Snowbird is a dream-pop duo formed in 2009 comprising British instrumentali… Read Full Bio ↴Snowbird is a dream-pop duo formed in 2009 comprising British instrumentalist Simon Raymonde (formerly of Cocteau Twins and also co-founder of the London-based label Bella Union) and American singer-songwriter Stephanie Dosen (formerly of 90s techno band Virus). Dosen and Raymonde first worked together on Dosen's second solo album, A Lily for the Spectre, released by Bella Union in 2007. The duo's debut album as Snowbird, "Moon", was released on 27 January 2014 on Bella Union.

Amélia
snowbird Lyrics

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In the prairie with the sheep
I fall to reap a wreath of bay berries
To crown the horses in your heart

I can't tame them for a thousand frozen days
They're wild as a storm, pulling the house down

Five feathers of a swan, to bind with Queen Anne's lace

And silver wheat, to crown the horses in your heart

I can't tame them for a thousand frozen days
They're wild as a storm, tearing the house down

I can't tame them for a thousand frozen days
They're wild as a storm

Oh, Amelia, Amelia fair, Starry eyed, (Amelia fair)
Ooo, Amelia, Amelia fair, Starry eyed, (Amelia fair)

Oo, Oh, Amelia, Wild as a storm...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Amelia" are poetic and metaphorical, and it's clear that they refer to an elusive and wild woman named Amelia. The singer is trying to capture and tame Amelia's spirit, represented by the horses in her heart, but acknowledges that it's an impossible task. The imagery of the prairie with the sheep and the wreath of bay berries create a picturesque scene of the singer's attempt to capture Amelia's essence. The swan feathers and Queen Anne's lace are symbols of grace and purity, whereas the silver wheat symbolizes strength and resilience, all elements that the singer believes are present in Amelia's heart.

The final verse repeats the phrase "wild as a storm" several times, emphasizing that no matter how much the singer tries, Amelia's untamable spirit will always be there. The use of the word "tearing" in the penultimate line is especially powerful, as it suggests a destructive force that cannot be contained.

Overall, the lyrics of "Amelia" create a vivid image of an enigmatic woman that is both alluring and untouchable, and the singer's attempt to capture her essence is ultimately futile.

Line by Line Meaning

In the prairie with the sheep I fall to reap a wreath of bay berries To crown the horses in your heart
I gather these bay berries to make a wreath, which I will use to decorate the metaphorical horses in your heart while in a prairie filled with sheep.

I can't tame them for a thousand frozen days They're wild as a storm, pulling the house down
I cannot control or contain these uncontrollable feelings for you, they are as unruly as a tumultuous storm, capable of ruining everything.

Five feathers of a swan, to bind with Queen Anne's lace And silver wheat, to crown the horses in your heart
To adorn the horses in your heart, I use five goose or swan feathers, tied together with Queen Anne's Lace and silver wheat.

I can't tame them for a thousand frozen days They're wild as a storm, tearing the house down
Once again, I am acknowledging that I cannot control my emotions, and that they have the potential to be just as destructive as a storm that tears down houses.

I can't tame them for a thousand frozen days They're wild as a storm
My feelings for you are unruly and uncontrollable - no matter how hard I try to suppress them, they persist.

Oh, Amelia, Amelia fair, Starry eyed, (Amelia fair) Ooo, Amelia, Amelia fair, Starry eyed, (Amelia fair)
Oh Amelia, who is fair and has beautiful starry eyes, you remain the object of my unyielding affections.

Oo, Oh, Amelia, Wild as a storm...
Once again, I emphasize how my emotions for you are untamed and capricious, much like an unbridled storm.

Contributed by Benjamin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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