Down By The Sally Gardens

Loreena McKennitt's rendition of "Down By The Sally Gardens" is a hauntingly beautiful interpretation of a traditional Irish poem set to music. The song tells the story of a young man reflecting on a past love and the wisdom he failed to heed. The Sally Gardens, a serene and picturesque setting, serves as the backdrop for this poignant tale of love and regret.

The lyrics describe a meeting between the narrator and his love in the Sally Gardens, where she advises him to take life easy, comparing it to the natural, effortless growth of leaves on a tree. However, the narrator, in his youthful folly, dismisses her advice. This moment of youthful arrogance and the subsequent realization of its folly is a universal theme that resonates deeply. The imagery of the snow-white feet and hand of the beloved adds a layer of purity and innocence to the narrative, contrasting sharply with the narrator's regretful tone.

As the song progresses, the narrator recounts another moment by the river, where his love again urges him to take life easy, this time likening it to the grass growing on the weirs. The repetition of this advice and the narrator's repeated failure to accept it underscores the theme of missed opportunities and the wisdom that often comes too late. The song's melancholic tone is amplified by McKennitt's ethereal voice and the gentle, flowing melody, which together evoke a sense of longing and sorrow.

"Down By The Sally Gardens" is a timeless reflection on the impetuousness of youth and the bittersweet nature of hindsight. It reminds listeners of the importance of heeding wise counsel and the inevitable regrets that come with growing older.