclaim from music critics, with compliments on its sophisticated, poetic lyrics, and melancholic instrumentals; many named it a highlight on Folklore and one of the best songs Swift has ever penned. The song debuted in the top-10 of the Canadian and US Digital Song Sales charts, and reached number 13 in New Zealand, number 21 in Scotland and UK Downloads, and number 28 in Hungary.
the lakes
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eulogize me?
I'm not cut out for all these cynical clones
These hunters with cell phones
Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die
I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
What should be over burrowed under my skin
In heart-stopping waves of hurt
I've come too far to watch some name-dropping sleaze
Tell me what are my words worth
Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die
I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
I want auroras and sad prose
I want to watch wisteria grow
Right over my bare feet
'Cause I haven't moved in years
And I want you right here
A red rose grew up out of ice frozen ground
With no one around to tweet it
While I bathe in cliffside pools with my calamitous love
And insurmountable grief
Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die
I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
No, not without you
The first verse of "The Lakes" by Taylor Swift delves into the idea of how people will remember her after she's gone. She questions if it's romantic how all her elegies will eulogize her. It's like she's asking if it's romantic to romanticize death. She also mentions that she doesn't fit in with the cynical clones and hunters with cell phones. These could be a reference to people who follow popular culture without any genuine interest. Taylor is saying she doesn't belong among these people, which is why she wants to go to the Lakes. She wants to be around people who truly appreciate the beauty of poetry and art.
In the chorus, Taylor wants to go to the Lakes where all the poets went to die. This line could be a reference to the Lake District in England, which is known for its natural beauty and the fact that many poets and writers found inspiration there. She also expresses that she doesn't belong there and neither does her muse, who is presumably her lover. She finds solace in the idea of visiting the Lake District and cries out to go there. She mentions the Windermere Peaks, which could be a reference to the highest peaks in the Lake District. She considers this the perfect place to cry and find solace.
The second verse talks about how some things fester beneath the surface and how some emotional pain is so intense that it feels like heart-stopping waves of hurt. She doesn't want to watch some name-dropping sleaze take away from her words. This could be a reference to people who try to push their own agenda and seek fame by using someone else's words. The chorus is repeated, but the last line is different. She adds that she wants to be with her muse at the Lakes and that she doesn't want to be without them.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it romantic how all my elegies
Eulogize me?
Do you find it romantic that all my poems about death are really just about myself?
I'm not cut out for all these cynical clones
These hunters with cell phones
I don't fit in with these cynical and shallow people who are always on their phones.
Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die
I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
Let's go to the Lake District, where famous poets like Wordsworth died; we don't belong in the city. The mountains look like a good place to cry. I'm leaving, but I won't go without my inspiration.
What should be over burrowed under my skin
In heart-stopping waves of hurt
I've come too far to watch some name-dropping sleaze
Tell me what are my words worth
What should be over (the pain) is still under my skin, and it hurts so much. I didn't come this far just to be surrounded by fake people who name-drop. What is the value of my words?
I want auroras and sad prose
I want to watch wisteria grow
Right over my bare feet
'Cause I haven't moved in years
And I want you right here
I want to see beautiful lights and read sad stories. I want to see wisteria vines growing over my bare feet, because I've been stuck and I crave something new. Most of all, I want you to be with me.
A red rose grew up out of ice frozen ground
With no one around to tweet it
While I bathe in cliffside pools with my calamitous love
And insurmountable grief
A red rose grew from the frozen ground, but no one was there to see it or share it online. Meanwhile, I'm swimming in pools by the cliffs with my disastrous love and overwhelming sorrow.
Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die
I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
No, not without you
Take me away from here, to where poets like me went to die. We don't fit in here, my love, and the mountains look like the right place to let our emotions out. I'm leaving, but you're coming with me. We can't be apart.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jack Michael Antonoff, Taylor A. Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@naishakhan616
other artists : i wanna live a private life
taylor alison swift :
I want auroras and sad prose
I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet
'Cause I haven't moved in years
And I want you right here
A red rose grew up out of ice frozen ground
With no one around to tweet it
While I bathe in cliffside pools
With my calamitous love and insurmountable grief
@user-em6cn9qc9f
Is it romantic how all my elegies eulogize me?
I'm not cut out for all these cynical clones
These hunters with cell phones
Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die
I don't belong, and my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
What should be over burrowed under my skin
In heart-stopping waves of hurt
I've come too far to watch some namedropping sleaze
Tell me what are my words worth
Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die
I don't belong, and my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
I want auroras and sad prose
I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet
'Cause I haven't moved in years
And I want you right here
A red rose grew up out of ice frozen ground
With no one around to tweet it
While I bathe in cliffside pools
With my calamitous love and insurmountable grief
Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die
I don't belong, and my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
No, not without you
@booksify7992
We will remember how Taylor released the whole album in 2020 on youtube for those fans who couldn't buy her album during a pandemic. How beautiful ✨
Omg thank you so much guys for so many likes 🥺♥
@leokimvideo
I think Taylor Swift has redefined the definition of perfection with Folklore. It's a faultless piece of art and musical work.
@janaranse9037
and she did it all during quarantine...
@olivethemainpopgirl4704
Pls search for The Lakes by Taylor Swift but you're on Windermere Lakes and it's raining
@nickabockanumber9699
Its not faultless or perfection but definitely her best work yet
@aidanamerican3685
Well said Leokimvideo!
@jenniferl.8111
I know this is your opinion, and I respect that
but you're wrong
@FlawlessKevin
THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HEARING THIS SONG
@Travelerabrar
No one::
Literally no one:::
People in comment section :- Blessing my parents😂😂😂
@ikexbankai
OMG SAME!!!!
@s92884he
ME TOO