Seeds Of Love
The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem Lyrics
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I sowed them in the springtime
Gathered them up in the morning so soon
While small birds sweetly sing
While small birds sweetly sing
My garden was planted well
With flowers everywhere
I had not the liberty to choose for myself
The gardener standing by
Three flowers he gave to me
He gave me the violet, the lily and the pink
But I refused all three
The violet I did not like
Because it fades so soon
The lily and the pink I did overthink
And vowed I would wait til June
For in June is the red, red rose
And that's the flower for me
Ofttimes Have I plucked that red rosy bush
And gained a willow tree
Now the willow tree may twist
And the willow tree may twine
I wish I was lying in that young woman's arms
That once held this heart of mine
The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem's "Seeds of Love" is a romantic ballad that tells the story of a man who sows the seeds of love in his garden in the springtime. He patiently waits for his flowers to grow while small birds sweetly sing. Unfortunately, he is not allowed to choose the flower he loves the most, and the gardener gives him three options: the violet, the lily, and the pink. The man refuses all three, saying that he will wait until June when the red rose blooms. He knows that the red rose is the flower for him, even though the other flowers are beautiful too.
The singer's deep devotion to nature is evident in the lyrics, as he mentions the birds that sing in his garden and the flowers that are everywhere. He is passionate about the red rose and waits for it to bloom, symbolizing his faith and hope. Amidst the beautiful imagery is a sense of longing for a woman who once held his heart. He wishes he was lying in her arms under a willow tree, which is a powerful metaphor for love and beauty.
Overall, "Seeds of Love" is a beautifully crafted song that expresses the human connection to nature, love, and heartbreak. It speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever waited patiently for love to flourish.
Line by Line Meaning
I sowed the seeds of love
I planted the potential for love and companionship.
I sowed them in the springtime
I planted them during a time of renewal and new beginnings.
Gathered them up in the morning so soon
I collected the seeds early, before they could be lost or ruined.
While small birds sweetly sing
I collected the seeds during a time of natural beauty and harmony.
My garden was planted well
I cultivated my garden, my potential for love and growth, with care and attention.
With flowers everywhere
I created an environment of beauty and abundance, rich with possibility.
I had not the liberty to choose for myself
I was not free to select the love I desired.
The flower I held most dear
My heart had already chosen the love I wanted most.
The gardener standing by
An outside influence attempted to offer advice or assistance.
Three flowers he gave to me
The outside influence offered alternatives to my true desire.
He gave me the violet, the lily and the pink
The presented options were lovely, but not what I truly desired.
But I refused all three
I could not accept an alternative to my heart's desire.
The violet I did not like
One option was distasteful or undesirable to me.
Because it fades so soon
The undesirable option had an ephemeral quality.
The lily and the pink I did overthink
The other options were over-analyzed and dismissed.
And vowed I would wait til June
I promised to wait for a specific time or circumstance to realize my desire.
For in June is the red, red rose
I knew that my true desire would come to fruition at a specific, predictable time.
And that's the flower for me
I was certain of my heart's desire.
Ofttimes Have I plucked that red rosy bush
I had a history of seeking out and experiencing the love I truly desired.
And gained a willow tree
My love and longing had blossomed into something bigger and lasting, like a tree.
Now the willow tree may twist
Even though my love has grown and endured, there will always be challenges and uncertainties.
And the willow tree may twine
Yet my love will continue to be resilient and flexible, able to weather adversity.
I wish I was lying in that young woman's arms
I long for the comfort and familiarity of the person I love.
That once held this heart of mine
My love and my heart belong to that person, now and forever.
Contributed by Jack H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.