Before delving into the mechanics and meaning of this song, let us take a moment to enjoy its misty, Impressionistic loveliness.
Here we have another dream song, like "The Sound of Silence." Another song about lying in bed next to a beautiful woman, like "Wednesday Morning." Here again are the image of walking alone down village "streets," the glow of "lamplight," the church bells from "Bleeker Street" and other songs.
And yet, how unlike these other songs in tone. The song is rapturous in its passion. Simon's other love songs are about leaving love ("Wednesday Morning"), losing love ("We've Got a Groovey Thing Goin'"), distant love ("Kathy's Song," "Homeward Bound"), dying love ("April Come She Will"), regretted love ("I am A Rock," "Dangling Conversation"), and even unregetted love ("Scarborough Fair").
This may be his first song about actively being in love. He dreams he is alone, and then in his dream he finds his lover. He wakes, and there is she is; he is so "grateful" that he is moved to "tears."
Some vocabulary: "Organdy" is a sheer, stiff, easily worked-with cotton cloth that can be embossed with a pressed-in pattern like stationery; "crinoline" is another stiff fabric, made of interwoven horsehair and linen, favored for hoop skirts. Burgundy is a region of France, known for its red wine, but here it is the color of that wine, purple-tinged red. The overall effect of these words calls to mind the French court or nobility of bygone days. Note that it is the "dream" that is associated with these clothes, not Emily herself. "Juniper" is a plant, a berry-bearing plant that has both woody, tree-like varieties and ones that cover the ground in spreading tendrils. If these are "fields of juniper" then the juniper here is most likely the low-lying sort.
One could dissect the imagery of French clothing, church bells, and "frosted fields"-- and the dichotomy proposed by the idea of the lover being "near" in the song... yet lost, according to the title.
But perhaps the best approach to this song is to simply allow its ethereal images and Garfunkel's lovely, wafting vocals to seep like mist into one's mind. Like seeing a Monet, lying next to one's love, or dreaming, this glowing song is likely better felt than thought.
Next Song: "7 O'clock News/Silent Night."
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Today, I woke up with this song "playing" in my mind, the whole song, something that had never happened to me before...
ReplyDeleteI believe this song is also meant to reflect feelings and sensations evocative of the psychedelic experience. It was recorded in late August 1966 when the counterculture and artistic community's "infatuation" with hallucinogens/consciousness expansion was at its height (LSD was legal in California until 10/6/1966 with the rest of the country following banning the drug). Many recording artists at that time were writing songs that reflected their experiences with these agents (often advocating their use outright). Your own words of "...ethereal images and...wafting vocals seep like mist into one's mind" are highly suggestive of that experience. Clearly the song is not directly about an LSD "trip" per se, you have identified the song's subject intent (i.e dreaming of love and then finding it). Nevertheless, its imagery, sound, and production are definitely psychedelic in my opinion as is its promulgation of the beauty of love (i.e. love ethos/love will change the world that was so popular at this time and during 1967 until 1968 and afterwards when it was consumed in the fires of Tet, the assassination of MLK and RFK, the riots in Watts and throughout the USA, government deception regarding Vietnam, campus protest, Altamont, Kent State, et al.). Still a very beautiful song that is highly reflective of its time. I could not see anything like it being released today---sadly enough.
ReplyDeleteAluffarb-- It is true that LSD experimentation was common then, and I'm not so naive that I think Simon was innocent of all drug use, or uninfluenced by the pervasive "scene." But I am also not convinced that only drugs can lead to such imagery. There is also good ol' imagination, of which Simon has no shortage.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know this beautiful song is called "For Emily,wheNever I may find her".
ReplyDeleteDidn't anybody see,all the time?
Anon-- No, they did not, and "they" includes me. Thanks for the catch-- it's been rectified.
ReplyDeleteI wept the first time I heard this song, and nearly every subsequent time. I am transported instantly to gaslit France or England, and I feel as if I'm living some experience half remembered from another life. It has always struck me right in the heart.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. It's a very emotional song, with tender moments followed by soaring vocal pitches, and dynamic guitar playing. One of the best, imho.
DeleteMarshall-- Well, we're all in agreement, then!
DeleteBanjoist-- I am not surprised. The gauzy vocals and the dreamy imagery make for a potent mix.
ReplyDeleteEmily is Emily Dickinson.
ReplyDeleteCertainly she is!
DeleteUnknown-- Interesting theory. However, the Emily in this song has "honey hair," and is therefore presumably a blonde. Emily Dickinson, from her photos, was a brunette.
ReplyDelete