Down from Dover
Longing Shadows and Unspoken Promises: Down from Dover
Lyrics
I know this dress I'm wearing doesn't hide the secret I have tried concealing
I acknowledge that the dress I'm wearing doesn't conceal the secret I've tried to hide.
When he left he promised me that he'd be back by the time it was revealing
He promised to return before the pregnancy became evident, but he hasn't come back.
The sun behind a cloud just casts the crawling shadow o'er the fields of clover
The obscured sun casts a shadow over the fields, symbolizing the challenges ahead.
And time is running out for me I wish that he would hurry down from Dover
Time is running out, and the singer wishes for his prompt return from Dover.
He's been gone so long when he left the snow was deep upon the ground
He has been away for a significant duration, witnessing seasons change.
And I have seen a spring and summer pass and now the leaves are turning brown
Spring and summer have passed, and now autumn is here.
And any time a tiny face will show itself cause waiting's almost over
The imminent arrival of a child is indicated, as waiting is almost over.
But I won't have a name to give it if he doesn't hurry down from Dover
The uncertainty of the child having a name is expressed if he doesn't return promptly.
My parents didn't understanding when they found out they sent me
Parents disapproved and sent her away when they discovered the situation.
From the home place
She was sent away from her home place due to the shame associated with her situation.
My daddy said if folks found out he would be ashamed to ever show his face
Her father would be ashamed to face society if the truth came out.
My mother said I was a fool and she did not believe me when I told her
Her mother didn't believe her and considered her foolish for expecting everything to be fine.
But everything would be all right cause soon he would be coming down from Dover
Despite the challenges, she believed everything would be fine when he returned from Dover.
I loved him more than anything and I could not refuse him when he needed me
She loved him deeply and couldn't refuse him when he needed her.
He was the only man I'd loved and I just can't believe that he was using me
She can't believe that the man she loved would use her in such a way.
He couldn't leave me here like this I know it can't be so it can't be over
She believes he wouldn't abandon her in this difficult situation, expressing hope for his return.
He wouldn't make me go through this so long he'll be coming down from Dover
Despite the challenges, she trusts he will return soon.
My body aches the time is here it's lonely in this place where I'm lying
As the time approaches, she experiences physical and emotional pain in her lonely situation.
Our baby has been born but something's wrong it's much too still I hear no crying
Her baby is born, but the silence suggests something is wrong; there is no crying.
I guess in some strange way she knew she'd never have a daddy's arms to hold her
She speculates that her baby knew she would never have a father and chose to die.
And dying was her way of telling me he wasn't coming down from Dover
Death is the way the baby communicates that he won't be coming back from Dover.
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