The lyrics of the song ‘A Lemon Tree’ is a reflection on life, the fragility of one’s existence, and the regret of not having done more. Written by folk-singer Peter \textitHollens, it is an emotionally evocative song that commands attention. The lyrics of the song delve into themes of mortality, loneliness, and letting go. It starts with the lines: “The world it is a mourning room/ And I’m inside a broken tomb”. This instantly paints the scene of a desolate place, which speaks to the resigned sadness of the speaker.
The lyrics describe a lemon tree, with its fruit drooping to the ground. This symbolizes the speaker’s life, which is seemingly slipping away with each passing day. There is a feeling of desperation in Hollens’ words, perhaps reflecting the futility of struggling against the passage of time. The line of the chorus speaks to the sadness within: “The days, they pass like butterflies/ And all that I can do is try”.
The lyrics also explore regret and a sense of emptiness. The notion of the “tomb that’s in my heart” speaks to a deep sadness and hopelessness. There is a feeling of guilt for not having made the most of life, and for not having done more for those close to him. The line, “Fading words, forgotten dreams”, suggests a regret for unfinished business.
As the song progresses, the note of despair gradually gives way to a note of acceptance. The lyrics talk of learning to let go, of understanding one’s own mortality. In the bridge, the lyrics explicitly tells listener to live with no regrets: “And though I’ll soon be gone/ There’s rivers I have never run/ So give the world all that you’ve done/ And live your days like the morning sun”.
Although ‘A Lemon Tree’ is a simple acoustic song, it is a profound lament on life and death, meditating on the fragility of our lives. Despite being sorrowful in its tone, it ultimately points to a sense of hope and a reminder to live life with no regrets.
Elements of Symbolism
The song ‘A Lemon Tree’ contains several elements of symbolism which add additional layers to the song’s themes of mortality and regret. The most prominent symbol is the lemon tree itself, which is used to reflect the protagonist’s life. Its fruit, which drops to the ground, reflects the unavoidable march of time and the notion of life slipping away.
In addition, the use of a “tomb” speaks to the idea of mortality and understanding one’s mortality. The walls of the tomb represent limits and the limitations of life. The tomb is also seen as a place of sadness and helplessness. The notion of a forgotten dream hints at a sense of resignation, as if the speaker has given up on his ambitions. The line, “Like stars, they are all fading away,” hints at the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.
The bridge speaks to a message of hope amid the despondency of the song. The opening of the bridge lines, “There’s still so much that can be done,” hints at the idea of living life to the fullest and taking action. This is further reinforced by the lines, “Give the world all that you’ve done/ And live your days like the morning sun.” This is a reminder to the listener to live life with no regrets and forgo any sense of inertia or despair in life.
Themes and Motifs
The song ‘A Lemon Tree’ carries many themes and motifs that build on the song’s central themes of life and death. These themes are explored through the use of various symbols and imagery. The most prominent themes include mortality, loneliness, and regret. The lyrics of the song also explore the idea of letting go and understanding one’s own mortality. These themes are explored through the use of symbols such as the lemon tree, the tomb, and fading dreams.
The song also contains motifs of entropy and impermanence, particularly as it relates to the notion of life slipping away. The notion of fading stars is used to represent the futility of struggling against time, and the inevitability of death. The lyric, “The days, they pass like butterflies,” further amplifies this idea. The notion of the morning sun speaks to a message of hope amid the despondency of the song. This is the song’s reminder to never give up and to live life with no regrets.
Style of Music and Orchestration
The song ‘A Lemon Tree’ is an acoustic song with a simple yet sophisticated instrumentation. The song is built around a basic guitar arrangement with a soft and emotive melody. The delicate guitar provides an emotive backdrop for the vulnerable and introspective lyrics. The simple instrumentation provides a subtle and emotive accompaniment the melancholic themes of the song.
The song also features string adds a layer of drama and depth to the song. The strings swells create a sense of urgency and transport the listener back to a time of regret and sadness. The orchestration is simple yet effective, providing a haunting and emotional backdrop for the song’s themes of mortality, loneliness, and regret.
The Song’s Popularity
The song ‘A Lemon Tree’ has become a widely popular song, due in part to its emotive and poignant lyrics. The song went viral in 2020 and has since been viewed hundreds of millions of times on Youtube. It has allowed Peter Hollens to reach an audience beyond the folk scene, giving his music a far greater reach.
The success of the song can be attributed to its simple yet sophisticated arranging, as well as its heartfelt lyrics. The song resonates with fans due to its universal themes of mortality, loneliness, and regret. The song’s simple yet emotive instrumentation provides the perfect accompaniment to the themes of the lyrics. This has allowed the song to achieve mainstream success, propelling Peter Hollens to new heights of fame.
Conclusion
‘A Lemon Tree’ is a simple yet moving song, which speaks to its listener of mortality, loneliness, and regret. The song is built around a simple yet emotive guitar arrangement, with subtle and effective orchestration provided by strings. The simple instrumentation provides a fitting backdrop to the song’s emotive lyrics. The song’s emotive lyrics and catchy melody has made it a popular song, allowing Peter Hollens to reach a much wider audience.
