The girl in the swing
Waterboys · Waterboys [1983]
Do you see them coming through fields of snow?
do you see them riding through fields of snow?
One rides for a woman who has no name
one rides for a king
And one just rides and rides and rides and rides
for the girl in the swing
They race like phantoms in the Belmont light
you see them follow the Belmont light
They ride through places where the walls are white
where the noble voices of women sing
A brace of thanks and silent night
and a song for the girl in the swing
Well, you just asked me do I know what love is
well, sure I know, sure I know what love is
It's the thief of sleep, a boy and his dog
a red rubber ball, these old foolish things
A rain that falls a long, long way from home
it lives in the girl in the swing!
It lives in the girl in the swing...
The girl in the swing
Released on the Waterboys' 1983 debut album, 'The girl in the swing' stands as a defining track of the band's early folk-rock evolution. The song captures the raw energy and melodic sensibilities that would characterize their subsequent work, blending acoustic instrumentation with a driving rhythm that reflects the post-punk revival movement of the early 1980s. As one of the group's signature compositions, it showcases the collaborative songwriting spirit of the Waterboys, establishing a sonic identity that prioritized lyrical storytelling and atmospheric depth. The recording remains a pivotal moment in their discography, illustrating the transition from their initial experimental phases to the polished yet organic sound that made them a significant force in British alternative music.