Chinese White
The Incredible String Band Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The bent twig of darkness
Grows the petals of the morning
It shows to them the birds singing
Just behind the dawning

Come dip into the cloud cream lapping
I can't keep my hand on the plough
Because it's dying

But I will lay me down with my arms
Round a rainbow
And I will lay me down to dream

Oh, will your magic
Christmas tree be shining
Gently all around?

Climbing up these figures
The sun is tugging at my shoulder
And every step I take
I think, my feet are getting older

I see the crystal dreams unfolding
I can't keep my eyes on the book
Because it's mouldering

But I will lay me down with my arms
Round a rainbow
And I will lay me down to dream

Oh, will your magic




Christmas tree be shining
Gently all around?

Overall Meaning

The first two lines of "Chinese White" by The Incredible String Band set a surreal tone for the rest of the song: "The bent twig of darkness/Grows the petals of the morning." This juxtaposition of darkness and light, and the idea that one can lead to the other, presents an interesting and poetic worldview. The rest of the lyrics explore a similarly dreamlike world, touching on themes of nature, aging, and the power of imagination. The singer describes dipping "into the cloud cream lapping," showing a deep connection to the natural world, but also acknowledges their own mortality, noting that their "feet are getting older." Despite this, the singer finds solace in their imagination, envisioning themselves lying "down with [their] arms/Round a rainbow" and dreaming.


Overall, "Chinese White" seems to present a world that is both beautiful and fleeting, where darkness and light can coexist and imagination can offer a kind of escape from the realities of aging and decay. The imagery and language used in the song are certainly poetic and evocative, allowing for multiple interpretations and inviting the listener to engage with its dreamlike world.


Line by Line Meaning

The bent twig of darkness
The small, fragile hope in a dark situation


Grows the petals of the morning
There is hope, a new beginning coming with each dawn


It shows to them the birds singing
In the midst of darkness, there is still beauty to be found


Just behind the dawning
Hope and happiness are always on the horizon


Come dip into the cloud cream lapping
Embrace the beauty and joy around us


I can't keep my hand on the plough
I cannot keep working at something that is dying


Because it's dying
This situation is coming to an end, and I need to move on


But I will lay me down with my arms
But I will find peace and comfort in something beautiful


Round a rainbow
Around the beauty and hope of a rainbow


And I will lay me down to dream
And I will find solace in my dreams


Oh, will your magic
Oh, will you bring your wonder and joy


Christmas tree be shining
To brighten the world like a shining Christmas tree


Gently all around?
To spread happiness and light everywhere


Climbing up these figures
As I climb through life's challenges


The sun is tugging at my shoulder
The promise of a better future is pulling me forward


And every step I take
With every move forward


I think, my feet are getting older
I feel the weight of my journey, but I am still moving forward


I see the crystal dreams unfolding
I see the beauty and wonder of my dreams coming true


I can't keep my eyes on the book
I cannot keep focused on the past, but must keep moving forward


Because it's mouldering
Because the past is decaying and no longer useful


But I will lay me down with my arms
But I will still find beauty and peace


Round a rainbow
Around the promise of hope and happiness


And I will lay me down to dream
And I will continue to find solace in my dreams


Oh, will your magic
Oh, will you bring your wonder and joy


Christmas tree be shining
To brighten the world like a shining Christmas tree


Gently all around?
To spread happiness and light everywhere




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MIKE HERON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@alanoneill3065

I was 16 when I first heard this...mesmerised...no drugs

@normabarrell351

Same here

@luqmanleckie5194

One of the most beautiful combinations of lyrics and melody ever written, as you can say for at least 10 other songs they wrote, of which 5 are on this album (have to add "October Song" from their first album).

@jeremysphincter1094

God, this is one of the most beautiful (and unusual) songs I’ve ever heard. I got this album when it was first released. I knew nothing about, nor ever heard of The Incredible String Band. I liked the artwork so I took a chance. I’m glad I did.

@f104G

You judged a book by its cover.

@PaulR986

The first song that meant anything to me. I was 15 and my sister (18) returned from her first term at Uni. clutching this album. I listened, heard and the rest is history - just love all forms of folk music from then on.

@tonyjones7373

lucky you ! !

@karenvarian1174

Robin WIlliamson is a genius and I love his voice. He is a true storyteller, bard or what have you. A wonderful album. Thank you form the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

@gartnait1

Not Robin singing,this is Mike Heron.

@shelflife3867

@@gartnait1 Robin is singing harmony

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