Strange face, with your eyes
So pale and sincere
Underneath you know well
You have nothing to fear
For the dreams that came to you when so young
Told of a life
Where spring is sprung

You would seem so frail
In the cold of the night
When the armies of emotion
Go out to fight
But while the earth sinks to its grave
You sail to the sky
On the crest of a wave

So forget this cruel world
Where I belong
I'll just sit and wait
And sing my song
And if one day you should see me in the crowd
Lend a hand and lift me
To your place in the cloud



Lyrics submitted by Sweet Blue Way

Track duration: 04:45


Cello Song song meanings
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28 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:He's singing to himself. He's the strange face in the first verse, looking at his own eyes. He knows he should have nothing to fear by life, but... at night, the armies of emotion come anyway (depression). He can't fight that wave. In the final verse, he withdraws into his music, hoping to be helped by someone's, anyone's, hand.

    This song makes me cry.
    Flag smallwonderroboton June 03, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about Nick being depressed, but wanting to be happy, like other people. The sky and clouds represent happiness.

    The first part is about how he sees others. Carefree, fearless, happy go lucky

    The second part talks about At night, your emotions take over, and fight your happiness. You should be depressed, and down, like people like Nick, and become hopeless and down in the dumps, "sink to your grave". Nick feels like others "sail to the sky", or stay happy and carefree, when they could be sinking to their grave like Nick is doing.

    Nick feels like he belongs in the cruel world, where he is depressed and hopeless. He will just continue singing his songs and being depressed. If you see Nick, help him out, cheer him up, help him see the world in positive light and be carefree and happy. "Lend a hand and lift me, To your place in the cloud"
    Flag sdsu2231on February 28, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Song Comparison:A disturbingly beautiful song about leaving the pain of earthly existence.

    The end is the transcendent part - where the cello keeps going up the eastern-sounding scale, ascending higher and higher into the clouds until it vanishes. In the final bars, the conga beats are like the singer who stayed behind, on earth, and the upward floating cello notes are like the departed friend being sung to. It's like a more serene version of "Into the Blue" by Roxy Music. But the Roxy song is far less melancholy - it's only about being deliriously in love; not leaving your life behind.

    I feel that this song is dangerous. It can slowly, imperceptibly overtake your soul. It needs a warning label - "Abandon hope all ye who listen here".

    But it is singularly, hauntingly melodious too.
    Flag NomadMonadon April 02, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:The arrangement sounds very Indian to me, like a raga. That might be the John Cale influence.
    Flag satchmo76on March 26, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This song brings to mind my late wife. What more can I say? It is lovely.
    Flag Estragon44on December 27, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This is almost unbearably beautiful. The delicacy of his voice with the strings at the end ...
    Flag aventurineon December 14, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning:Nick Drake died very young, and it was questionable then whether his death was an accidental overdose or suicide. To me, this song is a reflection on death, on someone who has passed, and the singer is considering joining his friend. In other words, I feel it is a contemplation of suicide, or at least, a wish to die and join the missing friend.
    Flag FromPhillyon August 12, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Here is my take on the song:
    "Strange face, with your eyes
    So pale and sincere
    Underneath you know well
    You have nothing to fear
    For the dreams that came to you when so young
    Told of a life
    Where spring is sprung"
    This is how he sees most of the people. Carefree and enjoying life and full of hope.

    "You would seem so frail
    In the cold of the night
    When the armies of emotion
    Go out to fight
    But while the earth sinks to its grave
    You sail to the sky
    On the crest of a wave"

    This is and advice. Save yourself, because things are rather bad.

    "So forget this cruel world
    Where I belong
    I'll just sit and wait
    And sing my song
    And if one day you should see me in the crowd
    Lend a hand and lift me
    To your place in the cloud".

    He knows he can´t simply "let go". Again, an advice for anyone who wants to listen to it, get away from everything or it wil consume you. And if you can, please, help.
    Flag medton July 04, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:never understand why ''cello song''
    Flag justnickon January 28, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Cant we try and become a Nick Drake preacher?? spread his philosophy? let the world know about this genius??
    Flag reshanon October 17, 2010   Link

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