Cemetry Gates

The Smiths · The Smiths Complete [2011]

A dreaded sunny day

So I meet you at the cemetry gates

Keats and Yeats are on your side

A dreaded sunny day

So I meet you at the cemetry gates

Keats and Yeats are on your side

While Wilde is on mine



So we go inside and we gravely read the stones

All those people, all those lives

Where are they now ?

With loves, and hates

And passions just like mine

They were born

And then they lived

And then they died

It seems so unfair

I want to cry



You say : "'Ere thrice the sun done salutation to the dawn"

And you claim these words as your own

But I've read well, and I've heard them said

A hundred times (maybe less, maybe more)

If you must write prose/poems

The words you use should be your own

Don't plagiarise or take "on loan"

'Cause there's always someone, somewhere

With a big nose, who knows

And who trips you up and laughs

When you fall

Who'll trip you up and laugh

When you fall



You say : "'Ere long done do does did"

Words which could only be your own

And then produce the text

From whence was ripped

(Some dizzy whore, 1804)



A dreaded sunny day

So let's go where we're happy

And I meet you at the cemetry gates

Oh, Keats and Yeats are on your side

A dreaded sunny day

So let's go where we're wanted

And I meet you at the cemetry gates

Keats and Yeats are on your side

But you lose

'Cause weird lover Wilde is on mine



Sure !

Cemetry Gates - The Smiths

Released on The Smiths Complete compilation, 'Cemetry Gates' stands as a quintessential example of the band's unique blend of jangle-pop and gothic rock. Written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr, the track exemplifies their signature sound, characterized by Marr's intricate guitar work and Morrissey's distinctive, theatrical vocal delivery. The song reflects the band's mid-1980s era, capturing a mood of melancholic introspection and urban alienation that became central to their identity. As part of their extensive discography, the recording showcases the collaborative chemistry between the two frontmen, creating a timeless piece that remains a staple of alternative rock history. Its enduring appeal lies in its atmospheric production and the evocative imagery found in its lyrics, cementing its place alongside other iconic Smiths tracks.