The Deep Dark Woods is a Canadian folk/alt country band from Saskatoon, Sas… Read Full Bio ↴The Deep Dark Woods is a Canadian folk/alt country band from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan , currently signed to Sugar Hill Records in the United States and Six Shooter Records in Canada. First established in 2005, the band consists of singer and guitarist Ryan Boldt, bass guitarist Chris Mason, organist and pianist Geoff Hilhorst, lead guitarist Clayton Linthicum and drummer Lucas Goetz. Founding member Burke Barlow played guitar until 2012.

The timeless sound of the aptly named "The Deep Dark Woods" belongs to the depressing winters of the north. Pulsing with human warmth, these original songs echo through the lonesome night. Ryan Boldt's plainspoken lyrics offer a strong but gentle tone which understates poetry, oftentimes as startling as hot blood in fresh snow. Despite the dark themes, the heaviness never overwhelms the music's playfulness. An utterly fun rhythm section, brilliant guitar work, and eerily rich harmonies drive the songs. One could easily be forgiven for mistaking their songs as treasures of decades past, as The Deep Dark Woods approach their instruments with studied respect for the honoured traditions of the shadowy side of roots music.

The Deep Dark Woods' 2009 release "Winter Hours" is a collection of their best recordings yet. Working with Juno award winning producer/musician Steve Dawson at "The Factory" in Vancouver, they managed to truly bring out an energy that the new songs deserved, recording the album live off the floor. What was created was an album full of raw emotion, sadness, beautiful vocals and harmonies, new sounds, and well thought-out arrangements."Winter Hours" represents the ever changing sound of the band, and a step forward from their 2007 Black Hen release "Hang Me, oh Hang Me" (WCMA Nominated). "Winter Hours" recently won Best Roots Group at the 2009 Western Canadian Music Awards, and Ensemble of the Year at the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

Nancy
The Deep Dark Woods Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Farewell, Nancy, to heavens I'm bound to go
Let my absence be no trouble to ya
For I will see you soon, I know
Can't you hear the willows weeping?
Can't you hear them as they moan?
They're taking away my body
In the spring when the rivers flow

Don't let the devil take a hold
Don't let your well run dry
When your time on earth is over
I will meet you you in the bye-and-bye
Can't you hear the willows weeping?
Can't you hear them as they moan?
They're taking away my body
In the spring where the rivers flow

Farewell, Nancy, to the heavens, I'm bound to go
Let my absence be no trouble to ya
For I will see you soon, I know
Can't you hear the willows weeping?
Can't you hear them as the moan?
They're taking away my body
In the spring where the rivers flow

They're taking away my body
In the spring where the rivers flow

Overall Meaning

At first listen, The Deep Dark Woods's song "Nancy" appears to be a classic folk tune about death and departure. The singer, presumably a dying person, bids farewell to Nancy, telling her not to worry about his impending departure. He reassures her that they will see each other soon, but that she shouldn't forget to take care of herself and her home while he is gone. The haunting refrain of "Can't you hear the willows weeping? Can't you hear them as they moan?" reinforces the sense of loss and mourning associated with death.

Upon closer inspection, however, there may be more going on in these lyrics than meets the eye. Some interpret the song as a commentary on mortality and the cycle of life and death. The singer acknowledges that his body will be taken away in the spring, when the rivers flow, indicating that he is part of the natural world and subject to its rhythms. This is further supported by his reference to the willows weeping and moaning - these trees are often associated with death and mourning in traditional folklore.

Others have suggested that the song is a metaphor for political or social upheaval. The lines "Don't let the devil take a hold / Don't let your well run dry" could be read as a call to action or a warning against complacency in the face of injustice. The river, which takes away the singer's body, could represent the unstoppable force of change that sweeps away old ways of doing things.

Regardless of the interpretation, "Nancy" is a haunting and evocative song that has resonated with listeners for decades. Its timeless quality is a testament to the enduring power of folk music.

Line by Line Meaning

Farewell, Nancy, to heavens I'm bound to go
Goodbye, Nancy, I am going to heaven

Let my absence be no trouble to ya
Don't worry about me being gone

For I will see you soon, I know
I am certain that we will meet again soon

Can't you hear the willows weeping?
Do you hear the sad sound of the willows?

Can't you hear them as they moan?
Can't you hear the mournful sound they make?

They're taking away my body
My physical body is being taken away

In the spring when the rivers flow
This will happen in the springtime when the rivers are full

Don't let the devil take a hold
Don't allow the devil to have power over you

Don't let your well run dry
Take care that your inner resources don't become exhausted

When your time on earth is over
When you pass away from this world

I will meet you you in the bye-and-bye
I will reunite with you in the future