Currently Martyn Jacques, Adrian Stout, Adrian Huge (Past member Phil Butcher)
Their surreal style has been described as dark, darkly humorous, strangely humorous, Brechtian, and gypsy cabaret. They are also notorious for singing controversial songs involving bestiality, prostitution and blasphemy.
The Tiger Lillies were originally buskers, playing songs about the criminals, pimps and whores of Soho, London, England. Over time, the band became involved in several theatrical productions around the world, including the critically acclaimed Shockheaded Peter. Known for their intense, outlandish, and dark performances, they have garnered both controversy and critical acclaim.
Also "The Tiger Lillies", "The Tigerlilies" and "The Tigerlillies" may refer to Indie rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio that formed in 1989.
Bio:
Cincinnati's power pop stalwarts the Tigerlillies formed in 1989 and set out to fuse glam rock, roots rock, and post-punk into an aesthetic they called "More Pop than Jesus." Led by vocalist/guitarist Pat Hennessy, the band also included former members of the Chrome Cranks, the Candy Snatchers, and G.G. Allin & the Murder Junkies before settling on the lineup of Hennessy, guitarist/vocalist William Weber, bassist Brian Driscoll, and drummer/vocalist Steve Hennessy.
Discography:
Deep (1992)
Space Age Love Songs (1997)
Ceci N'est Ces Pop (2003)
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Lover
The Tiger Lillies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now lies in her grave
And I’m left to mourn her
Whom my soul did save
I’m staring at her tombstone
My heart is full of grief
I fear that part of my life
Stolen by a thief
Stolen by a thief
The elements will wear this tombstone away
And one day we will join you
Us who for you pray
The words upon your tombstone
Will be worn away
But we will be united
Somehow somewhere some day
Stolen by a thief
Stolen by a thief
As that tombstone starts to crack
From the bitter cold
And when I come to visit you
Bent double and old
My memories of love will seem like yesterday
True love never forgets
Well that is what they say
You were stolen by a thief
You were stolen by a thief
So lover dear,
I love you forever more
You, my blessed lover
Your memory I’ll adore
So as the wind and snow and rain
Beats down upon your tomb
My comfort is
We’ll be united one day soon
You were stolen by a thief
|: Stolen by a thief :|
In the song "Lover" by The Tiger Lillies, the singer mourns the loss of their lover and mentor, who now lies in their grave. The singer is left with a heavy heart filled with grief, as they fear that a part of their life has been taken away by a thief. They stare at the tombstone of their loved one, knowing that the elements will wear it away, but holding onto the hope that someday they will be reunited.
The lyrics of the song suggest a deep and meaningful connection between the singer and their lost lover. The use of the word "mentor" implies that the relationship was more than just a romantic one, but also one of guidance and support. It's clear that the singer's loss has left a deep void in their life, and they are struggling to come to terms with it.
Despite their grief, the singer holds onto the belief that true love never forgets, and that somehow, someday, they will be reunited with their lover. The song paints a poignant picture of loss and remembrance, underscored by the haunting and mournful tone of The Tiger Lillies' music.
Line by Line Meaning
My lover and my mentor
The person who was both my romantic partner and my inspiration.
Now lies in her grave
She has died and been buried.
And I’m left to mourn her
I'm the one who has to grieve her loss.
Whom my soul did save
She was the one who gave my life meaning and purpose.
I’m staring at her tombstone
I'm standing in front of the stone that marks her grave.
My heart is full of grief
I'm feeling a deep and overwhelming sense of sadness.
I fear that part of my life
I worry that a significant part of my existence is now missing.
Has been stolen by a thief
Someone or something has taken away something precious from me without my consent.
Stolen by a thief
Reinforces the idea that something valuable has been taken from me without justification.
The elements will wear this tombstone away
Over time, the weather will erode the rock that marks her grave.
And one day we will join you
Eventually, I will also die and be buried near her.
Us who for you pray
Those who loved her will continue to think about her and wish her well.
The words upon your tombstone
The writing etched into the marker that indicates where she is buried.
Will be worn away
Eventually, the inscription will become illegible.
But we will be united
One day, we'll be together again, even if only in death.
Somehow somewhere some day
At some point in the future, it will happen.
As that tombstone starts to crack
When the marker begins to break apart due to time and exposure to the elements.
From the bitter cold
The harshness of winter weather will contribute to the degradation of the stone.
And when I come to visit you
When I make the pilgrimage to her grave.
Bent double and old
When I'm old and physically frail.
My memories of love will seem like yesterday
Even as time moves on, my recollections of our relationship will remain vivid and close, as though it just happened.
True love never forgets
Suggesting that the bond we had was genuine and long-lasting.
You were stolen by a thief
Repeating the earlier sentiment that something valuable was taken from me unjustly.
So lover dear,
Addressing the memory of the departed as I might have done when she was still alive.
I love you forever more
Expressing endless affection.
You, my blessed lover
Emphasizing the joy and good fortune of having known her.
Your memory I’ll adore
I will treasure and cherish the memories I have of her forever.
So as the wind and snow and rain
Describing the unpleasant weather conditions that might affect her grave site.
Beats down upon your tomb
The harsh conditions are causing damage to the stone that marks your final resting place.
My comfort is
Despite the adverse conditions, there is a source of solace to be found.
We’ll be united one day soon
The notion that the singer will once again be joined with their beloved, even after death.
You were stolen by a thief
Closing with the same phrase that opens the song creates a sense of cyclical narrative conveying the sense of loss and longing that will remain no matter how much time passes.
Contributed by Sophia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.