The band formed originally under the name Here Today out of the Baltimore's modern rock/gothic music scene in the early 80's. A single Whistle in the Yard drew some attention from CBS Records, and the band was signed. In 1985, the band changed its name to Vigil, but was dropped by CBS. Vigil was quickly signed by Chrysalis Records, and in 1987 released their debut self titled album "Vigil". Then band went on tour in support of this album as the opening act for The Stranglers.
In 1989, the band returned to the studio to record a second album, tentatively titled "Escape Artist". During this period, Chrysalis dropped the band. One track from this period, "Therapist", was released on the A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master soundtrack.
Band Members
Gregg Maizel (bass)
Jo Connor (vocals, guitar, and keyboards)
Andy R (guitars)
X Factor (drums)
Sam Prager (producer and manager)
Albums
Vigil - Vigil Chrysalis Records
Vigil - Onto Beggar and Bitter Things
EPs
Here Today - The It/On Me 7" single (Home Fry Records HT-2)
Here Today - Whistle In the Yard/Del Centro/In The Maze 12" single (KAT Records)
Vigil - I Am Waiting/I Love You Equinox/Enclosures 12" single Chrysalis Records
The Garden
Vigil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They gracefully sway in the slight breeze
Watching the vine dancing at my feet
Birds play games on the ivy wall
And sweetly sing their mating calls
From big contented trees
It's always sunny and 75 degrees here in
It's time I climbed the vine, ahhhhhh
The garden, ahhhhhhh
And try my idle mind, ahhhhhhh
All the animals mind their own
There is no fear they're so complacent
All of the women are for the taking
There is no hunt or chases
The brook that trickles along runs out beneath the stone wall
I wonder where and if it could be greener there than
The garden, ahhhhhhhh
It's time I climbed the vine, ahhhhhhhh
The garden, ahhhhhhhh
I feel the porcupine, ahhhhhhhh
Gimme some spike
Taste the air so sweet while I pluck daisies
If I don't feel the sting of a hard rain soon I will go crazy
The garden, ahhhhhhhh
It's time I climbed the vine, ahhhhhhhh
The garden, ahhhhhhhh
I pet the porcupine, ahhhhhhhh
Gimme some spike
The Garden by Vigil paints a scene of a peaceful, idyllic garden. The singer describes lying in the cool blue shade of the big leaves and watching the vines dance at their feet. They observe the birds singing mating calls and playing games on the ivy wall. All the animals mind their own and there is no fear; the women are free for the taking and there is no hunt or chase. The singer wonders if there could be anywhere greener than the garden but knows it is always sunny and 75 degrees.
The lyrics convey the idea of a perfect haven where one can find solace and forget their worries. The singer aims to climb the vine and try their idle mind in the garden. They taste the sweet air while plucking daisies and even pet the porcupine. However, the singer fears going crazy if they don't feel the sting of hard rain soon.
The song seems to be an ode to the beauty and tranquility found in nature. The vivid descriptions of the garden make the listener appreciate the beauty of the natural world and long for moments of silence and peace. It is a reminder to slow down and take a moment to appreciate the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying in the cool blue shade of big leaves
Relaxed in the shaded area with big leaves
They gracefully sway in the slight breeze
The big leaves are gently moving due to the soft wind
Watching the vine dancing at my feet
Observing the vine moving around on the ground
Birds play games on the ivy wall
Birds are playing around on the wall covered in ivy
And sweetly sing their mating calls
Birds are making lovely sounds to attract their mates
From big contented trees
From the large and satisfied trees around
It's always sunny and 75 degrees here in
It's always warm and bright with moderate temperature here
The garden, ahhhhhhhh
The place where all these things are happening
It's time I climbed the vine, ahhhhhh
It's time to ascend on the vine
And try my idle mind, ahhhhhhh
And calm my restless mind
All the animals mind their own
All the animals are doing their own business and not interfering with others
There is no fear they're so complacent
Animals are feeling so secure that they're not afraid of anything
All of the women are for the taking
There are plenty of women to choose from
There is no hunt or chases
There is no need to hunt animals or chase after women for entertainment
The brook that trickles along runs out beneath the stone wall
The small stream of water flowing from under the stone wall
I wonder where and if it could be greener there than
Thinking about other places and whether they could be better than this garden
I feel the porcupine, ahhhhhhhh
Feeling the porcupine's quills
Gimme some spike
Give me more sensation
Taste the air so sweet while I pluck daisies
Savoring the delightfully fragrant air while picking daisies
If I don't feel the sting of a hard rain soon I will go crazy
If there isn't a change in the weather soon, I'll become insane
I pet the porcupine, ahhhhhhhh
Touching the porcupine lovingly
Gimme some spike
Give me more thrilling and exciting sensations
Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Carl Jasper
Musicorum Obscure - this brings back a rush of memories. I was in my early 20's and lived near where the band practiced and hung out a bit with a few of the members. I would love to legally purchase a copy of this CD or at least mp3s. Please post more here!
damian hodkinson
I will eventually. I did get permission to post this and the rest of the album. I'm actually burning them from vinyl! Just need to fund the time.
Devon King
Great song.