The Ballad Of The Soldier's Wife
PJ Harvey · Other Songs - PJ Harvey
From the ancient city of prague ?
From prague came a pair of high heeled shoes,
With a kiss or two came the high heeled shoes
From the ancient city of prague.
What was sent to the soldier's wife
From oslo over the sound ?
From oslo he sent her a collar of fur,
How it pleases her, the little collar of fur
From oslo over the sound.
What was sent to the soldier's wife
From the wealth of amsterdam ?
From amsterdam, he got her a hat,
She looked sweet in that,
In her little dutch hat
From the wealth of amsterdam.
What was sent to the soldier's wife
From brussels in belgian land ?
From brussels he sent her the laces so rare
To have and to wear,
All those laces so rare
From brussels in belgian land.
What was sent to the soldier's wife
From paris, city of light ?
From paris he sent her a silken gown,
It was ended in town, that silken gown,
From paris, city of light.
What was sent to the soldier's wife
From the south, from bucharest ?
From bucharest he got her this shirt
Embroidered and pert, that rumanian shirt
From the south, from bucharest.
What was sent to the soldier's wife
From the far-off russian land ?
From russia there came just a widow's veil
For her dead to bewail in her widow's veil
From the far-off russian land,
From the far-off russian land.
The Ballad Of The Soldier's Wife
PJ Harvey's haunting track 'The Ballad Of The Soldier's Wife' exemplifies her signature blend of folk and rock, characterized by her distinctive vocal delivery and atmospheric production. Released as a standalone recording, the song delves into themes of longing and the emotional toll of separation, a recurring motif in her discography. The piece stands as a testament to her ability to craft intimate narratives within a broader musical context, utilizing sparse instrumentation to heighten the sense of isolation. Harvey's work often explores the complexities of human relationships and societal structures, and this recording continues that tradition without relying on specific lyrical references to ground its emotional impact. It remains a notable song in her catalog, reflecting the raw intensity and poetic sensibility that define her artistic output.