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You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in fields of gold
So she took her love
For to gaze awhile
Upon the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold
Will you stay with me, will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
We'll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we lie in fields of gold
See the west wind move like a lover so
Upon the fields of barley
Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth
Among the fields of gold
I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that I've broken
But I swear in the days still left
We'll walk in fields of gold
We'll walk in fields of gold
Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
Upon the fields of barley
You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in fields of gold
So she took her love
For to gaze awhile
Upon the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold
Will you stay with me, will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
We'll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we lie in fields of gold
See the west wind move like a lover so
Upon the fields of barley
Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth
Among the fields of gold
I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that I've broken
But I swear in the days still left
We'll walk in fields of gold
We'll walk in fields of gold
Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
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The first stanza is going back in memory and remembering that time when she was happy with him. It describes falling in love and how exciting that feeling was. There, they swear that their love will be forever. A line I love is "we'll forget the sun in his jealous sky..." I've always taken this to mean that their time in that life is limited, that he will die a young man, and she will have to live many years without him. Forgetting the sun in the jealous sky talks about that cycle of day and night that is comparable to life and death. They are forgetting for a while that their moments together are limited and that the life they have together will end rather soon. For that while, they are just enjoying their time together, living in the moment and not thinking about anything else.
"Many years have passed..." she returns to that physical place where she was happy with him, but also she returns to the place in her mind. It has been a long time, so things have changed. She watches children (not her own, just children playing) near this place, and the sun is setting. Here again is the life/death cycle.
As for the west wind, it's like a trigger for her memory, that feeling ignites her memories again, and they are bittersweet, she remembers the happiness she felt for him, but there is also the pain of losing him. I've always thought of the last stanza as a switch of perspective. Whereas till that point, he was basically speaking to her telling her she will remember him, now she is speaking to him. "You can tell the sun in his jealous sky when we walked in fields of gold", meaning that because he's already passed away, he now sees the bigger picture and can tell that time cannot touch their love, for it transcends everything.
The key to interpreting this somewhat idyllic song (though one which many will at least be able to partly identify with) is the opening verse and its themes, the repetition of elements of these themes throughout the song and the music bridges between the verses. This opening verse contain a snapshot or hint of all the songs themes: remembering, forgetting, the west wind, the jealous sun and sky and the fields of barley/gold. Note too that we hear the same tune throughout except in the crucial second half of the fourth verse when he makes a solemn promise. Also, the accompaniment from the fourth verse onwards is enhanced significantly.
The piece can be interpreted on two levels also. Firstly, there is the original experiential level: what happened between two people in love over their life together, especially at a particular time in their lives. Secondly, there is the level of the song designed to communicate and create an experience for the listener, you and me. Both levels run together and overlap, it seems to me.
1.Youll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
Youll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in fields of gold
The first two lines of verse 1 are addressed to his female partner. He is telling her that some time in the future she will remember him at the time that the west wind moves upon the fields of barley, both very concrete experiences. By relating this to her and us in this way, the song writer/he gets her and us wondering what this could mean. Does this imply that he will be somewhere else or with her?: It is deliberately left hanging for a later resolution. It clearly speaks of the future but when?
A west wind, according to Wikipedia, is Qa wind that blows from the west, in an eastward direction. In Western tradition, it has usually been considered the mildest and most favorable of the directional windsQ. Fields of barley grain are golden in colour, so beautiful to see from the outside and to wander in, get lost in, be in.
Then there is the second line: QYoull forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in fields of goldQ. So we have an immediate contrast created between remembering and forgetting when we take the whole verse together.
QThe sun in his jealous skyQ is an interesting personification of celestial bodies. The sun is said to own the sky (QhisQ): maybe in the sense that the sun fills the sky on a perfect day. Why QjealousQ? This is not revealed as yet. And how can one forget the sun? What experience is so strong and deep that she could Qforget the sunQ as she Qwalked in fields of barleyQ?
But they will walk together, not just in fields of barley now, but fields of QgoldQ. Is this just another way of describing the fields of barley or is there something else being communicated here?
So we note that while the first two lines of the verse take her (and us as listeners) to an unknown future time, the last line of the verse refers also to her future experience but one that will be while she is with him in the fields of barley.
And QbarleyQ is substituted, for reasons yet to be explained, by QgoldQ in this last word of the verse, though it seems clear enough that he is referring to QbarleyQ, but perhaps something more by the use of this word. Perhaps the poet/story teller/partner wants to put before us up front a contrast between the golden QsunQ and the golden QbarleyQ. And this parallel of QbarleyQ and QgoldQ, as it occurs in verse 1, is to be repeated, we will see, in each verse of the poem/song and in the same way: Qbarley at the end of the second line (the end of the first full meaningful part of the verse) and the end of the fourth line (the end of the second meaningful part of the verse). So this repetitive theme provides a framework and a continuity, the latter being precisely the goal, I think, of the writer.
So its all a bit cryptic at this point but a lot has been said, as well as left unsaid in the span of one simple verse of the song. The scene has been set but we really dont know where things are going so far. A number of questions have been implicitly raised and left hanging. The walk in fields of barley is relayed as an experience that is to occur and the way the last line is worded brings the song back from the future to the present, on the basis of the tense used.
The bridge of music that follows verse 1 gives me a sense that what is being conveyed is: Qthis first verse is what I want to say in this song, this is what its about, now let me explain that to you, let me tell you of the experience that it speaks ofQ.
2. So she took her love
For to gaze awhile
Upon the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold
3. Will you stay with me, will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
Well forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we lie in fields of gold
Ah ha: we see the song, his words, the story, move immediately to what was mentioned in the last line of verse 1: the QwalkQ in the fields of barley. Verses 2 and 3 go together; the music bridge between verses 3&4 tells us this, as there is no musical break between verses 2&3. Verse 2 is that of the storyteller. Verse 3 brings us immediately to the real life situation between the couple: as if we are there hearing his words spoken to her in this close encounter. We can visualise both these events and moments mentioned very easily: there is nothing cryptic here.
QSo she took her loveQ: So what happened was, the story goes, that she loved him and she took him to the fields of barley. She takes the initiative. Maybe she wants to find out more about what he has said in verse 1 to her, the promises that he has made there to her. For that is really what verse 1 was about in essence: predictions but promises, though that may be getting ahead of ourselves a bit to use that latter word, though thats one possible interpretation at this stage, I think.
The experience in the fields of barley first begins with wandering and gazing at the expanse of the fields but soon she falls into his arms and they are gazing at each other. Her hair coming down indicates perhaps that she does so with abandon and a sense of relaxation, freedom and trust. And there is that word QgoldQ mentioned again: before it was in the context of QwalkingQ that was yet to happen (see verse 1); now they are QamongQ these Qfields of goldQ in each others arms. But there is no explanation yet as to what this parallel between Qfields of barleyQ and Qfields of goldQ means.
QWill you stay with me, will you be my loveQ begins verse 3: we hear him say this while they are still in each others arms. This may be like the proposal for a longed for life and love together, though we jump ahead of ourselves here because the question that begins verse 3 is asked in the context of Qamong the fields of barleyQ, not beyond that at this point. There is nothing here really to say that he is asking her to QstayQ and Qbe my loveQ beyond this time in the fields of barley
The second part of the verse shows that the reference is also to the here and now while they are among the fields of barley: QWell forget the sun in his jealous sky As we lie in fields of goldQ.
Now its not easy to forget the blazing sun in a clear sky but he says they will want to and they will for just the time they are together there, he promises or asserts. They will be oblivious to all else, even the bright powerful dominant sun and the all encompassing blue sky that one usually looks up to with amazement and which usually cant but helped being noticed usually, given its attractive, beautiful blue hue.
Why would the sun and sky not be jealous? They are about to be, it seems, cut off from focus or attention, ignored: because something golden, something precious is beginning to happen between two people here: something that even in their (the sun and skys) might and greatness even they cant have, but can only envy. There may be more gold in this love between this couple, he considers (and predicts), than the beauty and preciousness of the suns rays and the blue skys beauty. The thing about gold is when you find a nugget, there is usually a rich vein (to use the mining analogy) from where that came from. So we now know what was meant by Qyoull forget the sunQ in verse 1, though it is in fact both of them that he says will QforgetQ that sun and sky: she wont be doing this alone.
Then the music bridge comes around again, just as it was after verse 1. However, the accompaniment is about to be enhanced after the end of the bridge and as the fourth verse begins: the electric guitar will be plucked repeatedly and beautifully to highlight an enhancement of their relationship.
4. See the west wind move like a lover so
Upon the fields of barley
Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth
Among the fields of gold
I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that Ive broken
But I swear in the days still left
Well walk in fields of gold
Well walk in fields of gold
Verse 4 is the crescendo of the song. The song writer invites us to experience what the couple are experiencing now: to QseeQ the west wind move, this gentle breeze, as gentle as the moves of lovers, upon the barley fields (or perhaps it is a call to witness something: QseeQ in this sense), but also, to remember our own similar experiences; we are perhaps being drawn into savour our own experiences in a fresh way. We are reminded of verse 1 and its reference to Qthe west windQ straight away: QYoull remember me when the west wind moves, Upon the fields of barleyQ. The basis for the promise he made before, at the outset (verse 1), is about to be established and partly fulfilled; the experience which is to be remembered is now occurring or beginning, it seems. But there will be more later on these words of verse 1 which fully explains their meaning.
Verse 4 is more than an experience of physical intimacy with all it high and perfection (and the extent of the physical intimacy here is left open to ones interpretation or imagination, though they have, it seems, been rolling in the fields of barley as she now has her back to the earth); there is a commitment being made here, a solemn joining together of this couple. Maybe for the first time a commitment or promise that he swears he will honour: like the vows made during a wedding ceremony. Its a commitment for the rest of his life (Qthe days still leftQ). How are we to interpret the two lines beginning Qfeel her bodyQetc? Certainly not literally. So are we not being drawn into this intimate experience solely on the basis of our own intimate experiences?
I dont interpret these last words to say that he is on his death bed, so to speak. The music bridge before verse 5 and the opening line of verse 5 support this interpretation, I think (see below). He is saying at this point of the experience or this point of the song that we are listening to and identifying with in our own experiences, that the rest of their life from that point onwards will be a Qwalk in fields of goldQ; this will be the essence of their journey ahead together. This is more than the gold of the barley or of the sun but the QgoldQ of their precious loving committed relationship. But perhaps the words Qthe days still leftQ are ominous in the sense that it could refer to both a lifetime or to a very short time. This partly prepares us for the last verse. The last line is repeated: i.e. he is sure of what he is saying.
So now we see the full meaning of the term Qfields of goldQ. This is their life and love together and they QwalkQ together in it. And we now realise that he did in fact use the word QstayQ in verse 3 above to mean stay forever. This becomes crystal clean when we get to Verse 5.
Then there is a longer musical bridge, after verse 4 and before verse 5, a reflective time on what has happened and been told to us, a time to soak up the QgoldQ of their experience so far and to touch that same gold within our own experiences. This longer musical bridge is conveying also that time is passing in the lives of these lovers, as the first line of verse 5 will indicate.
5. QMany years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barleyQ
They are much older now and many seasons have passed, the storyteller relays.
QSee the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of goldQ
We are invited into a now experience. This could be their own children or it could be just a way of connecting the past with the present: they as QchildrenQ ran in the fields of barley and now we are invited to see the children of today run in those same fields. And there is nothing more that points to the wonder, goodness and strength of life itself then seeing children in carefree action. The Qsun goes downQ could refer to his life coming to an end. It perhaps is ominous of the ending that was cryptically hinted at in the opening verse 1 (line 1and 2) and perhaps hinted at before in verse 4 Qin the days still leftQ (as mentioned above).
QYoull remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barleyQ
These are the exact same words he told her, promised her, and which we the listeners heard, at the beginning of the song. Further though, the very first line of verse 4 almost identifies (actually though, a simile, not a metaphor) the coming or moving of the west wind with the move of lovers. How could she forget this experience: but how can we either: as hearers of that line identifying with our own experience? The movement of the west wind upon the fields of barley will flood back the memories of their experiences there and indeed of their whole life together. But what is the story, the poem, the lover getting at? Then we hear:
QYou can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of goldQ
It is her that is going to tell the sun: he wont be there. He tells her, as the storyteller conveys to us also, that she can now, when the west wind blows its gentle breeze, Qtell the sun in his jealous skyQ of their golden life together, even though he wont be there with her. But the memories carried by this west wind anew will be enough to touch into the memories of old. This will be a remembering of the joy of their relationship and thus a very sad time for her also as she grieves his loss or pending loss, which now becomes clear, especially with the words:
QWhen we walked in fields of goldQ
Note that QwhenQ is used, not the word that. The word that is more restrictive: and the sun and sky know that they walked in fields of gold (from what has been said in the song already). QWhenQ involves a story or an account, telling the sun and sky about the time of their life when they QwalkedQ these fields of gold, their joyous life together.
They had shut out the sun, in effect, ignored it, forgotten it, told it nothing of their ongoing inner life and joy. And it is clear now too that this shutting out of the sun and sky was not just for the initial time in the fields of barley, as his words at the end of verse 3 had us believe at that time. Now the sun and sky can know, will be told; and we might imagine that their jealousy would be further stirred. Now, the very telling to the sun and sky of their experiences together will highlight the memories that she had because, in a sense, of this very stirring of jealousy in the sun and sky that will occasion this telling.
We know this experience from other parallel areas of our life: something we have, material or spiritual, can be regarded or held much more proudly or significantly, when there is someone else who knows we have it and we know that they know: and we think or know that it is better. This has a somewhat self-centered twang about it, whereas I think the song simply wants to make a clear and strong contrast in order to convey just what their love in relationship is/was. More on this idea below.
We had in verse 1 QYoull forget the sun in his jealous skyQ: which we now know for certain was a promise when it was made: which was fulfilled in verse 2, 3 and 4. Its a QpromiseQ because it was a pledge or commitment to offer a warm, intimate friendship bond. Verse 3 said QWell forget the sun in his jealous skyQ and they did. Now it is or will soon be a time to remember, not forget. And it is a time to Qtell the sunQ that even though my lover has gone from this earth, that we had and still have, since our love endures beyond death in the memories we have, something that he (the sun) and his jealous sky could never have: a deep love, something personal and in that sense, something more wonderful, more beautiful and more captivating, something brighter and more embracing that the sun and sky could ever have or be, put together. This raises their love to a high plain, to something out of this world really. He had confidence in his love for her and her love for him from day 1; he never doubted that he or she would not remain true to each other.
QYou can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of goldQ
The last line is repeated thrice, emphasising that it was a past event that has now ended, that cant and wont happen again, but that, most importantly, is a vivid and lovely joyous memory. Further, there is that final instrumental music which lingers until the end: the same bar of music is repeated seven times. Seven is a number that at least in the biblical tradition and probably more generally, indicates forever, eternity and/or perfection. So the instrumental music at the end goes on and on: as does the love of this couple, even beyond death.
So we have a love story that spans their whole life until he dies but then endures since their golden love endures in the memories she has. She is sad, we can no doubt imagine, but no doubt joyful in the memories she has. I think there is a strong theme of joy and gratitude in this song. The sun and sky, as witnesses to their love, can only remain jealous; in all their power, magnitude, beauty and goodness, they cant match what they have witnessed and have been told here. The song uses this contrast between sun/sky and human love to emphasise and highlight just how great such an enduring love between a couple can be: something of cosmic or heavenly proportions.
I agree that it's generally a straightforward love song, but Sting has a "spiritual" (and specifically Tantric) disposition, which I think plays into this song, particularly with the puzzling line:
"You'll forget the sun it it's jealous sky."
In some spiritual traditions, like Tantra, there's the concept of an ascendant and a descendant path. Ascendant is transcendent, heavenly, almost otherworldly; while descendant is worldly, manifest. (Both paths can be seen as legitimate, you can either try to transcend the world to find "God" or embrace everything of the world to find God.)
Now, he says "Forget the sun" because he's asking her to embrace this human love, here on this earth, symbolized by the worldly "fields of barley." And he's saying that they will have such profound Love that the fields of barley will actually become "Fields of Gold." (Which is also why the Sun is jealous, because the Sun will always be transcendent and thus will never be able to experience the sacredness of manifestation.)
The music as well as the lyrics are very deep and full of emotion.
I guess the song is about a relationship that broke up long ago (I think so because of the repeated phase “You’ll remember me...”) although it seemed to be so perfect, that even the sun was jealous of it.
The change of perspectives is quite striking: the first, third, fifth and sixth verses as well as the bridge (“I never made promises lightly...”) are written in the perspective of the lyrical I (Sting himself – the person who had the relationship) in a kind of retrospective, it seems he wants his former girlfriend to remember the past relationship, too, because he lists some of the beautiful moments the couple had (going for a walk together – 1st verse; Sting’s confession, that he loves her – 2nd verse; lie together in fields of gold). Maybe he has still got some hope, that one day this relationship will get a second chance (?).
As a contrast, the second and fourth verses are written from the view of a third person who seems to watch another couple’s meeting in the same place (“Fields of Barley”- verse 4). In verse 4 Sting even seems to describe the feelings of the other man (“Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth”). Perhaps Sting wants to express, that there are much more broken hearted people with the same destiny he had – first a perfect relationship, but later a disappointing experience (?)
And, finally, I think the sunset in the 5th verse is a symbol of universal transience and the running children can be seen as a symbol of hope.
This song makes me also remember a quite similar experience of my own life. Once I performed Fields Of Gold on guitar at school together with a keyboarder I loved very much. Singing and making music with him was indescribably intense, but he didn’t love me, so all that’s left for me are these memories and the music.