Vashti Bunyan (born 1945 in Newcastle Upon Tyne) is an English singer who, … Read Full Bio ↴Vashti Bunyan (born 1945 in Newcastle Upon Tyne) is an English singer who, in the mid-60s, was publicized to be the next Marianne Faithfull and the female version of Bob Dylan. In June 1965, under the direction of Rolling Stones' manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, Bunyan released her first single, the Jagger and Richards penned "Some Things Just Stick in Your Mind". Several more singles were released in the 1960s to some mild success. She left the music business in 1970, returning to recording and touring in 2002.

With some mild success with singles during the mid-late 1960s, Bunyan released the LP, Just Another Diamond Day, in 1970. This consisted of songs written while traveling in a horse drawn gypsy cart. Critics panned the album and a discouraged Vashti soon disappeared from the music scene. However, by the 2000s her work had finally been finding an audience among contemporary artists and fans of folk music.

In 2002, she was invited by Piano Magic musician Glen Johnson to sing guest vocals on his song "Crown of the Lost", her first recording in over 30 years. After guesting on Piano Magic's album 'Writers Without Homes', she released her critically-acclaimed second album, Lookaftering, 35 years after its predecessor.

In 2006 she collaborated with Adem and began to tour for the first time, accompanied by various musicians including Jo Mango and Gareth Dickson. She collaborated with Animal Collective on the Prospect Hummer EP. Vashti also sang with Devendra Banhart on his album Rejoicing in the Hands.

Bunyan's cover of the late John Martyn's "Head and Heart" appeared on the 2011 tribute album, Johnny Boy Would Love This...A Tribute to John Martyn.

Window Over the Bay
Vashti Bunyan Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wish I had a window over the bay
And a black horse grazing on the green all day
I wish I had a well to draw my water from
And a warm log fire for when the summer is gone

I wish I had a window over the bay
And a flock of white sheep to watch from where I lay
I wish I had a little boat bobbing on the deep

And a big wooden table all laid out for tea

I wish I had a window over the bay
And a dreamy eyed cow to fill my milking pail

I wish I had a cockerel to raise me at dawn
And a little bed to sleep in when the curtains are drawn

Overall Meaning

In Vashti Bunyan's "Window Over the Bay," the artist expresses a deep yearning for a simple life in the countryside. She wishes for a window overlooking the bay, longing for a peaceful and calming view. The artist's desire for a black horse grazing on the green all day represents a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere that she yearns for. The repetition of the line, "I wish I had," indicates a deep sense of longing and unfulfilled desire, as she wishes for a deep well to draw her water from and a warm log fire to keep her heart warm during the cold winter months.

The artist further emphasizes her desire for a serene and peaceful life by wishing for a flock of white sheep to watch, a little boat bobbing on the deep, and a big wooden table laid out for tea. She wants a dreamy-eyed cow to fill her milking pail, a cockerel to raise her at dawn, and a little bed to sleep in when the curtains are drawn. Through her heartfelt lyrics, the artist creates a picture of a simple life filled with nature, peace, and tranquillity.

Overall, the song's message is about the desire for a stress-free life filled with the simple pleasures of nature. It encourages listeners to appreciate the beauty and peace around them and "stop and smell the roses."

Line by Line Meaning

I wish I had a window over the bay
I long for a home with a picturesque view of the ocean.

And a black horse grazing on the green all day
I desire a peaceful countryside where I can watch a black horse leisurely grazing.

I wish I had a well to draw my water from
I want a reliable source of fresh water that isn't dependent on external factors.

And a warm log fire for when the summer is gone
I seek comfort from the cold weather through a warming fire in my home.

And a flock of white sheep to watch from where I lay
I would find joy in observing a herd of white sheep from my resting place.

I wish I had a little boat bobbing on the deep
I want to have access to a boat for leisurely activities and exploration on the vast sea.

And a big wooden table all laid out for tea
I wish for a comfortable and inviting space to entertain guests with refreshments.

I wish I had a window over the bay
Again, I crave a home with a breathtaking scenic view of the bay.

And a dreamy eyed cow to fill my milking pail
I hope to have a peaceful and contented cow to provide me with fresh milk.

I wish I had a cockerel to raise me at dawn
I long for a reliable alarm clock in my life to start my days early.

And a little bed to sleep in when the curtains are drawn
Lastly, I desire a small and cozy bed to sleep in after a long day spent on my idyllic homestead.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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