☝️ Key Points
- The singer expresses sadness and longing for his deceased loved one
- The 'sleep' of 'Lady d'Arbanville' is a metaphor for death
- 'Your lips feel like winter, / Your skin has turned to white' illustrates the state of physical decay after death
- 'I'll wake you tomorrow / And you will be my fill' shows the singer's desire to bring his beloved back to life
- The 'never dying' rose symbolizes the singer's immortal love for his beloved
Interpretation
The song 'Lady D'Arbanville' by
Cat Stevens is an emotional ode to a beloved person who is no longer alive. The lyrics are metaphorical and clearly marked by grief, as the singer expresses his feelings for his deceased loved one. 'My Lady d'Arbanville, why do you sleep so still?' is a poetic way of describing death, using 'sleep' as a metaphor for death. The singer expresses his deep sadness and lack of understanding that she 'sleeps so still', indicating her peace in death. 'Your lips feel like winter, / Your skin has turned to white' represents a figurative description of the physical state after death. The repeated verse 'I'll wake you tomorrow / And you will be my fill' shows the singer's desire to bring her back to life and his longing for her. Finally, the verse 'I loved you my lady, though in your grave you lie, / I'll always be with you / This rose will never die' is a declaration of his immortal love for her, symbolized by the 'never dying' rose that continues to live despite her death. Overall, the song is a melancholic homage to a beloved person who has passed away, and expresses deep sorrow, longing, and eternal love.