The Garden
PJ Harvey · Is This Desire? [1998]
and he was walking in the night
and he was singing a sad love song
and he was praying for his life
and the stars came out around him
he was thinking of his sins
and he's looking at his song-bird
and he's looking at his wings
there inside the garden
came another with his lips
said, 'Won't you come and be my lover?'
'Let me give you a little kiss?'
and he came, knelt down before him
and fell upon his knees
said, 'I will give you gold and mountains
if you stay a while with me...'
and there was trouble taking place...
there inside the garden
they kissed, and the sun rose
and he walked a little further
and he found he was alone
and the wind, it gathered round him
he was thinking of his sins
he was looking at his song-bird
and he was looking at his wings
and there was trouble taking place...
The Garden
PJ Harvey's "The Garden" appears on the 1998 album *Is This Desire?*, marking a pivotal moment in her discography where she fully embraced her signature gothic rock and art rock sensibilities. The track exemplifies her ability to weave atmospheric textures with raw, emotive vocals, creating a soundscape that balances haunting beauty with underlying tension. Released during a period of intense creative exploration, the recording reflects her deep engagement with themes of desire, isolation, and the complexities of human connection. As a cornerstone of her late-90s work, the song stands as a testament to her unique voice, influencing countless artists who followed in her wake and cementing her status as a formidable force in alternative music.

