A Child's Question, August

PJ Harvey's 'A Child's Question, August' is a poetic exploration of nature, time, and the emotions intertwined with the changing seasons. The song opens with vivid imagery of birds and their behaviors as summer transitions into autumn. The 'starling swarms' and 'rooks' are depicted as harbingers of change, signaling the end of a season and the beginning of another. The mention of 'goocoo' and 'swifts' further emphasizes the theme of departure and the inevitable passage of time, as these birds leave behind the warmth of summer for the chill of autumn.

The recurring question, 'What says dunnick, drush or dove? Love me tender? Tender love?' introduces a layer of human emotion into the natural setting. The birds, often symbols of freedom and nature, are anthropomorphized to reflect the singer's longing for tenderness and love. This juxtaposition of nature's cycles with human feelings creates a poignant reflection on how the external world mirrors internal states of being.

The song's melancholic tone is underscored by lines like 'Grief unknits my ravelled sleeve' and 'Death of zummer, death of play,' which convey a sense of loss and mourning for the passing season. The 'grinding wheel-bird' symbolizes the relentless march of time, and the 'waxing night and dwindling day' highlight the encroaching darkness of autumn. The repeated plea for help from the 'dunnick, drush and dove' and the desire for 'tender love' encapsulate a universal yearning for comfort and connection amidst the inevitable changes of life.

PJ Harvey's lyrical style in this song is both evocative and introspective, blending natural imagery with deep emotional resonance. The song serves as a meditation on the cyclical nature of time and the enduring human need for love and understanding, even as the world around us changes.