Patience Is The Night

In 'Patience Is The Night' by Over The Garden Wall, the lyrics paint a serene and contemplative picture of time and longing. The song opens with imagery of fields and the end of a workday, suggesting a rural, pastoral setting. The phrase 'Time's a gentle stream, longer than it seems' evokes a sense of timelessness and tranquility, emphasizing the slow, steady passage of time. This metaphor of time as a gentle stream highlights the patience required to endure the wait, suggesting that time, though it may seem slow, is always moving forward.

The recurring theme of waiting is central to the song. The narrator expresses a deep longing to see a loved one, described with celestial imagery such as 'her starry moonlit gaze.' This not only adds a romantic and ethereal quality to the song but also underscores the emotional weight of the wait. The repetition of 'I know she's never late, still anxiously I wait' captures the tension between trust and anticipation, reflecting the universal experience of waiting for something or someone important.

The refrain 'Patient is the night' serves as a soothing reminder of the virtue of patience. It suggests that the night, often associated with rest and reflection, is a time to embrace patience and trust in the natural flow of time. The song's gentle, repetitive structure mirrors the steady passage of time and the calm acceptance of waiting. Through its poetic lyrics and serene tone, 'Patience Is The Night' invites listeners to find peace in the inevitability of time and the beauty of patient anticipation.