in April/May 2006, the quartet played six shows in Ireland to support the release of The Swell Season. Later in the year (October & December) they also played a number of shows in the US to support the release of the album there. The huge success of the film Once resulted in Glen and Markéta touring the US constantly during 2007 and the line-up morphed over time (Glen and Markéta being the core members). The current Swell Season line-up also includes three members of The Frames: guitarist Rob Bochnik, violinist Colm Mac Con Iomaire, and bassist Joe Doyle. Graham Hopkins joined the tour on drums in spring of 2008.
Hansard and Markéta starred in the film 'Once' by writer/director John Carney (a former bass player of The Frames). Many songs of The Swell Season are used in this film, which won the World Cinema Audience Award at Sundance 2007. Hansard and Irglová won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the song "Falling Slowly" in February 2008.
For more info: http://www.myspace.com/oncethemovie
Tour dates and audio streams are available from www.theswellseason.com.
Lay me Down
The Swell Season Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Explain the way I'm thinking now, I--
I will return to you
What I have taken long before, I--
I will return again
When it gets dark and day is done
And lay me down
Down by your side I will stay
So lay me down
And if you wanna stay with me
Then let me know before it's light, I--
I will recoil myself
Into the black and darkest night
And lay me down
In the hallowed ground
Where my father waits, I will stay
So lay me down
And lay me down
In the hallowed ground
Down by your side I will stay
So lay me down
The Swell Season's song Lay Me Down is a poignant and heartfelt ballad that captures the deep emotions of a troubled relationship. The opening line "I will write you letters that explain the way I'm thinking now" suggests that there is a communication breakdown between the two lovers. However, the promise to "return to you what I have taken long before" suggests a yearning for reconciliation and a desire to make things right. The repeated refrain "lay me down in the hallowed ground, down by your side I will stay" conveys a sense of surrender and vulnerability, as the singer seeks solace and comfort in the arms of their lover.
The song's second verse continues the theme of reconciliation, with the singer asking their lover to "let me know before it's light" if they want to stay together. The line "I will recoil myself into the black and darkest night" suggests that the singer is afraid of being alone, and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep their relationship intact. The final verse introduces a sense of mortality and finality, with the images of a father waiting in the hallowed ground. The repeated refrain takes on a new meaning here, as the singer longs to be laid to rest next to their lover, in a symbol of eternal love and unity.
Overall, the song's lyrics are introspective, emotional and beautifully written. The themes of love, loss and mortality are explored with a delicate touch, and the composition of the song is haunting and ethereal. The Swell Season's Lay Me Down is a timeless classic that will resonate with listeners for years to come.
Line by Line Meaning
I will write you letters that
I will use writing to make you understand the way I am feeling now
Explain the way I'm thinking now, I--
I will tell you what I am thinking and feeling through my letters
I will return to you
I will come back to where you are
What I have taken long before, I--
I will give back what I took from you earlier
I will return again
I will come back to you again
When it gets dark and day is done
I will come to you at night when everything else is finished
And lay me down
Let me rest
In the hallowed ground
In the scared place of our love
Down by your side I will stay
I want to be close to you
So lay me down
Let me rest here in this place of love
And if you wanna stay with me
If you want to be with me
Then let me know before it's light, I--
Tell me before the morning comes
I will recoil myself
I will hide myself
Into the black and darkest night
I will go into the darkest and scariest places
Where my father waits, I will stay
I will stay where my loved ones are
Contributed by Penelope Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.